LANDMARKS 



Albany County 



NEW YORK. 



EDITED BY 

AMASA J. PARKER 

OF ALBANY, N. Y. 



SYRACUSE. N. Y. ; 

D. MASON & CO.. PUBLISHERS, 

1897. 



^.r. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I 1 

CHAPTER II ' 5 

CHAPTER III. 10 

CHAPTER IV 20 

CHAPTER V 25 

CHAPTER VI... U 

CHAPTER VII 50 

CHAPTER VIII 63 

CHAPTER IX.... . 84 

CHAPTER X 103 

CHAPTER XI, Civil List 121 

CHAPTER XII, Judicial-)' and Bar 130 

CHAPTER XIII, The Medical Profession.. 168 

CHAPTER XIV, Journalism 233 

CHAPTER XV, General Education 253 

CHAPTER XVI, Public Institutions and Buildings.. '..... 268 



CHAPTER XVII, The City of Albany... "'^^ 

CHAPTER XVni, Tcuvn of Watervliet (now Colonie), West 
Vrov (now Watervliet Citv), Green Island as Town and Vil- 

' 39-4 

lage, and the City of Cohoes. 

CHAPTER XIX, Town of Rensselaerville - - - - - - "^^^ 

CHAPTER XX, Town of Coeymans ' •' 

CHAPTER XXI, Town of Bethlehem ^^^ 

499 
CHA-PTER XXII, Town of Berne 

CHAPTER XXIII, Town of Guilderland 

CHAPTER XXIV, Town of Westerlo ^28 

CHAPTER XXV, Town of Knox. ... - - - ■ 

CHAPTER XXVI, Town of New Scotland 5^^ 



PART II. 

1-200 
BIOGRAPHICAL 

PART III. 

1-376 
FAMILY SKETCHES. 



377-500 
INDEXES 



PORTRAIT INDEX 



Amsdell, George 



.facing o78, Part 



Barnes, Thurlow Weed, 

facing 159, Part II 
Barnes, William, jr... facing 338, Part I 

Beattie, William facing 12, Part II 

Bendell, Herman, M. D., 

facing 168, Part I 

Best, George N facing 158, Part II 

Bigelow, John M., M. D., Ph. D., 

facing 203, Part 1 
Blair, Louis E., M. D., facing 10, Part II 

Blunn, James facing 420, Part I 

Borthwick, James M. . facing 83, Part II 
Brady, Anthony N. ..facing ICO, Parti 

Brass, Richard W facing 86, Part II 

Briggs, John N facing 480, Part I 

-'.n.nk, Barent T. E.. facing 166, Part II 

'.r.Miks, Jonas H facing 68, Part II 

!r' i\vn, Frank facing 440, Part I 

^jniwn, W. Howard ...facing 43, Part II 
Buchanan, Charles J. . facing 166, Part I 

^uich, John G facing 140, Part II 

Burke, Rt. Rev. Thomas 

facing 353, Part I 
Burlingame, Eugene A., 

facing 144, Part I 
Byington, William Wilberforce, 

facing 356, Part I 

Cantine, Edward B. . .facing 54, Part II 
Carpenter, Charles Whitney, 

facing 108, Part II 

Clute, Jacob H facing 143, Part I 

Covert, lames C .facing 423, Part I 

Cox, James W., M. D., 

facing 217, Part -I 
Curreen, George H. . .facing 130, Part II 



Delehanty, John A^ 
Dickson, Walter.. 
Doane, Rt. Rev. V 
D. D., LL. 1 



.fncinc;S2, Part II 
laniv.; Ii:;, Part II 
ham t;i..swell, 
tauuv.; ;j40, Part I 



Easton, Frederick facing 33, Part II 

Fi.sk, Frank H., M. D. facing 167, Part II 
Fitzgerald, David C. ..facing 49, Part II 
Fuller, Howard N facing 292, Parti 

Griflfin, Rev. William, D. D., 

facing 344, Part I 



Hale, Matthew facing 130, Part I 

Harris, Hamilton.. ...facinc 3, Part II 

Hastings, Hugh fami- 7:;, I'art II 

Hornby, Ralph fa. in;., lis, I 'a it II 

House, George A faLin;.; IC;;, i'.ulll 

Howell, George Roger.s, 

facing 274, Part I 

Jerraain, James Barclay, 

facing 8, Part I 

Jones, Charles Edmund, A. M., M. D., 

facing 155, Part II 

King, Rufus H facing 24, Parti 

Kinnear, Peter ...facing 6, Part II 

Lewi, Joseph. M. D facing 172, Part I 

Lewis, T. Ho ward... facing 47, Part II 
Liieke, Henry .facing 160, Partll 

Marsh, Benjamin facing 56, Parti 

Marvin, Selden E., Gen., 

facing 375, Part I 
Marvin, Selden E., Col., jr., 

facing 33, Part II 
McCormic, Robert H., jr., 

facing 77, Part II 

McCreary. Edward facing 17, Part II 

McKee, James B facing 434, Part I 

McKown, James A... facing 141, Part II 

Meegan, Edward J facing 50, Part II 

Merrill, Frederick J, H., 

facing 271, Part I 
Munson, Samuel L. . ..facing 358, Part I 
Myers, Ma.x facing 14, Part II 

Nead, William M.. M. D., 

facing 210, Part I 
Newman, John L. .... facing 20, Part II 

Oliver, Robert Shaw, Gen., 

facing 384, Part I 

Parker, Amasa J facing 143, Part II 

Parker, Amasa J facing 151, Part II 

Palmer, Edward DeL., 

facing 320, Par 



Pasiju 



Attilio facin 



Perry, Isaac G. facing Klo, Part II 

Plympton, Lucy Ann.. facing 266, Part I 
Porter, Charles H.. M. D.. 

facing 178, Part I 



Pruvn, John V. L., LL. D., 

facing 63, Part II 

Root, Josiah G facing 447, Part I 

Sanford, John C facing 452, Parti 

Sisson, Noel E .facing 132, Part II 

Slavin, Thomas facing 91, Part II 

Slingerland, John I facing 492, Part I 

Spalding, Nathaniel B., facing 87, Part II 
Stedman, George L._ facing 40, Part II 

Stern, Louis... .facing 92, Part II 

Story, George facing 168, Part II 

Stowell, Charles F facing 296, Part I 

Sweet, Elias W facing 165, Part II 

Sweet, Elnathan facing 386, Parti 

Thacher, George Hornell, 

facing 58, Part II 
Townsend, Frederick, Gen., 

facing 361, Part I 

Tracev, Charles facing 123, Part I 

Tucker, Luther , facing 239, Part I 



Tucker, Luther H facing 240, Part : 



Van Alstyne, Thomas J., 

facing 101, 
Van Alstyne, William C, 

facing 288, 
Van Antwerp, John H., 

facing 376, 
Vandcr Veer, Albert. M. D., 

facing 179, 
Van Loon, Arthur B., M. D., 

facing 25, 
\'an Rensselaer, Howard. M. D. , 

facing 80, 
Van Woriner, John R., 

facing 110, 
Vosburgh, Isaac W facing 40, 



Ward. Samuel Baldwin, M. D., 

facing 177 

Wilson, James H facing 116, 

Wooster, Benjamin W. , facing 44, 



Zeh, M. J., M. D facing 412, Parti 



Part II 

Parti 

Part I 

Part I 

Part II 

Part II 

Part II 
Part I 



Part I 
Part II 
Part II 



Landmarks of Albany County. 



CHAPTER I. 



The history of Albany county begins in IGOil, when, as far as can be 
known with certainty, the first Europeans visited this locality. If 
white men were here previous to that time the fact is not susceptible 
of proof; but thenceforward to the present, through a period of more 
than two hundred and eighty-five years the historic record may be 
clearly traced, and the story is filled with interesting details of events 
of great historical importance. The county of Albany was not formed 
until 1683, at which time the early history of this region was far ad- 
vanced and the great struggle for conquest and possession of this con- 
tinent was foreseen. 

Albany county ' was one of the ten original counties of the present 
State of New York, and the other nine being New York, West Chester, 
Ulster, Dutchess, Orange, Richmond, Kings, Queens, Suffolk. At 
the time of its erection the county embraced an immense area, from 
which the following counties were erected on the dates named : 

Gloucester, March 16, 1770, including what is now Orange, Wasli- 
ington, Caledonia, Orleans, Essex, Lamoille, Franklin and Grand Isle, 
all in Vermont. 

Tryon, March 13, 1772 (name changed to Montgomery April 2, 1784), 
from which all the counties of the State west of Greene, Schoharie, 
Schenectady, Saratoga, Warren, Essex and part of St. Lawrence were 
formed. 

Charlotte, March 12, J 772 (name changed to Washington April 2, 
I7S4), from which were erected Warren, Clinton, St. Lawrence, Essex, 
and Franklin. 

' .\l the time of the formation of Albany county nine ,.thers were erected from territory now 
embraced in the State of New York, and two, Dukes and Cornwall, from Massachusetts and 



Cunibciiaiul, April I, ITSC, cnibracino; lliu present euunties cif Ren- 
ningluii, \Viiulsor, Windluini, Rutland, Addisun, and Chittenden, all 
in X'ermont. 

L'cilnmbia, April 4, I'SO. 

Rensselaer, February 7, 1701. 

Saratoga, February 7, 1701. 

Schoharie, April (i, 1795. 

Greene, March a5, 1800. 

Schenectady, March 7, ISOO. 

Albany county took its name from the Scotch title of the Duke c;f 
York and Albany, who was afterwards King James II of England. It 
is situated between forty-two degrees, twenty-three minutes, and forty- 
two degrees, forty-nine minutes north latitude, and between two de- 
grees, forty minutes, and three degrees, fifteen minutes, east longitude 
from Washington, and with the erection of the last county from its ter- 
ritory (Schenectady) it was left with an area of about bii square miles, 
or ;)48,lfJ0 acres. Its northern boundary is formed by Schenectady 
and Saratoga cotmties; its eastern by the Hudson River; its western by 
Schoharie county, and its southern by Greene county. 

The surface of this county has a general southeastern inclination and 
is undulating and hilly. An intervale of a width varying from a quar- 
ter of a mile to a mile extends along the Hudson River, which is 
bounded by a series of steep bluffs from 100 to ISO feet high; from the 
summit of these an undulating and slightly ascending plateau stretches 
westward to the foot of the Helderberg Hills,' where it reaches an ele- 
vation of about -too feet above tide. This range of hills rises to a 
height of from 400 to 800 feet above the plateau, with declivities some- 
times steep and precipitous on the east, but sloping more gradually on 
the west. Other minor hill i-anges extend through portions of the 
county in a general northerly and southerly direction. The loftiest 
eminence in the county is in the Helderbergs in the northeast corner 
of the town of Berne, and is 1,200 feet above tide. These hill ranges 
are spurs of the Catskills, which are the northerly continuation of the 
Allegany Mountains. 

The principal streams of Albany county are the Hudson, the Mohawk, 
the Catskill, the Schoharie, and the Norman's Kill. The streams trib- 
utary to the Hudson are the following, which come under the title of 

' The name Hckk-rber.!,' signitie.s ' Clear JIminlain," fr.im the fine prospect from the summit of 



either river, creek, brook, or kill: The Catskill, Coeymans, Haana- 
Krois, Vlaman's, Norman's, Beaver, Rutten, Foxen, Patroon, Ralger, 
Cemeter}^ Dry, and Mohawk. Tributaries of the Mohawk are the 
Schoharie, Lisha's, Town, and Donker's. Those of the Catskill are 
Eig-ht-Mile, Ten-Mile, Scrub, Fox, and Wilbur. Of the Schoharie, 
Beaver Dam, Foxen and Switz. There are other minor streams which 
will be mentioned later in the town histories. In the western part of 
the county the streams g-enerally flow through narrow ravines, while 
those that flow into the Hudson have worn deep gullies in the soil, 
some of which are one hundred feet in depth and extend nearly to the 
river flats. 

The eastern boundary line of this county is through the middle of the 
Hudson River, which gives all of the islands lying west of that line to 
the count}^ These are Van Rensselaer's, or Westerlo Lsland, the 
largest, containing 160 acres, lying east of the sottthern part of the city 
of Albany-; Haver Island, Van Schaick's Island, and Whale Island, all 
near the junction of the Mohawk with the Hudson; Green Island, di- 
rectly opposite Troy and now a thickly settled villag'e ; Pleasure Island, 
a short distance above Albany; Reeren, or Bear's Island, eleven miles 
below Albany and belonging to the town of Coeymans; Shad, Scher- 
merhorn (or Neifer), Wooden and Poplar, opposite Coeymans : Sill's (or 
Van Woert)j Bear, Beacon (or Bisby), Cabbage (or Jolly), Marsh, and 
Rogart's, opposite Bethlehem; Lower Patroon, Patroon, Cuyler, Hill- 
house (or Glen), and Breaker, opposite Watervleit. On the Mohawk, 
above the Cohoes Falls, are Fonda and Cobble Islands. Some of these 
islands have an important history which will be found in its pr<i])er 
place. 

The geological formations of Alban}' county belong to the Up])er 
Silurian system, and comprise nearl}' all of the rocks of New York from 
the Utica slate to the corniferous limestone. Above the rocks in the 
eastern part of the county are thick deposits of drift consisting of sand, 
gravel and clay, while along the river bottoms are rich alluvial deposits. 
The lowest rock cropping out on the Hudson, Norman's Kill and Mo- 
hawk is the Utica slate. Next above are the graywacke and shales of 
the Hudson River group, appearing in the valleys of all the streams 
that flow into the Hudson, and probably underlying all of the eastern 
part of the county; this stone is quarried for flag'ging and building 
purposes. The base of the Helderbci'gs is evidently formed of the red 
Medina sandstone, and next above and forming the first terrace of tlie 



moxintains is the water lime group from fifty to two hundred feet thick, 
and supplying both water and quicklime. Next comes the pentamems 
limestone, about fifty feet in thickness, and consisting of impure gray 
and black limestone intermixed with slate and shale. Overlying this 
is the Catskill limestone, from fifty to one hundred and eighty feet 
thick, the layers being alternated with thin layers of shale; this stone 
is also used for building purposes. The Ori.skany sandstone is next in 
order in a thin stratum which is developed in the towns of Berne, Knox, 
and Bethlehem. This is followed by the cauda-galli grit of fifty to sixty 
feet in thickness. Although this has a fine grit resembling black and 
gray slates, it crumbles upon exposure to the air. Next above are the 
Onondaga and corniferous limestones, the latter crowning the summits 
of the mountains, and both furnishing excellent lime and building 
stone. The highlands west of the city of Albany are covered witii a 
depth of forty feet of sand which rests upon a bed of clay probably one 
hundred feet deep. In this drift bog ore has been found, and springs 
of acidulous, chalybeate, and saline water exist. Sulphurous springs 
have been found near Albany city, at Coeymans Landing, in (luilder- 
land, in Watervleit, and in Rensselaerville. White sulphur springs 
exist in Berne and New Scotland which have been visited to some ex- 
tent by invalids with beneficial results. 

The soil of Albany county is varied m character. Along the rivers is 
a rich alluvial loam which is very productive. In Watervleit, Al- 
bany, and the eastern part of Guilderland and Bethlehem it is almost 
pure sand, with strips of clay along the banks of the streams. Between 
this sandy region and the foot of the Helderbergs is a belt of land on 
which the soil is chiefly a clayey and gravelly loam, rich and productive. 
On the Helderbergs the soil is principally alternate layers of clay, slate, 
and gravel, usually with a subsoil of the tenacious clay known as 
" hard pan." Much of this latter region is cold, wet and only moder- 
ately jiroductive. Pine, oak and chestnut were the princi\)a' 
trees of the sandy region, with a small ([uantity of red ceda 
southeast corner of the county. Westward of the sandy tract 
usual deciduous and evergreen trees of this State. 



Nicolaus Coorn, "wacht meester " for the patroon, some cannon 
mounted and a small garrison installed. Acting under direction of the 
patroon his subordinates now boldly imposed a toll of five guilders, 
(about two dollars), which the}' claimed as a staple right on ever}- trad- 
ing craft passing, and, moreover, insisted that such craft should lower 
their colors in honor of Rensselaer- Stein, which was asserting a sovereign 
right by the patroon over a great natural highway. 

In the summer of 104:4 the yacht " Good Hope," Govert Lookermans 
master, sailed from Fort Orange for New Amsterdam, but on reaching 
Heeren Island she was hailed and ordered to lower her colors. When 
asked for whom, the commander replied, "For the staple right of 
Rensselaerwyck." The sturdy skipper knew no such master and with 
an oath refused to strike his flag "for any individual save the Prince 
of Orange and the lords his masters," whereupon Coorn fired several 
shots at the vessel, one of which, according to the record, " perforated 
our princely flag." 

The excitement created at New Amsterdam by this incident may easily 
be imagined, whither Coorn was at once suinmoned, and pleaded the 
the authority of the patroon for his conduct. This, not justifying him, 
he was condemned to pay damages and forbidden to repeat the offense 
under penalty of corporal punishment, and he was also required to obtain 
tlie patroon's approval of this sentence. The whole proceeding called 
out from Attorney-General Van der Huygens a protest against the 
works on Beeren Island as beyond any privilege granted to the patroon. 
A fort there, cutting off free navigation, it was contended, would be 
ruinous to the West India Company. It was also claimed that no 
patroon could extend his colony more than eight miles along the banks 
of the river on both sides, while this island was outside of that limit. 
But this protest from Kieft's attorney-general made little impression 
on Commander Coorn, who said: 

As the Vice Commander of the honorable Van Rensselaer, I call on yon, Cornelis 
Van der Huygens, Attorney-General of New Netherland, not to presume to oppose 
and frustrate my designs on Bear's Island, to defraud me in any manner, or to 
cause me an}- trouble, as it has been the will of their High Mightinesses, the States- 
General and the privileged West India Company, to invest my patroon and his heir 
with the right to extend and fortify his "colonie,"/^nd make it powerful in every re- 
spect. If you persist in so doing, I protest against the act of violence and assault 
committed by the honorable Lords-Majors, which I leave them to settle, while this 
undertaking has nothing else in view than to ]>revent the canker of free-traders en- 
tering his '■ colonic." 



The first patroon died in H'tW. but his general policy was afterwards 
continued b}- his executors. At the same time Sheriff Van der Donck 
was superseded by Nicolaus Coorn, while in 1647 Kieft was succeeded 
by Peter Stuyvesant. The Indian wars which had been a source of 
so much trouble and loss to the southward, did not materially affect 
Rensselaerwyck, throughout which a fair degree of prosperity and 
growth prevailed, though at the time of Stuyvesant's arrival there 
were only about a dozen houses in Beverwyck, with a small settle- 
ment at Bethlehem, while a few " bouweries " were also cultivated on 
the east side of the river opposite Fort Orange. Little had been done 
in the Katskill region, it being substantially a wilderness from Fort 
Orange to Manhattan. 

The heir to the patroonship of Rensselaerwyck was Johannes Van 
Rensselaer, a minor, whose interests devolved upon his uncle, Johannes 
Van Wely, and Wouter Van Twiller, executors of the estate, who im- 
mediately rendered fealty and homage to their High Mightinesses for the 
"colonic" and in behalf of their ward. The immediate management of 
the estate, however, was entrusted to Brant Arent Van .Slechtenhorst, of 
Nieukerke in Guilderlandt, who was appointed director of the colony, 
president of the court of justice and superintendent of all the bouweries, 
farms, mills and other property descending from the patroon. His 
salary was 750 florins ($300) per annum, with a house, four cows, two 
horses, eight acres of tillage and the same quantity of pasture land. 
He was charged to maintain and defend the freedom and privileges of 
the colony; to promote the interests and advance the settlement of 
Beverwyck and its immediate neighborhood, and to acquire by purchase 
the lands about Katskill, as some of the colonists were forming com- 
panies to remove thither. He was ordered also to explore for minerals, 
and to report in full to his superiors. His son, Gerrit, was to act as 
schout-fiscal, at a salary of 600 florins, but served thus only two months, 
when the office was merged in that of director. 

New Netherlands now became the scene of a prolonged contest, with 
Director-General Stuyvesant and Brant Van Slechtenhorst at the head 
of the opposing factions. New Amsterdam had been and still was 
jealous of the existence of the patroon colonies, considering them an- 
tagonistic to rapid settlement, and efforts had, at an early period, been 
made by the New Amsterdam authorities to induce the patroon to cede 
to them his rights and possessions; failing in this they now determined 
to circumscribe and restrict his field of operations as far as lay in their 



29 

power. Stiiyvesant claimed to be supreme in the countr}', irrespective 
of all feudal rights and privileges. Van Slechtenhorsfs position may be 
inferred ; he was there tii protect the interests of the heir and would rec- 
ognize no authority within his limits, other than that of his superiors or 
legal representatives. He claimed that the director-general could issue 
no order that would be obligatory upon him, unless it were endorsed and 
countersigned by his commander and executed by the officers of his 
court. An ante-climax was reached before Slechtenhorst had been in 
office a month 

A proclamation ordering the first Wednesday in May, inis, to be 
observed as a fast, was received from the director-general by the Rens- 
selaerwyck authorities as an invasion of the rights of the lord of the 
manor, and Van Slechtenhorst protested. This action touched vStuy- 
vesant's pride as well as opposed his authority, and he visited the 
"colonic" to put a stop to such proceedings, with;his military escort, 
being loyally greeted by a salvo of artillery from the patroon's ar- 
tillery. His interview with Van Slechtenhorst was not very satis- 
factory. When he accused the old Dutchman of infringing" the 
scjvereignty of the Dutch West India Company, he was met with the 
reply: "Your complaints are unjust ; I have more reason to complain 
on behalf of my patroon against you." Stuyvesant then put forth a, 
long protest, accusing Van Slechtenhorst with having conveyed lots 
and authorized the erection of buildings in the immediate vicinity of 
Fort Orange in disregard of the sovereign authority and in contempt 
of the director-general's commission, and thus destroying the security 
of the fort. He ordered, therefore, "in a friendly manner," that a 
stop should be put to all building operations within cannon range of 
the fort, unless under orders of the Lords Majors; that no new 
ordinances should issue that would aiTeet the sovereign authority, or 
relating to commerce or public welfare, without consent of their High 
Mightinesses or their representative in New Netherland; that no ex- 
clusive right to any branch of trade be rented, nor an}' grain, masts, 
or other ]3ropert}''belonging to the company's servants be seized, unless 
in suits that should be prosecuted without delay. The inhabitants of 
the colony of Rensselaerwyck had been compelled to sign a pledge 
that as defendants they would not appeal to the Supreme Court of New 
Netherland from judgments of the Court of Rensselaerwyck; this 
practice was condemned by Stuyvesant as a "crime," an infraction of 
the law of the land and a subversion of the charter. To abolish this 



30 

]3ractice he insisted upon an annual return to the director and council 
of all the proceedings in the colony court. A'an Slechtenhorst was also 
called upon to produce his authority from either the States-General or 
the Chamber at Amsterdam. Failiny in all this Van Slechtenhorst 
would be protested against for disobedience of orders. 

\'an vSlechtenhorst was a man of strong will and choleric temper; 
moreover, he sincerely believed that the rights and privileges of his 
young patroon were being trampled upon, the charter overridden and 
the Lords-Majors insulted by Stuyvesant's demands. He promptly 
answered protest by protest. He charged the director-general with 
having ordered a day of fasting " contrary to ancient order and usage, 
as if he were the lord of the patroon's colonic." He accused the hire- 
lings of the company at the fort with cutting timber and firewood in 
the piatroon's forests without permission, "as if these were their own " ; 
with having overrun the colon)- with people from Manhattan, "with 
savages by their side to serve as brokers," trading publicly with the 
Indians without license from the patroon or his agents and without 
paying duties. He claimed the order to cease building within certain 
limits near the fort had no justification, insisting that the patroon's 
trading house stood "a few years ago" on the border of the moat sur- 
rounding the fort; all that soil, he claimed, still belonged to the pa- 
troon, who had not been disturbed thereon until Director Stuyvesant 
now sought " by unbecoming means " to deprive " his orphan heir " of 
his rights. i\nd so the strife went on, increasing in vigor on both 
sides. 

Van Slechtenhorst was in the right as far as building near the fort 
was involved, and that was, perhaps, the chief point at issue. The 
pretense that buildings near the fort endangered it was folly. The 
buildings referred to were more tlian five hundred rods from the fort, 
and eight houses had already been built between them and the fort. 
Van Slechtenhorst continued his improvement at Beverwyck, and an- 
other protest came up from Manhattan warning him to stop or force 
would be used to bring him to terms. But this only called out another 
reply from Van Slechtenhorst, in which he asserted that no suit cotdd 
be begun, nor execution issued in another district without consent of 
the schout-fiscal or court of that jurisdiction; therefore, the proceed- 
ings were informal. It appears that Stuyvesant, who had claimed in 
July that all territory within range of cannon shot belonged to Fort 
( )range, now reduced the circle to the range of a musket ball, witliin 



31 

which he purposed stopping building, although, as the record states, 
" he permits whole streets to be filled with houses in view of Fort Am- 
sterdam." Fort Orange having been badly damaged by freshets in 
the previous w-inter, the commissary of the West India Company re- 
ceived orders to surround it with a wall instead of the former wooden 
fence, but the work was scarcely begun when Van Slechtenhorst for- 
bade Carl Van Brugge, "in an imperious manner," from quarrying stone 
within the colony and from felling a tree for either timber or firewood. 
The West India Company was thus deprived of actual necessities unless 
they were humbly requested, or paid for. at what the company called 
"enormous prices." The work on the fort had to stop, while A'an 
Slechtenhorst continued building "even within pistol shot of Fort 
Orange." 

Stuyvesant now resolved to employ force to accomplish what he 
had thus far failed in. Six soldiers were sent up to Van Brugge's 
aid, with orders to demolish a house built by Van Slechtenhorst; to 
arrest that gentleman "in the most civil manner possible," and de- 
tain him until he delivered over a copy of his commission and in- 
structions. He was finally summoned to Fort Amsterdam to answer 
for his conduct. At the same time orders were issued prohibitin.a- the 
importation of guns into Rensselaerwyck without license from the 
Lords-Majors; if any were imported they were to be sold only to the 
West India Company at the price of two beavers each. Beverwyck 
was excited when the armed posse arrived. Peace had ever reigned in 
tlie little hamlet, and the only guns seen there were those which were 
traded to the Indians for furs at a profit that made the thrifty Dutch- 
men smile. The invading army was small, to be sure, but when it 
came with orders to demolish a dwelling and arrest the vice patroon, 
excitement ran high. The record intimates that these soldiers were 
not suited to their mission; that they were zealous when the patroon's 
timber was to be cut or his deer killed, while they insulted the com- 
mander " when walking the public street " in company with his deputy, 
Andries de Vos, cursing them .because " they had not bade them good 
evening." 

vStuyvesant. had received from the inhabitants at Fort Orange anel 
from the Indians the abusive epithet of "Wooden Leg." Now, the 
conduct of the six soldiers aroused the indignation of the Indians as 
well as of the white settlers, and all gathered at Beverwyck and de- 
manded to know if "Wooden Leg" intended to tear down the houses 



32 

which were built for their shelter in stormy weather. When they 
learned that all the strife was over a few rods of land, they invited Van 
Slechtenhorst to accompany them and they would give him plenty of 
land in the " Maquaas country"; so, he says, "more kindness was 
evinced by the unbelieving- savages than by our Christian neighbors, 
subjects of the same sovereign, bound by their oaths to protect us 
against insult and outrage." 

It will probablv never be known how imminent was a savage out- 
break at this time. It was natural that the Indians should favor the 
interests of those with whom they had come in direct contact and from 
whom they had received the much-prized guns and rum. When the six 
soldiers fired a salute over what they were pleased to term a victory, the 
Indians came together a second time and angrily inquired if "Wooden 
Leg's" dogs were still there and nothing averted bloodshed but the assur- 
ance of the inhabitants that the houses were not to be pulled down. 
It is recorded that "the Director-General's rash conduct had well nigh 
caused an outbreak, and the ruin, not only of the colony, but of the 
Manhattans and of the Christians within this land, who are all at the 
mercy of the savages. " 

Van Slechtenhorst now gave expression to his indignation at this 
violent encroachment in another protest. In reply to the demand for 
his commission., he called upon Stuyvesant for a written copy of his 
demands and complaints. He eloquently portrayed the contempt of the 
patroon and his court shown in Stuyvesant's demand, the illegality of 
which was rendered the more flagrant by the unusual and insolent 
manner in which it was made. "The noble patroon," said he, "had 
obtained in his possessions and immunities, was invested by the States- 
(leneral with high and low jurisdiction and the police of the most priv- 
ileged manors ; and were he, as his agent, now so base as to crouch be- 
fore the present unwarrantable proceedings, and to produce his com- 
mission, before he had received orders to that effect from his lords and 
masters, not only would they be injured, but he be guilty of a violation 
of his oath and honor, a betrayal of his .trust and a childish surrender 
of the rights of his patroon." He fortified his position by saying that 
some who had been guilty of similar infractions of law and custom in 
the Fatherland " had often been apprehended, and condemned to bread 
and water for the space of five or six weeks ; yea, were sometimes brought 
to the block." As justification for his order forbidding cutting timber 
he asked, " Is the patroon not master on his own land? Is he not free 



33 

t(i cut his timber as well as his corn, and can he not arrest these, when 
cut by others without his ])ermission?" 

The response from Stuyvesant was again a long' dissertation up(jn his 
authority and his rights. His power, he maintained, " extended to the 
colony of Rensselaerwyck, as well as to the other colonies. " Orders 
were sent to his workmen to hasten the repairs of the fort, and to pro- 
cure timber for the purpose anywhere in New Netherland, to quarry 
stone wherever they could be found, excepting upon farms and planta- 
tions which were fenced and cultivated. The " ancient and uninter- 
rupted ivse of the gardens and fields near the fort " was to be strictly 
held and the destruction of buildings thereon to be proceeded with. 
Van Slechtenhorst was summoned to New Amsterdam, as stated, and 
it was claimed that he could have obeyed the summons without difficulty, 
as "the river remained open, the winter pleasant, and several vessels 
.sailed up and down during the whole month of November. " But to 
place the whole responsibility upon Van Slechtenhorst's shoulders, the 
summons was now renewed and the commander peremptorily ordered 
to appear at Fort Amsterdam on the 4th of April following, to hear the 
complaint against him. 

It is claimed that the colonists at Beverwyck and Van Slechtenhorst 
himself cared little for the mere land in dispute near Fort Orange, but 
that the commander was strenuous in clinging to what he believed to 
be the rights and dignity of the patroon, while the settlers were merely 
exercising what they contended was their right to locate near the fort 
for better security. On the other hand the claim to the land on which 
stood Fort Orange was absurd, for the fort w^as built and garrisoned by 
the West India Company fifteen years before there was a Rensselaer- 
wyck; and, moreover, that company had up to 164-1 an exclusive mo- 
nopoly of the fur trade, which it intended to reclaim " whenever it 
shall be able to provide its magazines with a sufficient store of goods." 

Van Slechtenhorst never ceased his operations in Rensselaerwyck in 
the interest of the patroon. He extended its limits by the purchase of 
more lands to the southward from the Mohegans, acquired in 1648 the 
tract called Paponicuck for goods of trifling value and in the same 
spring, the events of which have just been recorded, purchased Kats- 
kill and Claverack. Meanwhile Van Twiller on the other side of the 
ocean was boldly claiming the monopoly of the traffic of the upper Hud- 
son, and publishing his determination to allow no vessels to pass Beeren 
Island or to trade near Rensselaerwyck. He went farther than Van 



34 

Slechtenhorst and asserted that Fort Orange was built on the patroon's 
territory, and that not even the West India Compan)' could yrant the 
right to build houses or trade near by. In short, feudal privileges in 
the broadest sense of the term were claimed by the patroon's agents. 

The director now determined to enforce his sovereign right and sent 
orders to remove all obstructions to free navigation of the river and to 
free trade at Fort Orange. If passage of the river was interfered with 
by arms, the guns were ordered seized; if tolls of any kind were ex- 
acted on any river, island or harbor, within the company's territory, to 
the injury of trade, they were to be opposed and abolished, by force if 
necessary. Already 'Van Slechtenhorst had granted a few leases for 
land at Katskill. The director refused to recognize his pretensions in 
that direction, as the land had already been granted to another. Stny- 
vesant protested against these leases and announced his purpose of op- 
posing encroachment in that region. To this action the Rensselaer- 
wyck authorities demurred, insisting that they were only fulfilling in- 
structions from their superiors in Holland. They requested the direc- 
tor-general to defer action until they could communicate with their 
superiors, pledging that meanwhile no settlement should be made on 
the disputed territory. 

A petition was sent to the States-General from New Netherland ask- 
ing for a burgher government (which was secured in 1()53); freedom 
from customs, tenths and other burdens, the abolition of the e.xport 
duty on tobacco, and other commercial reforms. This action may have 
been inspired by the fact that the New England colonies paid no cus- 
toms duties, but they were assessed directly for all government pur- 
poses. The only tax paid in New Netherland was upon tapsters, and 
that was returned to them by their patrons, while any individual could 
own as much wine or beer as he pleased free of excise. All the papers in 
this connection were turned over to a committee which reported April 
11, 1650, recommending a liberal policy, the remedying of all griev- 
ances, and promising the recall of Stuyvesant. The patroons were to 
be compelled to "settle their colonists in the form of villages; the Nine 
Men were to be given broader judicial functions; the patroons or their 
agents, and delegates from the commonalty, were to choose represent- 
atives in the council, and a judicial system was to be established." 

In 1651 a call for a subsidy from Rensselaerwyck inaugurated an- 
other collision with the government at New Amsterdam; the latter had 
already demanded the excise on liquors in the patroon's territory, and 



35 

been refused. It was justly set forth that the patroon had paid from 
liis own resources the salaries of the minister and other servants and 
paid the general expenses of settlement of the colony. In June, IfiSO, 
these amounted to the equivalent of more than fllO.OOO, which was the 
ground for refusing further contribution. The commander, Van Slech- 
tenhorst, was authorized by the people to proceed to New Amsterdam 
and protest against the payment demanded. He arrived there late in 
April, Kiol, and met his opponent, Stnyvesant. Both were unyield- 
ing. After they separated and before \'an Slechtenhorst had finisheil 
his dinner, he was summoned before the director-general and council. 
Upon his appearance sentence was pronounced upon him, his conduct, 
especially regarding the Katskill settlement, being strongly con- 
demned. The commander was not abashed and demanded if a man 
was to be condemed unheard. The answer was his prompt arrest. He 
was detained there four months, during which he protested against his 
confinement and the Rensselaerwyck authorities repeatedly asked for 
his release. He finally escaped to Fort Orange on a sloop, guarantying 
the skipper against harm for carrying him. The skipper was fortunate 
in his guaranty, for on his return he was lined two hundred and fifty 
guilders and his vessel was held. 

Thus the struggle had continued three years since Stuyvesant set up 
his claim for separate jurisdiction for Fort Orange, independent of 
Rensselaerwyck; and still the matter was unsettled. As the gun shot 
limits, finally estimated by him to be one hundred and fifty rods, in- 
cluded the hamlet of Beverwyck, which was constantly becoming more 
populous, that settlement would be severed from the remainder of the 
colony, and as this would inevitably give the West India Company prac- 
tical control of the fur trade, it will be seen that the outcome of the 
matter was of much importance to the patroon's colonists. 

While this controversy was at its height, Jean Baptiste Van Rens- 
selaer, the first of that family who is known to have visited this coun- 
try, was elected one of the magistrates, and soon afterward an order was 
issued that all the freemen should take an oath of allegiance to the 
patroon. Troubles of minor character continued. On a New Year's 
night several soldiers armed with matchlocks came out of the fort and 
fired a number of shots at the patroon's house, upon the roof of which 
the gun wadding fell and the dwelling would have been destroyed but for 
the efforts of the inmates. The next day the younger .Slechtenhorst 
was assaulted by soldiers in the street, who beat him and dragged him 



36 

through the mud, in presence of the company's commissary, Johannes 
Dyckman, who encouraged the assault by crying out: " Let him have 
it now, and the deval take him! " Philip Pietersen Schuyler, son-in-law 
of the elder Slechtenhorst, endeavored to save the young man, where- 
upon Dyckman drew his sword and threatened to run Schuyler through 
if he interfered. Other members of the commander's family were in- 
sulted and beaten by the soldiers. When friends of the family threat- 
ened revenge, Dyckman ordered the fort guns charged with grape and 
threatened to fire upon the patroon's house. At this juncture Stuj'vesant 
sent up some placards relating to the Fort Orange limits, which he 
ordered published in the colony. With these Dyckman, six others, 
and three soldiers, armed with guns and pistols, repaired to the house 
where the magistrates were sitting and commanded Van Slechtenhorst 
to make a minute of what was to be required. As it was contrary to the 
law for any man to enter another's jurisdiction with an armed body, 
without consent of the local authorities, this movement on Dyckman 's 
part was protested against by the commander, who ordered Dyckman 
to leave the room. He retired, but came back with a larger force and 
demanded that the placards should be published throughout the colony 
by the sound of the bell. " It shall not be done so long as we have a 
drop of blood in our veins, nor until we receive orders from their High 
Mightinesses and our honored masters," exclaimed the court. Dyck- 
man now proceeded to the fort and ordered the bell to be rung three 
times; he then returned to the patroon's court house, ascended the 
steps with his followers and directed his deputy to proclaim the placards, 
while the excited burghers gathered around. As the deputy was about 
to obey, Van Slechtenhorst rushed forward and tore the placards from 
his hands, "so that the seals fell on the ground." When the news of 
these occurrences reached New Amsterdam, Stuyvesant sent anothei- 
placard to Dyckman, again defining the jurisdiction of Fort Orange lo 
extend to a circumference of six hundred paces from the fort, and con- 
tinuing as follows: 

In order tliat no man shall plead ignorance, we further charge our Commissary, 
after publication hereof, to erect on the aforesaid limits, north, south and west of the 
aforesaid fortress, a post, marked with the Company's mark, and to affix, on a board 
nailed thereto, a copy hereof. 

Within those bounds it was ordered that no house should be built, 
unless authorized by the director and council, or their agents. This 
illegal act, which violated rights of property as well as the charter of 



3r 

1639, separated forever the settlement of Bevervvyck from Yan Rens- 
selaer's colony. The patroon's officials ordered the obnoxious posts 
removed at once, protesting "before Almighty God and the States- 
General against all open force and violence, and insisting on reparation 
for all losses and damages which might accrue or be caused thereby." 
The patroon's court on the some day drew up anothpr protest "against 
the unbecoming pretensions and attacks of the Dire'ctor and Council of 
New Netherland," denying again the authority of the latter and insist- 
ing that the settlers on the manor had never sworn allegiance to the 
company, and much less to Rtuyvesant, and owned no masters but the 
States General and their own immediate superiors. In return this 
document was declared by the director and council " a libellous cal- 
umny." 

The vexatious question of jurisdiction now came up in another form. 
A negress, the property of Sander Leendertsen Glen, was charged with 
theft and caused several "decent persons" to be prosecuted as receiv- 
ers of the stolen goods. Her arrest being ordered, Dyckman proceeded 
to execute his warrant, but her master refused to surrender her that 
evening, upon which Dyckman informed him that he had power to send 
him and all his family to jail, and to pull his house down about his 
ears, " as it was erected on the Company's soil." Glen replied that he 
had nothing to do with Dyckman, and said, "I cannot serve a new 
master until I am discharged from the one I live under." Dyckman 
now threatened Glen with the wrath of Stuyvesant, when Glen retorted 
that he would fare as well with the director as with Dyckman. There- 
upon Dyckman drew his sword and threatened the burgher with death, 
while the latter caught up a club with which to defend himself. Next 
morning (ilen was placed under arrest in the fort. Rumors were now 
circulated that Stuyvesant was soon to visit Beverwyck and Dyckman 
asserted that a new gallows was to be erected for "\'an Slechtenhorst, 
his son and young Van Ren.sselaer. 

But Stuyvesant was busy at New Amsterdam in ridding himself of 
the last of his opponents there, in the person of Attorney General \'an 
Dyck. This official had been ill treated by Stuyvesant from the time 
of his appointment and excluded from the colony for two years. Later 
he was charged with menial duties and otherwise humiliated. In 
the same spring of the year a lampoon .ippeared directed toward 
Stuyvesant, and Van Dyck was charged with being its author. The 
council was called together to consider the momentous matter and 



38 

actually adopted a resolution dismissing \'an Dyck from office "on ac- 
count of the multitude of his misdemeanors and connivances." While 
it was claimed that this proceeding- had the sanction of the Nine Men, 
they repudiated it, declaring that it was adopted wholly on Stuy- 
vesant's authority and that they were not aware of any complaints 
against Van Dyck. Cornelius Van Tienhoven was appointed to the 
office, while Carl Van Brugge succeeded Van Tienhoven as provincial 
secretary. Van Dyck defended himself by a written accusation against 
Stuyvesant in which he bitterlj' condemned the dii'ector and denounced 
the appointee to the office as the perjured secretary, a reproach to the 
country and the main scourge of both Christians and heathens, "with 
whose sensualities the Director himself has been always acquainted." 

Stuyvesant now turned his attention to Van Slechtenhorst. For 
this purpose he visited Fort Orange and called the authorities of Rens- 
selaerwyck together to define what they claimed as their boundaries. 
The director expressed his consent to allow them four miles on one 
side or two miles on both sides of the river, but warned them against 
claiming more. They replied that they had no authority to act in the 
])remi.ses and again asked for delay until they could communicate with 
Holland, which was granted. The question of supremacy over Bever- 
wyck was not so readily disposed of. Sergeant Litschoe and a squad 
of soldiers approached the door of the patroon's house and ordered 
Van Slechtenhorst to lower the patroon's flag, and upon his refusal 
"fourteen soldiers armed with loaded muskets, entered the enclosure, 
and, after firing a volley, hauled down the lord's colors." This 
high-handed act was followed by a proclamation from Stuyvesant 
erecting at Fort Orange a Court of Justice for the village of Reverwyck 
and its dependencies, apart from and independent of that of Rensse- 
laerwyck. The placard bearing this proclamation was posted on the 
court house and immediately torn down by Van Slechtenhorst, who at 
the same tinie posted another card asserting the patroon's rights and 
denouncing those of the opposition, which was torn down by inmates of 
the fort. Stuyvesant's proclamation erecting the court was dated April 
10, 1052, and authorized the first legal tribunal in what is now Albany 
county. (See chapter on the Bench and Bar.) 

And now, after four years of strife and vain struggle against powers 
that were two strong for him. Van vSlechtenhorst's term of power drew 
near its close. Nine armed soldiers forcibly entered his dwelling and 
without showing authority for their act, dragged him out, a jirisoner, and 



took him to the fort "where neither his children, his master nor his 
friends were allowed to speak to him, and his furs, his clothes, and his 
meat were left hanying- to the door posts." Taken on board a sloop he 
was conveyed to New Amsterdam, "lobe tormented, in his sickness 
and old age, with unheard-uf and insufferable prosecutions by those 
serving a Christian government, professing the same religion, and 
living under the same authority." He was succeeded in his official 
|)osition by Jan Baptiste Van Rensselaer, with Gerrit Swart as sheriff 
(schout-fiscaal) of Rensselaerwyck. 

When information of Stuyvesant's operations reached the patroon 
and his partners, they sent to the Amsterdam Chamber a long remon- 
strance, of which the following is the substance: 

1st, That the Director-General had dared to intrude in their colony, and had 
commissioned the patroon's flag to be hauled down. 

2d, That he had caused timber to be cut on the complainant's lands witlmul 
either their knowledge or their permission. 

lid, That he had claimed for the West India Company the right of jurisdiction 
and property over all the land within a circumference of 150 rods of Fort Orange, 
where he had erected a court of justice, notwithstanding the soil had been purchased 
from the right owners by the patroon, with the jurisdiction thereunto belonging, 
whereby the colonists were reduced to a state of dependency, absolved from their 
oaths, "transformed from freemen to vassals, and incited to disregard their former 
solemn compacts and their lord and master." 

4th, He had, moreover, discharged Sheriff Swart from his oath of ofHce, and 
obliged him to swear allegiance to the Company; 

5th, Demanded copies of all the rolls, protocols, judgments, resolutions and papers 
relative to the colony and its affairs; 

6th, Ordered his Commissary to force Van Slechtenhorst's house, and lo toll the 
bell at the publication of his illegal placards; 

7th, Arrested by force and arms the Director of the Colony, had him conveyed 
to the Manhattans, where he illegally detained him in custody ; 

8th, Taxed the colony to swell the Company's revenues, licensed those who c|uit 
the patroon's service to sell articles of contraband to the .savages, and, in addition to 
the exaction of the tithes, had raised a tax by farming out the excise on wines and 
beers, "thus, in every respect and everywhere using violence and infringing rights, 
jurisdictions and pre-eminences, apparently determined to take our goods and blood, 
contrary to all laws, human and divine; declaring, over and above all this, that he 
is continued in his administration solely in the hope and consideration that before 
his departure he should ruin this colony." 

The document closed with avowals of their intention to maintain and 
preserve their rights and privileges, and demanding that if their op- 
ponents thought they had 'just cause of complaint, they should appear 
in any court and make good their claims. 



40 

The replv by the directors was vaj^iic and unsatisfactory, and, there- 
fcjre, the patroon and his friends addressed a memorial directly to their 
High Mightinesses, the States-Creneral, demanding justice for their 
cause. After some delay a reply was received referringtoa part of the 
charges against Stuyvesant, and denying all knowledge of many of 
them; they knew nothing of the insult to the patroon's flag, of his 
colonists having been released from their oaths, of his lots being taken 
from him, or of the establishment of a court at Fort Orange. As to 
cutting timber, it was taken from so limited a section that no one was 
injured, while the claim that the jurisdiction of Fort Orange had been 
extended was without foundation, as that jurisdiction was fixed "before 
the colony of Rensselaerwyck was granted." Gerrit Swart, it was held, 
had not been discharged from his oath to the patroon, but was simply 
compelled to take a second oath to the company. The demand for the 
rolls and other papers was authorized by the charter, and as Van 
vSlechtenhorst would not toll the bell for publication of the placards, 
it was clear that some other person had to do it, while his arrest was 
justified as a necessary disciplinary measure. Authorizing the sale of 
arms to the Indians was admitted. 

On the heels of this attempt at justification of all their acts, the di- 
rectors for the company now assumed the offensive and presented to 
the Amsterdam government counter-charges against the Rensselaerwyck 
authorities, rehearsing all the stock complaints with which the reader 
is now familiar. They had exceeded their limits; had unlawfully ex 
tended their trade along the North River; had refused passage to ves- 
sels by a " certain house called Rensselaers-Stein;" had exacted seven 
per cent, duty on each beaver and five per cent, on other goods, " en- 
forcing these pretensions with cannon shot, whjch they discharged into 
yachts which refused to come to;" they had endeavored " by perverse 
machinations " to possess themselves of Fort Orange, and when un- 
able to accomplish this purpose, illegally leased lots in its vicinity for 
the building of houses thereon ; had forbidden colonists to move within 
the company's limits on pain of corporal punishment, confiscation of 
property and banishment; or to cut wood for the inhabitants of Fort 
Orange. They had declined to furnish records of their proceedings or 
judgments, or to make returns of writs of appeal; to. publish placards; 
and, above all, the oath which the colonists were compelled to take was 
"seditious and mutinous," for no notice " is taken therein, either of 
their High Mightinesses or of the company." Continuing thus: 




ISAAC W. VOSBURGH. 



From all which flow, as a natural consequence, an insolent and overbearing de- 
meanor, on the part of their commanders, to their inhabitants; insuiTerable protests, 
injuries, menaces, disputes and provocations against the Company's ministers; and, 
la.stly, a general disobedience of all the Company's commands and ordinances, to 
such a degree that they would not permit the Director and Council to proclaim even 
a day of prayer in the colony in the same manner as in other parts of New Nether- 
land. 

It will be seen from the foregoing that it was the same old difficulty 
and although from this distance it seems somewhat insignificant and 
largely fought on paper, it was, nevertheless, in those times and to 
those people a struggle of serious import. 

The Fort Orange limits were still undetermined in l(i54, and again 
Stuyvesant called on the agents of the patroon to fix on their " point of 
departure," so that he might allow them the charter stipulation of four 
miles on one side or two miles on both sides of the river, "without the 
limits of Fort Orange." The settlement of this matter was further de- 
layed for instructions from Holland. Fresh fuel was about this time 
added to the old fire by an order from Stuyvesant to his Fort Orange 
court to collect the duties on all wine^, beers, and spirituous liquors 
sold at retail "within a circuit of 1,000 rods of the fort." The area in 
dispute was extending, and the colony was thus to be deprived of a very 
important source of revenue. Counter orders were given by the pa- 
troon's officers for the tapsters to refuse to pay the duties, as the gen- 
eral government had defrayed none of the local expenses. 

By this time Commissary Dyckman had become insane, as his pre- 
vious conduct would seem to have foreshadowed, and he was succeeded 
in office byjohannesde Decker, vice-director, "to preside in Fort Orange 
and village of Beverwyck, in the Court of Justice of the Commissaries 
aforesaid, to administer all the affairs of police and justice, as circum- 
stances may require, in conformity with the instructions given by the 
Director-General and Council, and to promote these for the best service 
of the country and the prosperity of the inhabitants." 

To enforce the collection of the liquor duties alluded to, the director 
and council issued orders for the arrest of the tapsters. The new offi- 
cial, De Decker, accordingly invited one of them to his house and there 
made him prisoner. Officer and prisoner occupied the same bed the 
ensuing night, but through the connivance of the soldier guard, the 
tapster escaped the next morning and proceeded to the house of the 
patroon. De Decker followed and ordered his return to the fort, 
which was refused. The other tapsters now armed themselves and 



43 

joined in the common cause. Just as the vice-director was preparing' 
to execute the orders of arrest by force, John B. Van Rensselaer came 
forward and volunteered to go to Manhattan and arrange the matter 
satisfactorily. To avoid possible bloodshed De Decker agreed to this: 
but a few days later another order reached him to send down the taps- 
ters without delay. He now proceeded to the dwellings of the offend- 
ers with an armed squad, where he was met by Van Rensselaer and 
others whom he summoned in the name of the director and council to 
accompany him to the fort. All the tapsters referred the officer to 
Van Rensselaer, who again pledged himself to produce the tapsters 
whenever required. Van Rensselaer now went to New Amsterdam 
and protested against the course pursued by the government, going- 
over all the old ground and adding such new complaints as came to his 
mind. However, to prevent further disturbance he would submit to 
the payment of the excise under protest, but would not accede to the 
payment of the tenths demanded, unless the director and council would 
refund the money if a decision against them was ultimately given. 
This remonstrance and proposal were pronounced frivolous by the 
director and council: their "high office and quality would not permit 
them to stoop so low as to enter the lists with their subjects and vas- 
sals, much less to answer their frivolous and unfounded protests with 
a pusillanimous diffidence." Their duty was rather " to correct such 
absurd assertions, and to punish the offenders," wherefore, as an ex- 
ample, the protestor was fined twenty guilders. They informed Van 
Rensselaer that his colonists were bound equally with other settlers in 
the province to contribute to the public revenue, and the excise due, 
amounting to fifteen hundred guilders, must be paid, with all damages 
accrued from the delay. The tapsters must, moreover, submit to the 
periodical guaging of their liquors as often as required, and as John 
Baptiste Van Rensselaer was to blame for the resistance of the tavern 
keepers, he was commanded to give a bond of 3,000 guilders for the 
appearance of the "contumacious tavern keepers," or otherwise to 
remain at Manhattan under arrest. The council also insisted on the 
payment of the tithes (tenths), but a stipulated sum would be ac- 
cepted from Mr. Van Rensselaer in lieu of these until instructions could 
be received from Holland. Other items in Van Rensselaer's remon- 
strance were denied in general terms by the director and council, from 
whom a proclamation was at once issued ordering all the towns and 
colonies in the province not to remove their crops until the tenths were 



43 

paid to the company's commissaries. When this document reached the 
Rensselaerwyck authorities they refused to publish it. 

At about this time some of the tapsters who had been guarantied 
against loss by Mr. Van Rensselaer, proceeded to Manhattan and were 
there fined, one two hundred and another eight hundred guilders; both 
of these fines were subsetiuently made good by the patroon. The ques- 
tion of payment of tenths was not finally setted until 1658, when the 
colony compounded for them by the annual payment of three hundred 
schepels of wheat. 

Father Isaac Jogues, one of the Jesuit missionaries mentioned in an 
earlier chapter, had labored among the Mohawks for three or four years 
during the period treated in the foregoing pages, but was treacherously 
murdered by the Indians in October, 1G4G. This chapter may be 
appropriately closed with his written description of Fort Orange and 
Rensselaerwyck. 

There are two things in this settlement . . : 1st, a wretched little fort, called 
Fort Orange, built of stakes, with four or five pieces of cannon of Breteuil and as 
many swivels. This has been reserved, and is maintained by the West India Com- 
pany. This fort was formerly on an island in the river; it is now on the mainland 
towards the Iroquois, a little above the said island. 2d, a colony sent here from 
Rensselaer, who is the patroon. This colony is composed of about 100 persons, who 
reside in some twenty or thirty houses built along the river, as each one found it 
most convenient. In the principal house resides the patroon's agent. The minister 
has his apart, in which service is performed. There is also a kind of bailiflf who ad- 
ministers justice. All their houses are merely of boards and thatched. As yet there 
is no mason work, except the chimneys. The forests furnish many large pines, they 
make boards by means of their mills, which they have for the purpose. They found 
some pieces of ground all ready, which the savages had already prepared, and in 
which they sow wheat and oats for their beer and horses, of which they have a great 
stock. There is little land fit for tillage, bemg crowded by hills, which are a bad 
.soil. This obliges them to be separated one from the other, and they occupy already 
two or three leagues of territory. Trade is free to all. This gives the Indians all 
things cheaper, each of the Hollanders outbidding, and lieing satisfied, provided he 
can gain some little profit. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Important changes were now imminent. Jeremias Van Rensselaer 
succeeded his brother, Jan Baptiste, as director of the colony in I65S 
and during the succeeding sixteen years conducted its affairs with dis- 
cretion and justice as far as he was able. He fostered the amicable 
relations of the settlers with the Indians, and gained a large influence 
with the French who were then firmly establishing themselves to the 
northward, thus laying the foundation of those conditions that in later 
years averted many of the disastrous consequences of the war between 
France and England. Stuyvesant's use of power had been just what 
might have been foreseen from a man of his attributes and sentiments. 
He was a stickler for the law, his rights and his dignity. To his mind all 
power lay in the executive, and on every occasion he checked the lean- 
ings of the Dutch towards that partial freedom which they craved and 
to which they had been accustomed at home. He denied the right of 
the people to assemble for the propagation of measures for the protec- 
tion of public liberty. "Magistrates alone, and not all men," he con- 
tended " are authorized so to assemble. We derive our authority from 
God and the Company, not from a few ignorant subjects, and we alone 
can call the people together." He thus assumed power and authoritv 
which he could not maintain. 

Since 1654 English encroachments upon the D.utch, dating almost 
from the landing on Plymouth Rock, had constantly advanced. Con- 
necticut was consolidated in April, 1662, under a charter confirming 
the system already established. This charter came from Charles II 
soon after his restoration, and defined boundaries and enlarged privileges. 
In March, 1664, this sovereign granted a patent to his brother James, 
Duke of York and Albany, for a large part of the present .State of 
Maine, with Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Long Island, and the 
territory from the west side of the Connecticut River to the east side 
of Delaware Bay. Stuyvesant resisted the pretensions of the English 
as long as he was able, but was finally forced to accept a compromise 
embodying mutual forbearance and freedom for both the English and 
the Dutch towns respectively from interference from either government. 



45 

This merely strengthened the claim which England had never once re- 
linquished and left her in possession of all she had thus fargained. 

In April, 1664, a fleet of four ships, with a force of three to four 
hundred men, under command of Col. Richard Nicolls, acting as lieu- 
tenant-governor for the duke, sailed for New England. Nicolls was 
accompanied by Sir Robert Carr, Sir George Cartwright, and Samuel 
Maverick, commissioned to settle all the New England difficulties, and 
to take possession of the Dutch province and reduce its inhabitants t" 
obedience. Arriving in Boston in July, the expedition sailed thence 
a month later for New Amsterdam. When the English flag ship sailed 
up the beautiful bay, Stuyvesant was at Fort Orange. He hastened 
down the river and on the 39th sent a deputation to Nicolls demanding 
an explanation of his intentions. These he very soon learned. New 
Amsterdam was practically defenseless against the invasion and surren- 
dered on the 8th of September, and vStuyvesant returned to Holland in 
the following year. 

While warring with the Indians, vainly endeavoring to subjugate 
Connecticut, resisting the claims of the patroon of Rensselaerwyck and 
ipiarreling with his immediate officers, Stuyvesant had been steadily 
sacrificing his own welfare and tenure of office. Nothing now remained 
for the English but to take possession, and the colonial interests 
of Holland in the New World substantially ceased. When Stuyvesant 
came into power in 1047 the population of New Netherland was only 
about 1,000, a falling off of about 2,000 due to Kieft's folly, while the 
New England colonies had increased in the preceding five years to nearly 
60,000. They came slowly on toward Manhattan, though more rapidly 
than the increase of the Dutch, and began the work that culminated in 
American freedom a hundred years later. 

The province now had a population of full I0,00(i. New Amsterdam 
was given the name it has since borne — New York, while Fort Anistei- 
dam was called Fort James. A trifling effort was made to resist the 
English on the upper Hudson, Johannes de Decker having come u]) the 
river and endeavored to persuade the garrison at Fort Orange to refuse 
to surrender, but was unavailing. While the settlers were satisfied 
with their trade and their farms, they did not like the previous gov- 
ernment and its opposition to the patroon. They were ready for a 
change. On the 10th of September Nicolls sent Sir George Cartwright 
with a small company of soldiers to Fort Orange with the following 
orders : 



46 

/(' the prest-nl Dfpuly Govtinor or the magistrates and hihahitants of Ffort 

.1 tirania: 

'J'hese are to will and require you and every of you to bee ayding and assisting 
Col. George Cartwright in the prosecution of his Majesty's interest against all such 
of what nation so-ever as shall oppose the peaceable surrender and quiet possession 
of the flfort Aurania, and to obey him, the said George Cartwright, according to such 
instructions as I have given him in case of the Mohawks or other Indians shall at- 
tempt anything against the lives, goods or chattels of those who are now under the 
protection and obedience of his Majesty of Great Brittaine; wherefore you nor any 
of you are to fayle as yon will answer the contrary at your utmost perills. 

Given under my hand and seal att Ffort James in New Yorke on Manhattans 
Island, this lOth day of September, 1664. R. Nu oi is. 

This document was presented to the vice-director, John de la Mon- 
tague, on the 24th of that month, who quietly surrendered the fort, 
and names of Beverwyck and Fort Orange at once gave way to Al- 
bany, while the fort was manned by English soldiers with Capt. John 
Manning in command. Dirck Van Schelluyne, who had held the office 
for Beverwyck, was made clerk of the Court of Albany which Stuy- 
vesant has established, and Jeremias Van Rensselaer took the oath of 
allegiance to King Charles II of England and the proprietor, James. 
("Governor Nicolls reorganized the government himself, calling a con- 
vention for the purpose at Hempstead in March, UiOo. 

Upon this change in the government some difficulty was met in ob- 
taining a patent for Rensselaer manor from the duke. Mr. Van Rens- 
selaer was counseled by influential friends to take out a patent in his 
own name, he being qualified as a British subject to hold real estate. 
To his honor it is recorded that he rejected the offer, for he was only 
co-heir and would not thus defraud his brothers and sisters. He was 
a man of great industry and high intelligence, and it was he who com- 
municated to Holland an account of various occurrences in this country 
under the name of the "New Netherland Mercury." He died on the 
12th of October, 16S4. 

On the 7th of August, 1Im3, a fleet of twenty-three Dutch ships in need 
of wood and water, anchored just below Staten Island, the fleet being 
under command of Commodores Cornelius Evertsen and Jacob Benckes. 
Before such a fleet Manhattan Island was apparently defenseless, infor- 
mation of which fact was conveyed to the vessels by the Dutch inhabi- 
tants. The port was then under command of Capt. John Manning, 
captain of an independent company, who on the 9th communicated to 
the fleet a proposal to surrender, whereupon the vessels sailed up the 
harbor, anchored under the fort landed their crews, and entered the 



47 

works without the firing of a shot on either side. For this surrender 
Manning was afterwards tried and condemned.' 

On the 13th of August the commodores organized a council of war 
consisting of Capts. Anthony Colve, Nicholas Boes, and Abraham Ferd. 
Van Zyll. In the next month Captain Colve was appointed temporary 
governor and the fleet proceeded to its destination. The inhabitants 
rejoiced, but only for a short time, for while Colve was hurriedly re- 
storing the Dutch system, his government came to an abrupt close. 
New Netherland was conceded to the English by the peace of West- 
minster, March 6, 1(574, and in June a new patent was issued to the 
Duke of York. On the 11th of July Colve officially announced that he 
must surrender the province on a duly authorized demand. Articles 
of capitulation were signed September 7; Fort Orange surrendered 
October 5, and the Dutch and Swedes on South River capitulated Octo- 
ber 12, and on the 10th of November Colve formally gave "New Nether- 
lands and dependencies " over to "Governor Major Edmund Andros,. 
on behalf of His Brittanic Majesty."^ 

The administration of Andros was exceedingly unpopular. When a 
demand was made for popular assemblies, the Duke of York wrote 
Andros that such assemblies were dangerous, and when he attempted 
to force upon the colonists a law of his own manufacture establishing 
the customs rate for three years, his subjects were bitterly incensed, 
and on the expiration of this law the merchants refused to pay further 
duties. The Duke of York was now fearful that the expenses of the 
colony would come out of his own purse and sent out Colonel Don- 
gan as governor, with power to convene a General Assembly, which 
met at Fort James (New York) October 17, IGSiJ, Dongan having 
arrived in August. The first act of this assembly was entitled " Char- 
ter of Liberties and Privileges granted by His Royal Highness U) the 
Inhabitants of New York and its dependencies." which was a ste]) on- 
ward in the march of important events. The charter, in reality, "burst 
the shell of feudalism," and set forth the rights for which the Dutch 
and English colonists had striven for nearly half a century. The death 
of the king raised doubt in Governor Dongans mind as to the legality 
of the first assembly, and he therefore issued writs for the election of a 
new one, but King James II, however, abolished the (General Assembl)' 

■ The volurainuus papers relating to this trial may be found in Vol. Ill of Uoeumentarv His- 
tory, pp. m-<m. 

2 See Vol. m, Doc. History, pp. 67-77. 



48 

June Id, l(i8i;. Anioni;- other similar warrants for the asseml)ly of IfiSo 
was one which "ordered that the Sheriff of Albany and Rancelaers 
Colony cause the freeholders to meet and choose two persons to be 
their representatives in the General Assembly, to be holden at the City 
of New York, October ye 17th, Kis:; " 'I'his warrant was served by 
Richard Pretty, an Englishman, wliu was sheriff' from October, lt;S(i, 
to March, 161)1. He died in 1695. 

Among the acts passed by the assembly was one "To divide this 
province and dependencyes into shires and countyes " " for the better 
governing and selling the courts in the same." It was also enacted 
" that there shall be yearly and every year, an High Sherriffe consti- 
tuted and commissionated for each county, and that each Sherriffe may 
have his I'nder Sherriffe Dejjuty or Deputyes. " The act divided the 
province into twelve counties, one of which was Albany county. The 
act recites: 

The County of Albany to containe the Towns of All)any, the Colony Renslaerwyck. 
Schenecteda, and all the villages, neighborhoods, and Christian F'lantacons on the 
east side of Hudson river from Roeloef Jansen's Creeke, and on the west side from 
.Sawyer's Creeke to the Sarraghtoga. 

It will be seen that this was a vast cormty, as originally erected. It 
embraced all the territory lying north of Ulster and west of the Hudson 
River, taking in nearly the whole State; and north of Dutchess on the 
east side of the Hudson, including what is now the State of Vermont. 
That State and the fifty counties of New York State, excepting Put- 
nam, Sullivan, Rockland, and a part of Greene and Delaware, were 
formed from the territory of the original Albany county. The erection 
of these various coimties has already been described in an earlier chap- 
ter. 

At the first the county had no towns with cori:)orate li-mits. Albany 
was chartered by Governor Dongan under date of July 3"2, KiSli. We 
(|Uote from that charter: 

That the said city of Albany, and the compass, precincts and limits thereof, and 
the jurisdiction of the same, shall from henceforth extend and reach itself, and 
.shall and may be able to reach forth and extend itself, as well in length and in 
breadth, as in circuit, on the east by Hudson's River, so far as low water mark : 
to the south, by a line to be drawn from the southernmost end of the pasture at 
the north end of the .said island, called Martin Gerritsen's island, running back 
into the woods sixteen English miles due northwest to a certain kill or creek 
called the Sandhill; on the north, to a line to be drawn from the post that was 
set by Gov. Stuyvesant, near Hudson's River, running likewise northwest sixteen 



English miles; and on the west, by a strai!a;ht line t" be drawn from the posit'n of 
the said south and north lines. 

From Governor Dongan's report to the Enoiish Board of Trade made 
in 1087, we take the following: 

The town of Albany lyes within the Ranslaers' Colony; and. to say the truth, the 
Ranslaers had the right to it, for it was they settled the place, and upon a petition 
of one of them to our present King, about Albany, the petitioner was referred to 
his Majesty's council at law, who, upon a perusal of the Ranslaers' papers, made 
their return that it was their opinion that it did belong to them. The town itself is 
upon a barren sandy spot of land, and the inhabitants Hve wholly upon trade with 
the Indians. I got the Ranslaers to release their pretence to the town and sixteen 
miles into the country for commons to the Kmg, with liberty to cut firewood within 
the colony for one and twenty years. After I had obtained this release of the Rans- 
laers I passed the patent for Albany. 

Regarding the fort at Albany he wrote in the same report as fol- 
lows: 

At Albany there is a fort made of pine trees fifteen loot high & built over with 
Batterys and conveniences made for men to walk about, where are nine guns, small 
arms for forty men, four Barils of powder with great and small Shott in proportion. 
The Timber & Boards being rotten were renewed this year. In my opinion it 
were better that fort were built up of Stone & Lime which will not be double the 
charge of this years repair which yet will not last above 6 or 7 years before it will 
require the like again whereas on the contrary were it built of Lime & Stone it may 
be far more easily maintained, And truly its very necessary to have a Fort there, 
it being a frontier place both to the Indians and flfrench. 

At a session of the Council held at New York city October 1, IB'.ll, 
there was enacted a second "Bill for dividing this province and de- 
pendancyes into shires and countyes, " which was principally in con- 
firmation of the first. In reference to Albany coimty, "the town of 
Albany" was omitted; " Mannor of Ranslaerwyck " was substituted 
for the "Collony of Ranslaerwyck," and "to the uttermost end of 
Sarraghtoga," for the words, " to the Sarraghtoga." "An Act for an- 
nexing that part of the Mannor of Livingston which now lyes in 
Dutchess County, unto the County of Albany," was passed by the 
Council May 27, 1717. The division of the Manor into two districts 
and the erection of the several towns have already been noticed. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Durino- the progress of the events described in the precedino- chap- 
ter, tlie French had been energetically extending their domain, their 
influence, and their fur trade in Canada (New France). The same 
causes that animated the English also inspired the French with an ar- 
dent desire for conquest in the western world, and both of these powers 
fully realized the vital importance of securing the allegiance of the 
Iroquois Indians. With their aid either nation might hope to win; 
without it the one deprived must surely lose. When the long-con- 
tinued efforts of the French failed to win the fealty of the Indians a 
bloody and unavailing war was begun upon the natives which con- 
tinued many years, with intervals of peace. As early as IGfiS, the 
French minister in Canada was called upon to furnish his government 
with reasons for and against war with the Indians. One of his items 
in favor of war reads : 



That the success of the Expedition [by Courcelleji] against the Mohawks opens 
the door for the seizure of Orange [Albany] the rather as the Dutch may be found 
inchned to unite with the [French] Kings arms in aiding the attack and capture of 
that fort.' 

On the other hand and against war he wrote : 

That the English and Dutch, who, up to this time, have committed no act of hus- 
tihty. will possibly declare war against us if they see us destroy an Indian tribe which 
appears to be under their protection. - 

Throughout the period in which the French were actively warring 
upon the Indians Albany stood in fear, for the Dutch and English 
clearly realized the jealotisy entertained by the French of their amity 
with the Indians and their exten.sive fur trade, while the importance of 
the place from a military standpoint led the inhabitants to anticipate 
that attempts would be made to capture it. 

In February, 10G6, Courcelles, then Governor in Canada, mide an 
unsuccessful expedition against the Mohawks. The following is . rom 
the records: 



His forces came unwittingly " within two miles of a small village called Schenec- 
tade, lying in the woods beyond Fort Albany in the territoryes of his Royall High- 
ness, He fell into an ambush and lost some of his men. Seven who were wounded 
were sent the next day to the village, where they were carefully drest and sent to 
Albany. The Dutch bores carried to the camp such provisions as they had, and 
were too well paid for it; especially peaz and bread, of wch a good quantity was 
bought. He inquired what garrison or fort was at Albany. 'Twas told him a captain 
and CO English Soldyers with nine pieces of ordnance in a small fort of four Bas- 
tions, and that the Captain thereof, Capt. Baker, had sent for 20 men from another 
garrison of the King's at Sopes. 

The reader of the Paris Documents (vol. IX, Col. Doc.) will be con- 
vinced that the capture of " Orange and Manatte," as Albany and New 
York were called, was continually contemplated and advised by the 
French officials in Canada. M. Talon wrote in October, 1G67: 

The means, in my opinion, to secure the whole Colony more effectually against 
either the Europeans or the savages, would be to give Manatte and Orange to the 
King [the French King] by conquest or acquisition, as I had the honor to propose 
to you.' 

Sentiments thus expressed were persistenly reinforced by complaints 
against the English and Dutch for encroachments on French territory in 
pursuit oi the fur trade. M. Talon's memoir of November, 1670, says : 

The English of Boston, and the Dutch of Manatte and of Orange who are subject 
to them, attract, by means of the Iroquois and other Indian tribes m their neighbor- 
hood, over twelve hundred thousand livres of Beaver, almost all dry and in the best 
condition. All this Beaver is trapped in countries subject to the King. I find con- 
siderable occupation in diverting the greater part of this trade, etc.2 

Courcelles wrote in 1G71 : 

The Iroquois, however, trade scarcely any with us, but carry all their peltries to 
New Netherland. . . Wherefore some means were sought a long time ago, to 
prevent the Iroquois going to New Netherland to trade.' 

Frontenac in 1674, advised the French to imitate the Dutch and 
English in the fur trade, by designating the place where the trade 
should be carried on, and "prohibit it in private settlements; it is thus 
our neighbors have built up Manatte and Orange." 

On April 6, 1672, Louis de Bouade, Count de Frontenac, was ap- 
pointed governor of Canada, and under his efficient management the 
confidence of the colony was restored and in 1673 a treaty of peace was 
made with the Iroquois. Concerning this treaty he wrote: 

In spite of the efforts of the Dutch to get the Iroquois to make war on the French, 
'Col. Doc. vol. i.x, p. 60. 2 Ibid, p. 0.5. ^Ibid, p. 119. 



the Iroquois came last year on soleni embassy to Montreal ; brought eight children 
belonging to the principal families of their villages, and ratified the treaty made with 
them in 1673. 

Another rupttire took place in lljS4 between the French and the In- 
dians, the principal feature of which was an expedition against the 
Senecas by De la Barre, who had been appointed goveiTior of Canada 
in 1G83, but the expedition proved a failure. De la Barre was suc- 
ceeded by the Marquis de Nonville in 1685. He made a report on 
the condition of the country as he found it, which was replete with 
the old complaints; the Dutch and English were selling guns and 
ammunition to the Indians at so low a price that they could obtain 
all they wanted and thus be better able to fight the French. "The 
gain of the merchants of Orange and Manette," he wrote, ""is par- 
amount to every public interest." In 1680 he wrote that Governor 
Dongan was giving away guns to the Indians and advising them to 
plunder the French in the woods. In November he wrote his govern- 
ment to send him orders, " for I am disposed to go .straight to Orange, 
storm their fort, and burn their whole concern." 

In 1688 a revolution placed William of Orange on the English throne 
and war with France promptly followed. The Indian allies of the lat- 
ter were almost powerless against the dreaded Iroquois, who harassed 
the Canadian settlements until the French foresaw defeat. In 1680 
Count de Frontenac was again sent over; he was an old man, but vig- 
orous and capable, and revived the spirits of the French settlers. He 
endeavored at first to negotiate a peace with the Iroquois, but failed, 
the English being on the ground and succeeding in retaining the good 
will of the Indians. Albany was looked upon by the English crown a.s 
a point of greatest importance, both in war and in peace, and its preser- 
vation was regarded as most essential to the English cause. Governor 
Sloughter wrote: 

If the French should assault and gain Albany, all the English colonies on both 
sides of us would be endangered. For we have nothing but that place that keeps 
our Indians steady to us, and the loss of that must be the loss of all the King's in- 
terest on this continent. 

But the war was ttpon them. At a meeting held at Albany, Novem- 
ber 24, 1689, there were present, "Ye Commissioners for ye Citty and 
County of Alb. advysing with Sundrey officers of ye militia There." 
It was 

Resolved, That y following Persones be commissionated, vizt. : Captain Jochim 



53 

Staets Comdr, of Fort Orange always to keep under command in s^ fort sixty men ; 
Lieut. Jonathan wrigt; Ens: John Hater. For the city of albany, Pieter minne, 
Toune Major, Capt. Johannis wendel, Melgert Wynants, Ens: Regnier Barentse, 
Capt. Pieter van waggden, Leift. Robt. Sander.s, En.s: Joh: Bleeker, Jun' Capt. 
Barnet Lievvis, Leift. Marte Klock, Ens. For the County of Albany, Capt. Martin 
gerritse, Lieut. Evert d'Ridder, Ens: Zymon van ness, Capt. Alexander glen, Leift. 
Johannis glen. Ens: douwe Aukus, Capt. Johannis Bensing, Leift. Andries Bar- 
rentse, Ens. Johannis Janse. 

Ordered That y' aforesaid Commissionated officers now are Established, and shall 
from this tune forth Remaine and be in full Power cK: y>' Authority, & y Authority 
for y<' Militia of this & County. To act & to doe in all matters and things relating 
Militarie affaires, according to y^' Rules & decipline of war, until, further order from 
his Majestie King William of England. Scotland, French & Ireland, &c. 

Failing in his efforts to make peace with the Iroquois, Frontenac 
opened a vigorous campaign. He visited Schenectadj' with torch and 
tomahawk on the night of February 9, 1690; defended Montreal suc- 
cessfully against Major Peter Schuyler in the same year and at all 
points actively served his country. But it was a losing cause ; the 
French were hindered from tilling their lands and from reaping what 
they had sown ; their fur trade was ruined by the Indians who took 
possession of the passes between them and their allies to the west- 
ward; and worse than all else, a terrible famine followed, causing 
great suffering. 

Important as it was in some respects, Albany was at this time (IdSO) 
according to Broadhead, "not much more than a large stockaded vil- 
lage, of which the two chief streets crossed each other at right angles. 
The one ' Handelaer's Straat,' or Market street, ran nearly north and 
south, skirting the river, proverbially apt to overflow its banks in times 
of great floods. The other, running about east and west, a little way 
up a steep hill, was called ' Yonkheer's Straat,' now known as State 
street. About half way up the hill stood the fort, just outside one tif 
the city gates." 

In July, IG'.ll, Governor Sloughter made a visit to Albany, concern- 
ing which he wrote: 

I returned from Albany on the 2Tth past, where I left all things in good posture, 
and with much difificulty have secured the Indians. I found that place in great dis- 
order, our plantations and Schenectady almost ruined and destroyed by the enemys 
dureing the time of the late confusion there. I have garrisoned Schnectady and 
the Halfe Moon with some of the hundred fusileers raised by our Assembly; the re- 
mainder, with one of the King's Companys, are posted at Albany. 

In 1693 Frontenac, in his desperation, organized a raid into the Mo- 



54 

hawk countr)-, but its cost outweighed its advantages. In June of this 
year the governor held another council with the Indians at Albany, 
and by bountiful presents and flattering words, retained their good 
will. The sum of ;^1,500 having been appropriated for the repair of 
Fort Orange, in September, 109o, 5G0 new palisades "were sett up 
against the old Stockadoes." 

This period of war closed with the treaty of Ryswyck made in July, 
1G98. The Earl of Bellomont was then governor of the province of 
New York. To him the Common Council of Albany addressed the 
following document on the 2d of August, KiltS: 

The Common Council are unanimously of the opinion to address Ins Excell. the 
Earl of Bellomont on the following heads: 

1. To thank his Lordship for bringing y"^ joyfull news of y" Peace. 

2. To acquaint his Lordship y' great hardships this poor Citty has labored under 
for these 9 years dreadful and bloody warr; during which time they have not only 
been at an Excessive Charge and Expense in quartering y"= officers and souldiers 
sent hither from time to time, but have been obliged, for their own security, to 
fortify y= towne twice with Palesadoes, and build 5 block houses, all at their own 
charge, which hath so much impoverished y Inhabitants y' most have deserted. 

3. That this Citty doth wholly rely and depend upon y^' Indian Trade, upon which 
account it was first settled, and have obtained a Charter whereby y'= Sole trade with 
ys Indians is confined A-ithin y walls of s^ Citty, doth therefore humbly addresse his 
L'lp to protect and defend them in there Rights and Priviledges, and doe thank his 
h'^p for his great trouble and care in treating with y-' 5 nations for y Public good 
and advantage to this Citty, and doe further return there best thanks for y good 
Instructions his Lfip hes been pleased to give them, assuring his L'^p that they will 
not be wanting in useing there utmost endeavors to unite all parties, and restore this 
Citty to its Priviledges and Rights ; that they will also observe all y oy" articles Men- 
tioned in his L''p's instructions. 

The serious consequences of this war upon Albany county are shown 
by the census taken .soon after its close. The population was reduced 
from 663 men, 340 women, and 1,014 children in 1689, to 382 men, 262 
women and 805 children in 1698. Of the number of men given, eighty- 
four had been killed. 

Governor Fletcher's report on the state of the militia in the province 
made in April, 1693, contains the following items of interest in this 
connection : 

" The Militia of the County of Albany, commanded by Major Peter Schuyler, being 
five companies of Foot and one Troop of Horse, now formed into Dragoons by the 
Governor, consisting of 359." The aggregate in the Province was 2,932. 

" In the List of the Officers of the Militia in the Province of New York," made in 
November, 1700, in the time of Governor Bellomont, the officers of the Regiment of 



55 

Militia in the City and County of Albany, is given as follows; Field Officers — Peter 
Schuyler, Colonel; , Lieutenant-Colonel; Dyrck Wessels, Major. 

Of a Foot Company in the City of Albany; Commissioned Officers — Johannes 
Bleeker, Captain; Johannes Rosebaum, Lieutenant; Abra. Cuyler, Ensign. 

Of another Foot Company in the said City; Albert Ryknian, Captain ; Wessel Ten 
Brock, Lieutenant; Johannes Thomasse, Epsign. 

Of another Foot Company in said County: Martin Cornelisse, Captain; Andries 
Douw, Lieutenant; Andris Koyman, Ensign. 

Of another Foot Company in said County: Gerrit Teunisse, Captain ; Jonas Douw, 
Jochem Lamerse, Lieutenants; Volckhart V. Hoesem, Abra. Hause, Ensigns. 

Of the Troop of Horse in y" said Regiment; Kilian Van Renslaer, Captain; Jo- 
hannes Schuyler, Lieutenant; BennoneV. Corlaer, Cornet: Anthony Bries, Quarter- 
master. This Regiment consists of Three hundred and Seaventy-one men. 

Peace was short-lived. What is known as Queen Anne's war broke out 
in Europe in 1702, and continued during the next eleven years. Blood 
flowed in nerly every village and valley of New England. The French, 
and such allied Indians as they could secure, apparently strove to out- 
do each other in deeds of atrocity, until it at last became apparent that 
Canada must be subdued at all hazards. 

During the short peace that preceded this war the soldiers at Albany 
appear to have beeti much neglected. In 1700 Governor Bellomont 
wrote: 

'• Some of the inhabitants of Albany who are now here [New York city] tell mo the 
Soldiers there in Garrison are in that shameful and miserable condition for the want 
of Cloaths, that the like was never seen." Even the Indians were disgusted as they 
observed their situation. The Governor continues: "Persons assure me that some of 
the old crafty sachems of the Five Nations have asked 'em whether they thought 'em 
such fooles as to believe our King could protect 'em from the French when he was 
not able to Keep his Soldiers in a Condition as those in Canada are Kept." 

In October of the same year the governor again visited Albany. 
The two companies then garrisoned there were under command of 
Major Ingoldsby and Captain Weems. The governor writes: 

I never in my life saw so moving a sight as that of the Companies at Albany; 
half the men were, without breeches, shoes and stockings when they mustered. I 
thought it shameful to the last degree to see English soldiers so abused. Thev had 
liked to have mutinied. 

He also reported the fort as " scandalously weak," and added: 

The inhabitants came all about me at my leaving Albany, and told me in plain 
terms that if the King would not build a fort there to protect 'em, they would, on 
the first news of war between England and France desert the place and fly to New 
York rather tlian they would stay there to have their throats cut. There are half a 
dozen at Albany who have competent estates, but all the rest are miserable poor. 



56 

At this time the cit}' and count)' of Albany furnished 371 men under 
command of Diick Wessells, major. In ITC)-^ Colonel Schuyler's Albany 
county militia regiment was pronounced in pretty good condition, ow- 
ing to his care. The condition of the Albany fort may be inferred from 
what Cornbury wrote in July, 1702. He said he found the works "in 
a miserable condition, the stockadoes about all roten to such a degree 
that I can with ease push them down." In anticipation of an invasion 
from Montreal, some insignificant efforts were made in 1704, to repair 
tho i)ld fort by putting up new palisades. The new fort was begun, 
Init for want of money was left incomplete and was not finished until 

]7;;5. 

An invasion of Canada was planned in 170U under command of Col. 
Francis Nicholson, for which the troops were assembled in Albany. 
Udder the potent influence of Peter Schuyler the Five Nations sent in 
five hundred warriors to join the expedition. The plans involved an 
attack on Quebec by water and a simultaneous assault on Montreal by 
way of Lake Champlain. A military road had been opened at the expense 
of New York from Schuylerville to the lake by way of Fort Edward 
and Wood Creek. Three small forts (.m the way had been built, the 
middle one of which was Fort Ann. Leaving Albany the army en- 
camped at this fort and awaited news from the naval expedition against 
Quebec, When they learned that that expedition had been sent to 
Spain, the discouraged army returned to Albany, their mission unac- 
complished. 

The French were not particular as to the means adopted to defeat 
their enemies. They hoped much from the native savagery of the In- 
dians. In June, 17(i8, M. de Pontchartrain wrote from France , to M. 
Ridout in Canada: 

It is in no way advisable that the Indians visit Orange and other English settle- 
ments, and an effort should be made to excite a vigorous and general war between 
these Indians and the English. 

The French authorities on this side did not agree with these propo- 
sitions. In November of that year M. de Vaudreuil wrote De Pont- 
cliartrain, giving his reasons for not having sent expeditions against 
Fort Orange and New York. He said he had " promised the Iroijuois 
not to do so, as these nations, however friendly they be to us, are still 
more so to the Dutch." 

The English now saw more clearly than ever before that until the 
Fronch power in Canada was wholly extinguished there could be no 




BHNJAMIN MARSH. 



57 

lasting peace. It was to secure from the crown more liberal support 
and create a favorable influence towards the Iroquois that Colonel 
Schuyler, with five Indian Sachems, journeyed to England in 1710. 
Through his influence a fleet bearing 5,000 troops was sent over to aid 
in subjugating the French. On the last day of July, 1710, a fleet of 
twelve men-of-war, and forty-six smaller vessels left Boston, with 
Montreal as its destination. There this force was to be met by a strong 
army from Albany under General Nicholson. The latter force con- 
sisted of about 2,000 English, 1,000 Germans and 800 Indians; these 
moved in the latter part of August, 1711, from Albany towards Lake 
Champlain. In the mean time the English fleet met with disaster, 
eight transports with 800 men went to the bottom, and the remainder 
returned to England. When news of this misfortune reached Nichol- 
son he ordei-ed his army back to Albany and the French remained un- 
molested for many years. A treaty of peace was signed April 11, 1711, 
at Utrecht, which secured the Protestant succession to the throne of 
England, the separation of the French and Spanish crowns, the en- 
largement of the British colonies in America and full satisfaction from 
France of the claims of the allies, England, Holland and Germany. 
The French acknowledged the Iroquois as British subjects: 

The following record shows the military condition of Albany just on the eve of the 
preparation for this last e.xpedition. 

May 20, 1711, Robert Hunter, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of the Prov- 
ince of New York, called the troops from Albany to the Manor of Livingston, and 
directed that the Militia of Albany be called to arms to protect that city in the ab- 
sence of the garrison. Accordingly, the Mayor and Aldermen met May21, 1711, and 
sent the following letter to his Excellency. 

••Albany, y- 'ilst of May, 1711. 
■' May it please your Ex'cy. 

" Your E.x'cys Letter dated yesterday we reC* ys. day, and in Obedience thereof, 
we have forthwith procured a Sloop for y'' transportation of y« Troops here, and de- 
sired Peter Schuyler, Esqr., Collo of the militia Regiment of y" Citty& County, that 
he will emmediately order y militia of this Citty to Come in Arms to take care of >' 
fort and this place during y' absence of y'" s'^ troops; who returned answer that he 
would comply therewith. So remain in all sincerity, 

'• May it please your Ex'cy, 
•■YourEx'cys most obedient and humble servants." 

This was signed by the Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen. 

The treaty of Utrecht was an imperfect one under the circumstances; 
It left the question of boundaries largely undefined, leading to endless 
complaints and recriminations between the two rivals on this continent. 



58 

while the former methods of gaining Indian friendship and trade soon 
came into practice. The Iroquois could not be deterred from encroach- 
ments upon their old enemies, to which they were doubtless incited to 
some extent by the English. The French established a trading post 
at Niagara in 1720, against the protestations of Governor Burnet of 
New York. In retaliation he established one at Irondequoit Bay in the 
next year. In the mean time the New York legislature passed a law 
forbidding colonists from supplying the French with Indian goods. 
In retaliation the French incited their allies to the northward to drive 
the English traders from their country. " Since the close of October, 
1733," wrote De Vaudreuil in November, 17-24, "the Abenakis did not 
cease harassing the English with a view to force them to quit their 
country."! 

In 172G the English took an important step in the building of a for- 
tified post at Oswego, thus establishing their hold upon a point that 
was to become of the highest importance during all the succeeding 
years until the American colonies gained their freedom. On the Uth <if 
May, 172G, Governor Burnet wrote the Board of Trade : 

I have this spring sent up workmen to build a stone house of strength at a place- 
called Oswego, at the mouth of the Onondage river where our principal trade witli 
the far Nations is carried on. I have obtained the consent of the Six Nations to 
build it. 

The governor learned that a party of French was going up to Niag- 
ara, and he feared they might interfere with the work at Oswego. He 
therefore sent "a detachment of sixty souldiers with a Captain and 
two Lieutenants, to protect the building. " 

The French did not love Governor Burnet nor look kindly upon his 
operations at Oswego. The fact is they were forestalled in what they 
undoubtedly intended to do themselves. In 1727 the Marquis de Beau- 
harnois (then governor-general of Canada) wrote Burnet, strongly 
condemning him for building the works at Oswego: said he, "I look 
upon that measure as a manifest infraction of the treaty of Utrecht." 
Louis XV wrote Beauharnois that he "must always have in view the 
expulsion of the English from their fort on the river Choueguen " (the 
French name of Oswego). 

In spite of all these hostile, operations, disregard of treaty obligations, 
petty encroachments, and antagonistic measures, the two countries re- 
mained nominally at peace until 1744. A quarrel arose between. King 



59 

George II of England and the French king, respecting the claims of 
Maria Theresa to the Austrian throne. The foreign entanglement, 
although not of the slightest interest to the colonists on this side of the 
water, involved them in the war that followed, which was known 
as King" George's war, the declaration of which was made March 
15, 1744, by France. Three months later the news reached Albany 
and again the inhabitants were excited and filled with anxious fore- 
bodings. Governor Clinton visited the place and held a successful 
conference with the chiefs of the Six Nations, cementing their friend- 
ship for the English and cautioning them against the wiles of the 
French. He sent to Albany six 18-pounder cannon with a supply of 
ammunition and other military stores. While the governor was mak- 
ing preparations for an attack upon Crown Point, the French and In- 
dians descended upon old Saratoga (now Schuylerville), burning the 
fort and twenty houses, killing about thirty persons and carrying away 
eighty prisoners. Excitement ran high in Albany. Refugees came in 
large numbers and soldiers were quartered in the place. Two com- 
panies of His Majesty's fusileers were sent to Albany and the Indians 
were kept in readiness for an expected attack. Through the influ- 
ence of Sir William Johnson the Mohawks in August, 1746, agreed to 
take up again the hatchet against the French. Later in that year Gov- 
ernor Clinton sent five additional companies of soldiers to Albany, 
while Massachusetts and New York made active war preparations, col- 
lecting troops and munitions at Albany. The campaign continued in 
1747; troops were sent from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and other prov- 
inces, with Albany as a center of operations. The later events of this 
war are not of paramount interest for these pages. Albany sufTered 
little from the strife ; indeed the traders there had made considerable 
profit during its progress. The-war was concluded October 18, 1748, 
by the treaty of Aixda-Chapelle. 

It would seem to have been a part of the plan of the Almighty that 
this country should not pass under French dominion, but should be 
preserved for the descendants of the Pilgrims and the English immi- 
grants who came after them. After a few years of peace the war that 
was to settle finally this matter was begun under a declaration from 
England made May 17, 1756, which was followed by a similar one from 
France on the 9th of the following month. From the date of the cap- 
ture of Louisburg in 1745 the French had extended and strengthened 
their domain, and the treaty of 1748 found them with a population of 



about 100,000, and with a line of posts from Nova Scotia to the Gulf of 
Mexico. They soon became aggressive. Trade interests were con- 
stantly clashing, and the stake as a whole was a magnificent one for 
the conqueror. Uncertainty as to the fealty and action of the Indians 
also continued an unceasing cause of anxiety and jealous}'. The French 
determined to hold control of the Ohio River region, and when the 
English attempted to build a fort at the forks of that stream, the 
French seized the place and finished the fort — Fort Duquesne. 

The details of this war belong to and are found in general history, 
rendering it unnecessary, as it is impracticable, to follow them fully in 
this work: but their relation to Albany county may be briefly de- 
scribed. 

On the 28th of August, 1754, a body of Indian allies of the French 
invaded this province, burned the buildings of some Hoosick settlers 
and took back as prisoners to Canada about sixty of the vSchaghticoke 
Indians. Lieutenant Governor De Lancey now ordered the fort at 
Albany to be fully repaired ; he sent a company of soldiery to the fort 
from New York and ordered that two hundred men from each regi- 
ment of militia near Albany- should be in readiness to march ti> the 
city at short notice. 

At a meeting of the Common Council held May 29, 1T53, the follow- 
ing petition was sent to Governor De Lancey : 

That the City of Albany is a frontier town, and the defense thereof is of great 
oon.sequence to the safety of the whole province in case of War with the French ; 
that the city is altogether undefensable, exposed to the incursions of any enemy, and 
the corporation, by reason of the heavy debt they are under, occasioned by the great 
expense we were at during the late war, and no wise able to fortify the city unless 
assisted by a provincial Tax; and whereas, your Excellencies have prepared a 
petition to be laid before the General Assembly, praying they would be pleased to 
lay a tax of jfG.OOO on estates throughout this province to defray the expense of 
building a wall with bastions or batteries at convenient distances, for the defence of 
said city and security of the province. 

The document closes with a prayer that 

His Excellency will recommend to the General Assembly, in the most pressing 
terms that you think proper, to raise the sum to t'G,000 for defraving the expense of 
said Wall. 

Similar application was made by the Common Council for better pro- 
tection in May, 1750. During all of this war period (about nine years) 
many troops were quartered in and near Albany. In IToG an ordinance 
was adopted by the Common Council forbidding all tavern keepers and 



all other persons from selling liquor to any of His Majesty's troops or 
harboring- any of them after 9 o'clock p. m. At that time there was a 
regiment encamped on the hill about on the site of the old Capitol. 
When General Abercrombie was here in 1756 it is believed that 10,000 
troops were encamped near by on both banks of the river. The dusky 
Indians mingled with the gaily-uniformed soldiers, martial music re- 
sounded on all sides, and flags floated over the scene. Business was 
active, especially in furnishing supplies of every kind to the army. 

The principal events of this war were: The abortive effort to capture 
Fort Niagara and Crown Point in 1755 by Governor Shirley and Sir 
William Johnson respectively; the attempts made against Fort Du- 
quesne, a second against Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and a third 
against Niagara in 1756, all of which were comparative failures; the 
capture of Oswego by Montcalm in that j^ear; the capture of Fort 
William Henry on Lake George by Montcalm in 1757; the campaigns 
of 1758, involving successes by the English at Louisburg, Fort Du- 
quesne and Fort Frontenac, the reoccupation of Oswego, and the de- 
feat of the English under Abercrombie at Ticonderoga by Montcalm; 
the capture of Niagara in 1759 by the English, the fall of Quebec in 
September of that year, and the final surrender of Montreal and all 
other French posts in 1760, ending French power in America forever. 

During this war Albany was a center of military activity. The ex- 
peditions of 1755 and 1750 started from there and included Albany 
soldiers, among whom was the brave Schuyler. During the winter of 
1755-6 the preparations for an expedition against Niagara in the fol- 
lowing spring went forward at Albany. There General Win slow made 
his rendezvoiTS with 7,000 men, waiting the dilatory steps of Lord 
Loudon, then commander of the English forces. The delay gave the 
gallant Montcalm opportunity to capture the forts at Oswego, which he 
held until 1757. At Albany also were gathered the troops for the ex- 
pedition against Crown Point under Sir William Johnson in 1755. This 
expedition abounded in brilliant and stirring events, including the 
death of Dieskau, the French commander. Johnson was a man of 
ardent temperament, energetic and active, and when he was delayed by 
various causes he complained bitterly of the people at Albany. Under 
date of September 6 he wrote: 

Our expedition is likely to be extremely distressed and, I fear, fatally retarded for 
the want of wagons. The people of Albany county and the adjacent counties hide 
their wagons and drive away their horses. Most of the wagoners taken into the 



62 

service have deserted; some horses are quite jaded and some few killed by the 
enemy, and several run away. Most of our provisions are at Albany. 

And again he wrote: "Those people are .so devoted to their own 
private Profit that every other public Principle has ever been sacrificed 
to it." 1 

On account of the man^' discouraging circumstances Johnson re- 
turned to Albany for that winter, after having- Iniilt Fort William 
Henry and garrisoned it with six hundred men, 

The advance of Montcalm upon Fort William Henry in 1757 caused 
much alarm and excitement in Albany. Oswego had fallen, an e\-ent 
which Johnson characterized as "a mortal wound." Montcalm had 
already shown his militar}' genius and his tireless energy, and his ap- 
proach upon any point justified alarm. The slaughter of the garrison 
of Fort William Henry after its capture, by the Indians under Mont- 
calm, which the French general has in vain attempted to justify, added 
to the anxious forebodings of the inhabitants of Albany and its vicinity. 
Frontier settlers came to the city in great numliers. 

In Col. John Bradstreet's memorable expedition against Fort Fronte- 
nac in the summer of 1758, soldiers from Albany county participated. 
Among the officers were Captains Peter Yates and Goosen Van Schaick 
of Albany, the latter becoming in later years a colonel in the Revolu- 
tionary army. Bradstreet captured the fort, thus rendering easier 
the seizure of Fort Duquesne and hastening the end. These events 
raised a cry for peace throughout Canada, the resources of which coun- 
try were nearly exhausted. " I am not discouraged," wrote the brave 
Montcalm, in evident disappointment, "nor my troops. We are re- 
solved to find our graves under the ruins of the colony." He foresaw 
the end. 

In the early summer of 1758 Abercrombie's army was encamped on 
the flatlands at the south of Albany, preparing for its expedition to 
Ticonderoga, where it met a crushing defeat at the hands of Montcalm's 
troops, who were inspired by the gallantry of their leader. In Aber- 
crombie's army also were many Albany soldiers, who shared in the 
general mourning for the death of the brave and genial Lord Howe on 
that field, and whose body was buried first in Schuyler's famil)' tomb 
and later under St, Peter's church. In the months of May and June, 
1751), Lord Jeffre}' Amherst, a brave and efficient English officer, ap 

1 For an nf Johnson's papers, sfu Dol-. Hist,, vol. 11, p. ,'4,", Klilii. 



pointed commander-in-chief in September, 1758, was at Albany with 
the army, preparing for the movements upon Crown Point and Ticon- 
deroga, and the other important events that closed the long struggle. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

From the fall of Montreal to the beginning of the Revolution peace 
reigned in the territory of Albany county. Again the fur trade became 
an absorbing interest. In the spring of 1766 Sir William Johnson was ap- 
pointed Trade Commissary, an ofiEice which gave him general supervi- 
sion of barter with the Indians, and from that time forward for nearly 
ten years he wielded almost autocratic power over the Iroquois and 
lived in a lordly way in the Mohawk Valley. Johnson's policy was to con- 
centrate trade at the important points, Albany, Oswego, Niagara, Fort 
Pitt and Detroit, where he appointed commissioners of trade. He in- 
troduced regulations prohibiting traders from going out among the 
Indians, the salutary effects of which were at once apparent. As a 
means of further continuing peaceful relations between the English 
and the Indians, a meeting was held September 19, 1768, at Fort Stan- 
wix (now Rome), whither Sir William, his three duputies (Guy John- 
son, Daniel Claus and George Croghan) and Governor Franklin of New 
Jersey proceeded. Twenty bateaux of presents for the Indians were 
taken along. Arrived at the fort they were met by commissioners 
from Virginia, by Lieutenant-Governor Penn and Messrs. Wharton and 
Trent, representing trade interests. By October 1 about eight hun- 
dred Indians had assembled. The object of this council was to estab- 
lish a "Property Line "between the white men and the Indians. 
After six days of the usual ceremonies at such gatherings the line was 
fixed to begin at the junction of Canada Creek and Wood Creek a little 
west from Rome, and extend thence southward to the Susquehanna 
River. The whole matter was concluded November 5, 1768, and was 
ratified by Johnson in July, 1770. 

The project of dividing Albany county was liroached in the Assem- 
bly in the spring of 1769 by Philip Schuyler. While this measure was 
favored by Johnson, he earnestly objected to the proposed line of divi- 
sion. Said he: 



(54 

Albany county is much too large, but the manner in which it is proposed to be di- 
vided is in many respects extremely inconvenient, and it would prove disagreeable 
to about all of the inhabitants. The only rational boundary, it has appeared to me, 
would be at the west bounds of the township of Schenectady. 

Again in the Spring of 1772 the subject was brought ftjrward, and 
towards the close of that session a ImII was passed under which all that 
part of Albany county west of the present cast line of Montgomery 
county was erected into Tryon county. 

An act of the Legislature passed in 1703, relating to the office and 
duties of supervisors, remained in force with slight changes until 1772, 
when, on March 24, it was amended so far as it related to Albany 
county, authorizing the annual election to take place on the first Tues- 
day in May. The same act provided for the election in this county of 
two overseers of the poor, two constables, two fence viewers, and one 
town clerk. Previous to that date the duties of clerk had been per- 
formed by the supervisor. After the adoption of the first Constitution 
the office of supervisor and the time of his election was changed by act 
of the Legislature (March 7, 1788), providing for holding town meetings 
in the several towns in the State for choice of town officers. By that 
act the town of Albany was authorized to elect two assessors, instead of 
one as in other counties. 

The establishmeht of the Property Line, before described, did not 
long suffice to preserve inviolate the Indian territory. The influ.x of 
new settlers and the avarice of traders led to encroachments which soon 
provoked complaints. ' These prepared the way for the hostility against 
the colonists during the war of the Revolution which soon followed. 
The Indians had adopted a well-settled policy against further encroach- 
ment on their territory, even to resisting it by war; and the Iroquois, 
who had hitherto preserved uniform friendship toward the colonists, 
now, with the exception of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, opposed them. 
Eighteen hundred of their warriors allied themselves with the British 
and only two hundred and twenty with the colonists. The atrocities of 
the former, under such leaders as Johnson, Butler, and Brant, will long 
be remembered throughout New York and Pennsylvania. 

With the beginning of the war Albany again became a center of 

> At a congress of the Si.x Nations at Jolinson Hall in June and July, ir;4, a Seneca orator com- 
plained that the white traders encroached upon their territory, followed their people to their 
hunting: . grounds with goods and liquor, when they "not only impose on us at pleasure, hut bv 
the -.neans of carrying these articles to our scattered people, obstruct our endeavors to collect 



65 

military activity. Albany county, as it then existed, organized seven- 
teen regiments of militia under the laws of 1775. Theofificers of those 
which belonged wholly or in part to this county were as follows : 

FiKsi Regi.me.ni, Cri V ok Alkanv. 

Jacob Lansing, jr., colonel; Dirck Ten Broeck, lieutenant-colonel; Henry Wen- 
dell, first major: Abraham Cuyler. second major; Volckert A. Doiiw. adjutant; 
Ephraim Van Veghten, quartermaster. 

First Company. — John Barclay, captain ; John Price, first lieutenant ; Abraham I. 
Vates, second lieutenant ; John Scott, ensign. 

.Second Company.— Thomas Barrett, captain ; Matthew Vischer, first lieutenant; 
Abraham Eights, second lieutenant; John Hoagkirk, ensign. 

Third Company. — John Williams, captain; Henry Staats, fir.st lieutenant; Barent 
Van Allen, second lieutenant; Henry Hogan, ensign. 

Fourth Company. — John M. Beeckman, captain; Isaac Ue Freest, first lieutenant ; 
Abraham Ten Eyck, second lieutenant; Tennis T. Van Veghten, ensign. 

Fifth Company. — Harmanus Wendell, captain; William Hun, first lieutenant; 
Jacob G. Lansing, second lieutenant; Cornelius Wendell, ensign. 

Si. xth Company. — John N. Bleecker, captain; John James Beeckman, first lieu- 
tenant; Casparus Pruyn, second lieutenant; Nicholas Marsehs, ensign. 

Third REi-.iMKNr, First Rensselaerwvck Battalion. 

Abraham Ten Broeck, colonel ; Francis Nicoll, lieutenant-colonel ; Henry Ouack- 
enbush. first major; Barent Staats, second major; John P. Quackenbush, adjutant; 
Christopher Lansing, quartermaster. 

First Company. — Henry Quackenbush, captain; Jacob J. Lansing, first lieutenant ; 
Levinus Winne, second lieutenant ; John Van Woert, ensign. 

Second Company.— Abraham D. Fonda, captain; Henry Oothoudt, jr., first lieu- 
tenant; Levinus T. Lansing, second lieutenant; Jacob J. Lansing, ensign. 

Third Company.— Peter Schuyler, captain; Abraham Witbeck, first lieutenant; 
Henry Ostrom, second lieutenant; Peter S. Schuyler, ensign. 

Fourth Company. — Barent Staats, captain; Dirck Becker, first lieutenant; John 
Van Wie, second lieutenant ; George Hogan, ensign. 

Fifth Company.— Gerrit G. Van der Bergh, captain; Peter Van Wie, first lieuten- 
ant; Wouter Becker, second lieutenant; Abraham Slingerland, ensign. 

Third Reoimeni — New Organization. 

First Company.— (See Third Company, first organization.) 

Second Company.— Abraham D. Fonda, captain; Henry Oothoudt, jr., first lieu- 
tenant; Levinus T. Lansing, second lieutenant; Jacob J. Lansing, ensign. 

Third Company (at first Fifth Company, Fourth Regiment).— Jacob Ball, captain; 
John Warner, first lieutenant; Peter Dietz, second lieutenant; Joshua Shaw, ensign. 

Fourth Company.— Jacob J. Lansing, captain; Levinus Winne, first lieutenant; 
John Van Woert, second lieutenant; Peter Do.x, ensign. 

Fifth Company '(at first organized as Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment).— Jacob 



6G 

Van Aernam, captain; John Groot, first lieutenant; George Wagoner, second lieu- 
tenant; Frederick Crantz (Crounse?), ensign. 

Sixth Company. — Abraham Veeder, captain; James Burnside, first lieutenant; 
John Voorhuyse(Voorhees?), second lieutenant; Andries Ten Eyck, ensign. 

FouKTH Rec;imeni'. Second Renssei.aerwvck Battalion. 

Killian Van Rensselaer colonel; John H. Beeckman, lieutenant-colonel; Cor- 
nelius Van Buren, first major; Jacob C. Schermerhorn, second major; Jacobus Van 
der Pool, adjutant; John A. Lansing, quartermaster. 

First Company (First Company, Fifth Regiment, new organization). — Conrad 
Ten Eyck, captain; Peter Witbeck, first lieutenant; Albert H. Van der Zee, second 
lieutenant ; John L. Wilbeck, ensign. 

Second Company (Second Company, Fifth Regiment, new organization). — Will- 
iam P. Winne, captain; John De Voe, first lieutenant; Philip C. Look (Luke?), sec- 
ond lieutenant; Cornelius Van der Zee, ensign. 

Third Company. — Volckert Veeder, captain; Abraham Veeder first lieutenant; 
Jacob La Grange, second lieutenant; Andrew Truax, ensign. 

Fourth Company. (See Fifth Company, Third Regiment, new organization.) — 
Jacob Van Aernam, captain ; John Groot, first lieutentant ; George Wagoner, second 
lieutenant; Frederick Crantz (Crounse?), ensign. 

Fifth Company,— (See Third Company, Third Regiment.) 

Fourth Regiment (As Newly Organized, February. ITTU.) 

First Company. — Isaac Miller, captain ; Hendrick Schaus, first lieutenant ; Johan- 
nes Lodewick, second lieutenant; Johannes Miller, ensign. 

Second Company. — Ichabod Turner, captain; Joel Pease, first lieutenant; Jona- 
athan Niles. second lieutenant; Joel Curtis, ensign. 

Third Company. — Luke Schermerhorn, captain; James Magee, first lieutenant; 
Reuben Knap, second lieutenant ; Aaron Hammond, ensign. 

Fourth Company. — James Dennison, captain; Stephen Niles, first lieutenant; 
Obadiah Vaughan, second lieutenant; Oliver Bentley, ensign. 

Fifth Company. — Nicholas Staats, captain; Obadiah Lansing, first lieutenant; 
Philip Staats, second Heutenant; Leonard Wilcox, ensign. 

Sixth Company. — Jacobus Cole (Koole?) captain ; Anthony Bries (Brice?) first lieu- 
tenant; Harpent Witbeck, second lieutenant; John Van Hagen, jr., ensign. 

Seventh Company. — Abraham J. Van Valkenburgh, captain; Daniel Schermer- 
horn, first lieutenant; John J. Van Valkenburgh, second lieutenant; Martin Yim 
Buren, ensign. 

Fifth Regimem, Third Rensselaerwyck Battalion. 

Stephen Schuyler, colonel ; Gcrrit G. Van der Bergh, lieutenant ; Peter P. Schuyler, 
first major; Volckert Veeder, second major; Maas Van Vranken, adjutant; Francis 
Marshall, quartermaster. 

First Company. — Cornelius Van Buren, captain ; Nicholas Staats, first lieutenant ; 
Obadiah Lansing, second lieutenant; Philip Staats, ensign. 

Second Company, John H. Beeckman, captain; Jacob C. Schermerhorn, first lieu- 



07 

tenant; Abraham I. Van Valkenburgh, second lieutenant; Jacobus Vanderpoel, 
ensign. 

Third Company. — Volclcert Van Veghten captain; Gerrit T. Van den Bergh, first 
lieutenfint; John Amory, second lieutenant; Jacob Van Schaick, ensign. 

Fourth Company. — (See First Company, Fourth Regiment.) 

First Company. — Philip De Freest, captain; Ryneer Van Alstyne, first lieutenant ; 
Peter Sharp, second lieutenant; David De Forest, ensign. 

Sixth Company (1st Company of Sixth Regiment, new organization.) — John J. 
Fonda, captain; John P. Fonda first lieutenant ; George Berger, second lieutenant; 
George Sharp, ensign. 

{ 
Sixth Regiment, Fouktii Rensselaerwyck Battalion. 

Stephen J. Schuyler, colonel ; Henry K. Van Rensselaer, lieutenant-colonel ; Philip 
De Freest, first major; John Fonda, second major; Volckert Oothoudt, adjutant; 
Jacob Van Alstyne, quartermaster. 

First Company. — Henry H. Gardinier, captain; Jacob Van der Heyden, first lieu- 
tenant ; Adam Beam, second lieutenant ; Henry Tinker, ensign. 

Second Company. — Cornelius Lansing, captain ; Lodewyck Snider, first lieuten- 
ant; Andries Stool, second lieutenant; Jacob Weiger, ensign. 

Third Company. — (See Third Company, Fourth Regiment.) 

Fourth Company. — (See Second Company, this Regiment, and Fourth Regiment.) 

Fifth Company. — Caleb Bentley, captain ; Samuel Shaw, first lieutenant ; David 
Huestes, second lieutenant; Thomas Crandall, ensign. 

Sixth Company. — (See Fourth Company, Fourth Regiment.) 

Sixth Regiment (New organization.) 

First Company. — (See Sixth Company, Fifth Regiment.) 

Second Company. — (See First Company, Si.xth Regiment.) 

Third Company. — John Lautman, captain; Peter Vosburgh, first lieutenant; John 
Schurtz, second lieutenant; Conradt Best, ensign. 

Fourth Company. — (See Second Company, first organization Fifth Regiment, and 
First Company in Sixth Regiment, first organization.) 

Fifth Company. — (See first organization in Sixth Regiment.) 

Sixth Company. — Jacob De Freest, captain; Martinus Sharp, first lieutenant; An- 
dries Miller, second lieutenant; John Crannell, ensign. 

Seventh Company. — Florus Banker, captain; Christopher Tillman, first lieuten- 
ant; Abraham Ten Eyck, second lieutenant; Jonathan Sever, ensign. 

At the inception of the difficulties leading to the war the inhabitant.s 
of the cit)' of Albany, and of the county within its jjresent limits at 
least, were not inspired with warm sympathy for the cause of the col- 
onists. The mayor (Abraham C. Cuyler) and most of the aldermen 
openly espoused the royal cause. As early as 1773 the increasing diffi- 
culties with the mother country entered largely into local public affairs 
in the city, and the charter election of that j'ear was a very exciting 



fi8 

one. The last election for aldermen and assistant aldermen under 
colonial laws was held vSeptember 29, 1775, when the following- were 
chosen : 

First Ward — Aldermen, Peter W. Yates, Gerrit Van Sante; assistants, Jacob 
Roseboom, Aries La Grange. 

Second Ward — Aldermen, Guysbert G. Marselis, John J. Beeckman; assistants, 
Cornelius Van Schelluyne, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer. 

Third Ward — Aldermen, Thomas Hun, John Ten Broeck ; assistants, Abraham 
Schuyler, Abraham Ten Eyck. 

The last meeting of this board under provnicial laws was held at the 
city hall March 25, 1776. The English laws were then for a time 
superseded by the authority of the Continental Congress and State 
governments. From the date last given to April 17, 1778, there was 
no meeting of the Common Council of Albany. John Barclay was ap- 
pointed mayor by Governor Clinton September 27, 1777; the aldermen 
being John Roorbach, John Price, Jacob Lansing, jr., Abraham Cuyler, 
John M. Beeckman, Hariiianus Wendell; assistants, Abraham I. 
Yates, Matthew Visscher, Isaac D. Fonda, Jacob Bleecker, Cornelius 
Swits, Abraham Schuyler. 

By act of the Legislature in 1778 the mayor and his subordinate otifi- 
cers were required to meet and qualify by taking the oath of allegiance 
prescribed by the State law, and their respective oaths prescribed by 
the city charter; they met for this purpose April 17, 1778. From 
March, 177G, to April, 1778, the duties of the mayor and council were 
performed by the Committee of Safety and Correspondence, appointed 
by the first Legislature. The original city charter was kept in force, 
except as it conflicted with the new State government. This c;-'mmit- 
tee was composed as follows : 

First Ward— Jacob C. Ten Eyck, Henry I. Bogart, Peter Silvester, Henry Wen- 
dell, Volkert P. Douw, John Bay, Guysbert Marselis. 

Second Ward — John R. Bleecker, Jacob Lansing, jr., Jacob Cuyler, Henry Bleecker, 
Robert Yates, Stephen De Lancey, Abraham Cuyler. 

Third Ward — John H. Ten Eyck, Abraham Ten Broeck, Gerrit Lansing, jr., An- 
thony E. Bradt, Samuel Stringer, Abraham Yates, jr., Cornells Van Santvoordt. 

The meetings of this committee were usually held in the Old Stadt 
Huys, and their proceedings were fraught with important measures 
during its existence, full records of which are preserved in the vState 
Library. For our present purpose we need refer to only a few of 
these. As an indication of the sentiments of its signers the following 



on 

document, which was probably put forth soon after the battle of Lex- 
ington, fought April 10, KT"), must find a place here: 

A General Association agreed to and subscribed by the Members of the several 

Committees of the City and County of Albany. 

Persuaded that the salvation of the Rights and liberties of America depends, un- 
der God. on the tlnii t'nion of its Inhabitants in a Vigorous prosecution of the Meas- 
ures necessary for its SalL-iy ; and convinced of the necessity of preventing the An- 
archy and Confusidu which attends a Dissolution of the Powers of Government, We, 
the Freemen, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the City and County of Albany, being 
greatly alarmed at the avowed Design of the Ministry to raise a Revenue in Amer- 
ica, and shocked by the bloody scene now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, Do in 
the most Solemn Manner resolve never to become Slaves; and do associate under all 
the Ties of Religion, Honor and Love to our Country, to adopt and endeavor to 
carry into Execution whatever Measures may be recommended by the Continental 
Congress, or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention for the purpose of preserv- 
ing our Constitution, and opposing the Execution of the several Arbitrary and op- 
pressive Acts of the British Parliament until a Reconciliation between Great Britain 
and America on Constitutional Principles (which we most ardently desire) can be ob- 
tained: And that we will in all things follow the Advice of Our General Committee 
respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of Peace and good Order, and 
the safety ft Individuals and private Property. 

John lianlay. i.liairman; Walter Livingston, John Bay, James Magee, Tyrans 
Callans ii, Isaac \'an Aernam, Gysbert Marselis, Philip P. Schuyler, George White. 
John McClung. Gershom Woodworth, Bastyaen T. Vescher, Florus Baricker, John 
Knickerbacker junior, Barent Vanderpoel, William Van Bergen, John Abbott, Jacobus 
Williamson. Samuel Van Vechten. Peter Becker, Ebenezer Allen, Simeon Covel, Asa 
Flint, James Parrot, Henry Leake, Andries Watbeck, Matthew Visscher, Samuel 
Stringer, Gerrit Lansing, jr., John Ten Broeck, Robert Yates, Henry I. Bogart, 
John Van Loon, Henry Van Veghten, Joseph Young, Richard Esselstyn, Othniel 
Gardner, Barent Dyne, Abraham Cuyler, Robert McCluUen, Henry Wendell, Cornel- 
ius Van Santvoordt, R. BIeecl<er. Henry Bleecker, John H. Ten Eyck, Jacob 
Bleecker, jr., John T. Beeckinan, Harmanus Wendell, Matthew Adgate, Abraham 
Yates, jr., John Taylor, Rutger Lansingh, Henry Ouackenboss, John M. Beeckman, 
John D. Fonda, John Van Rensselaer, jr., John Price, Anthony Van Schaick, Dirck 
Ten Broeck Reitzert Bronck, Frederick Beringer, Reynard Van Alsteyn, Philip 
Van Veghten, Joshua Losee, Anthony Van Bergen, Albertus ^'an Loon, Mynderse 
Roseboom, Abraham Ten Eyck. 

A similar document was sent on May 1, 1775, to the Boston Commit- 
tee. A letter from the committee to the New York Committee, dated 
May 3, set forth that the city was " very scant of powder, arms and 
warlike stores," and in a defenseless condition. Reports came in of 
the probable hostile action of the Indians, and Col. Guy Johnson was 
sent for to express his opinion on the subject. The result was such as 
to prompt the committee to issue the following advertisement: 



70 

Notice is hereby given to the inhabitants of the City of Albany that it is the 
opinion of their Committee that they assemble and meet together in the different 
wards of this city at the nsual place of election to form themselves into Companies 
from the age of sixteen to sixty, each Company to consist of a Captain, two Lieu- 
tenants, one Ensign, four Sergeants, four Corporals, one Drum and fifty one 
privates. 

This was under date of May 3, 1775. The meetings were held as 
directed and the companies organized with the following officers: 

First Company — John Barclay, captain; John Price, Stephen Van Scliaicl.;, lieu- 
tenants; Abraham Yates, ensign. 

Second Company— John Williams, captain; Henry Staats, Barent Van Allen, lieu- 
tenants; Henry Hogan, ensign. 

Third Company — Thomas Barret, captain ; Abraham Eights, Matthew Vischer, 
lieutenants; John Hoogkerk, ensign. 

For the Third Ward— Captains, John Beeckman, Harmanus Wendell; lieutenants, 
Isaac De Freest. Abraham Ten Eyck, William Hnnu, Peter (iansevoort, jr. ; en- 
signs, Cornelius Wendell, Tennis T. Van Veghtcn. 

The formation of similar companies was recommended by the com- 
mittee in the several districts of the county. The record of May l'^ 
shows the following: 

We received a letter signed Ethan Allen by the hands of Mr. Brown, acquainting 
us of the taking of Ticonderoga. Upon which we wrote a letter to the committee of 
New York by Captain Barent Ten Eyck, Express, and each of us paid him a Dollar 
a piece for going. 

A few days earlier the Albany Committee had voted against sending 
needed supplies to Ticonderoga. During that month Congress, then 
in session in Philadelphia, requested the Albany Committee to send 
men and supplies to Ticonderoga to build scows with which to bring- 
away the guns and stores in that fort. This was done and Henry I. 
Bogart appointed to take charge of the work. 

As bearing directly upon the loyalty and disloyalty of the committee 
to the cause of the colonists, the following is pertinent : 

Committee Chambers, June 29th — Samuel Stringer, Chairman pro tew. 

Upon the whole, we are of opinion. First — That as the safety of our Persons, and 
the Preservation of our Properties depends upon the due administration of Justice, 
that the course of Justice ought not to be obstructed, but that the Same Continue in 
the usual Course, and in the King's Name, as our allegiance to him is not denied: 
and that we are to Wait the resolution of the Provincial or Continental Congress on 
this Subject and abide by their determination, otherwise we Conceive the whole 
Country will be reduced to a State of the Greatest Anarchy and Confusion. 

Second — Appeals are still admitted, at least in this Government, in all cases where 
they always have been Allowed; in this the law has not been altered, and the Sub- 



71 

ject in this Province has the Same Liberty of a fair and impartial trial, as usual on 
Constitutional principles; and we do not object against any Acts of Parliament, ex- 
cept the late Unconstitutional and oppressive ones which have been Noticed by the 
Continental Congress in their Session last Fall. 

Third — We are neither Rebels or Traitors, nor have we forfeited our Estates, 
neither are there any acts of Parliament of that nature in force to our knowledge 
against any persons in this Province ; nor do we conceive the application of Traitors 
and Rebels justly applied to Subjects who refuse to comply with requisitions of un- 
constitutional Acts of Parliament. 

The committee was informed by Henry Glen on July 5, 1775, that 
Congress had approved of the following field officers: Colonel, Myndert 
Roseboom ; lieutenant-colonel, Goosen Van Schaick; major, Lucas Van 
\'eghten; and that they had appointed John M. Wendell, quarter- 
master, and Barent Ten Eyck, adjutant. 

The following is quaint and characteristic of the times; the date is 
Jtily 12, 1775: 

It being intimated to this Board by Mr. Peter Vrooman, that some tavern-keepers 
in this county sell spirituous liquors too freely to the Indians, from which evil con- 
sequences often happen, therefore, 

Resolved, That it be recommended to all Tavern-keepers and others in said 
county, to sell spirituous liquors to the Indians as sparingly as possible, so as to pre- 
vent their getting drunk. 

Before the struggle fairly commenced it developed that Guy Johnson 
was intriguing with the Indians, inciting them against the Americans. 
vSir William Johnson had died in the previous year, leaving Sir John 
Johnson and Guy Johnson his heirs. The former began fortifying 
Johnson Hall (near the site of Johnstown) and preparing for his later 
active support of the British cause. The Albany Committee received 
information in July, 1775, that Guy Johnson was preparing to invade 
Albany county with a large body of Indians under command of Brant 
and Butler. Great alarm was felt and Philip Schuyler, then at Sara- 
toga and in charge of the military affairs of the province, was addressed 
on the subject and asked for aid. The committee wrote: 

Our ammunition is so scant we cannot furnish 300 men so as to be able to make a 
stand against so great a number. This is the more alarming to us, as we shall 
within a few days be obliged to begin with our harvest. In these deplorable circum- 
stances, we look to you for aid. 

Schuyler's reply was prompt and to the point. He advised the 
marching of Captain Van Dyck and his company and all others obtain- 
able into Tryon county with the Albany and Schenectady militia; he 



also ordered a supply of powder to be sent to the Tryon county com- 
mittee. The Johnsons were, however, brouyht to terms for the time 
being without bloodshed. 

The following- entry may possibly jirovoke a smile; it follows upon 
a complaint made to the board by an Indian that he had been beaten 
in the city and robbed of his shirt: 

Resolved, That Mr. John W. Bleecker furnish the said Indian with a new shirt of 
the value often shillings. 

The results of the campaign of 177G were generally unfavorable to 
the Americans. The attack on Quebec and Montreal in the preceding 
November by the gallant Montgomery had failed and the commander 
was killed. The more important events of the year 177(! were the 
evacuation of Boston before Washington's army on March 17; the 
signing of the Declaration of Independence; the expulsion of the 
American forces from Canada; the flight of Sir John Johnson to Can- 
ada; the attack upon Long Island by the British and the retreat in 
August of Washington's army to New York ; the evacuation of New 
York by Washington in October ; the capture of Fort Washington on 
the Hudson River by the British in November; the battle of Trenton 
and victory of Washington in December — almost the only bright ray to 
lighten the general gloom of the year. 

Early in this year (1776) the Albany Committee began its unceasing 
struggle for the repression of disloyalty. On the ^Oth of January the 
following was recorded : 

The Committee to enquire for a proper place to confine such persons asare inimical 
to American Liberty, Report that there are two rooms in the Fort m this city which 
might be repaired with little expense for said persons; therefore 

Resolved, That General Schuyler be requested to fit the upper room in said Fort. 

Again, (ieorge Ramsey was sent on from Schenectady charged with 
"calling persons in favor of American Liberty, Rebels." He was 
made to furnish a bond in the sum of ^'200 for good behavior. The 
following is in the same line: 

AVjo/t'c^/, That no person or persons be permitted to move into or settle :' 
County, unless he or they bring a Certificate from the Committee of the Coun 
district from which they claim that they had, prior to this resolve, signed the 
ciation recommended by Congress, and had in all things behaved in a mann 
coming to Friends of American Freedom. 

The modern boycott found a sinall example in the treatment of 
Boyd by the committee. Boyd was convicted of selling tea for 7.' 



per pound, "contrary to Resoliiticju of Continental Cons^'ress." Here 
is what followed : 

Resolved, That the said John Boyd has violated the Resolution and ought lo lie 
considered an Enemy to the American Cause, and it is Recommended that all per- 
son break off all intercourse with said Boyd. 

This was in May, and later, others were punished in the same man- 
ner. It was in this summer that a resolution was adopted for the dis- 
arming of all disloyal persons. 

On the Sth of Novemlier the following preamble and resolution were 
adopted : 

Whereas, The time limited by the good people of this County for the present 
Committee to serve, expires in this County this 4th Tuesday of this month ; and 

Whereas, The Repr.esentatives of this State in Convention have been inevitably 
prevented from fomiing a Government for this State, it is necessary that another 
Committee be elected in this County for the space of Six months: 

Resolved, That the Election in the several districts of this County be held on the 
3d Tuesday of November. 

The count}^ committee thus elected consisted of nine members from 
the first ward; Manor of Rensselaer, twenty members; Schoharry, six 
members; Grote Imboght, five members; Ballston, five members; 
Hosick, twelve members; Coxackie, six members; German Camp, four 
members; Schaghtikoke, ten members; Half Moon, seven members; 
Saratoga, seven members ; Schenectady, eleven members; Cambridge, 
nine members; Kings, eight members; Claverack, twelve members. 
Manor of Livingston, ten members. A resolution was adopted that 
■' the Committee of the County Meet every fortnight in the City Hall." 

The number of troops furnished to General Schuyler for the Canada 
campaign by Albany county was as follows: 

East Manor, Rensselaerwyck, T.5; West District, Rensselaerwyck, 75; Claverach 
and King's District, 1.50; East Camp and Grote Imboght, New York, 75; Half Moon, 
Balston and Saratoga, Canada, 75; Albany, Schodary, Coxackee and Kinderhook, 

The following military notes are from the recoixls of that date: 

Henry Marselis was made captain of Company raised in Albany City, Schenectady, 
Coxackee and Schohary, to reinforce Continental Army in Canada; Benjamin C. 
Dubois, first lieutenant; John Van Antwerp, second lieutenant. 

Resolved. That Henry K. Van Rensselaer be appointed Major of the Company of 
Militia for the County for Service in New York. 

Peter Van Rensselaer was appointed captain of company raised in Claverack; 
Christopher C. Miller, first lieutenant; Wilhelmus Philips, second lieutenant. 
10 



74 

July 1st — Committee appoiuted officers of battalion, raised in Albany, Tryon, 
Charlotte Cumberland and Gloucester Counties as follows: Cornelius Van Dyck, 
colonel; Barents. Ten Eyck, major; John Shepardson, lieutenant-colonel. 

July 17th — Received a letter from Abraham Yates, Junior, Robert Yates and 
Matthew Adgate, dated White Plains, 14th instant, inclosing the Declaration of the 
United States of America; declaring the Said United States free and independent; 
also the resolutions of the Representatives of the State of New York, in conscijuenLe 
thereof. 

On the 18th of July the following momentous resolution wasadtjpted : 

Resoh'ed, That the Declaration of Independence be publi-shed and Declared in 
this City to-morrow at Eleven O'clock at this place, and that Colonel Van Schaick be 
requested to order the Continental Troops in this City to Appear under Arms at the 
place aforesaid; and, further, that the Captains of the Several Militia Company in 
this City be requested to Warn the Persons belonging to their respective Companies, 
to appear at the place aforesaid, and for this purpose aforesaid. 

(Jn the od of August the following was adopted in extension of mili- 
tary preparations: 

Resoh'ed, That John A. Bratt and Alexander Baldwin be appointed Captain for 
the Ranger Companies; and Marte Van Beuren, John B. Marselis, Michael Jack.son 
and John Jost Sidney, Lieutenants for said Company, and Stephen I^ush, Captain 
for the Company to guard the stores in Albany, and Gerrit Staats and Jacob J. 
Lansing, Lieutenants. 

Inspired by repeated successes the British made extensive prepara- 
tions for the campaign of 1777. One conspicuous feature of their plans 
was an invasion of this State in the vicinity of Albany county by an 
army from the north imder Gen. John Burgoyne, who had recently 
returned from England and superseded Gen. Guy Carleton in Canada. 
X'igorous operations by the British had driven the Americans out of 
that country, sending them southward to Crown Point, "disgraced, 
defeated, discontended, dispirited, diseased, naked, undisciplined ; eaten 
up with vermin; no clothes, beds, blankets; no medicine; no victuals 
but salt pork and flour." During the winter of 1776-7 many of the 
prominent ofificers of the American army, including Generals Gates, 
Col. Morgan Lewis, Col. Benedict Arnold, Col. John Brown, and others 
had their winter quarters in Albany. 

Alarm and anxiety prevailed throughout Albany and 'I'ryon counties 
at the opening of the campaign. General Schuyler anticipated the 
invasion and besought Washington to send more troops to garrison 
Ticonderoga and Fort Stanwix. Schuyler arrived at Ticonderoga June 
20, the same morning on which Burgoyne set sail up Lake Chaniplain, 



75 

At Ticonderoga were about '6,000 men under General St. Clair. Before 
Burgoyne's army the works were untenable and were evacuated ; St. 
Clair fled with his little army towards Fort Edward, was defeated in a 
battle at Hubbardton, Yt., pressed on to Fort Edward, and thence 
down the Hudson to near Albany. At the stand made by the Americans 
near Fort Ann under Schuyler, with about five hundred Rensselaer 
Manor men, heroic fighting took place, and many Albany men were 
killed and wounded. The evacuation of Ticonderoga was a most dis- 
couraging event to General Schuyler, for it had been looked upon as a 
frontier stronghold. It seemed that little was left to oppose a victori- 
ous march by Burgoyne directly down across the State. Schuyler dis- 
missed half of his militia, and a little later most of the retnainder, his 
excuse for this peculiar action being that he dismissed a part in fear of 
losing the whole; and, second, that having sent away half, he might as 
well let them all go. While personally a brave and capable man, 
Schuyler is well known to have been timid and distrustful of himself in 
tr\-ing emergencies, as shown on several important occasions. The 
militia understood the situation and held the general in distrust. 

On the 10th of August was fought the memorable battle of Benning- 
ton, in which the gallant Stark won a signal victory over a part of 
Burgoyne's army ; this was a disappointing event to the British general, 
who had begun to believe that his triumphant march was to be almost 
unimpeded, until he could be joined by Sir Henry Clinton and his army 
from the south. Meanwhile Fort Schuyler (previously called Fort 
vStanwix) had been considerably strengthened early in the year and 
placed under command of Col. Peter Gansevoort. He was a native of 
Albany, born in 1749, and had a distinguished military career. The 
fort was heroically defended by a garrison of about six himdred men 
against a detachment of St. Leger's army marching from Oswego; the 
battle of Oriskany followed and the British were driven back, frustrated 
and disappointed, to nurse their wounds in Montreal. The two battles 
of Bemis Heights, fought on September 19 and October 7, between the 
Americans under General Gates (who had superseded Schuyler in com- 
mand of the department) and Burgoyne, went decisively against the 
British, and ten days later the boastful Burgoyne surrendered his 
army. The inhabitants of Albany county now experienced a sense of 
grateful relief. 

During the year 1777 the Albany Committee, whose proceedings 
have been noticed, kept up its meetings and transacted considerable 



important local business. After complaints had reached them of the 
wreat number of -'taverns or Tipling; houses" in existence thev adt)iitcd 
on February 10, the following resolution: 

Resolved, That no person or persons shall continue or set up a Tavern in any 
District in the City or County of Albany without a license or permit for the ssnne, 
under penalty of £60 fine. 

The spirit of patriotism in the cit_v is indicated b}- the follo\vii\n 
record : 

Jacobus Houghtaling, who, some time since made his escape from Jaol, being 
now busy enlisting men for the service of the Enemy, and being a dangerous person 
to the liberties of America: 

Resolved. That Major Volkert Veeder be requested to order the said Houghtaling 
to be arrested and put in close Confinement till the further order of this Committee. 

Other resolutions of the month of April ordered Jacob Kidney to 
patrol the streets during divine service on Sundays to quell riots and 
disturbances; and approved of the action of the Committee of the 
Manor of Rensselaerwyck in removing to a place of safety the family 
of a man who had been threatened for giving information against 
tories; the record calls them " certain disaffected persons." Christian 
Smith, also, was paid ^"8 for his services in "discovering the designs 
of our internal Enemies." Another order was made on the treasurer 
to pay $100 to Edward Davis " for his services in discovering a num- 
ber of conspirators." Another citizen who it was discovered had taken 
the oath of allegiance to the British crown, was ordered "immediately 
apprehended and put in Clo.se Confinement." Day after day and week 
after week the committee and authorities were busy, according to the 
records, in arresting and punishing disloyal citizens. Many such left 
the city to escape arrest. The committee exercised almost autocratic 
power, which was doubtless a necessity under the circtimstances. 
When a certain blacksmith, the owner of a bellows, did not use it to much 
extent and public business was impeded for want of one, the committee 

Resolved, That if said Harmen Van Der Zee does not comply with the request to 
sell the same. Colonel Hay (the quartermaster) shall seize the Bellows, and have the 
same apprized by two mdifferent persons, and pay such value to the said Van Der 
Zee. 

This was a very early example of condemnation proceedings. A still 
broader exercise of power, and a proceeding that shows the privations 
which encumbered the American army in those days, is seen in tlie fol- 
lowing: 



Resolved, That Mr. Isaac D. Fonda be requested to attend the Quarter Master Gen- 
eral, or any of his Deputies, in taking all the lead out of the Cesh Windows in the 
houses in and about this citj', and that he use all the caution in his power to prevent 
any damage being done to the Window Ceshes, etc. 

Thi.s somewhat high-handed proceeding .seems to have met with op 
position, for in November Philip Van Rensselaer was "requested to 
replace the lead taken from the windows of the different houses." 

In anticipation of Burgoyne's invasion in August, many refugee fam- 
ilies fled to Albany for protection. All such not provided with dwell- 
ing places were authorized by the committee to occupy any empty 
houses found in the place, and to pasture cows in certain lands belong- 
ing to Edward and Ebenezer Jessup; "a family of eight persons, two 
cows; of less than eight, one cow." Provisions were also issued to the 
the destitute refugees. In the month of August a resolution directed 
Leonard Gansevoort to proceed to Kingston and there deposit the city 
and county records. In the same month it was ordered that two com- 
panies of rangers be raised " to quell Robberies and disloyalty in dif- 
ferent parts of this County." James Mather and his famil}- had been 
"rdered to leave the city, and his house was ordered rented " to Abra- 
ham Bloodgood, a good and loyal citizen." In September a considera- 
lilc list of persons were ordered "sent to the Enemy, in case General 
(iates should approve. " In September the house of Abraham C. Cuy- 
ler (one of the "disaffected ") was taken for sick and wounded officers, 
and in the next month it was ordered that any untenanted houses 
should be used for hospital purposes. Under date of November (J the 
following appears: 

Whereas. This Committee .stands indebted to many persons who are in great dis- 
tress for want of the money, and as the State Treasury is in a low state: 

Resolved. That application be made to the Commissioners for Sequestering the 
Assetts of Persons gone over to the enemy in the Middle District of this County, for 
the said sum of ,f2,n0(). 

On the lOth of November a list of "the well-affected persons in this 
district " was ordered made and sent to Peter R. Livingston, with a 
recjuest to deliver to the order of the chairman of this district a tpian- 
tity of salt, " not exceeding two quarts per Head." 

The work of the committee for the year 1777 closed with the follow- 
ing resolutions, adopted on December 7 and 15 respectively: 

Jeremiah Vincent having some time ago received from this Committee the sum of 
ten pounds to perform certain secret services, instead of doing which he went over 



78 

Resolved, That one of the two Cows on the farm of the said Vincent be sold and 
a return made of the said ten pounds, and a return made of the overplus to the wife 
of the said Vincent, and that this Committee dispose of the Other cow. 

Resolved, That William Gilliland be remanded to prison, as proof has this day 
been made before this Board of his further Inimical Conduct to the United States. 

Plans were laid by the Americans and numerous efforts made durin"' 
the -war to again secure the alliance of the Six Nations. Among- these 
was a great council held at Johnstown March 9, 1778. The Continental 
Congress was fully represented, and from this county X'olkert \'eeder 
and, probably. General Schuyler were in attendance. But the effort 
was unavailing and the bloody deeds of the savages- continued. 

To chastise the Iroquois in some measure for their atrocities against 
the Americans, an expedition was sent against the Onondagas in the 
spring of 17T9, under command of Colonel Van Schaick. His force 
consisted of 558 men from his own and General Gansevoort's regiments, 
which left Fort Schuyler April 19, and penetrated to the heart of the 
Onondagas' country, surprised the Indians, destroyed their villages, 
burned their property and slaughtered their stock. The expedition 
was out six days and returned without the loss of a man. The conse- 
quences were not what was anticipated. Instead of terrorizing the 
Indians, it only exasperated them to further sa\-agery and led to the 
destruction of Cobleskill and attacks upon Canajoharie and other 
points. 

Another and much larger expedition, and one which, perhaps, had a 
more powerful effect upon the Indians, was made in the summer of 
the same year. Washington placed Gen. John Sullivan in command of 
about I), 000 troops with orders to march into the Senecas' country and 
leave nothing but desolation in his path. Sullivan arrived at Tioga 
Point August -Vi, and was there joined by Gen. James Clinton with 
1,(;0() men. A battle was fought near the site of Elmira in which the 
Americans were victorious. The expedition pushed on and repeated 
in the rich Genesee valley the operations of Van Schaick in Onondaga. 
The destruction was complete and overwhelming; but while it tem- 
porarily awed the Indians, it did not crush them. Taking advantage 
of the desire for vengeance aroused arhong them by these raids, Sir 
John Johnson came down into the Mohawk valley from Crown Point in 
May, 1780, and the tomahawk and torch left i-nany desolate homes. At 
Johnstown and in that vicinity he burned every house excepting those 
of tories, recovered his plate which he had previously buried at John- 



79 

sun Hall, took about twenty of his former slaves and escaped to 
Canada. 

The proceedings of the Albany Committee during the few months of 
its existence in 1??8 can be briefly disposed of here. The new com- 
mittee was elected January 2, and the following officers chosen: John 
Barclay, chairman; John M. Beeckman, deputy chairman; Matthew 
Visscher, secretary; Jacob Kidney, waiter. On the 7th of January a 
resolution was adopted that "a subscription be set on foot for the use 
of our Ruined Settlers of our Frontiers." On the loth a committee 
which had been appointed to collect mone}- for the poor of the second 
ward, turned over ^"!)T lis. ^d. 

In March Moses R. \'an Vranken confessed that he had bought but- 
ter at one shilling per pound in specie, and sold it for ^s. 8c/. per pound 
in Continental currency, for which he was deemed "dangerous to the 
State, and put in confinement till further orders." 

The last entry in that part of the journal of the committee that has 
Ix-en preserved is under date of June 10, 1778, and is unimportant. 

In April, 1778, the seat of government was temporarily removed to 
Poughkeepsie. Although the war was then in progress, Albany city 
and the county as far as its present limits are concerned, did not suffer 
from it through invasion or battles, nor did it during the remainder of 
the struggle. But the vicinity was frequently threatened and alarm 
and anxiety were continuous. The city was filled with Continental 
troops much of the time; these were sometimes very disorderly and the 
administration of the city government was an onerous task. Petty 
disturbances were promptly suppressed, while greater ones were vig- 
orously dealt with. In the month of May the citizens were greatly 
alarmed by the removal of a large part of the soldiers, leaving the 
city almost unprotected from rioters and law-breakers. There were 
then ten prisoners under sentence of death confined in the city, and 
threats of rescue were heard. Mayor Barclay and the council com- 
municated with General Stark on the subject as follows: 

'l"he Common Council would beg leave to observe, that the many robberies, mur- 
ders and other dreadful crimes committed on the inhabitants of this City and 
County by deserters and prisoners from Burgoyne's Army, and by the disaffected (if 
our own country, who are drove to desperation, and some of them almost to starva- 
tion, renders it indispensably necessary to have a large body of regular troops to 
keep the villains in subjection, or go in quest of them; for, unless the militia can 
remain at home this year, and properly manage their summer crops, little or no sup- 
port of flour and other things can the Continent derive from these parts. Last year, 



80 

more than one-half of the crops were destroyed by the Army-marauders, and not 
more than half the usual quantity sold. If the British prisoners could be moved to 
another place, it would break up the alarming connection kept up between them and 
the Tories and the negroes. 

iVt about the same tiiiie the Britisli prisoners, tories and negroes in 
the city organized a plot to rise, murder the guards, and rob and burn 
the city; it was fortunately discovered in time to avert the calamity. 
Seven of the leaders wei^e seized and executed on Gallows Hill. 

On May ;30 of that year a regiment of militia and a body of Conti- 
nentals were attacked by tories and Indians at Cobleskill. They 
were defeated, many of them killed and the place burned. Albany 
was in a fever of excitement, for the British freely threatened to serve 
the city in the siame manner. These dangers were, however, happily 
averted. 

'l^he Common C<juncil and citizens were greatly agitated in the fall 
of 1778 by reports that the commander of the Northern Department 
was to quarter 2,000 soldiers on the city during the ensuing winter. 
(Jn September 13 the authorities united in a letter of protest to Gov- 
ernor Clinton against this injustice. Their reasons were, in substance, 
the grievous privations and sacrifices already made by the city; the 
constant struggle of the inhabitants and authorities against the tories, 
all of which had so impoverished the people that many were in very 
reduced circumstances; that their fences had all been used for fuel Ijy 
the soldiers, opening their lands to common use and the destruction of 
crops; that there was a great scarcity of fire wood, through the billet- 
ing of a large force of soldiery upon the city in the previous winter, 
etc. Their letter concluded as follows: 

However willing we have been, and still are, to risk our all in supporting the free- 
dom and independence of our blessed country, we feel compelled to ask that in the 
distribution of the troops for winter quarters, due respect may be had for the former 
distresses and present sufferings of the inhabitants of Albany and its suburbs; and 
that, at any rate, no more troops may be allotted to us than the hospital and the 
barracks may contain ; that the strictest orders may be issued regarding stealing, 
pilfering, and insulting the inhabitants; and that the officers be enjoined in punish- 
ing the refractory and disobedient. 

The whole letter bears the impress of earnest truth and it had the 
desired effect. While it is true that during the remainder of the Rev- 
olutionar}' struggle the county was free from actual invasion and 
bloodshed, the privations of the people, the responsibilities of the 
mayor and council and the sacrifices demanded, constantly increased 



81 

to near the close of the contest In September, 1781, the alarming 
news reached the inhabitants that the British were about to attack the 
city and burn it to the ground. Prompt measures for protection were 
adopted, but the tide of military events turned away the threatened 
invasion. It was in that year, also, that General Gates wrote Governor 
Clinton as follows: 

I am fully confident that George III of Great Britain, ha.s many subjects in this 
city who would willingly lay down half, even the whole, of their estates in his serv- 
ice, and trust in his royal clemency for the repayment of the money so profitably 
laid out. Albany is a very dangerous place to put men into. I have no hopes of 
any assistance from Albany; it is not their inclination to fight away from their own 
castle. 

The war of the Revolution continued with its succession of memor- 
able events, all slowly but inevitably tending towards the establish- 
ment of American freedom, and by the year 1782 the patriot cause was 
approaching its final triumph. On June 28 of this year, Washington 
visited Albany, where he was welcomed by the mayor and council with 
an address and with demonstrations of confidence and affection by 
the inhabitants. He was presented with the freedom of the city in 
gold box. His arrival was announced by the ringing of bells and the 
roar of artillery, while in the evening the city was brilliantly illum- 
inated. 

A preliminary treaty of peace between Great Britain and America 
was signed at Paris on the 30th of November, 1782, and on September 
3, 1783, peace was fully established, a formal proclamation having 
meanwhile been made on April 19 of the cessation of hostilities. Al- 
bany county joined with every other community in properly celebrat- 
ing the event. On the 18th of July, 1783, information was received 
that Washington would again visit Albany in company with Governor 
Clinton on the following day. Immediate preparations were made to 
give them a proper welcome. An address of welcome was prepared 
and a public dinner ordered, to which the distinguished visitors were 
invited. Washington delivered a brief reply to the address of wel- 
come, closing as follows: 

While I contemplate with the inexpressible pleasure the future tranquillity and 
glory of our common country, I cannot but take a particular interest in the anticipa- 
tion of the increase in prosperity and greatness of this ancient and respectable city 
of Albany, from whose citizens I have received such distinguished tokens of their 
approbation and affection. 



82 

Governor Clinton also delivered an appropriate reply to the address. 

The story of the New Hampshire Grants is familiar to all, and is re- 
ferred to here only to mention an incident which created some alarm 
at Albany. In the latter part of 1784, after peace was fully estab- 
lished with Great Britain, regiments of soldiers from General Ganse- 
voort's brigade were stationed between the Battenkill and the Hoosick. 
An insurrection broke out in -the regiments of Cols. John and Henry 
K. \'an Rensselaer and Peter Yates. It was a practical expression of 
the feeling of the militia in favor of the people of the Grants and 
against the authority of New York over the disputed territory. On 
the oth of December General Gansevoort ordered Colonels Yates, Van 
Vechten and Van Rensselaer to march to St. Coych and quell the dis- 
turbance. Governor Clinton ordered Gen. Robert Van Rensselaer's 
brigade to assist Gansevoort, while General Stark, stationed at Sara- 
toga, refused to interfere when requested, unless under orders from his 
superiors. Advancing to St. Coych Gansevoort found about five hun- 
dred men ready to aid the insurgent militia. Gansevoort had only 
eighty men with him at the time and he retired five miles and opened 
written correspondence with the leaders of the band; this did not serve 
the purpose of inducing the rebels to lay down their arms. The mat- 
ter was finally settled without bloodshed by a conciliatory letter from 
Washington to Governor Chittenden. Ten years later Vermont be- 
came an independent State. 

England submitted to defeat with bad grace. Boundary technical- 
ities, questions of trade and commerce, unsettled claims of various 
kinds, were all brought forward as pretexts for delay in evacuating 
American territory. It must be conceded that the American govern- 
ment treated its recent enemy with either distinguisTied consideration, 
or foolish favor. In any case the astoimding fact remains that it vi'as 
not until July 15, 179G, thirteen years after peace was declared, that 
linglish troops marched away from the last bit of American soil occu- 
pied by them — Fort Ontario at Oswego, the centennial of which event 
has recently been celebrated in that historic city. 

The year 1790, only a few years after the close of the war, found 
Albany county with three incorporated towns and a total population ot 
13,950; of these 3,506 were in Albany; 2,777 in Rensselaerville, and 
7,667 in Watervliet. These, figures as relating to Albany were in- 
creased by the beginning of the present century to 5,389, indicating a 
considerable growth. As to tlie remainder of the county, no census is 



83 

available until 1810, which is noted in the succeeding chapter. The 
towns in existence at the beginning- of the century were Albany, Berne, 
Bethlehem, Coeymans, Rensselaerville, and Watervleit ; the remaining 
six have been erected since ISdO, 

The subject of public iiuiircivenients had begun to be discussed, par- 
ticularly in respect to securing easier and more rapid communication 
with the western part of the State towards which settlers were migrat- 
ing in large numbers. The first practical result of this agitation was 
the incorporation, March 30, 1793, of the Western Inland Lock Navi- 
gation Company. This company established navigation from Hudson 
River to the Seneca Lake and Lake Ontario by building a short canal 
around Little Falls, another between the Mohawk at Rome and Wood 
Creek, and the improvement of Oneida, Seneca, and Oswego Rivers. 
The influence of this water communication upon the prosperity of the 
State was widespread and traffic east and west increased rapidly. As 
many as three hundred boats passed Rome in a single year. As a 
financial investment the canal lost money and its property and rights 
finally passed to the State at the time of the construction of the Erie 
Canal. 

Other avenues of communication were opened and former ones im- 
proved. In 1785 the Legislature granted to Isaac Van Wyck, Talmage 
Hall and John Kinney the exclusive right to drive stage wagons on the 
east side of Hudson River to New York for ten years. The fare was 
four pence a mile. A year later communication was opened with Spring- 
field, Mass., and in 1789 a stage began running from Albany to Lan- 
singburgh. About 1790 public roads were opened eastward and to 
Whitestown on the west, to be soon extended to the rich Genesee 
country. Over these highways ran the old stages of which our fathers 
tell us. Among the first were those running westward by way of 
Schenectady, Johnstown, Canajoharie, Fort Plain and Warren's Bush. 
In 1790 the Legislature granted to Ananias Piatt the exclusive right to 
run a stage between Albany and Lansingburgh, and in the following year 
a route was authorized to Bennington. In 1792 a line was established 
from Albany to Whitestown, the trip being made once in two weeks. 
In the spring of 1793 Moses Beal carried passengers by stage to Cana- 
joharie once a week; fare three cents a mile. About this time John 
Hudson established an opposition line to vSchenectady; fare four shil- 
lings. Soon afterward a line was opened to the Connecticut valley. In 
179-1 Mr. Piatt was running stages twice a day to Lansingburgh, and 



84 

travel over this line so increased that in the next year six daily trips were 
made. In 1796 twenty stages made daily trips from Albany to Lan- 
singburgh, Waterford and Troy, carrying sometimes one hundred and 
fifty passengers daily. In that year there were five post routes termi- 
nating in Albany. In the same year $40,000 in furs and peltries 
were received by one Albany house from western agencies. In the 
winter of 1795-6 twelve hundred sleighs passed westward through Al- 
bany for the Genesee valley. Ere long rich products came eastward to 
market in heavy wagons and sleighs, all leaving their toll in Albany. 
The close of the last century saw this county in the full enjoyment of 
the blessings attending the peace it had aided in consummating, and 
the prosperity due to it for its peculiar situation with reference to. the 
rapidly growing trai¥ic of the we.st with the seaboard. 



CHAPTER IX. 



During the reign of peace, which lasted from the beginning of the 
present century until 1812, there was a marked progress in Albany 
county; there was a large increase in the number of settlers in many 
of the already occupied localities and the beginning of settlements at 
other points; the clearing of many acres of forest and the commence- 
ment of cultivation on many farms; the building of additional 
mills; the founding of schools and churches. But when war with 
Great Britain was renewed in 1812 industry was paralyzed for two 
years and advancement was retarded 

At the beginning of the century the population of this State had 
reached 589,000, of which total about 60,000 were in New York city. 
The foundations of the present thriving cities were laid at Utica, Roch- 
ester, Buffalo, and Oswego, at which latter place a rapidly increasing 
commerce on the lakes was just springing into existence. The pop- 
ulation of Albany county was, in 1790, ] 3,950, of which number 3,506 
were in Albany city, and the remainder in Rensselaerville and Water- 
vleit, which were the only towns then in existence in this county. We 
cannot give the population of the county in 1800, but that of the city 
had advanced to 5,269, while in 1810 the number of inhabitants in the 
county reached 34,669, indicating a very active growth. 



85 

Early in the century began the acts on the part of England and 
France which resulted in another war. Through orders issued by 
Great Britain and decrees made by Napoleon, all American commerce 
in neutral ships with either of these belligerent nations was suspended. 
American sailors, claimed as British subjects, were seized on American 
vessels, the right to board American vessels for this purpose being one 
of the unjust claims set up by Great Britain. Late in October, 1807, 
Congress opposed the persistent outrages of the British government by 
laying an embargo on all vessels in United States harbors. This 
measure, necessary as it maj' have appeared as a general polic}', was 
disastrous to the mercantile and shipping interests of this whole coun- 
try, and was largely the means of an irreconcilable division of the 
people upon the question of war later on. The embargo act was sup- 
ported by a large part of the Democratic party, but was strenuously 
opposed by the Federalists. 

On June 1, 181-2, President Madison sent a confidential message to 
Congress in which he reviewed the causes of complaint against Great 
Britain and called upon the representatives to decide whether they 
would act upon their rights and as duty dictated, or remain passive 
under accumulating injustice. It was well known that the president 
favored open retaliation. By one party he was urged by ridicule as 
well as threats to declare war, while the other, among whom were 
many whose personal interests were already suffering, bitterly opposed 
such action. Madison's message was referred to the Committee on 
Foreign Relations, which, on June 3 made a report favoring the presi- 
dent's views and accompanied by a bill favoring war, an attempt being- 
made to include France in the declaration, which failed. After much 
debate and amid the greatest excitement throughout the country. Con- 
gress passed the bill on July IS, and the president signed it. On the 
following day he issued a proclamation announcing the fact and call- 
ing on the people to support the administration. 

In Albany excitement ran high. The two parties and the local press 
were quite evenly divided for and against the war and party hostility 
was very bitter. The Albany Register, Democratic, was then pub- 
lished by Solomon Southwick, and the Albany Gazette, Federalist, by 
Charles E. Webster. It is stated that the Gazette office was threatened 
with destruction by a mob, and that such a demonstration was pre- 
vented only by a published notice that every man in the establishment 
was fully armed and would defend the place against an attack. The 



86 

Democrats were led by (lOv. John Tayler, and the Federalists by Gen. 
Solomon \'an Rensselaer, both excellent men, but determined and ex- 
treme in their attitudes on the all-absorbing- question. They even had 
a hostile meeting on State street on April 21, 180?, which was fol- 
lowed by a legal trial. 

Immediately upon the public declaration of war Gen. Isaac Brock, 
commander-in chief of the British forces in Upper Canada, took com- 
mand of the Niagara frontier and strengthened its defenses, while 
Gen. William Wadsworth was given command on the American side. 
By a general order of the War Department April 21, 1812, the de- 
tached militia of the State was arranged in two divisions, eight brigades 
and numerous regiments. Preparations for war went on actively, and 
Albany, by virtue of its situation and as the State capital, was a center 
of great military importance. Intense anxiety was felt on the Amer- 
ican side as to the probable conduct of the Indians in the approaching 
crisis. Great Britain, as might have been expected, made prompt 
efforts to enlist the Mohawks and the Indians in Canada in her service, 
while messengers were sent among the Six Nations to urge them to 
join the English. To counteract this influence a council of the Six Nations 
was held at Buffalo on the (jth of July, where the great Seneca chief. 
Red Jacket, made speeches in response to those of Mr. Granger, who 
explained the causes of the war and counseled the Indians to remain 
neutral, but if the j^oung warriprs must fight, to let it be on the Amer- 
ican side. Red Jacket favored neutrality, but this condition did not 
long exist, the natural inclination of the Indians soon carrying them to 
the frontier, where they were an important adjunct to the American 
armies. With the close of 1812 the war was well under way on the 
lakes and along the Canadian frontier. 

During the year 1813 the march of military events was rapid and as 
a whole the result was favorable to the American arms. .Sackett's 
Harbor was made the chief depot of military supplies on Lake Ontario 
and presented a tempting prize to the enemy. Sir James L Veo's 
ignominious attempt to capture it in May, and a similar failure by a 
small force to capture Oswego, with the brilliant and important victory 
of Perry on Lake Erie vSeptember 10, were conspicuous events of 
the year, but their history possesses little local interest. Meanwhile 
Albany was made a rendezvous for numerous bodies of volunteer and 
drafted soldiery, with all the accompanying excitement, petty disturb- 
ances, military disijlay and trade activity in such lines as could thrive 



87 

upon the floating population thus brought into the city. The records 
are filled with information about these bodies of troops assembling at 
Albany and either remaining temporarily before their assignment, or 
marching on westward towards the frontiers. 

Early in 1814 it was evident that the British intended a more vigor- 
ous prosecution of the war. The victory of the allies over Napoleon 
had relieved from European service thousands of English soldiers 
and early in the summer 15,000 of Wellington's bronzed veterans were 
sent ov^er to Canada. The inhabitants of this State received this news 
with deep concern. During the winter and spring the military com- 
manders on both sides of the St. Lawrence and the lakes made prepara- 
tions for a determined struggle, with Lake Ontario as the prize, while 
on the Niagara frontier measures were in active progress which led to 
the bloody conflicts in that region. The principal events of the year 
were the capture of Oswego by the British Ma/0; the battle at Fort 
Erie, opposite Buffalo August .13-15 ; the fight at Lundy's Lane July 
"25, where young Gen. Winfield Scott won his first renown; the engage- 
ments on Lake Champlain and at Plattsburg in September; at Chip- 
pewa on October 15, and the victories of Decatur and others at sea. 
This series of military events, in most of which the Americans demon- 
strated their ability to successfully defend their country against foreign 
foes, concluded with the final victory of General Jackson at New 
Orleans on January 8, 1815, a battle which was in reality fought after 
])eace was declared, but before the news reached that far away locality. 
A treaty of peace was agreed to between the commissioners of the 
United States and those of Great Britain, at Ghent, on December 24, 1814, 
and ratifications were exchanged at Washington February 17, 1815. The 
reception of the news in-this country spread joy throughout the land, 
the tidings being greeted with banquets and illuminations in many 
cities and villages.' 

Among the local incidents of this conflict was the appointment of 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, "the old Patroon," as major-general of the 
volunteer militia, by Governor Tompkins. He was stationed on the 
Niagara frontier, and there took part in the battle of Queenston, in 
which Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer, also, shared and made the first 
attack with 225 men. Colonel Van Rensselaer was severely wounded 
at the outset. Disgusted with the refusal of many of the troops to 
cross the river under the pretense that it was not a war of invasion, 
General Van Rensselaer resigned in October, 1812, and returned to 



Albany, where he was honorably received by a large concourse of citi- 
zens. 

The dashing young naval commander, Commodore Perry, paid Al- 
bany a visit on November 8, 1813, after his great victory, and was 
escorted to the Capitol by a large procession. There he was presented 
with the freedom of the city in a gold box, and a handsome sword. 
He held a reception at the Eagle Tavern, and attended a grand ball in 
the evening. 

Captain Bulkley raised a company of volunteer infantry here and 
Captain Walker a company of artillery. They were stationed early in 
the war on Staten Island, whence they returned to the city on Novem- 
ber 28, 1813. About the same time Capt. C. R. Skinner had a recruit- 
ing office in Ladd's Coffee House, corner of Green and Beaver streets, 
where he was endeavoring to complete five companies of infantry, two 
of riflemen, and one of artillery. In his public announcements he 
states that the city had raised a fund of several thousand dollars for the 
benefit of the volunteers. 

Col. John Mills, of Albany, in command of artillery at Sackett's 
Harbor, fell in battle there May 29, 1813, his bravery on that field 
being commended by Gen Jacob Brown. His remains were brought to 
the city and interred in Capitol Park May 29, 1844, and later were re- 
moved to Rural Cemetery. 

Among the honored names of men who performed active service in 
that war and at some period lived in Albany county, are those of Stephen 
and Solomon Van Rensselaer, John Lovett, John E. Wool, John Mills, 
Colonel Forsyth, William L. Marcy, William J. Worth, John O. Cole, 
Thurlow Weed, Lieutenant Gansevoort, Lieutenant Rathbone, and 
Ambrose Spencer, jr. 

The following list of names is copied from the "Index of Awards 
on Claims of Soldiers of the War of 1812, as audited and allowed," 
pursuant to State law of 1859, Chapter 170, and is believed to contain 
the names of most of the militia who enlisted in that war from this 
county : 



Orrin Abbott, 
Michael Artcher. 
Chester Atherton, 
Ammiel Barnard, 
Asabel S. Beans, 



AHi.4NV. 

John J. Fulton, 
Thomas S. Gillet, 
Jonathan Goldwaite, 
Isaac T. Groesbeck, 
Abraham Hagaman, 



Aaron Palmer, 
Robert Patten, 
Jacob- Place, 
Jonas D. Piatt, 
John Pruyn, 



89 



Harmamis Bleecker, jr., 
Nicholas Bleecker, jr., 
Garritt H. Bloomingdale, 
Matthew Boom, 
Cornelius Bounds, 
Adrian Bradt, 
John C. Bradt, 
Salvo Brintnall, 
John Bussy, 
Abraham Balson, 
Calvin Butler, 
Daniel P. Clark, 
Jeremiah Clute, 
Peter Colburn, 
Philip De Forest, 
Martin Easterly, 
Ebenezer S. Edgerton, 
C. Ertzberger, 
Ralph Farnham, 
Thomas h ish, 
William Forby, 
Luther Frisbie. 
William Fuhr, 



Orange Beeman. 
Michael Belle, 
Joseph Bradley, 
Richard Brownel 
Henry Carroll, 
Richard Filkins, 
Je.sse Helligus, 



George Hawley, 
John D. Houghtaliug. 
Moses Jay, 
John Johnson, 
Sylvanus Kelley, 
John Lamoreux. 
Nicholas I. Lampman, 
Daniel D. Lawyer, 
Jacob Lewis, 
Aaron Livingston, 
Jacob Loatwall, 
Charles Low, 
Jeremiah Luther, 
Daniel Mcintosh, 
John McMicken, 
Abraham Martin, 
Henry T. Mesick, 
Thomas Mitchel, 
William Muir, 
John Myers, 
Benjamin Northro]5, 
Peter Osterhout, 
Henry Paddock, 

Bkr.ne. 

Reuben Hungerford, 
Elisha Ingraham, 
Daniel Joslin, 
Derrick Martin, 
Nicholas Osterhout, 
David D. Palmer, 
Stephenson Palmer, 



Simon Relyea, 
James Robinson, 
Courtland Schuyler, 
Jacob Scott, 
Abraham Severson, 
William Seymour, 
Jacob Sharp, 
John Shouts, 
John Shinkle, 
William J. Smith, 
Peter H. Snyder, 
John Spoor, 
John Stenkle, 
John Stone, 
Peter Ten Eyck, 
Francis E. Thompson, 
Henry Turner, 
John Van Antwerp, 
Garret L Vandenberg, 
Peter Van Olinda, 
Cornelius W. Vedder, 
Ebenezer C. Warren, 
Jacob White. 



John Pier, 2d. 
William Rhinehart, 
John L Schermerhorn, 
James Sloan, 
William Truax, 
John Wilda, 
Christian Willmon. 



Joseph Arkles, 
Aaron Hawley, 
Anthony Pangb 



John Parker, 

Henry I. Schoonmaker, 

William ScraiTord, 



Lewis Stiman, 
Garret ^'anderpool, 
Hezukiah Wilks. 



Stewart Hull, 
Henry Cacknard, 
Daniel Carhart, 



John Carr, 
Daniel Green, 
Elias Holmes, 



John F. Shafer, 
John Turk. 



COHOES. 

James Cole, 



Adam Blessing. 
Ehsha Cheesebro, 
Frederick J. Crounse, 



Christopher Frede 
Henry Ostrander, 
Adam Relyea, 



John N. Severson, 
Peter Shafer, 
Cornelius Van Derzee. 



Daniel J. Beyea, 
Asa Brown, 



Charles Hazelton, 
Moses Mowers, 



Henry Bunzer, 
William Bunzey, 


Edward P. Crary, 
Joseph Gallup, 

New ScoTLANri. 


Benjamin Williams, 
Henry Williams. 


Henry P. Bradt, 
Peter V. B. Elmendorf, 


William Latta, 
Robert McGill, 

Renssei.aekville. 


Jacob Martin. 
Samuel Warner. 


Henry Benn, 
George Benn, 


William Crandall, 
William Holdridge, 

South Jekisai.em. 
Peter Cole. 
Watervliet. 


Thomas Tibits, 
Cornelius \'an Aiken 


William Campbell, 
Henry Chadwick, 
David Cole, 
Peter M. Conger, 
Ethel Enos, 


Oliver Hastings, 
Ezra Haynes, 
James Johnson, 
Henry Lasee, 
Jesse E. Roberts, 

Wksteki.o. 


John Scovell, 
Stephen Simpson, 
David Turner, 
Joseph Werden. 


J..hn Fraligh, 
Abiel Gardner, 


Josiah Hinckley, jr., 
Walter Huyck, 


Cyrus Stune, 
George W. Swartwoi 



John Newbury, 



James W. Dubois, 
Nathan B. Gleasoti 
Isaac Hitchcock. 



Israel Shadbolt, 
James Sloan, 
lacob Turner, 



Following the war of 1SI"2 a long period 
Albany county and the country at large, 



John Uran. 
George Wilsuu. 



jf peace settled down upon 
growth and progress in all 



91 

directions being rapid. The population increased from 34,669 in 1810 
to 38,150 in 1820, and to 53,520 in 1830. Travel to and from Albany 
began to assume large proportions early in the century and with the 
close of the war and the establishment of industries and opening new 
settlements, it greatly increased. \'arious turnpike companies were or- 
ganized in addition to those already mentioned, among them the Leba- 
non and Albany Turnpike in 1 798 ; the first company of the Great Western 
Turnpike in 1799; in 1804 the Bethlehem Turnpike, and in 1805 the 
Albany and Delaware Turnpike. A charter for a turnpike on the west 
side of the river to Catskill was granted about this time, and the Troy 
and Schenectady Turnpike was incorporated in 1806. All of these 
roads were to facilitate the concentration of trade in Albany. 

Among the most prominent of the early stage proprietors was Jason 
Parker, whose place of residence was Utica. He obtained concessions 
from the Legislature about the beginning of the century to run stages 
west from Utica to Canandaigua for ten years. The fare at that time 
was four cents a mile, and the proprietors were prohibited from carry- 
ing more than seven passengers in any one stage. Mr. Parker had 
been instrumental in running the first stages from Albany to Lansing- 
burgh in the latter years of the preceding century, and also had a line 
in operation between Albany and Whitestown before 1797. In part or 
all of these early enterprises he was associated with Moses Beal. It is 
on record, in 1810, that a greater degree of expedition was attained on 
the route from Albany westward, when a daily line was established to 
Utica. On the 20th of September, 1810, Joshua Ostrom and his asso- 
ciates, who were in opposition to Parker & Co., announced a new 
" steamboat line of stages " which left Albany on Mondays and Fri- 
days. On the 21st of January, 1811, appeared the following announce- 
ment from Parker & Powell : 

Eight changes of horses. The mail stage nnw leaves Bagg's, Utica, every morning 
at 4 o'clock. Passengers will breakfast at Maynard's, Herkimer, dine at Josiah Shep- 
ard's Palatine and sup (on oysters) at Thomas Powell's Tontine Coffee House, Sche- 
nectady. Those ladies and gentlemen who will favor this line with their patronage 
may be assured of having good horses, attentive drivers, warm carriages, and that 
there shall not be any running or racing of horses on the line. 

This line was within a few tnonths extended through to Niagara 
Falls. 

The year 1807 saw a marked change in travel northward and south- 
ward, when the first steamboat was launched on the great river. The 



first of Fulton's boats, the Clermont, left New York September 5 of 
that year, with twenty-seven passengers, which number was increased 
to one himdred on the trip of October ?. From twenty-four to thirty- 
six hours were required for the trip. In 181] there were two steam- 
boats carrying passengers to New York ; they were named the Hope 
and the North River. This number was increased by 1836 to twelve 
steamboats and seven towing boats. The fare on the first steamers to 
New York was $7. In 1820 the Chancellor Livingston was launched; 
she was 175 feet long, had beds for 160 passengers and settees for forty ; 
fare $8. The reader can draw his own comparison between this pioneer 
boat and the Adirondack of to-day. In 1823 the Constitution, the Con- 
stellation, the Swiftsure, and the Saratoga began running. In 182S 
the North America was put on the river, a boat which was character- 
ized by Dr. Charles Stuart as "the most beautiful and swift of the 
floating palaces on the Hudson; or, as I believe, I may add with truth, 
in the world." ' 

In the early projects for improving transportation facilities to the 
westward Albany men showed an active interest. They clearly saw 
that from that direction would soon pour down towards tidewater 
a flood of produce and manufactured articles, while the rapidly in- 
creasing population of that region would demand the return of an im- 
mense volume of merchandise. In the first directorate of the Western 
Inland Lock Navigation Company, which was noticed in the preceding 
chapter, were a number of prominent Albany county men, as follows: 
Philip Schuyler, Leonard Gansevoort, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, El- 
kanah Watson, John Tayler, Jelles A. Fonda, William North, and Golds- 
boro Banyar. The Albany commissioners to receive subscriptions to 
stock were Abraham Ten Broeck, John Tayler, Philip S. A'an Rensse- 
laer, Cornelius Glen and John Ten Broeck. 

It was not long before it became apparent that still further improve- 
ments in this direction were an imperative necessity. The subject of 

time. Fulton did not comprehend 1 1 ipacit\ of his invention. He regarded the 

Richmond (the finest steamboat it 1 1 ] tth) as the perfection of that class of archi- 

tecture. She was a little mort th in i hmi'i I t. Lt m length, with a low, ding-y cabin, partly 
below the water line, diml\ lighted b\ i dl >u l indies in which passengers ate and slept in stifling 
air, and her highest rate of speed \\ as ninL miles in hour Lould Fulton revisit the earth and be 
placed on one of the great rn ei ste imbo if, nt our time, he would imagine himself to be in some 
magical structure of fairyland, oi ot toiming a part of a strange romance; for it is a magnificent 
floating hotel over four hundred feet in length, and capable of carrying a thousand guests by 
night or day at the rate of twent% miles an houi — LObSING 



canal navigation directly from the Hudson River to the great lakes was 
discussed very early in the century, but the name of the originator of 
the project is lost in the past. The honor has been claimed by several, 
each of whom has found his advocates. The journals and other writ- 
ings of Elkanah Watson, who was a man of great enterprise and pro- 
gressiveness, contain ample proof that he had conceived the plan about 
ten years before the opening of the present century. He made a tour 
across the State in 1791, during which he kept a voluminous journal, 
which is still in existence and contains at least inferential proof that he 
was then giving much thought to the subject. However this feature 
of the matter may be viewed, it is certain that he was a strong advo- 
cate of the canal long before it was actually begun, and by his argu- 
ments awakened a lively interest in the enterprise in Albany. Among 
those who looked upon the project with favor were the Van Rensse- 
laers, the Schuylers, and John and Isaiah Townsend. A call for a 
meeting to be held at the Tontine Coffee House on February 7, 1816, 
was signed by Archibald Mclntyre, James Kane, John Woodworth, 
William James, Charles E. Dudley, Dudley Walsh, Barent Bleecker, 
John Van Schaick, Rensselaer Westerlo, and Harmanus Bleecker. At 
this meeting a committee was named for each ward to secure signa- 
tures to a memorial to the Legislature, asking for legislation to forward 
the scheme. Similar action was taken in other ]3arts of the State. In 
April following an act was passed to " provide for the improvement of 
of the internal navigation of this State." Under this act, Stephen Van 
Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott, and 
Myron Holley were appointed commissioners to "consider, devise and 
adopt such measures as might be requisite to facilitate and effect 
the communication, by means of canals and locks, between the naviga- 
able waters of the Hudson River and Lake Erie, and the said navigable 
waters and Lake Champlain." This commission made their report, 
and then the struggle began. The canal question divided parties and 
shaped the politics of the State. The question of the course to be fol- 
lowed was prolific in argument, while a large part of the inhabitants of 
the State looked upon the whole project as visionary and foolhardy. 
But nothing could permanently stop the progress of the canal and on 
April 15, 1817, the last day of the session, the act authorizing the great 
water-way was passed. 

Considering the times and the means available in those days for 
heavy engineering work, the canal was constructed rapidly and on the 



94 

Sth of October, 1823, the first boat passed through the completed por- 
tion east of the Genesee River into the Hudson. This event was cele- 
brated in Albany with enthusiastic public demonstration. The Com- 
mon Council appointed a committee consisting of Aldermen Gibbons, 
Baldwin, Humphrey, Cassidy, Ten Eyck, and the chamberlain, while 
Solomon Van Rensselaer acted as marshal of the day. A salute was 
fired at sunrise, bells were rung, there was a civic and military parade 
and business was suspended generally. The first boat that entered the 
lock was the De Witt Clinton, having on board Governor Yates, the 
mayor and other corporation officers of the city, the canal commission- 
ers, engineers and citizens. The cap stone of the lock was laid with 
Masonic ceremonies and the waters of the lakes and those of the ocean 
were then mingled by Dr. Mitchell. After this impressive ceremony 
the lock gates were opened and the boat settled down upon the waters 
of the Hudson. 

The whole canal was not completed until October •iC, 1S35, but Al- 
bany had begun to feel its benefits previous to that date. The final 
opening of the canal was also celebrated along its entire line. On Octo- 
ber 17 the Common Council appointed a committee to make proper 
arrangements for the Albany celebration, who held a public meeting 
in the Capitol, and another at a little later date, which contributed to 
the perfection of arrangements for the celebration. The passage of 
the first boat from Buffalo into the Albany basin was announced from 
point to point along the entire distance by the firing of cannon. The 
Seneca Chief was fitted up at Buffalo to carry the dignitaries of the 
State, and left that city on October 26, arriving in Albany November 
■I. At 11 o'clock the procession was formed and marched through the 
])rincipal streets of the city under direction of Welcome Esleeck, John 
Tayler, James Gibbons, and Francis I. Bradt. When the procession 
reached the Capitol, impressive services were held, consisting in part 
of the -singing of an ode written by John Augustus Stone, of the Al- 
bany Theatre, addresses by Philip Howe, of New York, William James, 
of Albany, and Lieut.-Governor Tallmadge, a splendid collation at the 
Columbia street bridge, and a ball in the evening. 

The completion of the Erie Canal changed the whole aspect of com- 
mercial affairs in the lake region. Coincident with that event the first 
steam vessel, the Ontario, was launched on Lake Ontario at Oswego, 
giving birth to the immense traffic that soon covered those waters with 
busy fleets. With the construction of packet boats on the canal, travel 



95 

eastward and westward became immense, and very much of it passed 
through Albany. Tolls collected in this city increased from $126,652 
in 1825, to $212,045 in 1830, while more than a hundred thousand dol- 
lars was added to this amount in the succeeding five years. Rivalry 
between the canal packet boats and the stages on the main lines was 
very active; but the new mode of travel attracted the greater number 
of passengers for a considerable period. Meanwhile the Champlain 
Canal had been finished and opened its entire length on September 10, 
1823, extending from near Cohoes to Lake Champlain, and further 
contributed to the growth of Albany. 

As an evidence of the rapidity with which the Erie Canal was 
brought into use, and of the very great change which it made in the 
mode of transportation, particularly as regards freight, it may be 
stated that the number of canal boats which arrived in Albany during 
the season of 1823 was 1,329; during that of 1824 it was 2,687; during 
that of 1835 it was 3,336; and in 1826, the year after the canal was in 
full operation, it was about 7,000. The rate for transportation on the 
turnpike in 1826 was one and a half cents a mile; the rate by the canal 
was five mills. But it should not, therefore, be inferred that all the 
passengers deserted the stages for the packet boats. The canal passage 
was still tedious compared to land travel, and was chosen chiefly by 
those who desired to lessen the fatigue of the journey, but was avoided 
where time was of account. 

The construction of what is known as the Albany Basin was inti- 
mately connected with the two canals that terminate here. The sub- 
ject of this basin was discussed about 1820, when river navigation had 
become active and the docks in front of the city were constantly lined 
with hundreds of sloops and schooners. After a few years of agitation 
the matter was referred to the Canal Commissioners, who reported on 
February 11, 1823, as follows: 

la obedience to the resolution of the Assembly passed the 14th ult., instructing the 
Commissioners to report a place for the construction of a basin at the termination of 
the Erie and Champlain canal at the city of Albany, reported that Benjamin Wright, 
one of their engineers, who was instructed to examine the matter, had proposed a 
plan and made a communication on the subject, together with a map of the contem- 
plated basin. The Commissioners believe that a basin may be constructed on the 
said plan for about $100,000, and that such a basin would be extremely beneficial to 
the trade of Albany. They have declined to make basins along the line of canals, 
believing that mercantile capital and enterprise would find sufficient inducements 
and interests to furnish these local accommodations to trade, and that to expend the 



9G 

puVjlic moneys would not be just. They think, however, that it would be pi-oper to 
construct a sloop lock at the southern termination of the basin, as the connection of 
boat and sloop navigation at the arsenal dock will cost nearly as much as the said 
lock; and, in case of the construction of said lock, it would be reasonable f(ir the 
State to receive tolls on the length of the basin as part of the canal. 

In accordance with this report the Legislature passed an act April 
5, 1823, authorizing the construction of the basin and naming the fol- 
lowing persons commissioners: William James, John R. Bleecker, 
John Townsend, Elisha Jenkins, Benjamin Knower, Allen Brown, 
Israel Smith, Tennis Van Vechten, John Trotter, John vSpencer, Asa 
H. Spencer, William Durant, Peter Boyd, Joseph Alexander, Charles 
R. Webster, John H. Webb, John Shotwell, Joseph Russell, William 
Caldwell, Ralph Pratt, Russell Forsythe, William Marvin, William 
McHarg, Jellis Winne, jr., Abraham Van Vechten, and Gideon Haw- 
ley. These men were authorized to receive subscriptions for the work 
which was, briefly, to construct a pier opposite the docks fronting the 
harbor, so as to comprise a basin extending from the arsenal dock to a 
point opposite Hodges's dock, in the line of Hamilton street, with a 
sloop lock at the Hamilton street end; the work was to be c(.)mpleted 
within two years. The act authorized the building of bridges from the 
dock to the pier, and the Pier Company were to receive title to the 
necessary land under water. The act also regulated wharfage to be 
paid by vessels, authorized the canal commissioners to charge toll on 
all canal boats entering the basin, and directed that the pier be divided 
into lots and thus sold at auction. Under this act the pier was finished 
May 27, 1825, inclosing a basin capable of harboring one thousand canal 
boats and about fifty vessels of larger dimensions. The pier was di- 
vided into 123 lots which, excepting lots 1 and 2, reserved for an open- 
ing into the river, were sold on July 17, 1825. The aggregate sum 
realized was $188,510. The pier was made 4,323 feet long and eighty- 
five feet broad. The area of the basin is thirty-two acres. Bridges 
with draws were erected across the basin at the foot of State and Co- 
lumbia streets, and the slooj) lock alluded to was built by the State. 
The passage of the first canal boat through the lock and into the basin 
look place October 26, 1825. 

The basin having no free outlet to the current of the river, soon be- 
came encumbered with silt, creating a nuisance, and in June, 1834, the city 
corporation was indicted by the grand jury for not abating the nuisance. 
The case was fought on the ground that the bulkhead at the lower end 



97 

of the basin was built under authority of an act of the Legislature. The 
Court of Sessions decided against the cit}-, but the decision was re- 
versed by the Supreme Court. In response to an application made by 
citizens in February, 1835, the Legislatui-e passed an act on the 37th 
of April directing the partial removal of the bulkhead, the removal of 
the sloop lock, and the erection of a bridge frOni the abutment at Ham- 
ilton street to the pier. The Common Council was also authorized to 
clean out the offensive accumulation and assess the cost on all prop- 
erty benefited. Since that time and under various acts and council 
proceedings, the basin has been vastly improved by openings in the 
pier, dredging, etc. 

The period from 1826 to 1830 was one of general prosperity through- 
out the country. The success of the canals that were actualy built led 
to the formation of scores of companies, with capital stock ranging 
from $3,500 to $550,000, and canals were projected in all directions; but 
most of these were never even commenced. Meanwhile rumors of a 
strange and mighty rival of the canal in the freight and passenger 
traffic had come from the southward, and before the canals had reached 
the height of their prosperity, a steam railroad, the first one in this 
State, was in active operation between Albany and Schenectady. 
Prominent Albany men were actively interested in the development of 
the new mode of transportation. What was known as the Ouincy Rail- 
road was built in Massachusetts in 18-2(i, for the transportation of gran- 
ite from the celebrated quarries, but it was only four miles in length 
and the motive power was horses. In April of the same year the New 
York Legislature chartered the Mohawk and Hudson River Railroad 
Company, to construct a railroad between Albany and Schenectady. 
This was the first chartered company in the Union authorized to carry 
on a general transportation business. This was the first season that 
the Erie canal was used throughout its full course, yet the conviction 
was, even then, becoming prevalent that at an early day a railroad 
would extend along its course as a competitor for traffic. As business 
in all its various channels rapidly increased, demanding greater activity 
on the part of merchants and manufacturers, the element of time be- 
came a more important factor in every man's business and had a distinct 
effect upon his profits and losses. Shrewd men realized that this line 
across the Empire vState was the natural course for through trade, as it 
is now termed, and busy minds were speculating upon ways and means 
and possible results of building railways that would, at least, divide the 



98 

traffic of the canal and the stages and prove a profitable investment. 
The capital of the Mohavi-k and Hudson Company was $300,000, with 
the privilege of increasing it to $500,000. In the mean time and before 
work on this road was begun, railroads in other States were com- 
menced, finished and brought into use, with locomotives propelled by 
steam. The Auburn and Syracuse road, chartered in May, 1834, was 
first operated by steam in 1839. In August, 1830, about twenty months 
before the expiration of the six years in which the road was to be built, 
the work of construction on the line from Albany to Schenectady be- 
gan and was pushed forward with such energy that in October, 1831, 
it was fully completed and was carrying on an average about -100 pass- 
engers daily. This, the first railroad in the State, was crude in plan, 
imperfect in construction and expensive in operation. The road bed 
was mostly of solid stone, forming an unyielding foundation, that acted 
as an anvil, upon which rolling stock pounded like hammers, battering 
and wearing out the timbers, cross ties and rails. The cost of the road 
was $68,000 per mile. 

During the ten years subsetjuent to the date of the charter of this 
first railroad, the Legislature granted charters for building other roads 
in various parts of the State. The success of the road from Albany to 
Schenectady, such as it was, served to inspire confidence in more ex- 
tensive and better railroads and taught many lessons that later engi- 
neers were not slow to adopt. The project of connecting Albany with 
New York by a railroad along the Hudson was agitated at an early 
date, and in 1832 a number of prominent men obtained a charter for a 
railroad for this purpose authorizing a capital of $3,000,000. This ef- 
fort was a little premature and sufficient stock was not subscribed for. 
Regarding the probable profits of this line the railroad commissioners 
of 1833 reported as follows: 

That it would accommodate a large number of the population in the vicinity of the 
route; that the amount of transportation charges which would be paid to the road 
by this population, on produce, minerals, manufactures and merchandise would 
amount to .$350,000, to which was added a larger sum to be received from travelers 
and light freights between Albany' and New York, especially in winter; that the 
annual income of the road would be $852,000. " This railroad will connect at Albany 
with the grand chain of railroads now in progress or contemplated from Albany to 
Buffalo, viz.; the Mohawk and Schenectady, completed; Utica and Schenectady in 
progress ; Syracuse and Utica, coutenijilated ; Auburn and Syracuse, stock subscribed ; 
Auburn and Rochester, contemplated ; Tonawauda, contemplated, from Rochester 
through Batavia to Attica." 



The practical consummation of all these grand projects was not, how- 
ever, realized until May 12, 1846, when a new charter was granted to 
the Hudson River Company with the result that, on October 3, 1851, 
the road was opened from New York to East Albany. On November 
1, 18G9, this company and the New York Central Company were con- 
solidated, the latter company having been organized April 3, 1853, for 
the consolidation of the following companies : Albany and Schenectady, 
Schenectady and Troy, Utica and Schenectady, The Mohawk Valley, 
The Syracuse and Utica, the Syracuse and Utica direct, Rochester and 
.Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester, the Rochester, Lockport and Niagara 
Falls, and the Buffalo and Lockport. This entire combination passed 
to the new company August 1, 1853. Previous to this consolidation 
the Troy and Greenbush road, which was chartered in 1845, was leased 
to the Hudson River Company, June 1, 1851, for seven per cent, on 
$276,000 stock, and passed under control of the consolidated company 
above described. 

The New York and Harlem Railroad was chartered in April, 1831, 
and work on it was begun in February of the next year. This com- 
pany was authorized in May, 1840, to extend the road north of the 
Harlem River to meet the New York and Albany road at such point 
as might be agreed upon, and to continue to Albany in May, 1845. It 
was leased to the New York Central in 1873. 

The construction of these railroads involved the building of costly 
bridges across the Hudson at Albany. The first bridge in this vicinity 
was completed in December, 1804, at Waterford. In January, 1814, 
the project of building another bridge at Albany was discussed, but 
received intense opposition at Troy, the claim being put forward that 
it would obstruct navigation. The contest was carried into the Assem- 
bly, where a heated controversy was held. On March 11, 1814, Har- 
manus Bleecker, from the special bridge committee, reported adversely 
on the project, and the subject was not brought up again unlil 1831, when 
it met a similar fate. On February 4, 1835, a meeting was held at the 
Eagle Tavern to consider the subject, and a committee of thirty was 
appointed to prepare a petition, but nothing further was then done. 
On February 11, 1836, another meeting was held in the city hall at 
which Erastus Corning presided, but against all the influence that was 
brought to bear in favor of a bridge, the Assembly committee reported 
adversely in March. The subject was a fruitful source of public and 
private discussion until January 30, 1841, when another meeting was 



100 

held in the Young Men's Association rooms, the mayor presiding and 
addresses being made by John V. L. Pruyn and vSamuel Stevens, but at- 
tempts to secure favorable action in the Legislature met the usual 
opposition from Troy and Albany ferry companies. The Assembly 
again reported adversely March 36, 1841, so that, though it was in the 
face of great necessity and the powerful influences working in favor of 
the undertaking, a bridge was not built until 1856, when, on April '.), 
the Hudson River Bridge Company was incorporated. The site of the 
bridge was to be determined by commissioners, among whom were 
Moses H. Grinnell, of New York, J. D. Monell, of Hudson, Palmer V. 
Kellogg, of Utica, Jacob Gould, of Rochester, James W. Wadsworth, 
of Geneseo and Albert H. Tracy, of Buffalo. It is worthy of notice 
that on February 2, about two months before the passage of the in- ' 
corporating act, a remonstrance against the proposed bridge was sent 
to the Legislature which was signed by more than 1,000 citizens of 
Albany. The capital stock of the company was $500,000. The act 
ordered the bridge to be erected at least twenty-five feet above common 
tide water and to be supplied with a draw of sufficient width to admit 
the passage of the largest vessels navigating the river. The New York 
Central Railroad Company, the Hudson River Railroad Company, and 
the Boston and Albany Railroad Company were stockholders in the 
bridge company. This first bridge was superseded by the present 
middle bridge under an act passed April 28, 1868, authorizing the dem- 
olition of the old one as soon as the new one was finished ; and that be- 
fore the commencement of the new bridge, the railroad companies 
above mentioned and the bridge company should "jointly and .severally 
execute and deliver a bond to the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty 
of the City of Troy, and the same Board of the city of Albany, in the 
penalty of at least $600,000," for the proper fulfillment of their obliga- 
tions under the act. Work on the new bridge began in May, 1S70, and 
it was opened in 1872, and it is little more than half a mile in length. 

Brief mention of the other existing bridges may be made here, al- 
though it is out of the chronological order. The upper bridge was 
opened February 23, 1866, and is now used exclusively for freight and 
foot passage. Its cost together with the necessary purchases of real 
estate was $1,100,000. The lower bridge, at South Ferry street, was 
built by the Albany and Greenbush Bridge Company, incorporated 
April 18, 1872. The site was selected by Commissioners Thomas W. 
Alcott, Charles Van Benthuy.sen, Volkert P. Douw, of Albany; James 



101 

M. King, of Greenbush ; Alexander Morris, J. T. Davis, and John H. 
Pratt, of East Greenbush. Work on this bridge was commenced in 
187G, but progressed very slowly, so that it was not opened for teams 
and foot passengers until January 24, 1882. 

The era of prosperity during which many of these public improve- 
ments took their inception, received a disastrous check in the financial 
crisis of 1836-38, which followed closely upon the ravages of the 
Asiatic cholera which are described in Chapter XIII. The causes of 
that panic had their beginning in the very foundation of the govern- 
ment finances as laid down by the policy of General Jackson, which 
was in antagonism to the policy of the United States Bank and its con- 
'nections. While the tide was rising banks multiplied in various parts 
of the country and their managers, who had become able to control 
large resources in depreciated currency, engaged in real estate and 
other speculations, indulged extravagantly in the purchase of luxuries 
and aided in turning the heads of their more conservative neighbors. 
Prices of lands and of all merchandise were greatly inflated, money was 
plenty, easily obtained and readily spent. Usurious rates of interest 
prevailed, money frequently commanding from three to five per cent. 
a month, with an active demand even at those rates. This apparent 
anomaly is explained by the fact that many persons were led into bor- 
rowing at enormous rates of interest, in the hope that by the tempo- 
rary use of money they could realize the same large profits that were 
being made by their neighbors, so that almost all communities, particu- 
larly the cities and villages of later growth than Albany, were drawn 
into the whirlpool and an era of speculation followed such as the country 
has never since experienced. All classes became involved, and thus, 
when the disaster drew near, though some persons foresaw it and 
escaped, yet large numbers became bereft of ordinary judgment and 
clung to the last to the impossible belief that money could be actually 
created by such operations, and were finally overwhelmed in the final 
crash. This was precipitated by Jackson's " specie circular," and the 
withdrawal of deposits from the United States Bank. 

The Mexican war, as it is generally termed, was caused by conflicting 
claims about the territory of Texas. The American government claimed 
it as a part of the Louisiana purchase of 1803, but did not press the 
claim until later, so that when ^lexico became a republic in 1824, Texas 



102 

was made one of the States. Meanwhile the territory had been considera- 
bly settled by Americans. Finally Texas rebelled against the govern- 
ment of Santa Anna and on March 2, 1836, declared itself an inde- 
pendent State, though this independence was not admitted by Mexico. 
On the 4th of July, 1845, Texas was, with its own consent, admitted into 
the Union. Here was the immediate cause of the war that was promptly 
declared. General Zachary Taylor was sent into Texas with an army 
of occupation, and on the 24th of April, 1846, the first blood was shed. 
The contest was not long continued, but was fought with valor and de- 
termination, under such American leaders as Taylor, Scott, Wool, 
Worth, and others. Its principal events have long been overshadowed 
by the great struggle of 1861-65 between the North and the South. 

Under the act of Congress authorizing the raising of fifty regiments 
for the Mexican war, seven were assigned to the State of New York, 
but only two of these were furnished. The first was raised by Colonel 
Stevenson in 1846 and contained one company of eighty men recruited 
in Albany, which was commanded by Capt. John B. Frisbie and Lieut. 
Edward Gilbert. The regiment was sent to Mexico by a sailing vessel 
around Cape Horn and joined General Scotfs forces, participating in 
his arduous campaign. The second regiment, raised in the fall of 1846, 
was commanded by Col. Ward B. Burnett, and contained an Albany 
company of which the cajJtain was Abraham Van O'Linda, and the 
lieutenant, Addison Farnsworth. This regiment also constituted a 
part of Scott's army and served with honor until the close of the war. 
The act of Congress of 1847 calling for ten regiments of infantry from 
this State, was promptly responded to. The tenth regiment raised un- 
der this call is credited to Albany and contained many volunteers from 
this county. It was commanded by Col. Robert E. Temple and Lieut. - 
Col. James McGown. The regiment joined General Taylor's forces 
and shared his campai.gns until the war ended, (icn. John E. Wool 
and (len. William J. Worth, were former residents of Albany county, 
and were prominent in the struggle that gave Texas to the Union. 
The war ended September 13, 1847. 

The middle of the present century found Albanj- county with a popu- 
lation of '.)3,2'i'9, of whom 50,763 were resident in Albany city. The 
growth from 1830 (when the population was 53,520) to 1840 carried the 
figures to 68,634, and during the succeeding ten years they reached the 
number above stated. Later chapters of this work show that the ad- 



103 

vancement and growth in other directions corresponded with the in- 
crease in population. 



CHAPTER X. 



The general history of this county during the past forty-five years, 
as far as it is not included in later distinctive chapters of this volume, 
may be briefly written. While it has been a period of prosperity and 
growth, it has at the same time been devoid of events of great histor- 
ical importance. The population of the county rose from 93,279 in 1850, 
to 113,917 in 1860, and to 133,052 in 1870, while that of the city of 
Albany increased from 50,763 in 1850, to 62,367 in 1860, and to 69,422 
in 1870. Transportation facilities were improved by large railroad ex- 
tensions and consolidations, and many institutions of a public character 
were founded. The Albany and Susquehanna Railroad Company was 
incorporated April 9, 1851, and was opened for traffic from Albany to 
Central Bridge (35 miles), September 16, 1863. Its construction con- 
tinued and it was opened throughout its entire length to Binghamton 
on January 14, 1869. The property was leased in February, 1870, to 
the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company for the term of its charter, 
at a rental of six per cent, on the Albany city bonds; seven per cent, 
on the first, second and third mortgage bonds and first consolidated 
mortgage bonds, and the capital stock, and $1,000 for maintaining the 
organization. A payment of $5,000 semi-annually is made by the 
lessees to the trustees of the sinking fund of the city of Albany, and is 
invested in certain ways for the ultimate payment of the Albany city 
bonds. The amount of these city bonds was originally $1,000,000. 
While this road has been a costly one to the county, it at the same time 
opened a section of the country for trade with the city that has been of 
great benefit. 

The Albany and \^ermont Railroad was chartered October 17, 1857, 
and was permanently leased to the Rensselaer and Saratoga Rail- 
road Company in June, I860, and is now operated by the Delaware and 
Hudson Company. The main line from Albany to Waterford junction 
extends for twelve miles in this State, and has been of considerable 
benefit to the city. 



The New York, West Shore and Buffahi Railroad was chartered 
June U, 1881, to extend from New York city up the west bank of the 
Hudson River to Athens, in Greene county, and thence diverjiin.u,- to 
the westward and continuing directly across Albany county to Rotterdam. 
From there it passed on westward to Buffalo. It was built as a com- 
peting line to the New York Central. The work of construction was 
pressed with such energy that the road was opened from Weehawken 
to Syracuse October 1, I880. and to Buffalo January 1, 1884. On the 
2d of October, 1885, judgment and foreclosure of sale of the road was 
entered in the-Supreme Court of this State, and on the 8th of Decem- 
ber it was sold at auction and transferred to the purchasers, J. Pier- 
pont Morgan, Chauncey M. Depew, and Ashbel Green, as joint tenants. 
The road was then leased to the New York Central. 

The country at large was now upon the eve of momentous events. 
The sectional antagonism between the North and the South which had 
been growing through many years; jealousy in the South of the rapid 
material progress and prosperity of the North ; the determined efforts 
of Southerners to farther extend slavery and of the Northerners to 
prevent it; in short, the "in-epressible conflict" reached a crisis in the 
election of Abraham Lincoln to the presidency of the United States in 
1860, and led to the opening of the guns of Charleston upon Fort Sum- 
ter on the 11th of April, 1801. Four days later, on the 15th, the presi- 
dent issued a call for 75,000 volunteer militia to suppress the rebellion. 
The response was astonishingly prompt throughout the Empire State 
and no where more so than in Albany county. On the 18th of April 
the Legislature passed an act authorizing the enrollment and equip- 
ment of a State militia and providing for the public defense. Within 
one week 155 companies were recruited in this State and ready for 
.service. Public meetings were held, relief associations organized, and 
funds liberally provided for the families of volunteers, and Albany 
again and for the last time became the centre of a scene of military 
activity. 

The first regiment to respond to the call for militia in Albany county 
was the •25th New York State militia, which left the city for Washing- 
ton on the 22d of April, 1861, officered as follows: Michael K. Bryan, 
colonel; James Swift, lieutenant-colonel; David Friedlander, major; 
John M. Kimball, adjutant; Cornelius B. O'Leary, surgeon; captains, 
Co. A, Jacob Fredendall; B, Timothy McDermott; C, John (Jray; I), 



105 

Frank Marshall; E, J.J. Huber; F, M. H. Kenneally; G, H. Mulhol- 

land; H, Godfrey; K, Hale Kingsley; L. F. Newdorf. With 479 

men the regiment reached Washington on the 29th, served its term of 
three months on Arlington Heights, where it built Fort Albany; re- 
turned home, and on May 41, 1803, was again mustered into service for 
three months and was ordered to Suffolk, Va. At the expiration of its 
term, Colonel Bryan and many of his men entered the army again as 
volunteers. Colonel Bryan at a later date raised the 175th Regiment 
of Volunteers and died at the head of his command on June l-t, 1863. 
He was a brave and capable officer. 

The od Regiment New York State \'olunteers was organized in Al- 
bany May 7, 18(il, and five of its ten companies were recruited from 
Albany county, as follows: C, captain, E. G. Floyd; E, captain, J. W. 
Blanchard; F, captain, H. S. Hulbert; G, captain, J. H. Ten Eyck, jr.; 
I, captain, E. S. Jenney. On 'Slay S I'redcrick Tuwnsend was elected 
colonel of the regiment; S. M. Alfuid, lientL-iiant-colonel ; George D. 
Bayard, major; Alexander II. Holf, surgeon; Jonathan O. Moore, ad- 
jutant. The regiment left Albany May 18 with 79() men, participated 
in the battle of Big Bethel, and during the remainder of its term of 
nine months was stationed at Fortress Monroe. On May 8, 1863, it 
entered service as a veteran organization and later was consolidated 
with the 112th. It took part in engagements at Fort Wagner, Charles- 
ton, Bermuda Hundred, Petersburg, Fort Gilmer, Fort Fisher, Wil- 
mington and others of minor character. Colonel Townsend resigned 
July 2, 1861, taking up his residence in Albany, and the regiment 
passed under command of Colonel Alford and was mustered out in Au- 
gust, 1865. 

The president issued another call for troops on May 3, 1861, under 
which, and acts approved July 22 and 25, 500, OoO men were required, 
and under this call New York State furnished 120, •i.",! volunteers. The 
Jr3d Regiment was organized at Albany and mustered into the service 
between August 25 and September 21, 1801. The following were the 
commissioned officers: 

Francis L. Vinton, colonel; Charles H. Pierson, lieutenant-colonel; Benjamin F. 
Baker, major; James H. Thompson, surgeon; James H. Bogart, adjutant. Captains: 
Co. A, John Wilson; Co. B, I. R. Van Slyke; Co. E, E. Cass Griffin; Co. D, Charles 
H. Clark ; Co. E, Jacob Wilson ; Co. F, James C. Rogers ; Co. G, William H. Mathews ; 



Co. H (Yates Rifles), Edwin C. Drake; Co. I, George W. Reed; Co. K, Harvey S. 
Chatfield; Captain Charles B. Mitchell, 1862; Captain John L. Newman, 1863; Cap- 
tain David Burhans, 1862 ; Captain James D. Visscher, ' 862. 

The regiment left Albany on the 16th of September with TOC men. 
It received durmg its service 1,621 recruits and returned in July. 1865, 
with 290 men and thirteen officers. It was distinguished for brilliant 
deeds in battle and participated in actions at Lee's Mills, Warwick 
Creek, Siege of Yorktown, Golding's Farm, The Seven Days battles, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Marye's Heights Salem Church, Banks's 
Ford, Gettysburg, Rappahannock Station, Locust Grove, Mine Run, 
Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, 
Fort Stevens, Charleston, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and others. 
Among those in this regiment who lost their lives, were the following: 
Major (afterwards Colonel) James Henry Bogart, killed while advanc- 
ing with his regiment at Port Hudson, June 14, 1803. Captain (after- 
wards Colonel) John Wilson, a native of Albany, died May 8, 1864, from 
amputation of leg for bullet wound. Captain (afterwards Major) Will- 
iam Wallace, native of Albany, was confined at one time in Libby 
prison, was exchanged, and was shot while leading a charge in the bat- 
tle of the Wilderness. In the same engagement, Lieutenant-Colonel* 
Fryer was mortally wounded. Captain David Burhans, a native of the 
town of Bethlehem, fell at the front in the engagement at Po river May 
10, 1864. Captain (afterwards Colonel) James D. Visscher, born in Al- 
bany, served three months with the militia at the beginning of the Re- 
bellion, killed at Fort Stevens, July 12, 1864. Capt. Douglass Lodge, 
born in Albany, rose from the ranks to captain, planted the colors of 
his regiment on Marye's Heights May 3, 1863, and received a mortal 
wound on the following day. 

The Tenth Regiment, National Guards, was organized in Albany 
in the early months of the war and performed guard and other duty 
at the call of the governor. For the third time it tendered its services 
for nine months and took the field November 21, 1862, with 864 men, 
and the following officers: Ira W. Ainsworth, colonel; Frank Cham- 
berlain, lieutenant-colonel; David M. Woodhall, major; Richard M. 
Strong, adjutant; William H. Craig, surgeon. Captains, Co. A, 
Lionel U. Lenox; B, Charles E. Davis; C, Stephen Bronk; 1), James 
Dodds; E, James McFarland ; F, James R. Harris; G, Morgan L. Fil- 
kins; H, Harmon L. Merriman ; I, E. H. Tomlinson; K, William H. 



107 

Brandenburg. The regiment was numbered the 177th N. Y. Y., and 
was ordered to the Department of the Gulf, under general Banks.' Its 
principal service was in the engagements from Ne\^ Orleans to Port 
Hudson, suffering severely at the latter place. At the close of its 
term of nine months the regiment returned home and resumed its 
original place as part of the 9th Brigade, National Guard. The regi- 
ment suffered much from sickness while in the far South. Among 
those who died while in the field were Adj. Richard M. Strong, born 
in Alban}-, died in Louisiana May 12, 1863; he had studied law and 
been admitted to the bar, with bright prospects. Lieut. John Peter 
Phillips, died September 4, 1863. Sergt. Charles H. Frederick, a 
native of Albany, died of fever in Louisiana March 10, 1863. Sergt. 
Joseph C. Vanderhoop, born in Albany, died of fever in Louisiana. 
Sergt. William Crounse, born in Guilderland, died in Louisiana June 
;I8, 1863. 

The 44th, or " People's Regiment," was a Zouave organization com- 
posed largely of Albany county men, and was formed October 16, 1861. 
It left for the seat of war on the -'Oth of that month, 850 strong and 
officered as follows: 

Stephen W. Stryker, colonel; James C. Rice, lieutenant-colonel; James McKown, 
major; William Frothinghani, surgeon; Edward B. Knox, adjutant. Captains: Co. 
A, Edward P. Chapin ; Co. B, L. S. Larabee; Co. C, William H. Revere, jr. ; Co. D, 
Freeman Conner; Co. E, Michael McN. Walsh; Co. F, Campbell Allen; Co. G, 
William L. Vanderlip; Co. H, William N. Danks; Co. I, A. Webster Shaffer; Co. 
K, William H. Miller. Capt. Rodney G. Kimball,\l862; Capt. B. Munger, 1862. 

The regiment performed meritorious sefvice at Yorktown, Hanover 
Court House, Gaines's Mills, Turkey Island, Malvern Hill, Groveton, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rappahan- 
nock, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Petersburg 
and Weldon Railroad. The regiment was mustered out September 24, 
1864, with 170 men, having been supplied with more than 700 recruits 
during its term of service. Lieut. Col. (afterwards Brigadier-General) 
James C. Rice, a graduate of Yale and a law student, with a previous 
brilliant military career, participated in all the engagements of his 
regiment until at Petersburg, May 10, 1864, where he received a fatal 
woimd. Sergt. Walter H. Angus, promoted second lieutenant, was 
killed at Petersburg June 21, 1864. 

The 91st Regiment was recruited during the fall of 1861, mo.stly in 



and near Albany, and was nnistered into the service for three years 
December IG, l^fil, with 847 men. It left Albany December 20 tor 
Governor's Island, where it remained until January 8, lS(i-2. Thence 
it went direct to Key West, where it arrived January 2(1. Tlie officers 
of the regiment were as follows : 

Jacob Van Zandt, colonel; Jonathan Tarbell, lieutenant-colonel; Charles G. 
Clark, major; Robert F. Keeven, adjutant; Robert Morris, surgeon. Captains: 
Co. A, John W. Felthousen; Co. B, George W. Stackhouse; Co. C, J. G. McDermott; 
Co. D, Henry Crounse; Co. E, William Lee; Co. F, John Cooke; Co. G, Allan H. 
Jackson; Co. H, J. B. Collins; Co. I, Charles A. Burt; Co. K, Henry S. Hiilbert. 

The 91st was stationed at Pensacola for seven months, when it went 
to New Orleans under Banks and participated in engagements at Port 
Hudson, Irish Bend, Bayou Vermilion, and other points, suffering 
severely. The regiment returned home July 19, 1804, and nearly all 
of its members re-enlisted. After being fully recruited it was in Feb- 
ruary, 1865, assigned to the 5th Corps and stationed near Petersburg, 
where it performed valiant service in the closing scenes of the war. 
Among the officers of the regiment who lost their lives were the fol- 
lowing: Major George W. Stackhouse, died June 19, 1863, from gun- 
shot wounds, at Port Hudson. Capt. John A. Fee, a native of Albany, 
rose from the ranks, was wounded June 30, 1863, and died July 15. 
Lieut. William P. Clark, born in Watervleit, shot through the head at 
Irish Bend July 14, 1863. Lieut Sylvester B. Shepard, born in Albany, 
was a member of the celebrated Burgesses Corps, killed at Port Hud- 
son June 14, 1863, at the head of his company. 

The nth New York Havelock Battery was organized in Albany Oc- 
tober 26, 1861, and mustered in January 6, 1862, with 156 men and the 
following officers: Captain, A. A. Von Puttkammer; first lieuten- 
ants, R. A. Warrington and James Rodgers; second lieutenants, G. A. 
Knapp and John E. Burton. The battery left Albany for the front on 
January 17, and participated in the battles of Second Bull Run, Fred- 
ericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Spottsylvania, 
North Anna, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and others. From September, 
1864, to Lee's surrender it was engaged almost every day. Lieut. 
Henry D. Brower, a native of Albany, of this battery was killed at 
Chancellorsville May 3, 1863; Corporal William H. Van Gaasbeek was 
killed at Cold Harbor June 6, 1864, and Corporal W^illiam H. Brough- 
ton was killed at Petersburg, September 28, 1864. 



109 

On the 2d of July, 1863, a call was made for 300,000 men, under 
which the quota of New York State was 59,705, but the vState furnished 
78,904. Recruiting and other military operations at Albany now 'le- 
gan in earnest. It was clearly seen that the war was not to be, as at 
first anticipated, a brief and unimportant struggle, and throughout the 
North the work of raising troops to aid the cause was taken up with 
vigor. The 11.3th Regiment (or the 7th Regiment New York Volun- 
teer Artillery) was organized in Albany county, under the proposition 
that each senatorial district should raise one regiment with the utmost 
possible dispatch. A committee was appointed consisting of Eli Perry, 
J. F. Rathbone, Lyman Tremain, J. Tracey, T. W. Olcott, George 
Dawson, C. B. Cochrane, J. V. L. Pruyn, Franklin Townsend, vSamuel 
Anable, W. M. \'an Antwerp, George H. Thatcher, and Henry A. 
Brigham, and the first man enlisted for the regiment signed the roll 
July 24, 18G2. So energetically was the work prosecuted that over 
1,100 men were mustered in on August 18, 1862, with the following 
field and staff officers: 

Colonel, Lewis O. Morris; major, Edward A. Springstead ; adjutant, Frederick L. 
Tremain; quartermaster, E. Willard Smith; surgeon, James E. Pomfret ; assistant 
surgeons, J. W. Blaisdell, George W. Newcomb; chaplain Humphrey L. Calder. 
Captains: Co. A, Joseph M. Murphy; Co. B, Samuel E. Jones; Co. C, John A. 
Morris; Co. D, Charles McCulloch ; Co. E, Norman H. Moore; Co. F, Robert H. 
Bell; Co. G, Francis Pruyn; Co. H, John McGuire; Co. I, William Shannon; Co. 
K, Samuel L. Anable. Lieutenants; Co. A, A. Sickles, 1st, John B. Read, 2d; Co. 
B, J. Kennedy, 1st, William E. Orr, 2d; Co. C, H. N. Rogers, 1st, M. Bell, 2d; 
Co. U, C. Schurr, 1st. H. C. Coulson, 2d ; Co. E, A. V. B. Lockrow, 1st, J. F. Mount, 
2d; Co. F, N. Wright, 1st, R. Mullens, 2d; Co. G, S. McEwan, 1st, C. W. Hobbs, 
2d: Co. H, H. C. Ducharrae, 1st, F. Pettit, 2d; Co. I. J. O. Hair, 1st, J. M. Ball 2d; 
Co. K, M. H. Barckley, 1st, G. Krank, 2d. 

The regiment left Albany August 19, 1862, and was stationed in the 
defenses of Washington. In December, 1862, its character was changed 
from infantry to artillery, and recruited to 152 men in each company. 
It performed arduous and important service in building many forts and 
batteries. In the spring of 1864 two companies were added to the reg- 
iment, with the following officers: Captains, Co. L, James Kennedy; 
Co. M, George H. Tread well. First Lieutenants, Co. L, F. W. Mather; 
Co. M, G. B. Smallie. Second lieutenants, Co. L, C. C. McClellan; 
Co. M, E. S. Moss. On May 17, 1864, the regiment joined the Army 
of the Potomac near Spottsylvania and was engaged in the battles of 
Po River, North Anna, Tolopotomoy, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and 
Reams's Station in some of which it suffered severelv. On February 



110 

•22, 18G5, the remnant oi the regiment was ordered to Baltimore to re- 
main until mustered out in June, 1805. Of the many fatalities that 
occurred in this organization, the following should be mentioned: Col. 
I^ewis Owen Morris, a native of Albany, took part in the Mexican war, 
retained command of this regiment until June 3, 18(j4, when he was 
killed by a confederate sharpshooter. Major Edward A. Springstead, 
born in Albany, served as first lieutenant in the 43d Regiment, was 
promoted from captain in the 113th, and was killed at the head of his 
men at Reams's Station August 25, 1864. Capt. James Kennedy, born 
in Albany, wounded at Cold Harbor June 3, and at Reams's Station 
August 25, 1864, and captured; died in Libby prison September 10, 
1S64. Capt. John A. Morris, a native of Albany, shot through the 
heart at Spottsylvania May 19, 1864. Capt. Nathaniel Wright, shot 
at Reams's Station August 25, 1864. Capt. Robert H. Bell, was 
wounded in the Wilderness May 19, 1864, and died June 20. Lieut. 
William Emmet Orr, a native of Albany, wounded at North Anna, and 
died June 2, 1864. Lieut. James H. Morgan, born in Albany, taken 
prisoner at Reams's Station and died at Salisbury, N. C, November 
21, 1864. Lieut. Michael H. Barckley, born in the town of Knox, 
graduated at Union College, raised a company in his town, was wounded 
at Cold Harbor and died July 6, 1864. Charles S. Evans, a native of 
Rensselaerville, killed at Cold Harbor June 5, 1864. Lieut. Charles 
L. Yeardsley, born in West Troy, killed at Petersburg June 3, 1864, 
while leading Co. G in a charge. Lieut. John B. Read, wounded at 
Cold Harbor and left within the enemy's lines. Sergt. James S. 
Gerling, wounded in the Wilderness June 3, 1814, and again August 
24, and died October 8, 1864. Sergt. George Sanders, wounded by a 
shell at Cold Harbor and died in hospital June 18, 1864. Sergt. Will- 
iam H. Bell, born in the town of Berne, died in service March 15, 1864. 

Recruiting for the r.i2d Regiment, the last to leave Albany and very 
nearly the last to leave the State, began in January, 1865. While 
nominally an Albany regiment, a large part of its officers and privates 
were from adjoining counties. The organization reached the seat of 
war too late to experience any fighting. 

Among other officers from this county who performed honorable ser- 
vice in the army and fell either on the field or from disease contracted 
in the ariuv, a few mav be brietlv noticed here: 



Ill 

Col. Edward Frisby was a native of Trenton, N. Y., and settled in 
Albany in 1826, where he engaged in business as a hatter. He joined 
the State militia at an early age and rose from corporal through the 
several grades to brigadier-general. In April, 1861, he went to the 
front with the 25th Militia Regiment, returned, raised the 30th Regi- 
ment of volunteers and went out as its colonel. He was killed in the 
second battle of Bull Run August 22, 1862. 

Lieut. -Col. Frederick Lyman Tremain, son of Lyman Tremain, re- 
ceived a college education and had not reached his majority at the 
breaking out of the war. He enlisted in the 113th Regiment, raised a 
company and was promoted adjutant; was afterward transferred to the 
1st Brigade, 3d Division, Cavalry Corps, and later to the 2d Brigade, 
2d Division. After participating in all the engagements with General 
Sheridan's army, he was wounded at Dabney's Mills, February 5, 1855, 
and died three days later. 

Capt. Harmon N. Merriam, educated for the law, aided in ra.ising 
the 10th Regiment and was commissioned captain oi Co. H ; was 
wounded at Port Hudson May 27, 1863, while at the he.^d of his com- 
pany, and died on his way home July 15, 1863. 

Capt. John McGuire, a native of Ireland, settled in Albany in 1845, 
was a sergeant in the Worth Guards, enlisted in the 25th Regiment and 
served through 1861-2. In vSeptember of the latter year he was made 
first lieutenant in the 175th Volunteers and promoted captain. After a 
long period of honorable service he was killed by guerillas April 15, 
1865. 

Lieut. James Williamson, born m Scotland, was first lieutenant in 
the 10th Regiment Militia, and when the regiment was changed to the 
177th Volunteers he was appointed first lieutenant Co. H. He was 
killed while leading a charge at Port Hudson, May 27, 1863. 

Orderly Sergeant Peter M. Shaler, a Scotchman, settled in Albany 
in 1858, joined the 10th Regiment, was wounded March 24, 1S63, and 
died July 18, 1863. 

Sergeant Alexander D. Rice, born in Albany April 10, IS37, enlisted 
xVugust 6, 1862, in Co. C, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and promoted to 
sergeant; was wounded June 3, 1864, and died June 28. 

Sergeant Andrew T. Hotaling, enlisted in Co. A, 7th Heavy Artiller\-, 
November 7, 1862, and twice thereafter promoted; wounded at Peters- 
burg June 22, 1864, and died July 26. 

Sergeant Paul Uuay, born in Knox July 30, 1841, enlisted in the 7th 



112 

Heav)- Artillery, taken priscmer June 10, 1S(14, was sent tu Anderson- 
ville and thence to Milan, where he died in prison. 

Succeeding- the call of August 4, 1SI.;2, for nine months volunteers 
(under which New York furnished 5'.), 705) the next call was that of 
February 1, 1864, under which, in the aggregate, New York furnished 
.19,839 men. March 14, 1864, another call was issued for 200,000, un- 
der which this State supplied 41,940, nearly 10,000 more than her 
quota. Under the next call, July 18, 1864, for 500,000 men for one, 
two, or .three and four years, this State furnished a total of 83,843 men. 
The last call was dated December 19, 1864, for 300,000 men, and en- 
listments stopped before the various quotas were filled, the aggregate 
from New York being 34,196. 

In the payment of bounties Albany county kept abreast of the other 
counties of the State and her quotas were filled as promptly as those 
of anv other section. The county paid out for bounties to volunteers 
$3,100,700, and for expenses of recruiting and other military matters 
$225,125.39; making a total of $3,325,825.39. 

The war had scarcely begun when the Ladies' Army Relief Associa- 
tion was organized in Albany to co-operate with the United States 
Sanitary Commission in the aid of sick and wounded soldiers. The 
association was in existence as early as November, 1861, and similar 
organizations were effected in Coeymans, Rensselaerville, Knox, and 
perhaps other towns in the county. The ladies of Albany raised $19,- 
212.30 in money for the purposes noted during the four years ending 
January 1, 1866, and sent away to the battlefields thousands of boxes 
and barrels of supplies of every description to comfort the soldier in 
his time of privation and suffering. The Army Relief Bazaar, a great 
structure well adapted to its purpose, was erected in the Academy Park 
and there was held during the months of February and March, 1864, a 
great Sanitary Fair, in which Troy, Schenectady, and other places par- 
ticipated. It was splendidly managed and the net proceeds reached 
about $82,000, which was turned over to the Sanitary Commission. 
The Albany Auxiliary to the U. S. Christian Commission also received 
between April 1, 1864, and January 1, 1866, the sum of $33,740.20, be- 
sides a great quantity of supplies of various kinds, and books, all of 
which went to the alleviation of the sufferings and privations of the 
soldiers. Besides all this, private subscriptions in aid of thecau.se were 
numerous and liberal in this county. In the forenoon of the 9th of 



113 

April, 1865, news of Lee's surrender reached Albany, and swept on 
over the whole North, kindling an outburst of joyous thanksgiving such 
as the country had never before witnessed, and heralded the long reign 
of peace that was soon inaugurated. 

During the period of the war public improvements and important 
public acts, aside from war measures, almost wholly ceased in all 
Northern cities, while in villages and rural districts the frequent calls 
to arms, the great sacrifices demanded in men and money, and the sad 
news that came from scores of bloody battlefields, all served to distract 
public attention from the ordinary affairs of life. With the advent of 
peace all this was changed. The welcome event was properly cele- 
brated in all communities, and the people, so long oppressed by the 
terrors of civil war, turned joyfully and full of hope to the energetic 
prosecution of public improvements and private business. In spite of 
the enormous cost of the war — a financial drain that reached every 
hamlet in the land — there was seeming prosperity throughout the 
North during the several years succeeding the close of the conflict. 
The great demands of the government for war materials, which had 
for five years promoted many industries and afforded various avenues 
for speculation and wealth-making, the abundance of monej' which had 
poured from the national treasury in payment for supplies, and for the 
vast armies whose rank and file seldom hoarded it, the high prices 
ruling for all products, created by an inflated currency, were all causes 
of an era of prosperity such as the country had not before experienced. 
Albany county had its share in this tide of prosperity, though not to 
the extent of many cities where manufacturing was more extensive. 
Many private projects of importance were launched, river commerce 
was active, building operations were extensive, mercantile business 
was greatly extended and banks and other institutions of financial 
character multiplied. The agricultural interests of the county shared 
also in the general prosperity; farmers realized high prices for their 
products, and many were led to purchase farms at prices which a few 
years later would have been ruinous. 

It was inevitable that such a state of affairs could not long continue 
in a time of peace. With the gradual contraction of currency, the de- 
creasing demand for many kinds of products, with contemporaneous 
over-production, and the fear of financial disaster through anticipated 
return to specie payment, there came a reaction which culminated in 



114 

ISTx'-o, causing much financial distress and many business failures. 
Albany county, however, as has been the case in all times of depres- 
sion, suffered less than many other localities; the county had gained 
less and was not so much affected by the inflation caused by the war, 
and hence suffered less in returning to normal conditions. 

To preserve its chronological place in this work, the subject of the 
anti-rent struggle should have been taken up in the ]u-eceding chapter, 
but as its effects were felt through the period of the war and even 
later, its brief consideration is left for this place. Anti-rentism came 
into existence very soon after the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
the last holder of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck under the British 
crown. He died January 26, 1839. He had inherited the great manor 
under the law of primogeniture, as the eldest son, which had existed 
here through the colonial period. The American laws following the 
Revolution worked a radical change in this respect, and in order to 
keep his vast landed interests in possession of his sons and their de- 
scendants, Stephen Van Rensselaer, on arriving at his majority, adopted 
the plan of selling his land in fee, reserving to himself and his assigns 
all minerals, streams of water for mills, and some of the old feudal 
rents in wheat, fowls, service with horses, etc., and finally, the reserva- 
tion of one-quarter of "the purchase price on every vendition of land. 
It is said that Alexander Hamilton drew this form of conveyance and 
advised his client that he could adopt it. But there was at that time 
an English statute in opposition to such a method of sale, such right 
belonging to the crown alone. It is believed that Mr. Hamilton as- 
sumed that the English statute had not been in force in this colony, 
and that therefore it had no real force here. In any event the patroon 
sold his lands, warranting the title, his deeds containing the feudal 
reservations above mentioned. 

While this system of sale worked satisfactorily during his life and 
generally during the lives of the first purchasers, trouble began soon 
afterward. The patroon devised all his interest in the lands thus sold in 
fee to his two eldest sons, William P. and Stephen. To the latter, who 
was the older of the two, were given the rents in Albany county, and to 
the other those in Rensselaer county. The old patroon was a kindly 
man and doubtless his many favors to those who had purchased from 
him served to pacify them under the onerous burdens. But when the 
sons came into their estate, either their different treatment of the 



115 

landholders, or changes in the business and agricultural relations of 
the time, led to complaints and later to more serious trouble. Litiga- 
tion began and continued many years. " The counsel consulted were 
either ignorant of that [EnglishJ statute or they dismissed considera- 
tion of it on the assumption that it was never the law of the colony or 
of the State. Had that statute, at the time of the anti-rent outbreak, 
been recognized as the law of the State, it is not too much, probably, 
to assert and believe that, before the distinguished judges who then 
adorned the bench, with the Senate composing the court of last resort 
— a popular as well as judicial body — the anti-rent controversy would 
have been spared more than a quarter of a century of political and 
legal conflict, and the feudal-burdened counties have become as en- 
lightened, prosperous and free as their sister counties in the State." ^ 

Early in the spring of 1839 the anti-renters held a meeting for the 
purpose of deciding upon some equitable basis of settlement of the dis- 
pute. A committee was appointed to call upon vStephen Van Rensse- 
laer, the elder son, and learn upon what terms they could purchase the 
soil outright. The committee was composed of the foremost men of 
the district involved ; they called at the manor office in Watervliet on 
May 22, 1839, and met Mr. Van Rensselaer, who refused to recognize 
them in any manner. They then passed into the inner office, occupied 
by the agent, Douw B. Lansing, while the latter held a lengthy con- 
versation with Mr. Van Rensselaer, after which the committee were 
informed that they would be communicated with in writing. The com- 
mittee felt that this was an insult, and went away. Subsequently Mr. 
Van Rensselaer sent a letter to Lawrence Vandusen, of Berne, who 
was chairman of the committee, in which he declined to sell on any 
terms; this letter was read throughout the manor during that year. 
The landholders now began active opposition to the collection of rents; 
agents were insulted and their personal safety endangered; bodies of 
masked men resisted and attacked sheriffs in discharge of their duties 
and other demonstrations of force were made in various localities. In 
December, 1839, Sheriff Michael Artcher called to his aid the/oj-iv 
coniitatus; with a body of about 600 men he started from Albany on the 
3d day of December, 1839, for Reidsville, in the Helderbergs. Arriv- 
ing near the place, the sheriff selected about seventy-five of the most 
courageous of his men and continued towards Reidsville, where it was 



116 

known many of the anti-renters had gathered. Just before reaching 
the place the}- encountered a force of 1,500 mounted men, who barred 
the road and ordered the sheriff and his party back. There was no al- 
ternative but to obey, and the whole party hastened back to Albany. 
When, on the following day, the sheriff acquainted Governor Seward 
with the outcome of his brief campaign, the governor called out the 
military in numbers sufficient to have captured every person in the 
western part of the county. The military force comprised the Albany 
Birrgesses Corps, Albany Union Guards, Albany Republican Artillery, 
First Company and Second Company Van Rensselaer Guards, Troy 
Artillery, Troy Citizens Corps, and the Troy City Guards. The com- 
mand of this force was given to Major William Bloodgood, and, headed 
by Sheriff Artcher, the march was taken up towards Reidsville on De- 
cember 9. No resistance was met with before Reidsville was reached, 
and even then no enemy was found. It was a ridiculous sight — a great 
body of armed troops upon a long and weary march, to meet not even 
a single landholder upon whom to expend their ardor. The return 
was made amid a pitiless rain storm. Resistance to rent collections 
continued against various methods of compulsion, without much advan- 
tage to either side. The landholders hoped by petty and threatened 
acts of resistance to force the proprietors into an acknowledgment of 
their position, while the latter seemed to think that by military and legal 
action they could compel the landholders to pay whatever was demanded. 
At last the controversy was made a political issue, and a paper, the 
Freeholder, was started in Albany in support of the cause of the land- 
holders. Both the Whig and the Democratic parties strove to obtain 
the advantage of alliance with the anti-rentei's, but the former party had 
the largest number of them in its ranks. Their power was soon mani- 
fested in the political field. Eleven counties promptly elected represen- 
tatives with anti-rent proclivities to the Legislature, and Albany county 
elected Ira Harris to the Assembly in 1845 by more than 3,000 majority. 
Silas Wright, who had been considered invincible, was defeated by John 
Young for governer in 184(; through the influence of the anti-renters, 
and the strife went on. As far as its political features were concerned, 
little was accomplished and in that respect the cause soon lost its in- 
fluence. 

Among the conditions of the manorial grants in fee was a provision 
that the grantee, or his heirs, was to pay to the ]3roprietor on every 
sale of the land, ad iiijbiitinn, one-quarter of the purchase price ; so 



117 

that if a farm worth say $2,000, on which all the improvements had been 
made by the purchaser, was sold iowr times at that price, the proprie- 
tor would g-et the whole value of the farm, including the improvements, 
in four payments of $500 each. Litigation began in the courts on this 
quarter-sale provision in 1848 and in 1853 went to the Court of Appeals. 
Without here attempting to follow the details of the decision, let it 
suffice to say that it was in favor of the oppressed landholders. The 
Court of Appeals was then comprised of Charles H. Ruggles, chief 
judge, Addison Gardner, Freeborn G. Jewett, Alexander S. Johnson, 
John W. Edmonds, Malbone Watson, Philo Gridley, and Henry Welles. 
After this decision was rendered the manor proprietors were advised 
by counsel to sell, and this was done in some cases prior to 1852. With 
the changed conditions under the decision of the court, and the low 
prices at which lands were now offered by the proprietors, speculators, 
and adventurers came into the field and made many purchases. The 
principal buyer was Walter S. Church, then of Allegany county, who 
during the succeeding thirty or forty years, was responsible for end- 
less trouble for himself and the landholders. Litigation continued and 
in many instances families were dispossessed of their farms amid dis- 
tressing conditions. 

One of the first cases that went to the Court of Appeals after the de- 
cision in the quarter- sale case before described, was that of Van Rens- 
selaer vs. Ball in 1858. In the decision in that case the right of the 
manor proprietors, or purchasers of their interest, to maintain actions 
of ejectment was put upon a statute passed by the Legislature in 1805, 
authorizing grantors of lands to have the same remedies for the recov- 
ery of rent as if the reversion had remained in them ; this opinion was 
written by Judge Denio, who then proceeded to apply the statutes of 
landlord and tenant to the cases. This decision so shocked the public 
conscience that the Legislature of 18ti0 repealed the statute of 1805, so 
far as conveyances executed after that time were concerned. After 
that statute was repealed the feudal rent litigation was renewed, and 
other cases which had passed through the lower courts were carried to 
the Court of Appeals where they were decided in 1863. That court 
then took new ground and held that the statute of 1805 was not neces- 
sary to the maintenance of the actions, but that the statute of 1840 
abolishing distress for rent (a statute pa.ssed in the interest of landhold- 
ers) supplied the place of the statute of 1805; this opinion was written 
by Judge Henry R. Seklen. After relying on the statute of 184(J, as 



118 

Judge Denio had on that of 1805, to sustain the actions, Judge Selden 
undertook to uphold them on the strength of an ojjinion expressed bv 
Sugden in his work on Vendors and Purchasers, and on a few contro- 
verted English cases. But neither Sugden nor the disputed cases even 
hint that there can be a forfeiture of land for non-payment of rent, out- 
side of the relation of landlord and tenant. It may be broadly and 
safely stated that no case can be found, English or American, where 
re entry, or ejectment for default in the payment of rent, has been had 
or allowed, except where the relation of landlord and tenant existed, 
or was supposed to exist. Of the eight judges of the Court of Appeals 
at the time Judge Selden wrote his opinion in 18G3, it is noticeable that 
two of the most distinguished refused to share in the decision. Upon 
that remarkable decision hung all the later merciless exactions of the 
])roprietors or purchasers of their interest, against the landholders and 
the many instances of dispossession and suffering with which citizens 
of Albany county are familiar, and for which space cannot here be 
spared. The working of this injustice has thus been pictured by 
Andrew J. Colvin, who has given much study to the matter: 

Ejectment suits are brought to recover one year's rent claimed to be due — gener- 
ally the last year — and recovery of possession of the farm for non-payment. The 
landholder, on prosecution, goes to the office in Albany to pay the year's rent 
sued for, and the costs of the action. Payment will not be accepted unless 
he will also pay all rents claimed to be in arrear; it may be for fifteen or twenty, 
perhaps thirty years. The landholder remonstrates on the ground, as often hap- 
pens, that he has only owned the farm a few years, and should not be asked to pay 
longer than he has owned. He is told that that makes no difference ; the fann is lia- 
ble, no matter who may have been the owner, and he must pay all rents claimed or 
lose the farm. On inquiry as to the amount claimed, he is startled to learn that it 
exceeds the value of the farm, perhaps, with all the buildings and other improve- 
ments. That result is brought about by charging the fullest prices for the wheat, 
the fat fowls, and the days' service with carriage and horses, with annual accumula- 
tions of interest on each. It is the old story; the successors of the old patroon chas- 
tised the landholders with whips; the adventurers chastise them with scorpions. 

This depressing subject inay be concluded with the following sug- 
gestive statement of claims made upon the Board of Supervisors for 
services in the anti-rent difficulties rendered as late as 18iiG: 

Claimed. .Mlnwed. 

Leonard & Bradt §1,295 73 §1,268 59 

Edward Scannell 1,053 00 576 00 

Tenth Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y .-.. 992 25 992 35 

Company F, 25th llegiment " 762 24 762 24 

Company C, " " " 636 40 (;26 40 



/ 



119 

Claimed. Allowed. 

Company C. 35th Regiment, N. Y. _ _ 256 93 356 93 

L(>rd& Thornton 500 02 498 03 

Albany & Susquehanna R. R. Co 2^8 80 238 80 

John Cutler... 157 00 150 00 

Augustus Brewster... 132 00 80 00 

Walter S. Church. -.'- 115 00 Disallowed. 



( )f the history of the thirty years that have passed since the close of 
the war there is little to record that is not found in later chapters. The 
population of the county in 1870 has already been stated as 133,052; 
that of the city at that date, 69,422. The increase in the next decade 
brought the number of inhabitants in the county to 15-1:,890, and in the 
city to 90,758. In 1890 these figures had reached respectively 164,555, 
and 94,923. There has been a considerable increase since that year, 
the census of 1892 showing the population of the county to be KIT, 289, 
and of the city, 97,120. While these are substantial gains it must be 
recorded that most of the towns in the county have during the period 
under consideration, lost slightly in population, while the cities and 
large villages have gained. This result is observable in most counties 
of the State and in many other States. 

By an act of the Legislature passed April 19, 1867, the Albany and 
Schenectady Railroad was incorporated, and authorized to construct a 
railroad on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike and Washington 
avenue, in Albany, the cars of the company to be propelled by horses 
or dummy engines. The promoters of the project abandoned it. 

The Boston and Albany Railroad was chartered November 3, 1870, 
for the consolidation of lines constructed many years earlier. The new 
company effected a combination of the Western Railroad Corporation, 
established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in March, 1833; 
the Castleton and New Stockbridge Railroad Company, incorporated 
in this State May 5, 1834, the name of which was changed May 5, 
1 836, to the Albany and West Stockbridge Railroad Company. On 
November 11, 1841, a permanent contract was tnade for the operation 
of the last named road by the Western Corporation. On May 24, 1867, 
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed an act consolidating the 
Western Railroad Corporation with the Boston and Worcester Railroad 
Company. Further legislation by Massachusetts and New York within 
the next three years effected the consolidation of the Boston and Al- 



bany Company, the All)an\' and West vStockljrid^e Cuiiipany and the 
Hudson and Boston Company, under the name it now l)ears, the Bos- 
ton and Albany. The road is an important factor in the transporta- 
tion facilities of Albany county. 

An act of the Let^islaturc of Aiiril C, IS'n, annexed small ])arts of 
the towns of Bethlehem and Watervleit to the city of Albany. The 
boundaries of these sections may be found in the session laws of that 
year. 

During this period considerable legislation was enacted affecting 
the Albany county Board of Supervisors, some of the acts of which 
board also possess more than ordinary interest. On April 13, 1857, 
the office of supervisor was made a salaried office, the annual salary 
being fixed at $100 and the usual traveling fees. InMay, 1871, this 
salary was raised to $350 and has so i-emained. In the year 1875 the 
powers of supervisors were considerably enlarged, particularly in re- 
spect to their control of county property, their agency in the erection 
of county buildings, etc. On the 14th of May, 1878, the term of office 
of supervisors was extended to two years, the act taking effect at the 
first election of 1879. 

In the proceedings of the board for 1863, the county clerk reported 
that in pursuance of a previously adopted resolution of the board, the 
work of reindexing of moi'tgages had been completed covering the 
period from 1856 to 1863, and condensing what had filled eight books 
into two, for which his charges were $10,633. 

During the session of 1864 when several calls for troops had recently 
been made and a draft seemed imminent, the board took prompt and 
liberal measures for the payment of large bounties, that a draft might 
be avoided. At that time there had been almost $3,000,000 disbursed 
in the county for bounties. The amount of bonds issued during the 
war period was $3,540,200. The county budget in 1865 was $766,- 
094.89, or nearly double what it was at the beginning of the war. This 
sum was gradually decreased to a little more than $500,000 within a 
few years, but recently it has increased again to more than the figures 
above given. By resolution of the board adopted November 31, 1871, 
resulting from a communication received from several leading lawyers 
and judges, the salary of the county judge of Albany county was 
raised to $5,000. 

On the 15th of April, 1887, a law was passed making provision for 



121 

the erection of an Armory in Albany. This resulted in the splendid 
structure now in use, which is more fully described in a later chapter. 
In the following year (1888) an act was passed by the Legislature ap- 
propriating $35,000 from the State funds for an armory in Cohoes, 
provided a suitable site was furnished by the supervisors. 



CHAPTER XI. 

CIVIL LIST. 



United States Presided. — Martin \"an Buren, elected to the presi- 
dency in the fall of 183G, though not a native of Albany county, resided 
and practiced law in Albany city many years. 

\'ice-Prcsidciit. — Daniel D. Tompkins, elected in 1817, passed many 
years of his life in Albany and at the time of his election to the vice- 
presidency was governor of the State. 

Governors. — John Tayler, elected in 181U; he was elected lieutenant 
governor January 39, 181-4, under a special act of the Legislature of April 
11, 1811, after the death of John Broome, who died August 10, 1810. A 
that time Daniel D. Tompkins was serving his second term as gov 
ernor (elected first in 1807). In 1816 Mr. Tompkins was again elected 
governor and John Tayler, lieutenant-governor. The next year Mr. 
Tompkins was elected vice-president and Mr. Tayler became governor. 
Martin Van Buren, elected 1828; he was appointed secretary of state 
under President Jackson, March 13, 1839, resigned the office of gov- 
ernor and was succeeded by Enos T. Throop. John A. Dix, elected 
1873. David B. Hill, now a resident of Albany, elected 1885, having 
then served a remaining part of Grover Cleveland's term, and re- 
elected in 1888. 

Lieutenant-Governor. — Daniel Hale, March 31, 1793; Charles D. 
Cooper, April 17, 1817; John Van Ness Yates, April, 1818; and Feb- 
ruary 13, 1823; John A. Dix, February 1, 1833. 

United States Senators. — Philip Schuyler, chosen July 16, 1789, 

served to 1791; chosen again January 34, 1797, and served one year. 

Martin Van Buren, elected February 6, 1831, and February 6, 1837; 

Charles E. Dudley, elected January 15, 1859; William L. Marcy, elected 

16 ' ' 



122 

February 1, 1831; John A. Dix, elected January 18, 1845; Ira Harris, 
elected February 5, 1861. Roscoe Conkling and Leland Stanford, who 
held this high office, were natives of Albany county. 

Secretary of the Treasury of the U. S. — Alexander Hamilton, who 
studied law and married in Albany, and passed much of his time here, 
was appointed to this office September 11, 1770; John C. vSpencer, 
March 3, 1843; Jno. A. Dix, January 11, 18G1 ; Daniel Manning, March 
6, 1885. 

U. S. Secretary of State. — Martin Van Buren, appointed March (i, 
1829; William L. Marcy, March 7, 1853. 

U. S. Secretary of the Navy. — Smith Thompson, appointed Novem- 
ber 9, 1818. 

U. S. Secretary of War. — John C. Spencer, appointed October 13, 
1841; William L. Marcy, March 6, 1845. 

Members of Congress.— The following changes have taken place in 
Congressional districts that have directly aiTected Albany county: By 
act of 1789, a part of Albany with Columbia, Clinton, Saratoga and 
Washington counties constituted a district. Act of 1792, Albany 
county was a district by itself. Act of 1797, this county and Schoharie 
were constituted the 8th district. Act of 1802, Albany county was the 
9th district. Act of 1808, Albany and Schenectady counties were made 
the 7th district. Act of 1812, it was made the 9th district. Act of 1822, 
it was made the 10th district. Act of 1842, it was made the 13th dis- 
trict, and by act of 1851, was constituted the 14th district. By act of 
1862 Schoharie was joined with it as the 14th district. By the act of 
1873 Albany became the 16th district, and by the act of May, 1883, it 
was numbered the 19th. The last change was made by the act of 1892, 
under which Albany county became the 20th district. Those who 
have held the office of Member of Congress from this county are the 
following; 

Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 1789-91 ; James Gordon and Peter Silvester, each part 
of term of 1791-98; Henry Glen, 1793-1801 ; Killian Van Rensselaer, 1801-1811 ; Har- 
manus Bleecker, 1811-13; John Lovett, 1813-17; Rensselaer Westerlo, 1817-19; Sol- 
omon Van Rensselaer, 1819-32; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1833-39; Ambrose Spen- 
cer, 1839-31; Gerrit Y. Lansing, 1831-37; Albert Gallup, 1837-39; Daniel D. Bar- 
nard, 1827-39, 1839-43; Bradford R. Wood, 1845-17; John I. Slingerland, 1847-49; 
John L. Schoolcraft, 1849-53; Rufus W. Peckham. 1853-55; Samuel Di.xon, 1855-57; 
Erastus Corning, sr., 1857-59; John H. Reynolds, 1859-61; E. Corning, 1861-65; 
Charles Goodyear, 1865-67; John V. L. Pruyn, 1867-69; Stephen L. Mayham, 1869-71 ; 
Bli Perry, 1871-75; CharlesH. Adams, 1875-77; Terence J. Quinn, 1877-78; John M. 




CHARLtS TRACHY. 



133 

Bailey, elected 1878 vice Quinn deceased; Michael N. Nolan, 1881-83; Thomas J. 
Van Alstyne, 1883-85; John Swinburue, 1885-87; Charles Tracey, 1887-95; George 
H. Southwick, 1895-97, 1897- 

Dclegates to Constitutional Conventions. — There have been four Con- 
stitutional Conventions in this State, and one Constitutional Commis- 
sion, all of which met in Albany. The first was held October 13 to 27, 
1801. Following are the names of the Albany delegates: John Jost 
Dietz, Leonard Gansevoort, Daniel Hale, John V. Henry, Josiah Og- 
den Hoffman, Abraham Van Ingen, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and 
Peter We.st. The second Convention assembled August 28, 1831, and 
adjourned November 10. Daniel D. Tompkins was president, and fol- 
lowing are the names of Albany delegates: James Kent, Ambrose 
Spencer, Stephen Van Rensselaer, and Abraham Van A'echten. The 
third Convention was held June 1, 184G, and adjourned October 9. The 
Albany delegates were Ira Harris, Peter Shaver, Benjamin vStanton, 
Horace K. Willard. The fourth Convention assembled on June 4, 
1867, and adjourned November 12, of that year. The delegates from 
Albany county were Ira Harris, at large, and William Cassidy, Amasa 
J. Parker, and Erastus Corning. What was called the Constitutional 
Commission met in Albany December 4, 1872, and adjourned March 
15, 1873. The delegates from the third district, which included Al- 
bany county, were Robert H. Pruyn, and William Cassidy, of Albany; 
George B. Burdett, of Troy; Joseph B. Hall, of Catskill, and Cornel- 
ius Tracy, of Troy. Robert H. Pruyn was chosen chairman. 

Collectors of Customs. — The collection of customs in Albany was be- 
gun in 1833, under the direction of New York Custom House, with 
William Seymour, deputy collector. For many years there was very 
little for him to do in his office, but with the opening of the Champlain 
and Erie Canals, new avenues of trade were opened necessitating the 
establishment of an office at the head of tide water. The collectors 
since Mr. Seymour have been as follows: Albert Gallup, Dennis B. 
Gaffney, and William Bruce. On March 2, 1867, a law was passed 
making Albany a port of entry, with a surveyor of customs as the 
chief officer; under that law the following have held the position: Peter 
M. Carmichael, 1867; Isaac N. Keeler, 1870; John C. Whitney, 1875; 
William N. S. Sanders, 1879; John A. Luby, 1882; Addison D. Cole,' 
1885; John M. Bailey, 1889; John P. Masterson, 1893. 

State Secretaries of State.— V)&-a.\Q\ Hale, March 24, 1793; Charles 
D. Cooper, April 17, 1817; John Van Ness Yates, April, 1818, and 



134 

February 13, 1823; John A. Dix, February 1, 1833; John Palmer, No- 
vember 7, 1893; re-elected November, 1895. 

State Treasurers. — Robert McClallen, March 16, 1798; Abraham G. 
Lansing, February 8, 1803; Abraham G. Lansing, February 18, 181U; 
Charles Z. Piatt, February 10, 1813; Gerrit L. Dox, February U, 1817; 
Benjamin Knower, January 29, 1821; Stephen Clark, November 7, 
1855; Nathan D. Wendell, November 4, 1879. 

Comptrollers.— ]ohnV . Henry, March 12, 1800; Archibald Mclntyre, 
March 25, 1806; William L. Marcy, February 13, 1826; Azariah C. 
Flagg, January 11, 1834; Azariah C. Flagg, February 7, 1842; Fred- 
erick P. Olcott, January 1, 1877, appointed vice Robinson resigned. 

Surveyors-General.— ?h\\\-p Schuyler, March 30, 1781; Simeon De 
Witt, May 13, 1784; Simeon De Witt, February 8, 1833; Orville L. 
Holley, February 5, 1838. 

State Eiioiiieers and Surveyors. — William J. McAlpine, November 4, 
1851; Sylvanus H. Sweet, November 4, 1873; Elnathan Sweet, No- 
vember, 1883. 

Canal Commissioners.— 'Aie-^hen Van Rensselaer, April 17, 1816; Asa 
Whitney, February 23, 1840; Stephen Clark, February 8, 1842; Stephen 
Clark, November 4, 1844; Charles H. Sherrill, Novembers, 1856. 

State Senators. — There have been many changes in the senatorial 
divisions of this State. Under the first Constitution the Senate con- 
sisted of twenty -four members apportioned among four large districts. 
An additional senator was to be added whenever it was shown by a 
septennial census, that the number of electors in a district had increased 
one twenty-fourth, continuing thus until the number reached one 
hundred. The census of 1795 made the number forty-three. This 
arrangement was soon proven to be unequal in its operation and in 1801 
the Constitution was amended so as to fix the number of senators at 
thirty-two, which number remained unchanged until the Constitution 
of 1894 went into effect, January 1, 1895. The Constitution of 1821 
divided the State into eight senatorial districts, each of which was enti- 
tled to four senators, one being elected each year for a term of four 
years. Under the Constitution of 1846 the State was divided into thirty- 
two districts, in each of which a senator was elected each odd year. 
Albany coiinty formerly constituted the 13th district, later the 17th, 
and finally the 19th. By the Constitution of 1894, the State was divided 
into fifty senatorial districts, of which Albany county composes the 
29th. The senators chosen in 1895 hold office for three years while 



their successors are to be chosen for but two years. Following- is a list 
of Senators from this county: 

Abraham Yates, jr. , 1777-90 ; Dirck W. Ten Broeck, 1777-78 ; Anthony Van Schaick, 
1777-78; Rinier Mynderse, 1777-78. (The first session of the legislature assembled 
at Kingston m September, 1777, but was soon driven out by British troops. The 
second meeting was held in Poughkeepsie beginning January 15, 1778.) Rinier 
Mynderse, 1778-81; Dirck W. Ten Broeck, 1778-83; Philip Schuyler, 1781-84, 1786- 
88, 1793-97; Henry Oothoudt, 1782-85; Volkert P. Douw, 1786-93; Peter Schuyler, 
1787-92; Leonard Gansevoort, 1791-93,1797-1802; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 1791-95'; 
Anthony Ten Eyck. 1797-1801; Anthony Van Schaick, 1797-1800; Abraham Van 
Vechten, 1798-1805, 1816-19; Francis Nicoll, 1797-98; John Sanders, 1799-1802; 
Stephen Lush, 1801-2; Simon Veeder, 1804-7; John Veeder, 1806-9- Joseph c' 
Yates, 1806-8; Charles E. Dudley, 1830-35; John McCarty, 1827-30; Peter Gansvoort, 
1833-6; Friend Humphrey, 1840-1; Ira Harri.s, 1847; Valentine Tredwell, 1848-49; 
Azor Taber, 1853-53; Clarkson F.' Crosby, 1854-55; John W. Harcourt, 1856-57; 
George Y. Johnson, 1858-59; Andrew J. Colvin, 1860-61; John V. L. Pru'yn, 1862- 
63; Lorenzo D. Collins, 1866-67; A. B. Banks, 1868-69, 1870-71; Charles H. Adam~s 
1872-73; Jesse C. Dayton, 1874^75; Hamilton Harris, 1876-79; Waters W. Braman,' 
1880-81; Abraham Lansing, 1883-83; John B. Thacher, 1884-85; Amasa J. Parker^ 
jr., 1886-7; 1888-9, Henry Russell ; 1890-91, Norton Chase; 1892-5, Amasa J. Parker - 
Myer Nussbaum, 1895-8. 

Members of Assembly.— i:\\e State Assembly originally consisted of 
seventy members, which could be increased one with every seventieth 
increase in the number of electors, until it reached 300 members. 
When the constitution was amended in ISOl the number had reached 
108; it was then reduced to 100, with provision for an increase after 
each census at the rate of two annually until the number reached 150. 
The constitution of 1831 fixed the number permanently at 128, but the 
number was increased by the Constitution of 1894 to the present num- 
ber, 150, each of whom is elected, as has always been the case, for one 
year. Under the various apportionments since 1801 Albany county has 
had in 1803, six members; in 1815, four; in 1833, three; since that year 
it has had four members. 

The representatives from Albany in the Colonial Assembly were as 
follows : 

1691-93, Dirck Wessels, Levinus Van Schaick; 1693-95, Dirck Wessels Ryer 
Jacobs; 1695-98, John Abeel, Dirck Wessels; 1698 (May and June), Jan Jansen 
Bleker, Ryer Schermerhorn ; 1699-1701, Hendrick Hansen, Jan Jansen Bleker Ryer 
bchermerhorn ; 1701-02, Dirck Wessels, Ryer Schermerhorn, Myndert Schuyler 
John Abeel, Johannis Bleker, Hendrick Hansen; 1702-04, John Abeel Myndert 
Schuyler, Evert Banker; 1705-06, Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler, Peter ^■an 
Bruggen; 1708-09, Johannis Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, Myndert Schuyler; 1709 



136 

(April to November), Myndert Schuyler, Johannis Cuyler, Robert Livingston; 1710- 
11. Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Schuyler, Robert Livingston; 1711-12, Robert Liv- 
ingston, jr., Johannis Cuyler, Johannis Schuyler; 1713-14, Robert Livingston, jr., 
Myndert Schuyler, Peter Van Brugh; HI.'), Johannis Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, 
Karel Han.sen; 1716-36, John Cuyler, Hendrick Hansen, Karel Hansen, Myndert 
Schuyler; 1726-27, Myndert Schuyler, Ryer Garretsen ; 1727 (September to Novem- 
ber), Johannis Cuyler, Peter Van Brugh ; 1728-37, Philip Schuyler, Myndert Schuy- 
ler, Dirck Ten Broeck; 1737-38, Philip Schuyler, Peter Wiune; 1739^3, Philip 
Schuyler, Peter Winne; 1743-45, Philip Schuyler, Peter Winne; 1745-47, the same; 
1747-50, CoenradtTen Eyck, Peter Douw; 17.50-51, Philip Schuyler, Hans Hansen; 
17.52-58, Peter Winne, Petrus Douw; 17.59-61, Peter Winne, Jacob H. Ten Kyck, 
Volkert P. Douw; 1761-68, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Volkert P. Douw; 1768-09, Jacoli 
H. Ten Eyck. Philip Schuyler; 1769-75, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Philip Schuyler. 

The last session of the General Assembly was held April :?, 1TT.5. 
Ijttring tliis Colonial period of nearly ninety years Rensselaerwyek 
Manor was represented in the Assembly as follows: 

1691-1702, Kilian Van Rensselaer; 1702, Kilian Van Rensselaer and Andries 
Coejemans (Coeymans); 1702-1714, Hendrick (or Henry) Van Rensselaer; 171.5-26, 
Andries Coejemans; 1726-43, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer; 1743-68, John Baptiste Van 
Rensselaer; 1768 to the close, Abraham Ten Broeck. 

Members of the State Assembly have been as follows; 

1777-78, Jacob Cuyler, John Cuyler, jr., James Gordon, Walter Livingston, 
Stephen J. Schuyler, John Tayler, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensselaer, 
Peter Vrooman, William B. Whiting. 

1778-79. Leonard Gansevoort, James Gordon, Walter Livingston, Stephen J. 
Schuyler, John Tayler. Jacobus Teller, Kilian Van Rensselaer, Robert Van Rensse- 
laer, Peter Vrooman, William B. Whiting. 

1779-80. Flores Bancker. John Bay, James Gordon, Cornelius Humphrey, Hugh 
Mitchell, Henry Oothoudt, Henry Ouackenbos, Isaac ^'rooman, William B. Whiting, 
Phineas Whiteside. 

1780-81, Matthew Adgate, John Ja. Beekman, James Gordon, John Lansing, jr., 
Peter R. Livingston, Dirck Swart, John Tayler, John \'an Rensselaer, jr., Robert 
Van Rensselaer, Isaac Vrooman. 

1781-82, Mathew Adgate, Jacob Ford, Philip Frisbie. John Lansing, jr., George 
Palmer, Dirck Swart. Samuel Ten Broeck, Israel Thompson, Isaac Vrooman. Ed- 
mund Wells. 

1782-83, Matthew Adgate, John H. Beekman, John Ja. Beekman, Jacob Ford, 
John Lansing, jr., Dirck Swart. Jamuel Ten Broeck, Peter \'an Ness. Christopher 
Yates, John Younglove. 

1784, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Becker, Abraham Cuyler. Jacob Ford. James 
Gordon, John Lansing, jr., Peter Schuyler, Dirck Swart, Peter Van Ness, Christo- 
pher Yates. 

1784-85, Matthew Adgate, Abraham Becker, Jacob Ford, Walter Livingston, Dirck 
Swart, Israel Thompson, Matthew Visscher, Christopher Yates, Peter W. Yates, 
John Younglove. 



127 

1786, Leonard Bronck, Henry Glen, James Gordon, Lawrence Hogebouni. John 
Lansing, jr., John Livingston, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, John Tayler, Abraliam J. 
Van Alstyne, Peter Vrooman. 

1787, Leonard Bronck, Henry Glen, James Gordon, John Lansing, jr., John Liv- 
ingston, William Powers, Thomas Sickles, John Tayler, Matthew Visscher, Peter 
Vrooman. 

1788, Leonard Ganesvoort, James Gordon, Thomas Sickles, J. De Peyster Ten 
Eyck, Dirck Van lugen, Hezekiah Van Orden, John Younglove. 

1788-89, John Duncan, John Lansing, jr., John Thompson, Cornelius Van Dyck, 
Henry K. Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, John Younglove. 

1789-90, Leonard Bronck, James Gordon, Richard Sill, Henry K. Van Rensselaer, 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, Cornelius Van Van Veghten, John Younglove. 

1791, Sidney Berry, Leonard Bronck, Jonathan Brown, John W. Schermerhorn, 
Richard Sill, Jacobus Van Schoonhoven, Cornelius A. Van Slyck. 

1792, Jellis A. Fonda, Stephen Lush, David McCarty, Francis Nicoll, William 
North, John Ten Broeck, Henry Ten Eyck. 

1792-93. Leonard Bronck, Johannis Deitz, Jellis A. Fonda, Stephen Lush, Francis 
Nicoll, John Ten Broeck, Cornelius A. Van Slyck. 

1794, Johannis Deitz, Jellis A. Fonda, Theodorus V. W. Graham, Jacob Hoch- 
stra.sser, Thomas Hun, William North, Stephen Piatt. 

17J5, Johannis Deitz, Leonard Ganesvoort, jr., Jacob Hochstrasser, Thomas Hun, 
William North, Stephen Piatt, Andries Van Patten. 

1796, Gerrit Abeel, Leonard Bronck, Johannis Deitz, Jacob Hochstrasser, Francis 
Nicoll, William North, Dirck Ten Broeck. 

1796-97, James Bill, Philip Conine, jr., James C. Duane, Jacob Hochstrasser, 
James Holcomb, Nathaniel Ogden, John Prince, Philip P. Schuyler. Dirck Ten 
Broeck, John H. Wendell, 

1798, Thomas E. Barker, Johan Jost Deitz, Andrew N. Heermance, Nathaniel 
Ogden, John Prince, Philip P. Schuyler, Dirck Ten Broeck, Joel Thompson, John H. 
Wendell. Peter West. 

1798-99, Thomas E. Barker, James Bill, Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, Andrew 
N. Heermance, Jeremiah Lansingh, Philip P. Schuyler, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck Ten 
Broeck. * 

^1800, James Bill, Philip Conine, jr., Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, 
Francis Nicoll, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck Ten Broeck, Jacob Winne. 

1800-01, John Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, Joseph Shurtleff, Dirck 
'I'en Broeck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Peter West, Jacob Winne. 

18(12, Johan Jost Deitz, Prince Doty, John V. Henry, Peter S. Schuyler, Joseph 
Shurleff, Dirck Ten Broeck, Jacob Ten Eyck, Peter West. 

1803, Johan Jost Deitz, John Frisby, Stephen Lush, Maus Schermerhorn, Peter S. 
Schuyler, Jacob Ten Eyck. 

1804, John Beekman, jr., Johan Jost Deitz. James Emott, Maus Schermerhorn, 
Peter S. Schuyler, Moses Smith. 

[^1805-06, David Burhans, Adam Deitz, jr., Stephen Lush, Nicholas V. Mynderse, 
Joseph Shurtleff, Moses Smith. 

1806, David Burhans, Asa Colvard, Adam Deitz, jr., Stephen Lush, Joseph Shurt- 
leff, Abraham Van Vechten. 



128 

1807, David Bogardus, Asa Colvard, Johan Jost Deitz, Daniel Hale, Joseph 
Shurtleff, Jacob Veeder. 

1808, John Brown, Johan Jost Deitz, Jonathan Jenkins, Stephen Van Rensselaer, 
Abraham Van Vechten, Jacob Veeder. 

1808-9, John Brown. John H. Burhans, Jonathan Jost Deitz, Jonathan Jenkins, 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten. 

1810, John Colvin, Abel French, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Abraham Van Vechten. 

1811, Asa Colvard, David Delong, Jonathan Jost Deitz, Abraham Van Vechten. 

1812, Asa Colvard, Jesse Tayler, Abraham Van Vechten, John G. Van Zandt. 
1812-13, David Bogardus, John Gibbons, Elishama Janes, Abraham Van Vechten. 
1814, Harmaniis Bleecker, Johan Jost Deitz, Moses Smith, John L. AVinne. 
1814-15, Harraanus Bleecker, Sylvester Ford, Jesse Tyler, John D. Winne. 

1816, Michael Freligh, John 1. Ostrander, John Schoolcraft, Jesse Smith. 
1816-17, John H. Burhans, John I. Ostrander, Gideon Tabor, Rufus Watson. 

1818, William A. Duer, James Sackett, Gideon Tabor, Stephen Van Rensselaer. 

1819, William A. Duer, William H. Houghtaling, Cornelius H. Waldron, John 
Van Ness Yates. 

1820, Asa Colvard, James McKown, Peter S. Schuyler, Stephen Willes. 
1820-31, Gerrit Hogan, James McKown, Moses Smith. Stephen Willes. 

1822, James McKown, William McKown, Volkert D. Oothoudt, John P. Shear. 
. 1823, Abraham Brooks. Jesse Buel, Abraham Rosecrantz. 

1824, Archibald Stephens, John Stillwell, Jesse Wood. 

1825, George Batterman, Samuel S. Lush, Stephen Willes. 

1826, Samuel S. Lush, Andrew Ten Eyck, Malachi Whipple. 

1827, Isaac Hamilton, John Haswell, Henry Stone. 

1828, Benjamin F. Butler, William N. Sill, David I. D. Verplank. 

1829, James D. Gardner, Moses Stanton. Chandler Starr. 

1830, Peter Gansevoort, Samuel S. Lush, Erastus Williams. 

1831, Peter Gansevoort, Wheeler Watson, Peter W. Winne. 

1832, Abijah C. Disbrow, Philip Lennebacker, William Seymour. 

1833, Edward Livingston, Jacob Settle, Israel Shear. 

1834, Aaron Livingston, Barent P. Staats, Prentice Williams, jr. 

1835, Edward Livingston, Henry G. Wheaton, David G. Seger, Tobias T. E. 
Waldron. 

183(5, Daniel Dorman, John C. Schuyler. William Seymour. 

1837, Richard Kimmey, Edward Livingston, Abraham Verplanck. 

1838, Daniel D. Barnard. Edmund Raynsford, Paul Settle. 

1839, John Davis, James S. Lowe, Rufus Watson. 

1840, Frederick Bassler, jr., Peter Flagler, Henry G. Wheaton. 

1841, Aaron Hotaling, Francis Lansing. Henry G. Wheaton. 

1842, John A. Dix, Cornelius G. Palmer. Jonas Shear. 

1843, Willis Hall, Aaron Van Schaack, John I. Slingerland. 

1844, Levi Shaw Samuel Stevens, Simon Veeder. 

1845, Clarkson F. Crosby, Ira Harris, Leonard Litchfield. 

1846, Ira Harris, Thomas L. Shafer, Robert D. Watson. 

1847, John Fuller, John I. Gallup, Valentine Tredwell, Robert D. Watson. 



12!) 

184S, Edward S. Willett, Frederick Mathias, Robert H. Pruyn, Henry A. Brigham. 

1849, Hiram Barber, David Van Auken, Robert H. Pruyn, Joel A. Wing. 

1850, Cornelius Vanderzee, Joel B. Nott, Robert H. Pruyn, William S. Shepard. 

1851, Robert Babcock, Adam I. Shultes, Hamilton Harris, Eh Perry. 

1852, Hugh Swift, George M. Sayles, Teunis Van Vechten, jr., Robert Harper. . 

1853, William P. Malburn, John Reid, William W. Forsyth, Thomas Kearney. 

1854, S. M. Hollenbeck, I. W. Chesebro, Robert H. Pruyn, Archibald A. Dunlop. 
1.S55, Pryse Campbell, Martin J. Blessing, Alexander Davidson, J. B. Van Etten. 
1S,")0, Isaac Whitbeck, Jackson King, Henry Jenkins, James Brady. 

1857, Richard Kimmey, Adam Van Allen, John Evers, Franklin Townsend. 

1858, Dwight Batcheller, George Wolford, C. W. Armstrong, Charles H. Adams. 

1859, Henry Creble, Morgan L. Filkins, William A. Young, Lorenzo D. Collins. 

1860, John I. Slmgerland, Stephen Merselis, jr., Samuel W. Gibbs, Lorenzo D. 
Collins. 

1801, lay Gibbons, Lewis Benedict, jr., Henry Lansing, William J. Wheeler. 

1802, John Vanderzee, Willet Searles, Almerin J. Cornell, A. Bleecker Banks, 
William Doyle. 

1863, William J. Snyder, John Cutler, Henry L. Wait, William L. Oswald. 

1864, Harris Parr, Morgan L. Filkins, Thomas McCarty, William L. Oswald. 

1865, Harmon H. Vanderzee, Oliver M. Hungerford, Ale.xander Robertson, Mi- 
chael A. Nolan. 

1866, William Aley, Lyman Tremain, Clark B. Cochrane, James F. Crawford. 

1867, Hugh Conger, Henry Smith, Alexander Robertson, Oscar F. Potter. 

1868, John C. Chism, Francis H. Woods, Jackson A, Sumner, Theodore Van Valk- 
enburgh. 

1869, Hugh Conger, Adam W. Smith, John M. Kimball, John Tighe. 

1870, William D. Murphy, Thomas J. Lanahan, Edward D. Ronan, John Tighe. 

1871, William D. Murphy, Robert C. Blackall, Edward Coyle, William D. Sun- 
derlin. 

1872, Stephen Springstead, Henry Smith, Daniel L. Babcock, George B. Mosher. 

1873, Peter Schoonmaker, Henry R. Pierson, John W. Van Valkenburgh, George 
B. Mosher. 

1874, Fred Schififerdecker, Leopold C. G. Kshinka, Terence J. Ouinn, Waters W, 
Braman. 

1875, Peter Slingerland, Leopold C. G, Kshinka, Francis W. Vosburgh, Waters W. 
Braman. 

1876, Peter Slingerland, Thomas D. Coleman, William J. Maher, Alfred Le Roy. 

1877, John Sager, Jonathan R. Herrick, William J, Maher, Edward Curran. 

1878, Hiram Griggs, John N. Foster, James T. Story, Edward Curran. 

1879, Hiram Griggs, Charles R. Knowles, Thomas H. Greer, W. W. Braman. 

1880, William H. Slingerland, Hiram Griggs, Ignatius Wiley, Joseph Hynes, 
Thomas Liddle. 

1881, Miner Gallup, Andrew S. Draper, Aaron B. Pratt, George Campbell. 

1882, Michael J. Gorman, Aaron Fuller, Amasa J. Parker, jr., John McDonough. 

1883, Daniel P. Winne, Warren S. Kelley, Edward A. Maher, Joseph Delahanty. 

1884, John Zimmerman, Hiram Becker, Edward A. Maher, James Forsyth, jr. 

17 



130 

1885, Stephen H. Niles, Lansing Hotaling, Patrick Murray, Terence I. Hardin. 

1886, John Bowe, Smith O'Brien, Norton Chase, Terence I. Hardin. 

1887, Horace T. Devereux, Vreeland H. Youngman, William J. Hill, John T. 
Gorman. 

1888, Frederick W. Conger, Vreeland H. Youngman, William J. Hill, John T. 
Gorman. 

1889, Jervis L. Miller, Vreeland H. Youngman, Galen R. Hitt, William Burton 
Le Roy. 

1890, Galen R. Hitt, William B. Le Roy, Michael J. Ni.lan. William B. Page. 

1891, John T. Gorman, Galen R. Hitt, Michael J. Nolan. Walter E. Ward. 
1893, John T. Gorman, Galen R. Hitt, Artcher La Grange, Walter E. Ward. 

1893, Howard P. Foster, James Hilton, Myer Nussbaura, George S. Rivenburgh. 

1894, James Brennan, Curtis N. Douglas, William Lasch, William A. Carroll. 

1895, Amos J. Ablett, James Keenholts, Frank Blooraingdale, Jacob L. Ten Eyck. 

1896, Amos J. Ablett, James Keenholts, George T. Kelly, Robert G. Sherer. 

County Treasurers. — Previous to the adoption of the constitution of 
1846, treasurers were appointed by the various Boards of Supervisors, 
and the board is still authorized to fill vacancies in that office. Since and 
including the year 1848, treasurers have been elected. In Albany 
county they have been as follows: 1848, James Kidd; 1851, Cornelius 
Ten Broeck; 1854, Richard J. Grant; 1857, Adam Van Allen ; 18G0, 
Thomas Kearney; 1866, Steven V. Frederick; 1869, Alexander Ken- 
edy; 1872, Nathan D. Wendell; 1878, Henry Kelly; 1881, Albert Gal- 
lup; 1884, John Battersby, re-elected in 1887; 1890-07, John Bowe; 
1807-1900, Edward Barkley.^ 



CIIAI'TKR XII. 

JUDICIARY AND BAR OF ALBANY COUNTY. 

In the earliest years of the Dutch and English settlements in Amer- 
ica, the constituted authorities were invested with broad powers; but 
these could be exercised only within the restrictions of the laws of tlic 
mother country. By the terms of its charter 'the West India Company 
wa.s supreme, and all power was vested in the Director-General and 
Council, who were to be governed by the Dutch (Roman) law, the iin- 
perial statutes of Charles V and the edicts, resolutions and customs of 

' For all Court officers see next chapter. 




MATTHEW HALE. 



131 

the United Netherlands, in all cases not otherwise provided for. The 
Dutch at home were governed by a league of commercial guilds, rep- 
resented in the States-General, that the organized interests of each 
chiss of people might be protected. The principle of conserving the 
ancient and vested rights of all the people as against any portion 
thereof, even a majority, and as against a government itself, was the 
foundation principle of the Dutch provincial authority on this side of 
the water, as well as in the mother country, and distinguished it from 
any of the English colonies. 

It was not until 1624, a year before the accession of Charles I and 
the beginning of the second period of the Thirty Years War, that gov- 
ernment was actually established in New Netherland. In 1629 the 
manorial system was introduced, as we have fully described it. While 
the Patroons were invested with the powers and privileges of feudal 
barons, no political or judicial change could be introduced without con- 
sent of the home government. In Massachusetts the Puritans were 
then just beginning to organize a government having in view as a 
principal object "the propagation of the gospel." That was the 
parent colony of New England. The colonists on the Connecticut 
River were first governed by commissioners appointed by the General 
Court of Massachusetts. In 1637 delegates from the three towns of 
Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield were associated with the commis- 
sioners and in 1639 a written constitution was adopted under which all 
freemen of the three towns were made equal before the law. In June, 
1639, the government of the colony of New Haven was organized, the 
Bible was declared to be the constitution and none but church mem- 
bers were admitted to citizenship, the government being vested in 
seven men called Pillars. 

In 1638 and 1640 the privileges of the Patroons were considerably 
abridged, while those of free settlers were correspondingly extended. 
Wherever the people settled in sufficient numbers the West India Com- 
pany was bound to give them a local government, the officers to be 
appointed by the Director-General and Council, as in the Netherlands. 

Upon the breaking out of the Indian war in 1641, Director Kieft was 
seriously alarmed and invited all masters and heads of families resid- 
ing in New Amsterdam and its vicinity to assemble in the fort on 
August 38. That was the first official recognition of the existence of 
"the people" in New Netherland. The freemen assembled and ob- 
tained something of the rights enjoyed by other colonists around them. 



132 

They expressed themselves on the questions submitted to them and 
then appointed Twelve Men to represent them. These were as fol- 
lows: 

David Pietersen de Vries, president; Jacques Bentyn, Jan Jansen Dam, Hendrick 
Jansen, Maryn Adriaensen, Abram Pietersen (the miller), Frederick Lubbertsen, 
Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Gerrit Dircksen, George Rapalje. Abram Planck, Jacob 
Stoffelsen, Jan Evertsen Bout, Jacob Walingen. 

They complained to Kieft of the arbitrary constitution of the gov- 
ernment and asked that such reforms be introduced as should prevent 
taxation of the country in absence of the Twelve; also, that four men 
be chosen from the Twelve each year who should have access to the 
Council. Thus they sought representation by the people. Kieft prom- 
ised these reforms, and then reminded them that they were called to- 
gether simply to consider how to escape the vengeance of the Indians. 

The issue thus raised was a natural one. These men were asking- 
only for the Dutch system, which had been perfectly satisfactory to 
them at home. When, in 1643, the Indian troubles and complications 
with the English had reached ominous proportions, Kieft again called 
the freemen together and requested them " to elect five or six persons 
from among themselves " to consider propositions to be made by the 
Director and Council, a representative body for the enactment of laws 
was instituted. The people preferred to leave the selection of the 
representatives to the director, asking only the right to reject an un- 
desirable nomination. The Eight Men were then elected. The cer- 
tificate of the election is on record signed by twenty- eight freemen. 
The Eight Men were as follows : 

Cornelis Melyn, president, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Jan Jansen Dam, ' Barent 
Dircksen, Abram Pietersen, the miller, Isaac AUerton, Thomas Hall, Gerrit Wolph- 
ertsen (van Couwenhoven), Jan Evertsen Bout, - Jacob Stoffelsen, John Underhill, 
Francis Douty, George Baxter, Richard Smith, Gysbert Opdyck, Jan Evertsen Bout, 
Oloff Stevensen van Cortlandt. 

This body of men assembled September 15 and passed upon impor- 
tant questions of war and performed other legislative acts. 

Complaints from the colonists continued and were finally referred to 
the home Chamber of Accounts, which reported in March, IG-iS, sus- 
taining the complainants, and approving the organization of villages 
after the manner of the English. 

The Patroon's charter of 1629, extended in HUO, authorized the 

' Expelled September 1.5. = In place of Dam, e.-ipelled. 



133 

colony to appoint Duputies to inform the Director and Council of their 
condition when necessary. It was now suggested that these deputies 
should, at the summons of the Director-General, hold an assembly 
every six months for the general welfare and to deliberate on impor- 
tant affairs. Kieft was recalled in December, 1044. The Commission- 
ers of the Assembly of the XIX of the General Privileged West India 
Company acted on the report alluded to in their instructions to the 
Director and Counsel of July 7, 1045. The Council was to consist of 
"the Director as president, his vice-president and the Fiscal." In 
cases in which the Advocate- fiscal appeared as Attorney-General, civil 
or criminal, the military commandant was to sit in his stead. If the 
charge was criminal, three persons were to be associated from the 
commonalty of the district where the crime was committed. The Su- 
preme Council was the sole body "by whom all occurring affairs re- 
lating to police, justice, militia, the dignity and just rights of the Com- 
pany " were to be decided; it was an executive, administrative, and 
also a judicial body. 

When Petrus vStuyvesant arrived (May 27, 1047,) he set about re- 
storing the disordered government with vigor. Besides inaugurating 
new and stringent regulations in many directions, he ordered an elec- 
tion of eighteen men, from whom he selected Nine as " Interlocutors 
and Trustees of the Commonalty," or "Tribunes" of the people. These 
Nine Men were to hold Courts of Arbitration Weekly and to give ad- 
vice to the Director and Council. They were appointed September 25, 
1047, and were as follows: 

1G4T, Augustine Heerman, Arnoldus van Hardenburgh, Govert Loockermans, 
merchants; Jan Jansen Dam, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Jacob Wolphertsen van 
Couwenhoven, burghers; Michael Jansen, Jan Evertsen Bout, Thomas Hal!, farmers. 

1G49, Adriaen van der Donck, president; Augustine Heerman, Arnoldus van 
Hardenburgh, Govert Loockermans, Oloff Stevensen van Cortland, Hendrick Hen- 
dricksen Kip, Michael Jansen, Elbert Elbertsen (Stoothof), Jacob Wolphertsen van 
Couwenhoven. 

1050, (iloff Stevensen van Cortland, president; Augustine Heerman, Jacob van 
Couwenhoven, Elbert Elbertsen, Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, Michael Jansen, 
Thomas Hall, Govert Loockermans, J. Evertsen Bout. 

1653, David Provost, William Beeckraan, Jacobus van Curler, AUard Anthon)-, 
Isaac de Forest, Arent van Hattem, Jochim Pietersen Kuyter, Paulus Leendertsen 
van der Grist, Peter Cornelissen, miller. 

Three of the Nine in each year were taken from the merchants, three 
from the burghers, and three from the farmers, thus continuing the 
old Netherland .system. 



The colony now became the scene of a prolonged contest and numer- 
ous lengthy petitions went from the colonists to the States-General for 
a burgher government and other changes. The burgher government 
was finally granted in 1653. Burgomasters had been in power in Hol- 
land since the fourteenth century, and it was contemplated by the 
States-General that they should be elected by the burghers in New 
Amsterdam. But the Director and Council assumed the right to ap- 
point them and exercised it until 1658, when a double number were 
nominated, from whom the Director and Council selected the members 
for the ensuing year. These Burgomasters were ex-officio rulers of the 
city and continued until 1674. 

Local officers, or inferior courts, with limited jurisdiction were au- 
thorized in various villages from time to time. As far as related to the 
Van Rensselaer Manor, the patroon was invested with power to ad- 
minister civil and criminal justice in person or by deputy; to api)oint 
local officers and magistrates; to erect courts and take cognizance of all 
crimes committed within his domain; to keep a gallows,' if required, 
for the execution of criminals. One of the lesser degrees of punish- 
ment was "banishment from the colonic;" another was corporal pun- 
ishment. In civil cases of all kinds between the Patroon and his 
tenants, these courts had jurisdiction, and from their judgments m 
matters affecting life and limb and in suits where more than $20 was 
involved, appeal could be taken to the Director-General and Council, 

The government itself was vested in a General Court which exer- 
cised executive, legislative, or municipal and judicial functions, and 
which was composed of two Commissaries and two Councilors, who 
correspond to modern justices of the peace. Adjoined to this court 
were a Colonial Secretary, a Sheriff (or Schout- Fiscal) and a Court 
Messenger or Constable. Each of these received a small salary. The 
magistrates of the "colonic" held office one year, the court appoint- 
ing their successors or continuing those already in ofifice. 

The most important of these officials was the Schout-Fiscal, who was 
bound by instructions received from the Patroon. No man in the 
"colonic" was subject to loss of life or property unless under sen- 
tence of a court composed of five persons, and all persons accused were 
entitled to a speedy trial. The public prosecutor was especially warned 

an execution, a new one could not be built, except tor hanicinji another criminal . 



135 

not to receive presents or bribes, nor to be interested in trade or com- 
merce, directly or indirectly. He was paid a fixed salary, with a 
dwelling free, and given all fines amounting to ten guilders or under, 
and a third of all forfeitures over that sum. 

Jacob Albertsen Planck was the first sheriff of Rensselaerwyck. 
Arendt Van Curler, who came over as assistant commissary, was soon 
afterward appointed commissary-general, or superintendent of the 
"colonie. " Brant Peelen, Gerrit de Reus, Cornelis Teunissen van 
Brceckelen, Pieter Cornelissen van Munickendam, and Dirck Jansen 
were, if not the first, at least among the earliest magistrates of the 
settlement at Fort Orange. 

Governor Dongan's report to the Committee of Trade, dated Febru- 
ary 23, 1687, has the following information that is pertinent here: 

There is likewise in New York and Albany a Court of Mayor and Aldermen held 
once in every fortnight, from whence their can be noe appeal unless the cause of 
action bee above the value of Twenty Pounds, who have likewise priviledges to 
make bylaws for ye regulation of their own affairs as they think fitt, soe as the same 
be approved of by ye Gov'r and Council. 

Their Mayor, Recorders, town-clerks and Sheriffs are appointed by the Governor. 

The mayor, recorder and aldermen of the city of Albany, or any 
three of them, were, in 1686, r.v officio members of the old Court of 
Common Pleas, acting when there was no judge present. On May 27, 
1691, Peter Schuyler was appointed presiding judge of that court; on 
May 37, 1703, he was succeeded by John Abeel, who served only until 
October, when Mr. Schuyler was reappointed and served for fifteen 
years. He was succeeded December 33, 1717, by Kilian Van Rensse- 
laer, who presided until 1726, when Rutger Bleecker succeeded to the 
office. In 1733 Ryer Gerritsen was appointed, and served to Novem- 
ber 38, 1749, when he was succeeded by Robert Sanders. This court 
convened on the 5th day of April, 1750. Present — 

Robert Sanders, Sybr't G. Van Schaick esqr's, judges; John Beekman, Leonard 
A. Gansevoort, Robert Roseboom, assistants. 

At the Court of Common Pleas held at the City Hall in Albany, ( )c- 
tober o, 1759, \'olkert P. Douw was one of the judges; this is the 
first time his name appears in the records as an occupant of the bench. 
He presided until January, 1771, and was succeeded by Rensselaer 
NicoUs. The colonial Court of Common Pleas held regular terms 
until 1776, when it was dissolved under the influence of the animating 
spirit of independence. Its last presiding judge was Henry Bleecker, 



130 

and its last term began January 19, 177U. Judge Volkert P. Douw 
was commissioned first judge of the Albany County Court of Common 
Pleas January 6, 1778. The later list under the heading of County 
Court shows the other incumbents of the office. 

Among the prominent lawyers of the colonial time were Richard 
Gansvoort, A. .Sylvester, Robert Yates, Peter W. Yates, and a Mr. 
Corry, of whom the Yates brothers had a large amount of practice for 
those days. 

On the 1st of January, 1785, the terms of the Supreme Court were 
directed to be held at Albany on the last Tuesday of July and the 
third Tuesday in October. Therefore, the first term of that court 
ever held in Albany convened on the last Tuesday of July, of that 
year, with Hon. Richard Morris, who had been appointed chief justice 
in place of John Jay, presiding. 

With the accession of the English a new order of judicial administra- 
tion came into existence. There was the Court of Assizes, which was 
established under the Duke's Laws at Hempstead in 1665. This court 
was composed of the governor, members of the council, high sheriff, 
and such justices of the peace as might attend. It sat in New York 
and only once a year, but special terms could be called, _ Its jurisdic- 
tion extended over all criminal matters, and in civil cases where the 
value of ^20 or more was involved. This court was abolished in 1683. 

In 1683 an act was passed " to settle Courts of Justice," which ordered 
the holding of a Court of Oyer and Terminer in the respective counties 
of the province, composed of one judge, assisted by four justices of the 
peace in each county. In New York city and the city of Albany, the 
mayor, recorder, and four aldermen were associated with the judge. 
This court had jurisdiction over all capital criminal causes, and appel- 
late jurisdiction where jC,h or more was involved. The authority for 
holding the court was derived from the governor; the court was abol- 
ished in 1691. Courts of Sessions and Justices' Courts were also con- 
tinued and a Court of Chancery established. The Court of Sessions 
was ordered to be held in New York four times, in Albany three times, 
and in the other ten counties twice in each year. In New York the 
court was composed of the mayor and four aldermen; in Albany of the 
mayor and the justices of the peace. All cases civil and criminal were 
determined by it, with a jury; but actions involving ^5 or more could, 
upon application, be removed to the Court of Oyer and Terminer. 

In 1086, when Albany city was incorporated, a Mayor's Court was 



L37 

established, which was composed of the mayor, recorder and four alder- 
men, associated with the judge in holding the Court of Oyer and Term- 
iner. It is believed that this court possessed the functions of a Court 
of Sessions. 

The Court of Chancery was founded, with the governor or his a])- 
pointee as chancellor, assisted by the council. This court expired by 
limitation in 1698, but was revived by ordinance August 28, 1701; it 
was suspended June 13, 1703, and finally re-established November 7, 

1704. It ceased its existence in July, 1817, under the new constitu- 
tion. It was an equity court and by the second constitution equity 
powers were vested in the circuit judge, subject to the appellate juris- 
diction of the chancellor. 

Albany county men who held the office of master of the Colonial 
Court of Chancery were John Abeel and Evert P. Banker, October 13, 

1705, and P. P. Schuyler, 1768. 

Chancellors of the State Court of Chancery who resided in Albany 
were John Lansing, jr., October 31, 1801; James Kent, October 25, 
1814; Reuben H. Walworth, April 22, 1838. 

The third judicial system was organized in 1691 and continued 
through the colonial period. In that year the Court for the Correction 
of Errors and Appeals was founded, consisting of the Governor and 
Council. Appeals lay to this court from any judgment exceeding in 
value ^100, which amount was increased in 1753 to ;^300. 

By the 32d article of the constitution of 1777 a Court for the Trial of 
Impeachments and Correction of Errors was provided for, to consist of 
the president of the Senate for the time being, the senators, chancellor 
and judges of the Supreme Court, or a majority of them. The im- 
peachment functions of this court were directed against corrupt con- 
duct by State officials. In the correction of errors, appeals were al- 
lowed to it from the Court of Chancery, Supreme Court, and Court of 
Probate. This court was continued under the constitution of 1831, 
with slight change, but was abolished by the constitution of 1846. Its 
powers and duties were then conferred upon a new court, the Court 
for the Trial of Impeachments, as far as that feature of the former 
court was concerned. The new court was composed of the president 
of the Senate, the senators, or a majority of them, and the judges of 
the Court of Appeals, or a majority of them. When summoned this 
court is held in Albany. The Court for the Trial of Impeachments 
and Correction of Errors, as far as the correction of errors is concerned 



138 

was succeeded by our Court of Appeals, which was organized under 
the constitution of 1846. As first formed it consisted of eight judges, 
four of whom were chosen by the electors for a term of eight years, 
and four were selected from the class of the Supreme Court justices 
having the shortest term to serve. The judge elected who had the 
shortest term to serve, acted as chief judge. This court was reorgan- 
ized by the convention of 1867-8, the article relating to the judiciary 
being ratified by the people in 1869. By that article this court con- 
sisted of a chief judge and six associate judges, who hold office ff)r 
terms of fourteen years. The new article also provided for a Commis- 
sion of Appeals, composed of four judges of this court in office when 
the article went into effect, and a fifth commissioner. Their term was 
three years and they selected their chief. This commission served un- 
til 1875, for the relief of its sister court. 

In 1888, the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution that section 
6 of article 6 of the constitution be amended so that upon the certifi- 
cate of the Court of Appeals to the governor of such an accumulation 
of causes on the calendar of the Court of Appeals, that the public in- 
terests required a more speedy disposition thereof, the governor may 
designate seven justices of the Supreme Court to act as associate judg- 
es for the time being, of the Court of Appeals, and to form a second 
division of that court, and to be dissolved by the governor when the 
said causes are substantially disposed of. This amendment was sub- 
mitted to the people of the State at the general election of that year 
and was ratified, and in accordance therewith the governor selected 
seven Supreme Court justices, who were constituted the Second Division 
of the Court of Appeals. 

Under the system of 16'Jl were established also the Court of Common 
Pleas and the vSupreme Court. The criminal side of the latter was 
what constituted the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The Supreme 
Court expired by limitation in 1698, was continued by proclamation 
January 19, 1699, and finally by ordinance May 15, 1699. Its powers 
and jurisdiction were broad, but' it was without equity jurisdiction. 
Any case involving ^^SO or more could be commenced in, or returned 
to, it and it could correct errors and revise the judgments of the lower 
courts. Appeals lay from it to the Governor and Council in cases in- 
volving _^100 or more, which amount was, as before stated, increased 
to /,'300 in 1753. The court held four terms annually, sitting in New 
York only. It consisted of five judges, two of whom with the chief 



139 

judge, could act. In November, 1758, a fourth judge was added to 
constitute the acting bench. Persons who had served seven years un- 
der an attorney or had taken a collegiate course and served three years 
apprenticeship, were granted license to practice in this court by the 
governor. The first constitution recognized the Supreme Court as it 
then existed. It was reorganized May 3, 1777, but with only slight 
changes. - In 1785 two terms were directed to be held in Albany and 
two in New York each year, and the clerk's office was directed to be 
kept in New York and that of his deputy in AlbanJ^ By an act passed 
April 19, 1786, one or more of the justices of the Supreme Court were 
required to hold during the vacations, and oftener if necessary. Circuit 
Courts in each of the counties of the State, for the trial of all issues 
triable in the respective counties. The proceedings were to be returned 
to the Supreme Court, where they were to be recorded and judgment 
given according to law. On March 10, 1797, the judges were author- 
ized to appoint an additional clerk, with an office in Albany. In 1S07 
another clerk's office was established in Utica. The first rules of the 
court were adopted at the April term in 1796. In the same year a law 
was passed directing this court to designate at its April term one of 
their number to hold a Circuit Court in the western, one in the middle, 
and one in the southern district. An act of February, 1788, provided 
for holding a Court of Oyer and Terminer by the justices at the same 
time with the Circuit. Two or more of the judges and assistant judges 
of the Court of Common Pleas were to sit in the Oyer and Terminer 
with the justices. In the city of Albany the mayor, recorder and al- 
dermen were associated with them. 

. The constitution of 1831 made several important changes in this 
court. For example, it was to sit four times a year in review of its own 
decisions and to determine questions of law; each justice, however, 
could hold circuit courts, as well as the circuit court judges, and any 
justice of the Supreme Court could preside at the Oyer and Terminer. 
The court had power to amend its practice in cases not covered by 
statute and was directed to revise its rules every seven years, to sim- 
plify proceedings, expedite decisions, diminish costs and remedy 
abuses. The judges were appointed by the governer with consent of 
the Senate and held office during good behavior or until sixty years of 
age. Their number was reduced to three and from 1823 they were 
allowed $2,000 each annually; this sum was increased to $2,500 in 1835 
and in 1839 to $3,000. Two of the terms were held at the Capitol in 



140 

Albany. The act of 1691 gave this court cognizance of matters of ex- 
chequer, thus removing the necessity for the Court of Exchequer which 
was established by Governor Dongan in 1685. 

The constitution of 1821 also created a Circuit Court, which was the 
nisi prills or trial court of the Supreme Court. At least two Circuit 
Courts and Courts of Oyer and Terminer were required to be held in 
each county annually, the circuit jvidge presiding. 

The following persons have held the office of circuit judge from Al- 
bany county: William A. Duer, April 21, 1823; James Vanderpoel, 
January 12, 1830; Amasa J. Parker, March 6, 1844. 

The constitution of 1846 abolished the .Supreme Court as it then ex- 
isted and established a new one with general jurisdiction in law and 
equity. The State was divided into eight judicial districts, in each of 
which four justices were elected, except in the first (New York city) 
where five were elected. Albany county was placed in the third dis- 
trict. The term of office was made eight years, but the amended judi- 
ciary article made the term as at present, fourteen years. This court 
possesses the powers and exercises the jurisdiction of the preceding- 
Supreme Court, the Court of Chancery, and the Circuit Court under 
the constitution of 1846 and the judiciary act of May 12, 1847. On 
April 27, 1870, the Legislature abolished the General Terms as then 
existing and divided the State into four departments, providing for 
General Terms to be held in each. The governor designates a presid- 
ing justice and two associate justices for each department to compose 
the General Term. At least two terms of Circuit Court and Court of 
Oyer and Terminer were held annually in each county and as many 
Special Terms as the justices in each department deemed necessary. 
Following are the names of those who have held the office of Supreme 
Court justice and judge of the Circuit Court from Albany: 

Chief Justices front Albany County of the Supreme Court from lyyy to rS^y. — 
Robert Yates, September 38, 1790; John Lansing, jr., February 15, 1798; James 
Kent, July 3, 1804; Smith Thompson, Februarys, 1814; Ambrose Spencer, February 
9, 1819; Greene C. Bronson, March 5, 1845. 

Puisne Justices of the Supreme Court. — Robert Yates, May 8, 1777; John Lan- 
sing, jr., September 38, 1790; Ambrose Spencer, February 3, 1804; Greene C. Bron- 
son, January 6, 1836. 

Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 1S46. — Ira Harris, June 
7, 1847; Elisha P. Hurlbut. June 7, 1847; Malbone Watson, June 7, 1847, and No- 
vember 8, 1853; Amasa J. Parker, June 7, 1847; Ira Harris, November 4, 1851 ; Deo- 
datus Wright, April 20, 1857: Rufus W. Peckham, November 8, 1861; William L. 



141 

Learned, June 21, 1869; Rufus W. Peckham, jr., November 6. 1883; William L. 
Learned, November, 1884; D. Cady Herrick, 1892. 

Judges of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of tSg^. — Appellate Divi- 
sion, b. Cady Herrick, 1896; Trial Term, Alden Chester, 18S16. 

Surrogates. — Courts for the care and administration of estates have 
come down from the first Orphan's Court. Originally the Director- 
General and Council of New Netherland were guardians of widows and 
orphans. It was the duty of church deacons to attend personally to 
these interests and to notify the director of the death of parents. In 
New Amsterdam the burgomasters became cx-officio Orphan Masters 
in 1853, but at their own request they were soon relieved of the duty 
and two special Orphan Masters were appointed. At Fort Orange in 
1052 the Vice-Director was appointed, and in 1657 Jan Verbeck and 
Evert Wendel. 

By the Duke's Laws authority to grant probate of wills was vested in 
the Court of Assizes and Court of Sessions. This duty being a part of 
the royal prerogative, was subsequently reserved to the governor, and 
the Legislature accordingly, on November 11, 1692, passed a law 
directing that all probates and letters of administration be thereafter 
granted by the governor or his delegate, and that two freeholders be 
appointed in each town to have charge of the estates of intestates. 
This method constituted the Prerogative Court. 

In 1778 the Legislature passed a law taking from the governor the 
powers described above and transferring them to the judge of the 
Court of Probates, except in the appointment of surrogates. In 1787 
the appointment of a surrogate in each couuty was authorized, while 
the judge of the Court of Probates continued to hold jurisdiction in 
cases out the State and of non-residents within the State. An act of 
March 10, 1797, provided for holding the Court of Probates in Albany 
and that the judge and clerk should remove the documents here and 
reside here. The court held appellate jurisdiction over the Surrogate's 
Court. It was abolished March 21, 1823. The Albany citizens who 
held the office of judge in this court were as follows: Leonard Ganse- 
voort, April 5, 1799; T. Van Wyck Graham, March 10, 1813; Gerrit Y. 
Lansing, July 8, 1816. 

Under the first constitution surrogates were appointed for an mi- 
limited period by the Council of Appointment. Under the second 
constitution they were appointed by the governf)r and Senate for four 



142 

years, and appeals went up to the chancellor. The constitution of 
1846 abolished the office except in counties having 40,0ii0 population 
or more and transferred its duties to the county judge. In counties 
with more than 40,000, surrogates are elected for six years. The sur- 
rogates of Albany county have been as follows: 

John De Peyster, April 3, 1756: William Hannah, November 18, 1766; Peter 
Lansingh, December 3, 1766; Stephen De Lancey, September 19, 1769; John De 
Peyster, March 23, 1778; Henry Oothoudt, April 4, 1782; John De P. Domv, April 
4, 1782; Abraham G. Lansing, March 13, 1787; Elisha Dorr, April 12, 1808; John H. 
Wendell, March 5, 1810; Richard Lush, June 11, 1811; John H. Wendell, March 3, 
1813; George Merchant, March 17, 1815; Christopher C. Yates, April 19, 1815; 
Ebenezer Baldwin, July 7, 1819; Abraham Ten Eyck, jr., February 19, 1821; 
Thomas A. Brigden, April 11, 1822; Anthony Blanchard, April 9, 1831; Moses 
Patten, February 28, 1840; Anthony Blanchard, February 28. 1844; Lewis Benedict, 
jr., June, 1847; Orville H. Chittenden, November, 1851; James A. McKown, No- 
vember, 1855; Justus Haswell, November, 1859; Israel Lawton, November, 1863; 
Peter A. Rogers, November, 1871; Francis H. Woods, November, 1883; Martin D. 
Conway, 1889; George H. Fitts, 1895. 

County Court. — The act of 1683 directed that a Court of Sessions be 
held by three justices of the peace in each of the tweh-e counties of 
the province, four times annually in New York, three times in Albany, 
and twice in each of the other counties. By the act of 1691 and 
ordinances of 1699, the functions of this court were confined to crim- 
inal matters, while civil cases were transferred to the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas. The latter court was established in New York and Albany 
by the charters of 1686 and a Court of Common Pleas was erected for 
each county by the act of 1691. Composed at first of one judge and 
three justices, it was ordered in 1702 that the judge be assisted by two 
or more jttstices. all to be appointed by the governor. Its jurisdiction 
embraced all actions, real, personal and mixed, where more than 
_;^5 are involved. It was based upon the practice of the King's 
Bench and Common Pleas at Westminster, England. Appeals were 
allowed to the Supreme Court where the amount involved exceeded 
^"20. This court continued through the colonial period. Under the 
first constitution the number of judges and assistant justices varied 
greatly in the different counties, reaching in some counties as many as 
twelve. On March 27, 1718, the office of assistant justice was abol- 
ished and the number of judges limited to five, inclusive of the first 
judge. The constitution of 1831 continued this court with little change. 
The criminal side of the court was the Court of Sessions, which was 
the name of the criminal side of our County Court up to the adoption 




^7^ 



143 

of the present Constitution. The judges were appointed by the Gov- 
ernor and the Council of Appointment down to 1831, after which they 
were appointed by the Governor and Senate down to 1846, when the 
office was made elective. ' 

The constitution of 1841! abolished the Court of Common Pleas and 
created the County Court, providing for the election in each county, 
except in the city of New York, of one county judge who should hold 
a court and have jurisdiction in cases arising in Justices' Court and in 
such special cases as the , Legislature might order. Upon this court 
the Legislature has conferred jurisdiction in actions for debt in sums 
not exceeding $'2,000; in replevin suits for $1,000; in cases of trespass 
and personal injury not exceeding $500; also equity jurisdiction for 
mortgage foreclosures, sale of infants' real estate, partition of lands, 
admeasurement of dower, satisfaction of certain judgments, etc. The 
tenure of office of county judge was extended from four to six years. 
Associated with the county judge were two justices of the peace to be 
designated by law to hold Courts of Sessions, with such criminal juris- 
diction as the Legislature might prescribe. The Constitution of 1894 
changed somewhat the powers and forms of the court, the principal 
changes being in the criminal side of the court. Following are the 
names of the first judges of the Court of Common Pleas and of the County 
Court after its erection : 

Mayor, Recorder and Aldermen of Albany, or any three of them, from 1686. 
Peter Schuyler, May 27, 1691; John Abeel, May 27, 1703; Peter Schuyler, October 
14, 1702; Killiaen Van Rensselaer, December 23, 1717; Rutger Bleecker. December 
23, 1726; Ryer Gerritse, December 23, 1733; Robert Sanders, November 28, 1749; 
Sybrant Goose Van Schaick, January 5, 1758; Rensselaer Nicoll, May 14. 1762; 
Abraham Ten Broeck, March 4, 1773; Walter Livingston, March 22, 1774; John H. 
Ten Eyck, March 21, 1775; Volkert P. Douw, January 6, 1778; Abram Ten Broeck, 
March 26, 1781; Leonard Gansevoort, March 19, 1794; John Tayler. February 7, 
1797; Nicholas N. yuackenbush, January 13, 1803; David McCarty, March 13, 1804; 
Charles D. Cooper, March 29, 1806; Jacob Ten Eyck, June 8, 1807; Apollos Moore, 
June 6, 1812; James L'Amoreaux, March 15, 1828; Samuel Cheever, March 12, 1833; 
John Lansing. May 17. 1838; Peter Gansevoort, April 17, 1843; William Parmelee, 
June, 1847; Albert D. Robinson, November, 1851; George Wolford, November, 1859; 
Jacob H. Clute, November, 1863; Thomas J. Van Alstyne, November, 1871; John C. 
Nott, November, 1883; Jacob H. Clute, 1889; Clifford D. Gregory, 1895. 

Di'stru/ A f/ornijs.— Under the act of February 12, 1796, this State 
was divided into seven districts, over which an assistant attorney-gen- 
eral was appointed by the Governor and Council, to serve during their 
pleasure. The office of district attorney was created April 4, 1801, 



144 

the State being divided into seven districts, as before, but subsequently 
several new ones were formed. By a law passed April, 1818, each 
county was constituted a separate district for the purposes of this office. 
During the life of the second constitution, district attorneys were ap- 
pointed by the Court of General Sessions in each county. The follow- 
ing persons have held this office in Albany county: 

Abraham Van Vechten, February 16, 1796; Samuel S. Lush, April (i, 1S13; IJavid 
L. Van Antwerp, June 31, 1818; Samuel A. Foote, July 3, 1819; Benjamin F. Butler, 
February 19, 1821; Edward Livingston, June 14, 1825; Rufus W. Peckham, March 
27, 1838; Henry G. Wheaton, March 30, 1841; Edwin Litchfield, March 30, 1844; 
Andrew J. Colvin, March 31, 1846; Samuel H. Hammond, June, 1847; Andrew J. 
Colvin, November, 1850; Hamilton Harris, November, 1853; Samuel G. Courtney, 
November, 1856; Ira Shafer, November, 1859; Solomon F. Higgins, November, 
1862; Henry Smith, November, 1865; Rufus W. Peckham, jr., November, 1868; Na- 
thaniel C. Moak, November, 1871; John M. Bailey, November, 1874; Lansing Hotal- 
ing, November, 1877; U. Cady Herrick, November, 1880; Hugh Reilly, appointed 
vice Herrick resigned June, 1886, and elected 1889; James W. Eaton, 1891 ; Eugene 
Burlinganie, 1894. 

County Clerks. — During the colonial period the county clerk was 
clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, clerk of the Peace, and clerk of 
the Sessions of Peace, in his own county. Under the first constitution 
it was his duty to keep the county records and act as clerk of the In- 
ferior Court of Common Pleas and clerk of the Oyer and Terminer. 
These last named duties were conferred by the act of Febauary 12, 
1796. The seals of the county clerks were the seals of the Court of 
Common Pleas in their respective counties. County clerks are now 
clerks of the Supreme Court, Court of Oyer and Terminer, County 
Court and Court of Sessions. Since the adoption of the constitution of 
18'21 the term of office has been three years. Following are the names 
of those who have held this office in Albany county: 

Ludovicus Cobes, 1669; Robert Livingston. 1675; Johannes Cuyler, March 2, 1690; 
Robert Livingston, 1691; William Shaw, 1696; Robert Livingston, 1705; Philip Liv- 
ingston. 1731; John Golden, February 23, 1749; Harme Gansevort, September 25, 
1750; Witham Marsh, 1760; Stephen De Lancy, January 25, 1765; Leonard Ganse- 
voort. May 8, 1777; Matthew Vischer, 1778; Richard Lush, September 29, 1790; 
Charles D. Cooper, March 3, 1808; William P. Beers, February 28. 1810; Charles D. 
Cooper, February 5, 1811; John Lovett, March 3, 1813; George Merchant, March 31, 
1815; Henry Truax, June 6, 1820; George Merchant, February 19, 1821; L. L. Van 
Kleeck, November, 1832; Conrad A. Ten Eyck, November, 1828; Henry B. Haswell, 
November, 1837; William Mix, November, 1843; Lawrence Van Dusen, November, 
1846; Robert S. Lay, November, 1849; Robert Harper, November, 18.52; Robert Bab- 
cock, November, 1855; Smith A. Waterman, November, 1861; Giles K. Winne, Feb- 




bUGHNH BUKLlNC.AMh. 



J 4.5 

ruary 9, 1865; Isaac N. Keeler, June 30, 1868; John McEwen, November, 1868; 
Albert C. Judson, November, 1871; William E. Haswell, November, 1874; John 
Larkin, November, 1877; William D. Strevell, November, 1883; Robert H. Moore, 
November, 1886; Ansel C. Requa, 1889; James D. Walsh, 1893; James M. Borst- 
wick, 1895. 

Slicriffs. — During the colonial period sheriffs were appointed annually 
in the month of October, unless otherwise noticed. Under the first 
constitution they were appointed annually by the Council of Appoint- 
ment, and no person could hold the office more than four successive 
years. Neither could a sheriff hold any other office, and must be a 
freeholder in the county where appointed. Since the adoption of the 
constitution of 1831, sheriffs have been elected for a term of three 
years, and are ineligible to election for the next succeeding term. The 
following persons have held this office in Albany county: 

John Mannmg, April 6, 1665; Gerrit Swart, August 17 1668; Andrew Draeyer, 
October, 1673; Michael Siston, November 4, 1674; Johannes Provoost, October, 
1677; Richard Pretty, October, 1678/>-todovicus Cobes. October, 1679; Richard 
Pretty, October, 1680; Caspar Teller, March 1, 1691 ; John Apple, December 1, 1693; 
Simon Young, June 19, 1696; Johannes Groenendyke, October, 1698: John Williams, 
October, 1699; Jonathan Broadhurst, October, 1700; Jacobus Turk, October, 1703; 
David Schuyler, October, 1705; Henry Holland, October, 1706; Thomas Williams, 
October, 1713; Samuel Babington, October, 1716; Gerrit Van Shaick, October, 1719; 
Henry Holland, October, 1730; Philip Verplanck, October, 1733; Thomas Williams, 
October, 1733; Goose Van Schaick. October, 1738; James Stephenson, October, 1731 ; 
James Lindsay, October, 1733; Henry Holland, October, 1739; John Rutger Bleecker, 
October, 1746; Jacob Ten Eyck, October, 1747; Thomas Williams, October, 1748; 
Richard Miller, October, 1749; Abraham Yates, October, 1754; Abraham Yates, jr., 
October, 1755; Jacob Van Schaick, October, 1759; Hermanns Schuyler, June 18, 1761 ; 
Henry Ten Eyck. October, 1770; Hendrick J. Wendell, September 37, 1777; John 
Ten Broeck, March 33, 1781; Hendrick J. Wendell, November 39, 1783; John Ten 
Broeck, September 39, 1786; Peter Gansevoort, jr.. September 39, 1790; John 
Ostrander, jr., September, 39, 1793; John Given, September 39, 1796; Hermanns P. 
Schuyler, February 35, 1800; John J. Cuyler, January 38, 1801; Hermanns H. Wen- 
dell, January 12, 1803; Lawrence L. Van Kleeck, February 38, 1807; Solomon South- 
wick, February 10, 1808-; Jacob Mancius, February 13, 1810; Peter P. Dox, February 
13. ISll; Jacob Mancius, February 33, 1813; Isaac Hempstead, March 17, 1815; 
Leonard H. Gansevoort, March 6, 1819; Cornelius Van Antwerp, February 12, 1831; 
Cornelius Van Antwerp, November, 1833; C. H. Ten Eyck, November, 1827; John 
Beckey (removed October 5. 1839), 1828; Asa Colvard, November, 1829; Albert Gal- 
lup, November, 1831; Angus McDuffie, November, 1834; Michael Artcher, Novem- 
ber, 1837; Amos Adams, November, 1840; Christopher Batterman, November, 1843; 
Oscar Tyler, November, 1846; William Beardsley, November, 1849; John McEwen, 
November, 1852; William P. Brayton, November, 1855; Thomas W. Van Alstyne, 
November, 1858; Henry Crandall, November, 1861; Henry Fitch, November, 1864; 
91 



14e; 

Harris Parr, November, 1867; George A. Birch, November, 1870; Albert Gallup, 
November, 1873; John Wemple, November 6, 1876; James A. Houck, November, 
1879; WilHam H, Keeler, November, 1882; John W. Hart, 1885; James Rooney, 
1888; Isaac B. Cross, 1891; Lewis V. Thayer, 1894. 

No county in this State has had a more distinguighed bar than Al- 
bany. The fact that here is located the capital may have been to some 
extent influential in bringing to Albany men of eminence in the legal 
profession; but whether this is or is not true, the bar and judiciary of 
Albany includes the names of man)' men which have been familiar 
throughout the State and nation, both professionally and in connection 
with public affairs. It is proper that a few of these shall receive spe- 
cial mention in this chapter. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. i 

One of the very early prominent attorneys whose career deserves 
brief mention here was Robert Yates. He was born in 1738 and early in 
life settled in Albany where he became conspicuous in public affairs. He 
was associated with the other eminent members of the committee ap- 
pointed August 1, 1776, to prepare a form of government for the State of 
New York, which led directly to the adoption of the first constitution. 
He was a member of the first Provincial Congress of 1775, and also of the 
second, which convened in February, 1776. On May 8, 1777, he was 
appointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the State, serving thus to 
October, 1790, when he was appointed chief justice of the State. In 
1787 Judge Yates was appointed by the Legislature, with Alexander 
Hamilton and John Lansing, jr., a delegate to the convention which 
formed the constitution of the United States. He, with Mr. Lansing, 
withdrew from that convention because it did not more effectually se- 
cure the rights of the separate States. Judge Yates was also a com- 
missioner for the settlement of the rival claims between New York 
and Vermont, and Massachusetts and Connecticut. His death took 
place in 1801. 

John Lansing, jr., was born in Albany, January 30, 1755, and studied 
law with Robert Yates and later with James Duane, of New York. In 
1776-7 he was secretary to Major-General .Schuyler, commanding the 
Northern Department. After his admission to the bar Mr. Lansing 



147 

began practicing in Albany and met with great success. He became 
very prominent in public affairs and ably filled many honorable stations, 
as follows: Member of assembly in sessions 4 to 7 inclusive from 
Albany; appointed member of congress February, 1784, and re- 
appointed; elected speaker of the Assembly January, 1786; appointed 
mayor of Albany September 39, 1786; in 1786 again elected to the 
Assembly, and in January, 1787, made member of congress under the 
confederation; March 6, 1787, appointed delegate to the Philadelphia 
convention that framed the United States constitution; elected speaker 
of the Assembly, December, 1788; appointed, March, 1790, a commis- 
sioner in settling the New York and Vermont controversy, and on 
September 28 following, he was appointed one of the justices of the 
Supreme Court of the State; February 15, 1798, appointed chief justice 
of the Supreme Court of the State, succeeding Mr. Yates; October 21, 
1801, appointed chancellor of the State; in 1804, declined nomination 
for the office of governor. This distinguished career was brought to a 
sudden close December 12, 1829, when Judge Lansing was in New 
York; leaving his hotel to mail an important letter on the Albany 
steamboat, he was never seen or heard of afterwards. 

It has been written of Abi-aham, Van Vechten, that " no name is 
more honored in the State than his — honored not only as a learned, 
eloquent, and eminently successful lawyer, but as a legislator whose 
wisdom and profundity are seen in the enactment of many of the laws 
that have given protection and greatness to the vState of New York." 
He was born in Catskill, December 5, 1762, graduated at what is now 
Columbia College, and studied law with John Lansing. After a short 
period of practice in Johnstown he settled in Albany, where he soon 
ranked high among older and more experienced lawyers. His large 
practice soon carried him before the higher courts, where he greatly 
distinguished himself and opened the way for his preferment in public 
office. He was repeatedly elected to the Legislature, and in 1813 was 
appointed attorney-general of the State, and during the administration 
of John Jay he was tendered the office of judge of the Supreme Court 
of the State; but he preferred to remain directly in the practice of his 
profession and declined the high honor. He was recorder of Albany, 
1797-1808; regent, 1797-1823; State senator, 1798-1805; member of 
assembly, 1805-15; attorney-general, 1810 and 1813, and a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1821. For "over half a centurv his 



148 

brilliant mind was constantly shedding its light over the jurisprudence 
of the State and nation. The bar long delighted to accord to him its 
highest honors." 

John V. Henry was an early and prominent member of the Albany 
bar. He was admitted to practice in January, 1782, at the same term 
with Aaron Burr. Possessing the advantages of a classical education 
and brilliant native qualifications, he soon rose to the position of peer 
beside such men as Hamilton, Burr, Hoffman, Lansing and others. 
He was an eloquent orator and able logician, and was early accorded 
leadership in the political arena. He was chosen member of assembly 
from Albany county in 1800, was re-elected and in that body was the 
foremost Federalist. In January, 1800, he was appointed comptroller 
of the State, but in the following year, for reasons that are not clearly 
understood, was removed from the office by Governor Clinton, who 
succeeded Gov. John Jay. The turn of the political wheel that brought 
this change to Mr. Henry, while unpleasant to him and his friends, was 
in reality a blessing, for it caused him to form an irrevocable resolu- 
tion to never again accept political office. As a consequence he was 
able thenceforward to devote his whole powerful energies to his pro- 
fession. In that field he advanced to the front rank. He died sud- 
denly October 2, 1839. A paragraph from an obituary notice reads 
thus: 

"The death of Mr. Henry is a public calamity. The tears that his 
family shed over his lifeless form fall not alone. Those who respect 
the probity, the independence, the gallant bearing, and the high talents 
which sometimes redeem human nature from suspicion, must also 
lament the fall of such a man as this, in whom these traits were so 
happily combined." 

John V. N. Yates was a son of Robert Yates, before noticed, and 
was born in Albany in 1779. He received a liberal education, studied 
law in the office of John V. Henry and began practice in his native 
city. In 1808 he received appointment as master in chancery, and in 
June of the same year was appointed recorder of Albany. He was 
removed through political changes, but again assumed the office in 
1811, serving to 1816. In April, 1818, he was appointed secretary of 
state and .served until 182G with distinguished ability. In 1808 he be- 
came embroiled in the famous case with Chancellor Lansing, growing 



149 

out of an attempt on the part of the latter, in his official capacity, to 
punish Mr. Yates for malpractice and contempt. The case may be 
found in G Johnson's reports, 335, and it must suffice for this place to 
state that at the close of the long litigation Mr. Yates was successful. 
He was an able writer and was the recipient of many prominent offi- 
cial positions. He died in Albany. January in, 1839. 

From the year 1816, when he was thirty- four years of age, Martin 
Van Buren was a resident of Albany and a distinguished member of 
its bar. He was born in Kinderhook, was an ardent student, and be- 
gan the study of law early in life. He was admitted to the bar in 1803, 
and during the next twelve years practiced in his native place, where 
his rivals and business opponents numbered some of the most eminent 
lawyers of that time. But by the force of his ability and almost super- 
human labor the young man often triumphed over his more experienced 
adversaries. After holding several public positions in what is now 
Columbia county, he was elected to the State Senate for 1812 when 
only thirty years old, and was re-elected in 181G, at which time he be- 
came a resident of Albany. His after career, during which he reached 
the highest office in the land, is too well known to need repetition here, 
while it is manifestly impossible to spare space for it. He took as his 
law partner, 'in 1817, Benjamin F. Butler, another lawyer who was 
destined to win national fame, and the firm became one of the strong- 
est in the State. Mr. Van Buren was chosen United States senator in 
1821, and was a foremost member of the Constitutional Convention of 
that year; he became governor of the State upon the death of Mr. 
Clinton in 1828, but resigned the office on receiving appointment as 
secretary of state in President Jackson's cabinet in the following- year. 
He was inaugurated president of the United States iii March, 1837, 
and was defeated for re-election by General Harrison. 

The same apology offered for the brevity of a few lines regarding 
Mr. Van Buren in these pages will also apply to Benjamin F. Butler. 
Born at Kinderhook in December, 1795, he finished his school studies 
and then entered the law office of Mr. Van Buren. The high position 
of the senior of the firm, and his practice in the United vStates Supreme 
Court, as well as the natural and acquired qualifications of Mr. Butler, 
gave the latter superior business advantages, and the firm became 
recognized as the leading one of the State. He was appointed district 



150 

attorney of Albany county in 1831, and retired in 1825 with the com- 
mendations of the community. In 1825 he became a member of the 
commission to revise the laws of the State, with John Duer and Henry 
Wheaton. This was an enormous task, and required almost the entire 
time of the commissioners for years, and it is known that much of the 
good results were due to the patient and efficient labor of Mr. Butler. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 1828; in 1833 was appointed 
attorney-general of the United States, and in October, 1836, while 
still in that office, was appointed secretary of war in President Jack- 
son's cabinet. He resigned as attorney general in January, 1838, and 
returned to the practice of his profession; but within a few months 
the office of United States district attorney for the Southern District 
of New York became vacant, and he was appointed thereto. When 
President Polk was inaugurated he tendered Mr. Butler the office of 
secretary of war, which was declined, but soon afterward he accepted 
the office of United States attorney for the Southern District of the 
State. About this time he became a resident of New York, where he 
occupied a leading position. He visited Europe in October, 18G8, in- 
tending to remain two years to regain his ijroken health, and died in 
Paris, November 8, of that year. 

Greene C. Bronson was for more than twent}* years a prominent 
member of the Albany bar. He was a native of Utica, born in 1T8'.», 
and began practice in that village about 1815. He was appointed sur- 
rogate of Oneida county in 1819 and in 1822 was elected to the Assem- 
bly, declining a renomination the following year. In February, 1829, 
he was appointed attorney-general of the State, the duties of which 
office he discharged with signal ability until 1836, when he was ap- 
pointed one of the justices of the Supreme Court. He took up his res- 
idence in Albany coincident with his appointment as attorney-general, 
and was a resident here until 1853, when he received the appointment 
of collector of the port of New York and removed to that city. Mean- 
while, in March, 1845, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme 
Court of the State, and occupied the bench two years, when he re- 
signed. In politics Judge Bronson was a Democrat and occupied a 
leading position in the party. He died in New York, September 3, 1S63. 

A reference to the reports of cases argued in the appellate courts of 
the State from 1817 to 1853, will show that Marcus T. Revnokls was 



161 I 

counsel in more cases adjudicated in the Supreme Court and the Court 
for the Correction of Errors than almost any other lawyer of this 
State. He was born in Montgomery county, December 22, 1788, and 
graduated from Union college in 1808. He then began studying law 
in the office of the eminent Matthias B. Hildreth, of Johnstown, Fulton 
county. Mr. Reynolds was admitted to the bar in 1811, and early 
evinced those talents which enabled him to rapidly advance in his pro- 
fession. He began and continued in practice at Johnstown until 1828, 
when he removed to Albany and there passed the remainder of his life, 
adding greatly to the high reputation he had previously gained. He 
was particularly powerful before a jury and the number of prominent 
cases in which he was engaged was large. By a fall from his horse, 
many years previous to his death, one of his legs was so badly frac- 
tured that amputation was necessary. Ill health compelled his retire- 
ment from practice about ten years before his death, which took place 
July 13, 1864. 

For many years after 1837 Gen. Samuel Stevens was one of the lead- 
ing lawyers of Albany and an advocate of great power. He attained 
a large measure of professional success and was very popular with the 
people of the community. He first came prominently into the political 
field as one of De Witt Clinton's ablest supporters. In 1825 he repre- 
sented Washington county, where he was born, in the Legislature, 
where he was leader of the Clintonian forces. He was re-elected in 
1827. Later on he identified himself with the Whigs and in 1839 was 
a prominent candidate for attorney-general. He did not again come 
before the people in connection with public office, except through his 
nomination for lieutenant-governor. The names of General Stevens, 
Marcus T. Reynolds and Nicholas Hill are intimately associated in the 
history of the Albany bar, where they were often brought together in 
the same cases. At different times General Stevens was a partner 
with James Edwards and with Peter Cagger. 

The name of John C. Spencer is not only identified with the bar of 
Albany county, but is well known in the political history of the State. 
His career was intimately blended with that of De Witt Clinton, as far 
as politics were concerned. He was born at Hudson, August 12, 178ti, 
and a son of Ambrose Spencer Graduating from Union College in 
1803 with high honor, he at once began the study of law with his father. 



1 53 

In July, 180'.», he was admitted to practice and very soon afterwards 
joined the great tide of emigration westward and settled in Canandai- 
gua. With almost no pecuniary means and a few law books, he and 
his wife began life in that village in a very modest way, while he 
sought such business as the vicinity afforded. He stood for some years 
at the head of the bar of that great county. In 1818 he was appointed 
by the governor prosecuting attorney for the five western counties of 
the vState. In the spring of 1817 he was elected to Congress, and while 
in that body was nominated for the Senate by the State Legislature, 
but was not chosen. In 1819 he was elected to the Assembly, and 
again in 1821, 1831 and 1833; at the first term he was chosen speaker. 
From 1825 to 1828 he was in the State Senate, where he attained a high 
position. In 1826 he was chosen to prosecute the abductors of Morgan 
during the anti-Masonic crusade, out of which grew the anti-Masonic 
party, of which he was a prominent member. When that party was 
absorbed by the Whigs Mr. Spencer became a leader in the political 
field, and in 1836 removed to Albany. Upon the election of John Tyler 
to the presidency he chose Mr. vSpencer for his secretary of war. After 
the presidential election of 1852 he retired from politics. It will be 
remembered that he was one of the three commissioners appointed by 
Governor Clinton to revise the statutes of the State, a great task which 
was successfully accomplished. In 1849 he was appointed one of the 
codifying commissioners, but declined and soon retired to private life. 
Mr. Spencer endeared himself to citizens of Albany by his generous 
interest in local affairs, and particularly in his aid in founding a num- 
ber of the benevolent institutions of the city. He died while in New 
York on May 20, 1854. 

James Edwards was born in Greenfield, Saratoga county, December 
9, 1799, and settled in Albany in 1816, where he attained a prominent 
position at the bar. He studied law in the office of his uncle, Albert 
I^oote, at that time one of the leading attorneys of the city. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1822 and soon afterwards became a partner 
with Gen. Samuel Stevens. It was written of Mr. Edwards that " he 
was distinguished for his sound practical judgment, his solid legal at- 
tainments, his promptness and accuracy in business, energy, firmness 
and integrity of character, and conscientious fidelity to the interests of 
his clients." Mr. Edwards died May 21, 18G8. 

Azor Tabor was born at Knox, Albany county, May 1, 1798. After 



153 

receiving a classical education he entered the office of John Lansing, 
then chancellor of the State, studied law and when admitted to the bar 
began practice in Alban}-. He ranked among the ablest attorneys of 
the city and gained a large and profitable business. Loving his pro- 
fession and its pursuit, he never sought public office, the only position 
he ever held being that of State senator, to which he was elected in 
I Sol. Although his senatorial career was eminently worthy, he had 
little taste for public life and returned permanently to practice. In 
1833 he formed a partnership with Amos Dean, which continued suc- 
cessfully some years. In 1854, owing to ill health, Mr. Tabor retired 
from practice, removed to Knox and there died June 10, 1855. 

Amos Dean was born at Barnard, Vt., January 16, 1803. After 
teaching several seasons to enable him to obtain his education, he en- 
tered Union College in 1823 and was graduated in 1826. He began 
studying law in the offie of Jabez D. Hammond and Alfred Conkling, 
and was admitted to practice in 1829. He was for several years a 
partner with Azor Tabor and the firm was recognized as a strong one. 
He was a firm believer in the great benefits of popular education and 
was thereby led in 1833 to gather about him a few young men of sim- 
ilar tastes, from which grew the later Albany Young Men's Association. 
From that beginning hundreds of similar organizations came into 
being in other cities. Mr. Dean was chosen the first president of the 
association. In 1833 he was associated with Drs. March and Armsby 
in establishing the Albany Medical College, and from that time to 
1859 he held in that institution the position of professor of medical 
jurisprudence. When the law department of the university was estab- 
lished Mr. Dean was chosen one of its professors, where his talents 
gave him wide recognition as an educator. He was also well known 
in literary fields; was the author of a Manual of Law, and delivered 
many addresses before different bodies. The publication of his great- 
est work, the History of Civilization, was stopped by his death, but 
was issued afterwards in seven volumes. 

A lawyer who ranked with Reynolds, Stevens, Tabor and others of 
the Albany bar, was Henry G. Wheaton, who was graduated from 
Union College in 1828 and immediately began law study in Albany. 
After his admission to practice he rapidly rose to an enviable position 
in the profession. Becoming interested in politics, for which he pos- 

20 



sessed natural talents, he was chosen for the Assembly from Albany 
county in the years 1835, 1840 and 1841, though his seat in the first 
year named was successfully contested by, David C. Seger. In the 
House he was regarded as one of the most eloquent members. In 
March, 1841, he was appointed district attorney for Albany county, in 
which office he officially served the interests of the community. The 
management of a large estate devolving upon him in New York cit\- 
in 1855, he removed thither, and was killed while crossing a railroad 
track, August 26, 1865. 

In the work entitled The Bench and Bar of New York, Nicholas Hill 
is compared in some of his prominent characteristics, with John C. 
Spencer; both were men of marked intellectual powers, energetic and 
industrious and capable of a vast amount of labor. Nicholas Hill was 
born in Montgomery county, N. Y., October 10, 1806. Early showing 
the student's predilections, he availed himself of his opportunities to 
obtain a fair education, and then took up the study of law in the office 
of Daniel Cady, at Johnstown. After his admission to practice he set- 
tled first in Amsterdam, whence he soon removed to Saratoga, where 
later he formed a partnership with Sidney Cowen, son of Judge Esek 
Cowen, who had already discovered in Mr. Hill those qualities that 
afterwards gave him distinction. Associated with Mr. Cowen he pre- 
pared that great work, Cowen and Hill's Notes to Phillips on Evidence^ — 
a work that constitutes a monument to both of its authors. Though 
somewhat retiring in his nature, Mr. Hill's ability as a speaker, and 
his other qualifications as a jury lawyer, gave him early prominence in 
the courts of his time, where he was successful among many eminent 
men. In 1841 he was appointed law reporter, an office in which he 
won distinction for accuracy and clearness. Five years later he re- 
signed the office and soon formed a partnership with Peter Cagger and 
James K. Porter, a firm that commanded high confidence and a large 
patronage. Mr. Hill was first of all a painstaking student, and his 
close application to his business at length ruined his health and he died 
May 1, 1859. The event was announced in the Court of Appeals by 
John A. Reynolds, in a memorable eulogium. Mr. Reynolds was him- 
self one of the ablest members of the Albany bar; a man of rare argu- 
mentative powers and scholarly attainments. His pure character and 
large professional endowments endeared him to his professional 
brethren. 



Peter Cagger was born in Albany July 0, 1813, coming of Irish an- 
cestry. Early in life he was placed in the law office of Reynolds & 
Woodruff as a clerk, in which position he evinced some of his remarka- 
ble natural qualifications. He afterwards became a partner with 
Samuel Stevens, as before noted, and the firm of Stevens & Cagger 
soon became a power in legal circles. vShortly after the death of Mr. 
Stevens Mr. Cagger became a member of the distinguished firm, Hill, 
Cagger & Porter, a combination that is remembered as one of the 
strongest ever formed in the State. Mr. Cagger was instantly killed 
by being thrown from his carriage in New York city, July 6, 1808, at 
the age of fifty-six years. 

Ira Harris was born at Charleston, Montgomery county, N. Y., May 
31, 1802, prepared for college at Homer Academy (the family having 
removed to Cortland county), and graduated from Union College in 
1824. He studied law one year in Homer and then i-emoved to Albany 
where he continued with the great jurist, Ambrose Spencer. In 1827 
he was admitted to the bar and at once began practice, soon forming a 
partnership with Silas Dutcher, which continued until 1842. He was 
elected to the Assembly in 1844, was re-elected in 1845, and in 1846 
was chosen delegate to the Constitutional Convention, in which body 
he occupied a conspicuous position. In the fall of 1846 he was elected 
a justice of the Supreme Court and resigned the former office. At the 
expiration of his four years' term as justice he was elected for another 
term, which had been extended to eight years. In this high position 
the great ability of Judge Harris was soon demonstrated. He exhib- 
ited profound knowledge of the law, excellent judicial qualifications 
and strict impartiality. His published opinions have received universal 
commendation. In 1861 he was elected to the United States Senate, 
in which body he was honored with appointments on important com- 
mittees and became a trusted friend of President Lincoln. He took 
active interest in raising troops for the army, especially of the regiment 
of cavalry which bore his name. At the close of his term he retired to 
private life, but was chosen a delegate to the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1867. Having been connected with the Albany Law School 
from its organization, he now accepted the professorship of equity ju- 
risprudence and practice, to which he devoted his time until his death, 
December 2, 1875. He was for many years president of the Board of 
Trustees of Union College, president of the Albanv Medical College and 



156 

of the trustees of Vassar College. At his death the bench and bar 
testified to their respect for his distinguished abilities. He was a 
brother of Hamilton Harris, of Albany. 

Rufus W. Peckham, the distinguished lawyer and jurist, was born at 
Rensselaerville, Albany county, December 30, 1809. His boyhood was 
passed in Otsego county, whither his father removed, and after prep- 
aration entered Union College and was graduated in 1837. Having a 
brother in the medical profession in Utica, Ijp went there to enter the 
legal arena, where he entered the office of Greene C. Bronson (before 
noticed) and Samuel Beardsley. The advantages of being tutored by 
those eminent lawyers left a permanent impression upon Mr. Peckham's 
career. Called to the bar in 1830, he soon afterward became a partner 
with his brother, George W. Peckham, of Albany. The firm was 
prosperous from the first and took a high position in the then brilliant 
bar of the city. In 1839 he was appointed district attorney of the 
county, and in 1845 was a candidate for attorney-general and was de- 
feated by John Van Buren by one vote. In 1853 he was elected to 
Crogress, in which body he distinguished himself by his ability and his 
independence of party ties where he thought the interests of the nation 
were at stake. In the fall of 1859 he was elected a justice of the .Su- 
preme Court, served eight years and was unanimously re-elected. 
Before the close of his term he was elected a judge of the Court of Ap- 
peals. Few American judges possessed greater judicial accomplish- 
ments than he. On the 5th of November he and his wife sailed on the 
ill-fated Ville du Havre, which on the night of the 33d collided with 
another vessel and went to the bottom in the darkness, carrying them, 
with more than two hundred others to the bottom. At the moment 
of the greatest peril, he took his wife's hand and bravely uttered the 
words that were heralded over two continents: " If we must go down, 
let us die bravely!" The profession throughout this State testified its 
liigh respect and sorrow for the eminent man. 

Col. Lewis Benedict was born in Albany, September 17, 1817, and 
was graduated from Williams College in 1837. He then entered the 
law office of John C. Spencer, at Canandaigua, and in January, 1841, 
was licensed to practice. He settled in Albany and soon took a high 
position. In 1845 he was appointed city attorney and at the close of 
his term was reappointed. In 1847 he wa.s api)ointed judge advocate- 



157 

general on the governor's staff, and in 1848 was elected surrogate of 
the county. In 185'3 and 1860 he was the candidate of his party (the 
Whig) for the city recordership and shared in the defeat of its nomi- 
nees. In 1854 he was appointed one of the commissioners to examine 
into the condition of the State prisons, the report of whom was made 
in 185G in a large volume In 1860 he was elected to the Assembly by 
the Union element of his district; this was the last civil office held by 
him. On his admission to the bar he was fortunate in becoming the 
partner of Marcus T. Reynolds, which gave him at once a valuable 
])restige. From the time of his appointment as city attorney he was 
active and earnest in his political work and was often a delegate to the 
various conventions, where he wielded a large influence. As early as 
January, 1861, when Governer Morgan was endeavoring to impress the 
Legislature with the importance of placing the State upon a war foot- 
ing, Colonel Benedict saw the necessity for such action and compre- 
hended the oncoming conflict. He therefore 'co-operated with the 
governor in the matter. The passage of the act authorizing the embody- 
ing and equipment of the vState militia was largely due to him, and after 
that Colonel Benedict gave all of his time to the Union cause. The 
New York Fire Department, while recruiting the 3d Fire Zouaves, 
conferred on him a lieutenancy and he was commissioned in June, 1861. 
The career of that body of soldiers is well known and cannot be de- 
tailed here. He was captured at Williamsburg and taken to the Salis- 
bury (N. C.) prison where several months later he was exchanged. 
Soon afterwards he was commissioned colonel of the 162d Regiment, 
and a month later, October, 1862, went with his troops to New Orleans. 
In January, 1863, he was made acting brigadier-general and took part 
in the fighting at and around Port Hudson. In the bloody engagement 
(if June 14, 1863, he was foretnost. When it was determined to storm 
the fort Colonel Benedict was given command of the 2d battalion, 
wliich was to serve as the " forlorn hope. " From that time he followed 
Hanks through all his movements. His last command, that of the M 
Brigade of the 1st Division, 19th Corps, was composed of three New 
York and two Maine regiments, and a battery, and was noted for its 
gallant deeds. On the 9th of April, 1864, in the final struggle of the 
Red River campaign. Colonel Benedict led his brigade in a charge and 
fell pierced with several bullets. It was a heroic death to close a dis- 
tinguished military career. His remains were brought to Albany and 
buried with high honors. 



ALBANY COUNTY BAR. 

Albany. — John J. Acker, George Addington, Daniel Adler, William A. Allen, A. L. 
Andrews, Buel C. Andrews, Austin Archer, John M. Bailey, Frederic Baker, George 

C. Baker, Isaac B. Barrett, R. O. Bassett, Edwin A. Bedell, James W. Bentley, Will- 
iam F. Beutler, Lyman H. Bevans, John J. Brady, John J. Bradley, Richard W. 
Brass, Edward J. Brennan, Charles F. Bridge, Walter M. Brown, Joseph H. Brooks, 
Charles J. Buchanan, Hiram Buck, Alpheus T. Bulkley, Eugene Burlingame, Henry 

D. Burhngame, F. W. Cameron, Lewis E. Carr, Raymond W. Carr, Lewis Cass, Ed- 
gar T. Chapman, jr., Norton Chase, Alden Chester, William K. Clute, Jacob H. Clute, 
Mark Cohn, Herbut G. Cone, Andrew J. Colvin, Martin D. Conway, Joseph A. Con- 
way, John T. Cook, J. Fenimore Cooper. Joseph P. Coughlin, Edwin Countryman, 
Charles E. Countryman, James H. Coyle, C. J. Crummey, Walter S. Cutler, Frank- 
lin M. Danaher, S. J. Daring, Richard W. Darling, Edwin G. Day, Frank B. Dele- 
hanty, John A. Delehanty, Peter A. Delaney, Abraham V. De Witt, Herman J. 
Diekman, J. Murray Downs, Andrew S. Draper, C. J. Droogan, P. E. Du Bois, 
Daniel J. Dugan, Patrick C. Dugan, William S. Dyer, Zeb A. Dyer, James W. 
Eaton, Jerome W. Ecker, William S. Elmendorf, John F. Farrell, James J. Far- 
ren, J. Newton Fiero, David C. Fitz Gerald, E. D. Flanigan, James H. Foote, Cor- 
nelius E. Franklin, Charles M. Friend, J. S. Frost, Worthington Frothingham, W. 
D. Frothingham, John E. Gallup W. S. Gibbons, Scott D'M. Goodwin, Edward 
J. Graham, Clifford D. Gregory, J. Wendell Griffing, Stephen B. Griswold, John 
Guttman, Alfred A. Guthrie, William S. Hackett, Edgar M. Haines, Matthew Hale. 
Charles R. Hall, Fred C. Ham, Andrew Hamilton, R. W. Hardie, William B. 
Harris, Hamilton Harris, Fred Harris, Julius F. Harris, Thomas H. Ham, S. S. 
Hatt, William A. Hendrickson, Howard Hendrickson, Isban Hess, Albert Hess- 
berg, D. Cady Herrick, Winfield S. Hevenor, Barnwell R. Heyward, Horace L. Hicks, 
George I). Hill, David B. Hill, William J. Hillis, Galen R. Hitt, Henry T. Holmes, 
Harold C. Hooker, Lansing Hotaling, William F. Hourigan, Eugene E. Howe, 
Samuel T. Hull, Marcus T. Hun, Sidney A. Hungerford. G. De W. Hurlbut, Julius 
lUch, William Isenburgh, Charles M. Jenkins, James B. Jermain, James C. Johnson, 
Russell M. Johnston, Frank Kampfer, Jacob A. Kapps, George T. Kelley, Barrington 
King, Dwight King, J. Howard King, Leonard Kip, Francis Kimball, George C. 
Kimball, Edmund C. Knickerbocker, Charles Krank, Leopold C. G. Kshinka, John 
R. Langan. Abraham Lansing, J. T. Lansing, William Lansing, Joseph M. Lawson, 
I.saac Lawson, Joseph A. Lawson, George Lawyer, William L. Learned, Randall J. 
Le Boeuf, William Loucks, Gaylord Logan, James J. Mahoney, George H. Mallory, 
J. F. Manson, Joseph F. Macy, S. S. Marvin, James C. Matthews, John W. Mattice, 
Peter F. Mattimore, Henry S. McCall, Archibald McClure, R. H. McCormic, jr., 
William C. McHarg, John McElroy, James A. McKown, John W. McNamara, Daniel 
T. McNamara, John T. McDonough, Charles W. Mead, Edward J. Meegan, Thomas 
A. Meegan, Peyton F. Miller, Charles H. Mills, John F. Montignani, J. H. Morrey, jr., 
Edgar A. Morling, Thomas A. Murray, David Muhlfelder, Max Myers, Martin T. 
Nachtmann, J. F. Nash, Henry C. Nevitt, Stewart C.Newton, Munson C. G. Nichols, 
Nathaniel Niles, David J. Norton, Myer Nussbaum, Edward W. Nugent, John J. 
Olcott, Smith O'Brien, John J. O'Neil, Howard Paddock. Stephen Paddock, Horace 
F. Palmer, Amasa J. Parker, AmasaJ. Parker, jr., Lewi.s R. Parker, Rufus W. Peck- 



159 

ham, Henry A. Peckham, J. De Witt Pelt?., Aaron B. Pratt, Louis W. Pratt, John V. L. 
Pruyn, Edward W. Rankin, Albert Rathbone, William F. Rathbone, Edward T. Reed, 
Hugh Reilly, Louis J. Rezzemini, Ernest W. Rieck, James A. Robinson, Edward U. 
Ronan, Simon W. Rosendale. Edgar H. Rosenstock, Jacob G. Runkle, William P. 
Rudd, James M. Ruso, Joseph W. Russell, Bleecker Sanders, Henry T. Sanford, 
Roscoe C. Sanford, Edwin W. Sanford, John H. Sand, David S. Saxe, Thomas 
Sayre, Robert G. Scherer, Jacob C. E. Scott, William M. Scott, A. G. Seelman, Ste- 
phen O. Shepard. Osgood H. Shepard, Louis Silberman, A. Page Smith, Fred E. 
Smith, Nathaniel Spaulding, Stuart G. Speir, David Stanwix, John D. Stantial, 
George L. Stedman, George W. Stedman, Henry E. Stern. A. R. Stevens, George 
H. Stevens, Thomas W. Stevens, John A. Stephens, Peter A. Stephens, Kate 
Stoneman, Barent W. Stryker, J. B. Sturtevant, Charles B. Templeton, George V. 
Thatcher, David A. Thompson, Newton W. Thompson, C. H. Tomlinson, James 
F. Tracey, George M. True. Lucien Tuffs, jr., Thomas J. Van Alstyne, William B. 
Van Rensselaer. Lansing Van Wie, Andrew Vanderzee, Newton B. Vanderzee, 
Alonzo B. Voorhees, Frederick E. Wadhams. Richard B. Wagoner, John W. Walsh. 
Joseph H. Walsh, Walter E. Ward, Luther C. Warner. Hiram L. Washburn, jr., 
Robert H. Wells, Thomas F. Wilkinson, Horace G. Wood, Francis H. Woods. 

Bkkne.— Z. B. Dyer. • 

CoEYMANS. — C. M. Barlow, W. Scott Coffin, Lindsey Green. Charles M. Tomp- 
kins. 

CoHOEs. — David Askworth. Israel Belanger, James H. Berns, Daniel J. Cosgro, 
James F. Crawford. Charles F. Doyle. Isaiah Fellows, jr.. George H. Fitts. jr., Law- 
rence B. Finn. Rosin J. House. Daniel C. McElwain. John E. McLean. E. B. Nichols, 
Peter D. Niver, Smith Niver. John Scanlon, James R. Stevens, Henrj' A. Strong, 
James Wallace, Walter H. Wertime. 

GiiLDERLAND. — James R. Main. 

Altamcint. — Hiram Griggs. John D. White. 

New Scotland. — Alexander H. Crounse. 

Rensselaervii.i.k.— Norman W. Faulk, Preston Hollow; William R. Tanner, Me- 
dusa. 

Westerlo. — Alonzo Spaulding. 

West Tkov.— James W. Boyle, James B. Egan, John H. Gleason, William Hol- 
lands, Joseph H. Hollands, C. D. Hudson. John W. Kenny, Eugene McLean. \'ol- 
kert J. Oothout, Peter A, Rogers. 

Green Island. — William F. Hickey. 

Court Buildings. — In early years the courts of this county were held 
in the Old Stadt Huys, which was also occupied as a city hall, a State 
House and a prison. Conventions and other public j,fatherings also 
assembled within its venerable walls. It stood on the northeast corner 
of Broadway and Hudson avenue, just inside the stockades of the city, 
and was built about 1635, principally for the use of the courts, while the 
jail was in the lower story, which was of stone. It was a substantial 
brick structure, nearly square, and three stories hig^h, with a cupola 
and belfry. .Soon after its erection a bell was brought from Holland 



1 (iO 

and hung in the belfry, and it was rung' on all public occasions for nearly 
1(>0 years and when the old building was demolished, the bell was hung 
in the cupola of the new Capitol. When it had at last outlived its 
usefulness there it was taken down and is said to now hang in the 
tower of a Ballston church. In the Old Stadt Huys were held, be- 
sides the courts, the meetings of the Common Council after its organ- 
ization under the Dongan charter of July, 1086. In front of the build- 
ing the Declaration of Independence was read to the people for the 
first time. A commercial building now stands on the site of the old 
structure, and in it a memorial slab has been placed, appropriately in- 
scribed. 

In December, 1805, the Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution 
authorizing the county to issue bonds to the amount of $100,000, 
the proceeds of which were to be used for the purchase of the Albany 
Savings Bank building, corner of State and Chapel streets. The 
bank had a lease of the building extending two years. In the sum- 
mer of 1896, Judges Clifford D. Gregory and Alden D. Chester oc- 
cupied rooms in the building, as also did the clerk of the appellate 
division of the Supreme Court. Judge Gregory was appointed custo- 
dian of the building and under his supervision the structure was con- 
siderably improved and adapted for its new purposes above the first 
floor; the latter is still occupied by the bank. After the removal of 
the bank the district attorney and county treasurer will move into this 
building, which will be known as the County Court House. 

City flails. — The first city hall, a structure in which the courts were 
held, stood on the site of the present city hall, and was erected in 
18-^9-32. The site was purchased of St. Peter's church corporation 
for $10,259.95. On August 31, 1830, the corner stone was laid by 
Mayor John Townsend with Masonic ceremonies. The building was 
finished in 1832 at a total cost of about $92,000. It was constructed of 
white marble, with a large porch supported by four Doric columns, and 
a large gilded dome surmounting the roof. The style of architecture 
was plain in the extreme. This building was used for nearly fifty years 
until on the 10th of February, 1880, when it was destroyed by fire, the 
cause of which has remained a mystery. Most of the valuable records 
and documents in the building were saved. 

A special meeting of the Board of Supervisors was called for Febru- 
ary 16, 1880, to consider what should be done to provide for a new 
city hall. In the course of the proceedings the following resolution 




ANTHONY N. BRADY 



was read, which had been previously adopted on the 11th at a meeting 
of the Albany bar : 

Resolved, That the site of the City Hall, recently destroyed by fire, is the most 
appropriate and convenient for a building for the County Court and Court Officers, 
and the members of the Albany County Bar hereby unanimously urge the Board 
of Supervisors to take immediate steps toward the erection of said building or an- 
other upon the City Hall site for the use of the County Courts and officers. 

The board had been urged to purchase what was known as the Mar- 
tin Hall as a substitute for the former City Hall, which in some meas- 
ure led to the above expression from the bar. The Board of Super- 
visors adopted prompt measures to ascertain the wishes of the county, 
outside of the city, in the site of the new building, which duty was as- 
signed to R. W. Peckham, and made provision for the copying of all 
records that were damaged in the fire. An act of the Legislature was 
procured creating a City Hall Commission consisting of the mayor, 
Michael N. Nolan, the chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Edward 
A. Maher, with Erastus Corning, Robert C. Pruyn, C. P. Easton, 
Leonard G. Hun, Albertus W. Becker, and William Gould. Under 
the general direction of this commission the present imposing City 
Hall was built on the site of the former one during the years 1881-83. 
It is is constructed of Long Meadow brown stone ; is four stories in 
height, with a tower 202 feet high. The cost including the furnishing 
was $325,000, of which sum $290,000 was raised on bonds of the city. 
The cost was equally divided between the city and the county. 

Jails. — The first Albany county jail, in the basement of the Old 
Stadt Huys, was in such bad condition early in the last century that a 
protest was entered by the high sherit? to the Court of Sessions in 
1718, as follows: 

I urge upon your worships that care may be taken to have ye same Jail sufficiently 
repaired to keep such bad prisoners as I may take for debt, &c. , safelv from escap- 
ing, as is now often ye case. 

The court in response at once requested leave of the General Assem- 
bly to expend ^140 in repairing the jail, and it is presumed that the 
request was granted. Prior to this date there had been one or more 
attempts to erect a separate jail. An application for this purpose, made 
to the Board of Supervisors in February, 1701, was refused. At a 
Court of Sessions held in Albany October 7, 1719, the following order 
was entered in the records : 



Pursuant to an act of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, entitled 
an Act to Authorize y= Justices of the Peace to Build and Repair Jails and Court- 
houses in the Several Counties of the Province, whereby y"' Justices in each County 
are Impowered (upon their own view) on any Inefficiency or Inconveniency of their 
County JailorPrison, ory^ Inconveniency of theirCourt House, to Conclude and agree 
upon such sum or sums of money, as, upon examination of sufficient and able 
workmen, shall be thought necessary for building. Finishing and Repairing a Public 
Jail, etc. 

It is therefore Resolved, that any five or more of His Majestie's Justices shall 
make a computation with sufficient and able workmen, what a sufficient Jail, etc., 
for y" Citty and County of Albany may cost, and bring a report thereof at the next 
meeting of this Court and the Justices thereof. 

This led to much discussion between two factions, one of which fa- 
vored a new building, and the other the repair of the old one. The re- 
sult was the repair and enlargement of the old building under the fol- 
lowing resolution: 

It is Resolved that the City Hall shall be repaired and an addition be made of fif- 
teen foot in length to the south'd, and in breadth to the Court Hall, and joyned in 
the roof of the same, made up with boards without as the present old house, with a 
sufficient stone seller under y"^ same, the north end thereof partitioned off with oak 
boards. To have one window with cross-iron bars therein, one cross window to the 
south' ard, one to the eastward and one to the westward in the first room. 

These repairs did not accomplish their purpose as far as the jail was 
concerned, and within two years complaints again came from the sheriff 
that his prisoners escaped with little difficulty. Another effort was 
made at repairing the structure iii a far more substantial manner, and 
it was used with some changes until about 1803, when it was demol- 
ished. In 1791 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the city 
authorities to raise ^^3,000 towards the completion of the court house 
and jail. Difficulties arose between the city and the county authori- 
ties, which delayed the project, and it was not until 1803-04 that the 
new jail was finished. The land on which it stood extended about 
eighty feet on State street ; eighty-four feet on Maiden Lane ; and IIC feet 
on Eagle street. It was sold at auction August 11, 1833, in the inter- 
est of the trustees of the Albany Academy. Previous to this date, on 
November 1, 1831, the grand jurors visited the jail and found it in such 
condition that they recommended that the Board of Supervisors erect a 
new jail, "inasmuch as this building, which had stood twenty-two 
years, was fast decaying, very illy constructed, and too small in order 
to [secure] health, comfort and convenience, and situated in too thickly 
settled a locality." The statement that the building had stood twenty- 



two years is probably an error. The next and third jail, inclusive of 
the one in the Old Stadt Huys, stood on the corner of Eagle and How- 
ard streets, and was completed in the latter part of 1834. This was 
used until the spring of 1854, when the jail on Maiden Lane was erected 
and the old jail was fitted up for a hospital and opened August 8, 1854. 
That jail served its purpose without public complaint until 1868, when 
Henry Smith, then district attorney, sent a communication to the 
Board of Supervisors, in which he said : 

In the main apartment you will find si.xt}' male prisoners, including some children, 
confined in one common room, where those youthful in years, and those who have 
committed their first criminal error, perhaps those who are entirely innocent, are e.x- 
posed to the influences, and often to the physical tortures, of the most depraved of 
men. 

In another room, of about fifteen by eighteen, you will find some twenty-two 
females of various ages, even to extreme old age; some reasonably tidy and others 
repulsively filthy; some apparently well and others suffering from loathsome dis- 
eases, crowded together in a space where there is scarcely room for all to lie down 
at once. In short, you will find a state of things that would shame a semi-civilized 
community, and would not be tolerated by the people of this county for one hour if 
they could for a moment look in upon the appalling horrors of that fearful den, kept 
under their authority, for the detention of persons accused of crime. This state of 
affairs, Mr. Smith continues, is no fault of the Sheriff or Jailer, but results from want 
of suitable rooms. 

This created a sensation and resulted in an immediate change. The 
superintendent of the Capital Police was directed to send his prisoners 
under sentence to the penitentiary, instead of leaving them in the jail, 
while plans for improvement were made and carried out at an expen- 
diture of $2,500. 

THE ALBANY LAW SCHOOL. ' 

This school is among the oldest institutions of the kind in the 
country. 

In 1S51 the Legislature incorporated the University of Albany, giv- 
ing to it the authority to organize a Literary department, a Law de- 
partment, a Scientific department, and providing that the Albany 
Medical College, already existing, might, if so disposed, unite with 
the departments to be formed. 

The department of law was immediately organized as the Albany 
Law School, and has maintained a prosperous existence to the present 

I Prepared by W. R. Davidson, secretary of the school. 



time, having graduated over two thousand students, and having had 
an attendance of over three thousand. 

At the time of its organization there were three other law schools 
— Harvard, Yale and Cincinnati (now Columbia) ; there are now up- 
wards of eighty. 

The first Board of Trustees was organized as follows: Greene C. 
Bronson, president ; Thomas W. Olcott, vice president : Orlando Meads, 
secretary; Luther Tucker, treasurer. 

The first Faculty was constituted as follows: Chancellor Reuben H. 
Walworth, president, but taking no part in the instruction; Hon. Ira 
Harris, LL. D., lecturer on practice, pleading and evidence; Hon. 
Amasa J. Parker, LL. D., lecturer on real estate, wills, domestic re- 
lations, personal rights, and criminal law; Amos Dean, LL.D., lec- 
turer on contracts, personal property and commercial law. 

December 16, 1851, the first class was organized, with an enrollment 
of twenty-three students, in the Exchange building, corner Broadway 
and State street, the site of the present U. S. Government building, 
and continued sixteen weeks. The next two years the school was held 
in the Cooper building, on the corner of State and Green streets, the 
courses being sixteen weeks each. Of the students in the first class, 
seven were graduated in the spring of 1852, viz. : Edwin E. Bronk, 
Charles A. Fowler, Willard P. Gambell, John C. McClure, Worthing- 
ton Frothingham, Edward Wade and George Woolford. 

To accommodate the increasing enrollment of students, in 1854 the 
school was removed to the south wing of the Medical College on Eagle 
street (now Alumni Hall). At the same time the course was extended 
to two terms of twelve weeks each. The exercises consisted of lectures, 
moot cotirts, oral and written examinations. 

In 1855 Thomas W. Olcott became president of the Board of Trus- 
tees and continued until his death in 1880. 

In 1809 Professor Amos Dean died; Professor Amasa J. Parker re- 
signed in 1870 ; Professor Ira Harris died in 1875. Of these. Professors 
Parker and Harris were justices of the Supreme Court; Professor 
Harris was also LTnited vStates senator. 

In 1870 a larger Faculty was organized. Isaac Edwards, LL.D., 
succeeded to the chair of Professor Dean; Hon. Matthew Hale, LL.D., 
to the chair of Professor Parker ; Charles C. T. F. Spoor, esq. , as lec- 
turer on subjects assigned; Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D., justice 
of the Supreme Court, lecturer on equity jurisprudence, civil law, and 



165 

the trial of causes; Hon. William F. Allen, LL.D., then judge of the 
Court of Appeals, to lecture on real property. 

In 1873 the University of Albany united with Union College and by 
an act of the Legislature was constituted as Union University, the Al- 
bany Law School becoming the law department. In 1874 Hon. John 
T. Hoffman, LL. D., governor of the vState of New York, was added 
to the Faculty, succeeding to the chair of Judge Allen as professor of 
the law of real property. 

In 1875 Professor Harris died, and Prof. Charles T. F. Spoor was 
designated to succeed to his chair, lecturing on practice and pleading 
at common law, and under the Code. 

In 1878 Eliphalet N. Potter, D. D , LL, D., entered the Faculty, and 
lectured on feudal system; also Henry Coppee, LL. D., lecturing on 
international law ; also Hon. Hiram E. Sickles, lecturer on evidence. 

In 1879 Professor Edwards, dean of the Faculty, died, and was suc- 
ceeded by Hon. Horace E. Smith, LL. D., of Johnstown, N. Y., dean 
of the Faculty, lecturing on personal property, contracts, commercial 
law, common law pleading, torts and medical jurisprudence. Henry 
S. McCall, esq., and Irving Browne, esq., were added to the Faculty 
at this time. Professor McCall lecturing on real estate and wills, Pro- 
fessor Browne, lecturer on domestic relations and criminal law. 

On the accession of Dean Smith, it was evident to him that the 
building where the school had been held for a quarter of a century 
was no longer adequate to its requirements. The trustees purchased 
the Universalist church building on the north side of State street, 
near vSwan street, and through the liberality of their president, Thomas 
W. Olcott, it was converted into the pleasant and convenient building 
now occupied by the school. This building was dedicated to its new 
use March 10, 1879. Addresses were made by Amasa J. Parker, 
LL. D., Hon. Samuel Hand, Charles E. Smith, then editor of the 
Albany Evening Journal, and Dean Smith. The Board of Trustees 
was largely increased in numbers, Hon. Amasa J. Parker, LL. D. , as 
one of the original founders of the school, remaining as one of the 
honorary members. In 1880 President Thomas W. Olcott died, and 
Orlando Meads succeeded to the presidency, and Marcus T. Hun, esq., 
trustee, was appointed to succeed President Meads as secretary. 

In 1883 President Meads died and Hon. William L. Learned, LL.D., 
justice of the Supreme Court, succeeded to the presidency; Marcus T. 
Hun, esq., resigned the secretaryship, and Charles J. Buchanan, esq., 



166 

was appointed secretary; Nathaniel C. Moak, esq., entered the Faculty 
as lecturer on books and judicial systems. The Alumni Association 
was organized under favorable auspices, awakening new interest in 
the school among the numerous graduates scattered throughout the 
country. At the advent of Dean Smith the course was made three 
terms of twelve weeks each, preceded or supplemented by one year in 
a law office. The requirements for graduation as previously adopted 
were preserved, viz. : All candidates for the degree of LL. B. should 
read before the dean or Faculty six weeks before commencement, an 
original thesis pertaining to the history, science or practice of law. 
Moot courts for the argument and trial of causes were also continued ; 
two being held each week. 

In 1889 after a successful administration of school affairs, Dean 
Smith resigned to resume the active practice of law. George W. 
Kerchwey, esq., of Albany, was appointed to succeed to the chair of 
dean. 

In 1890 Hon. Hiram E. Sickles resigned from the Faculty, and 
James W. Eaton succeeded him as lecturer on evidence; Maurice J. 
Lewis M. D., was appointed lecturer on medical jurisprudence; and 
Harold L. Hooker, esq, was appointed instructor in elementary law. 

In 1891 DeanKirchwey resigned to accept a chair in Columbia Law 
School, and Lewis B. Hall, A. M., was appointed to the position of 
dean and instructor in contracts and commercial law. 

Charles T. F. Spoor died and was succeeded by J. Newton Fiero, 
esq., who was appointed instructor in common law and code practice 
and pleading ; Eugene Burlingame, instructor in the law of real prop- 
erty; James F. Tracey, esq., instructor in the law of corporations. 

In 1894 A. V. V. Raymond, D. D., LL.D., having succeeded to the 
presidency of Union University in place of Harrison E. Webster, LL.D., 
resigned, the trustees and Faculty of the school placed their resignation 
in his hands for the purpose of reorganization. 

At the beginning of the course in 1895 the Board of Trustees was 
reorganized as follows : 

Hon. Amasa J. Parker, A. M., president; James W. Eaton, esq., 
treasurer; Charles J. Buchanan, esq., secretary: Andrew V. V. Ray- 
mone, Matthew Hale, Marcus T. Hun, William L. Learned, J. Newton 
Fiero, Seymour Van Santvoord, Alton B. Parker, Charles C. Lester, 
Alonzo P. Strong, James Lansing, Judson S. Landon, and Edward P. 
White. 




C^^^-^^^^ L / yj^c^^r^-^C^^ 



ic: 

The Faculty was also reorganized as follows: Andrew V. V. Ray- 
mond, D. D., LL.D., president; J. Newton Fiero, dean; James W. 
Eaton, Eugene Burlingame, James F. Tracey, Joseph A. Lawson, in- 
structors. Special lecturers; Judson S. Landon, LL.D., Hon. Alton 

B. Parker, Matthew Hale, LL.D., Hon. D. Cady Herrick, Hon. Dan- 
forth E. Ainsworth, Andrew McFarlane, M. D., Hon. Walter E. Ward, 

C. E. Franklin. The Board and Faculty for 189G are the same with 
the addition of Lewis R. Parker, lecturer on bailments and suretyship. 
Of thisFaculty, three are justices of the Supreme Court, Appellate Di- 
vision. J. Newton Fiero, dean, author of "Special Actions," and 
"Special Proceedings," was for two successive years president of 
the State Bar Association, and was largely instrumental in securing 
the establishment of the Board of State Law Examiners, making the 
examination of applicants for admission to the bar uniform throughout 
the State. The Court of Appeals rules for admission of attorneys, 
etc., went into effect January 1, 1895, requiring three years of prepa- 
ration of all students at law before applying for admission to the bar, and 
requiring them to be examined before the new Board of Law Exam- 
iners. 

The course of the school was changed to conform to the new law and 
methods to one year of eight months divided into two semesters; to be 
preceded by two years in a law office, or law school, retaining the former 
method of instruction, with moot courts once a week. 

From the first class to the present time the school Register shows in- 
creased attendance, even during the years of the war between 1860 and 
1865. Of some classes were graduated ninety, fifty-seven, fifty-nine, 
none less than fifty. At the close of the war the attendance was larger 
than at any time before. At one time every rank in the army from 
pi'ivate up to brigadier-general was represented among the students. 

After what has been said of the army representation among the 
students, it can be stated with equal correctness, that every rank from 
city and county attorney to the judges on the bench of the United 
States Court and president of the United States, has a representation 
among the students whose names are to be found upon the Register of 
the school. Without doing more than to mention a few as they occur 
to the mind of the present writer, himself a graduate in '04, may be 
noted: Class of '58, Hon. David J. Brewer, judge United States bench ; 
William McKinley, jr., class of '67, president-elect of the United 
States; Hon. Redfield Proctor, '60, ex-secretary of war, now United 



States senator; William F. Vilas, 'GO, ex-secretary of war, now United 
States senator; Irving G. Vann, '65, judge of the Court of Appeals of 
this State; James H. Eckles, '80, a member of President Cleveland's 
cabinet; Hon. Alton B. Parker; Hon. D. Cady Herrick, '(57; Hon. 
William D. Dickey, '66; Hon. William W. Goodrich, '53, justices of the 
Supreme Court (Appellate Division). 

In this county the present district attorney, county judge, surrogate, 
city recorder, and one of the justices of the City Court are graduates 
of the school, and with a very few exceptions the bar of Albany county 
are graduates of the school. 

During the administration of Dean Hall very many improvements 
were made to the building, which has been largely supplemented by 
Dean Fiero, making it one of the best equipped school buildings of its 
kind in the country. Albany as a seat of a professional school cannot 
be overrated. Here are located the executive, legislative and judicial 
departments of the State 



CHAPTER XIII. 



THE MEDICAL PROFESSION IN ALB.'INY COUNTY. 
By Hkrm.\n Bf.ndell, M. D. 

The early history of Fort Orange and Albany seems to indicate that 
the first settlers were fortunate in receiving medical treatment and care 
of some description when they were sick. That it was not of the high- 
est character in a professional sense need not be asserted. The Dutch 
West India Company itself endeavored to protect its subjects from ill- 
ness, possibly from partially selfish reasons. One of their recorded 
regulations reads as follows: 

The patroons and colonists shall, in particular and in the speediest manner, en- 
deavor to find way.s and means whereby they may support a minister and a school- 
master, that the service of God and the zeal for religion may not grow cold and be 
neglected among them, and that they do for the first procure a comforter for the sick. 

This office had a Dutch name of its own and its incumbent was the 
first person recognized in such a capacity in the colonies under the 
Dutch regime. This " comforter of the sick" frequently combined in 




^Jyf^MOM^d^OML^ 



himself the offices of physician, preacher and possibily a civil position 
of some nature. His medical skill and knowledge could not, of course, 
have been of a high character. Among those who thus mingled medical 
practice with religious teaching was the noted Dominie Johannes 
Megapolensis, who bore the title of "Rev. Dr." He was probably the 
first Dutch dominie to settle at Albany. Another was Dominie G. W. 
Mancius, who educated his son, Wilhelmus, in the medical profession 
to such good purpose that he practiced successfully during the most of 
the remainder of his life in Albany. Both of these pioneers became 
members of the Albany County Medical Society upon its formation in 
1806. But the first " comforter of the sick" at Fort Orange was 
Sebastian Jansel Crol. He had previously filled a similar office at Fort 
Amsterdam, coming to this colony in 1026 with the appointment of 
ViceDirector and Company's Commissary to Fort Orange. He was 
succeeded in his official position by Hermanns Myndertse Vander Bogart 
in 1646. It is believed that he was ship surgeon on the Eendraght, 
which came over in 1630, and therefore was a qualified practitioner. 
He served at Fort Orange only two years and was probablv burned to 
death in an Indian wigwam on the Mohawk. 

The first regular physician to settle in this locality came over in 1642 
in the same vessel with Rev. Dr. Megapolensis, in the person of Sur- 
geon Abraham Staats. Very little is known of his qualifications, or 
whether he was employed, like the ininister, to serve the inhabitants 
both spirtually and professionally. Albany consisted then of only 
twenty-five or thirty houses scattered along the river, and a population 
of about 10(1; hence Dr. Staats probably did not find himself over- 
pressed with professional labor. He was doubtless a man of good 
character and public spirit, for he was the first presiding officer of the 
village council of Rensselaerwyck. In 1642 his dwelling at Claverack 
was burned bj' the Indians, and his wife and others of his family per- 
ished. He became the owner of Fort Orange, it is said, and the land 
on which it stood came down to his descendants. 

One of the first, perhaps the very first, enactment, to regulate medi- 
cal practice at new Amsterdam was the following: 

Ordered, that ship barbers shall not be allowed to dress wounds, nor administer 
any potion on shore, without the consent of the petitioners [the local chirurgeous], 
or at least Dr. La Montagne. 

The inference from this extract as to what had been practiced upon 
occasion, is clear. This Dr. Johannes de la ^lontagne was a Huguenot, 



170 

and although a physician, was known in political affairs only. He ar- 
rived in New York in 1637 and was vice-director of Fort Orange from 
1036 to 1664, and held other offices. 

Surgeon De Hinse was a physician at the fort in 1666; there is little 
record of his practice. These surgeons who were on duty at Fort 
Orange at that period received for pay 2s. 6d. per day. In 1689 a 
Scotch physician named Lockhart was surgeon at the P'ort and prac- 
practiced among the inhabitants. At a later date a son of Rev. Dr. 
Megapolensis vv-as a surgeon of the colony. He and his brother Samuel 
were graduates of Leyden, and passed most of their lives in New York. 
These are about all the phy.sicians of whom the records speak until 
along in the beginning of the. next century. Less than fortj' physicians 
are known to have come to the province of New York during the seven- 
teenth century, though there may have been a few more whose names 
are lost in the past. 

The old French war and the war of the Revolution brought hither 
and into prominence many physicians. The English army was accom- 
panied by a respectable medical staff and from that time onward the 
profession on this side of the ocean occupied a much higher plane than 
before. Dr. Samuel Stringer, a native of Maryland and educated in 
Virginia, where a medical school was early established, was the lead- 
ing physician in Albany during the eighteenth century and shared in 
the labors connected with both these wars. In 1755 he received the 
appointment from Governor Shirley of officer in the medical depart- 
ment of the army, and accompanied Abercrombie in 1758 in his disas- 
trous campaign at Ticonderoga. .Serving through the war he settled 
in Albany and remained in practice until the beginning of the Revolu- 
tion, when he was appointed by Congress Director- General of Hospitals 
in the Northern Department. In this capacity he accompanied the 
army in the Canadian invasion. He was subsequently removed from 
this high position, possibly through sympathy with General Schuyler 
in the ill fortune and opposition which that gallant officer met. His 
removal called out a vigorous remonstrance from the general to Con- 
gress. He returned to Albany in 1777 and here passed the remainder 
of his long life. 

Dr. Nicholas Schuyler also served professionally in the armies in 
both wars, after which he settled in Albany and died in Troy in 18-->4. 
Dr. J. Cochoran, of Pennsylvania, served as surgeon in the Revolu- 
tionary army, occupying high position. He was made Surgeon General 



1?1 

of the Middle Department, and in 1781 was appointed Director-General 
of the Hospitals of the United States. He settled in Albany at the 
conclusion of the war. 

During an early period Moses and Elias Williams, brothers and na- 
tives of New England, practiced their profession in Albany. They 
with their father shared in the battle of Lexington. Elias had begun 
the study of medicine before the war broke out and after serving a 
short time as a private he entered a military hospital in Boston, which 
was then much used as a training school for needed surgeons. Two 
years later he was appointed surgeon in a Maine regiment and served 
to the close of the war. He settled in Albany in 1801 and practiced 
there twenty-five 3'ears. His brother was j'ounger and entered the 
service later. 

Hunloke Woodruff a graduate of Princeton, began the study of 
medicine a short time previous to the beginning of the Revolution and 
took up his residence in Albany. He was soon appointed surgeon of 
a New York regiment, accompanied Colonel Gansevoort at th'e siege 
of Fort Stanwix and General Sullivan in his famous expedition into 
the country of the .Senecas. After the war he settled in Albany, 
where he passed most of the remainder of his life. He was the first 
president of the County Medical Society and bore the reputation of a 
skillful physician. 

It is a historical incident of importance that during the French war 
a hospital was established in Albany, to care for the wounded brought 
down from the Ticonderoga battlefield. Mrs. Grant, in her "Memoirs 
of an American Lady," notes the occurrence, an-d states that the hos- 
pital was opened in the barn of Madame Schuyler, where a band of 
ladies attended on the sufferers. Another historical authority states 
that a hospital was established here during that war, and describes it 
as it appeared in 1788 as follows: 

It is situated on an eminence overlooking the city. It is two stories high, having 
a wing at each end and a piazza in front', above and below. It contains forty wards, 
capable of accommodating 500 patients, besides the rooms appropriated to the use of 
the surgeons and other officers. 

After the defeat of Burgojme at Saratoga it is said that more than a 
thousand sick and wounded soldiers and officers were sent to Albany, 
filling the hospital, the Dutch church and many dwellings. Many of 
these victims of the war remained until the following June, when the 
military hospital was removed to the highlands of the Hudson. At a 



172 

later date there was a military cantonment and liospital in Greenbusli, 
which was maintained until 18'2"2. 

Besides the victims of war the early physicians had to encounter 
epidemics at times that were, perhaps, more to be dreaded than bullets. 
Small-pox found its victims in thousands and in the early days was 
difficult to manage. In 1613 it broke out and spread with frightful 
virulence among both Europeans and Indians. Twelve of the few in- 
habitants on the site of Albany died in one week, while a thousand 
Indians perished. During two months Connecticut maintained a quar- 
antine against the New Netherlands. Some years later the dreaded 
disease again broke out with all its former fatality; indeed, in early 
times this epidemic was more feared and its ravages were more exten- 
sive than those of any other disease. With the introduction of inocu- 
lation and its quite general adoption about 17:30, the mortality from 
small-pox began to diminish. 

In 1746 a disease which took the name of the Barbadoes distemper, 
and other appellations, was imported by foreign ships and made its ap- 
pearance in Albany. The disease was doubtless yellow fever. In 1793 
the citizens of Albany, having been informed by Judge Lansing that 
yellow fever was on board of a vessel that had passed New York, a 
meeting of citizens and the Council was held and measures adopted to 
prevent any vessel from passing above the Overslaugh without exam- 
ination. The Council recommended a day of fasting and prayer as an- 
other means of averting the disease. Two days later Hon. Alexander 
Hamilton and his wife arrived at Greenbush, where they were visited 
by a committee from Albany, who reported that the distinguished 
couple were apparently well and recommended that they be permitted 
to cross the river. The committee consisted of the following physi- 
cians of this city: Drs. Samuel Stringer, W. Mancius, H. Woodruff, 
W. McClelland and Cornelius Roosa. 

With the opening of the present century the character of the medi 
cal profession in this country began to improve. Albany had a popula- 
tion of about 5,000, but they were nearly all Dutch. There was a de- 
mand for better educated physicians and the demand was soon sup- 
plied. Quackery and charlatanry, which had been rampant, began to 
receive such, merited condemnation from both reputable physicians and 
well-informed persons generally, that their hold upon the public could 
not long continue. Prior to 1750 the education of physicians, unless 
gained in Europe, was very imperfect and the facilities for gaining 




JOSEPH LHWI, M. D. 



173 

even that were limited. The first regular medical instruction attempted 
in this countr}' began in that year with a course of lectures on anatomy 
delivered in New York by Samuel Clossy, a Dublin graduate. Before 
the close of that century four medical schools were established, one 
each at Philadelphia, New York, and in Harvard and Dartmouth Col- 
leges. But many who would gladly have availed themselves of the 
facilities of these institutions could not reach them, and were forced 
to content themselves with the personal instruction of some practicing 
physician, who was frequently ill-fitted for the task. The passage of 
the law in 180G, authorizing the formation of State and county medical 
societies worked almost a revolution — not at once, but by the gradual 
steps that are taken by most great reforms. The names of the mem- 
bers who formed the Albany County Medical Society, organized in 
July of the same year that witnessed the passage of the law, are given 
on a succeeding page, and are followed with a complete list of the offi- 
cers. Of some of the prominent members of that date it is proper to 
speak at a little more length. 

The oldest physician in Albany was Dr. Wilhelmus Mancius, son of 
the Dutch dominie already alluded to. He was then (1806) more than 
sixty years of age and enjoyed great popularity. Dr. Hunloke Wood- 
ruff was his partner for a time. Doctor Mancius died in 1808, two 
years after the organization of the society. 

Dr. William McClelland, a charter member of the County society, 
and its first vice-president, and the first president of the State society, 
was a graduate of Edinburgh. He was a leader in the profession here, 
and had for partner Dr. William Bay, long a successful physician. Dr. 
McClelland died in 1812. 

Dr. John G. Knauff was an apothecary and probably gave more at- 
tention to that business than to practice. He was a native of Ger- 
many and died in 1810. Dr. Caleb Gauff, then an old man, had prac- 
ticed many years in Bethlehem, while Dr. Oliver Lathrop was practic- 
ing in Watervleit. 

Dr. Jonathan Eights was an exact and methodical man who through 
the first half of this century was held in high esteem as a family physi- 
cian. He contributed more or less to medical literature. 

Dr. John Stearns was a graduate of Yale, practiced a number of 
years here, and is honored as being the man whose efforts procured the 
law of 1806 under which State and county medical societies have been 
incorporated. 



174 

The succeeding lists give such brief details of all the members of the 
society as are permissible for this work. 

When the great cholera epidemic of 1832 swept over the countr}-, a 
meeting of this society was called at the request of the mayor to con- 
sult upon measures for the arrest of the disease. A staff was organized 
consisting of Drs. Eights, Wing, Greene, Boyd, Townsend, Wendell, 
James, McNaughton, and March. The physicians of the city met every 
evening in the city hall where a record was kept of the deaths. Con- 
spicuous among the active and unselfish workers of that trying period 
was Dr. James P. Boyd, then a comparatively young man. His faith- 
ful labor in the epidemic gave him a commanding position in after 
years. Dr. James McNaughton, who had formerly been a teacher of 
medicine in a school, was made president of the Board of Health at 
that time, and with his brother Peter labored assiduously among the 
sufferers. Both of these men were for half a century among the lead- 
ing citizens of Albany. Dr. Barent P. Staats was not only a prominent 
physician, but took an active interest in politics, and was also a trus- 
tee of numerous mercantile concerns. He was health officer of the 
port during the period under consideration. Dc. Alden March was 
also a well established physician at that time, having settled here in 
1820. He practiced about fifty 5'ears and gained a world-wide reputa- 
tion, as a surgeon and a teacher. 

The number of reported cases of cholera during the existence of the 
disease here was 1,147, of which 423 were fatal. There was an out- 
break of the disease two years later, in which there were 124 cases, 
with seventy-eight deaths. 

Dr. T. Romeyn Beck was about at the height of his great fame at 
the time now under consideration. As the author of " Medical Juris- 
prudence " his reputation is world-wide. Both he and his brother 
gave much of their lives to teaching and literary labor. One of them 
was sent by the governor to the northern frontier, duing the cholera 
epidemic, to procure information concerning the disease Dr. Thomas 
Hun was then just entering practice and passed the remainder of his 
long life in Albany, an honor to his profession and to good citizenship. 
Dr. Hun was prominently connected with and for many years was dean 
of the faculty of the Albany Medical College and president of the staff 
of the Albany Hospital. He died in 189G, having been active in his 
profession for more than half a century. 

Several prominent Albany county physicians took part professionally 



175 

in the war of 1812. Among them was Dr. Piatt Williams, a graduate 
ijf Williams College and just beginning practice when the war com- 
menced. He was promptly appointed surgeon of the Second Regiment 
of Riflemen and served through the war. Returning to Albany he 
was appointed surgeon of theGreenbush Cantonment, before mentioned, 
and served there until it was abandoned in 1822. 

Dr. Henry Greene, a native of Rhode Island, graduated in 1814, and 
was immediately made assistant surgeon of the 25th Regulars, saw hard 
service in Canada and remained in the army until the war closed. He 
settled in Albany in 1828, was conspicuous in the cholera epidemic and 
one of the faculty of the Medical College when it was established. 

Dr. Joel A. Wing practiced in Albany thirty eight years. He was 
appointed surgeon in the army immediately after his graduation, but 
declined and was made post surgeon of the Greenbush barracks in 1841. 

The army record of the medical officers of this city and county who 
honorably served their country during the most trying times of the 
Rebellion, would write, if space permitted, a series of biographies show- 
ing broad patriotism and a devotion to duty that does honor to the 
American physician. To mention the names of those who distinguished 
themselves on the field of battle, who unflinchingly accompanied the 
forlorn hope, who for meritorious conduct were named inofficial orders 
must be delegated to the writer of individual biographies. The list is a 
long and honorable one and includes the following: 

Dr. S. O. Vanderpoel held the office of surgeon general at the out- 
break of the war. He served as such on the staff of Governor King 
from January 1, 1857, to 1859. He was appointed a second time on 
January 1, 1861, and filled the office during the administration of Gov- 
ernor Morgan. His was the responsible duty of organizing the med- 
ical corps of the early volunteer regiments from this .State, and upon 
his recommendation over GOO medical officers were commissioned and 
assigned to regiments. During the peninsular campaign he served as 
a volunteer surgeon, and during the latter part of the war was inspector 
of hospitals for the Sanitary Commission. After the war Dr. Vander- 
poel was for eight years health officer of the port of New York. For 
many years he was a member of the Medical College Faculty, and at- 
tending and consulting physician to the hospitals. He removed to New 
York city in 1881 and died on the 12th of March, 1886. 

Dr. J. V. P. Quackenbush was surgeon-general during the administra- 
tion of Governor Seymour from January 1, ISGo, to 1865. For a period 



176 

of thirty-five years Dr. Quackenbnsh was a leading- physician in Albany, 
was a member of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College and a pop- 
ular teacher and lecturer. He was a prominent citizen and attained a 
high reputation in the special field to which lie devoted most of his 
professional life. He died at Albany in l!S?(J. 

Dr. Sylvester 1). Willard was appointed surgeon- general on the staft" 
of Governor Fenton January 2, 1865, and died during the same year. 
Early in 1862 he volunteered his services as a surgeon and was assigned 
to duty with the Army of the Potomac. The hardships of the penin- 
sular campaign undermined his health and hastened his death. He was 
foremost in advocating the founding of the Willard Asylum for the In- 
sane, was possessed of vigorous intellectual qualities, and a man of a 
large fund of general and professional knowledge. 

Dr. James D. Pomfret was appointed surgeon general April 6, 1865, 
to fill vacancy on the staff of Gov. Fenton caused by the death of vSur- 
geon- General Willard, and served as such until January, 1869. July 
24, 1862, Dr. Pomfret was appointed surgeon of the 7th N. Y. Heavy 
Artillery (afterwards the 113th N. Y. Vols). February 7, 1865, he 
tendered his resignation, was discharged from the service and returned 
to Albany to resume the practice of his profession. Dr. Pomfret served 
with his regiment in the defences of Washington and during this time 
was assigned to duty as brigade surgeon. Later on he did service in 
the field and was assigned to duty as one of the division surgeons of 
the 2d Army Corps. He was a conscientious officer and popular with 
the officers and men of his regiment. Dr. Pomfret died in 1869. 

Dr. Jacob S. Mosher was surgeon-general on the staff of Governor 
Holfman from 1869 to 1873. He also served as a surgeon of volun- 
teers in the field and in hospitals at Washington. During his stay at 
Washington he was assigned to duty as assistant State medical director 
and served until 1867. In 1870 he was appointed deputy health officer 
of the Port of New York and remained in office for a period of six 
years. Dr. Mosher was a member of the Yellow Fever Commission 
appointed by Congress, a member of the Faculty of the Albany Med- 
ical College, registrar of the Faculty and connected with the hospitals. 
He was prominent as a citizen, gifted as a physician and eminent as a 
chemist. Dr. Mosher died in Albany, August, 1883. 

Dr. James W. Moore was commissioned as assistant surgeon in the vol- 
unteer service of the U. S. navy early in 1861 and was in active service 
for a period of nearly two years. He was assigned to duty as fleet sur- 




SAMUEL B. WARLj, M^ U. 



177 

geon of the flotilla cruising in the Chesapeake Bay and North Atlan- 
tic. He was surgeon of the frigate Florida, fitted out and commis- 
sioned to cruise for the privateer Alabama, and subsequently assigned 
to hospital duty. After the close of the war he returned to Cohoes 
and continued in the practice of his profession until his death in 188(!. 

Dr. J. Savage Delevan was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
IGDth N.Y. Vols, in 1863, but was not mustered owing to the minimum 
number of men in the regiment. After serving in general hospitals at 
Washington, D. C, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 1st 
Connecticut Artillery and served during the war, participating in man)- 
of the artillery engagements during the siege of Petersburg, \"a. He 
was also with his regiment at the taking of Fort Fisher. After the 
Close of the war he resumed practice in Albany. Dr. Delevan was 
vice consul at Geneva, Switzerland, for a period of two years, for sev- 
eral years U. S. pension examining surgeon at Albany, attending 
physician on the staff of the Homoeopathic Hospital, and member of 
the State Board of Health. Dr. Delevan died in 1885. 

Dr. Herman Bendell entered the service as hospital steward of the 
39th N. Y. Vols., May 38, 1861; was appointed acting assistant sur- 
geon U. S. A., September 1 of the same year; was commissioned as 
assistant surgeon of the Gth Regiment of New York Heavy Artillery 
February 23, 1863; promoted to surgeon of the 86th N. Y. Veteran 
Vols. January 3, 1865, and served till the close of the war. He was 
brevetted lieutenant-colonel for meritorious services May 18, 1866. 
Since 1886 he has been surgeon of the 3d Brigade of the N. G. N. Y. 

Dr. Samuel B. Ward was appointed medical cadet in the U. S. Arm}' 
in September, 1863. In 1863 was commissioned as acting assistant 
surgeon U. S. A , and subsequently commissioned as assistant sur- 
geon U. S. Vols. After the close of the war Dr. Ward began the 
practice of his profession in the city of New York. In 1873 he was 
elected assistant surgeon of the 7th Regiment of the National Guard, 
and after his removal to Albany, in 1876, he was commissioned as sur- 
geon of the 5th Brigade, N. G. N. Y., in which position he served 
until the reorganization of the Guard in 1886. Dr. Ward is a member 
of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College, attending physician at 
the Albany Hospital, consulting surgeon at vSt. Peter's Hospital, and a 
representative member of the State and County Medical Society. 

Dr. Charles A. Robertson was appointed surgeon of the 159th N. Y. 
Vols., August 30, 1863, and resigned his commission November 3, 



178 

1863. Prior to the war he practiced ophthalmology in Boston. After 
resigning- from the service he settled in Albany and had a large i)rac- 
tice in his specialty nntil his death in 1880. 

Dr. Thomas Helms of McKownsville was commissioned as assistant 
surgeon of the 148th New York Vols. , December 23, 1863, and was 
promoted April 5, 1865, to surgeon of the 85th N. Y. Vols. He was 
wounded at Fort Harrison, and was honorably discharged at the clcse 
of the war. He resumed practice in his old town, and died in 1889. 

Dr. Charles H. Porter was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
40th N. Y. Vols. August 22d, 1862, was promoted surgeon of the (ith 
N. Y. Heavy Artillery February 25, 1803, and mustered out with his 
regiment at the close of the war. In May, 1806, he was brevetted 
colonel of N. Y. Volunteers. He returned to Albany and is actively 
engaged in the practice of his profession. 

Dr. John L. Van Alstyne was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 3(1 
N. Y. Cavalry February 16, 1803, promoted surgeon of the same regi- 
ment September 5, 1864, and mustered out of service at Norfolk, Ya., 
July 12, 1865. After leaving the service Dr. Van Alstyne returned to 
Albany, subsequently removed to Richmondville, Schoharie county, 
N. Y. , where he is actively engaged in the practice of his profession. 

Dr. Alexander H. Hofif served as surgeon-general on the staff of 
Governor Clark from January 1, 1855, to 1857. He was commissioned 
as surgeon of the 3d N. Y. Vols., May 8, 1861, and during the same 
year detailed as surgeon in charge of the brigade to which his regiment 
was assigned. From 1864 to the close of the war he was medical direc- 
tor of transportation, and was mustered out of the service at Raleigh, 
N. C, August 28, 1865. In 1867 he was appointed assistant surgeon 
in the Medical Corps of the U. S. Army, subsequently promoted to the 
grade of surgeon, and remained in the army until his death in 1876. 

Dr. Norman L. Snow was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
153d N. Y. Volunteers, August 23, 1862, was promoted surgeon of 
the same regiment March 10, 1864, and mustered out of service with 
his regiment October 2, 1865. Doctor Snow served with Sheridan in 
the Shenandoah, in the Red River expedition under Banks, and during 
the latter part of the war was health officer of the district of Savannah. 
After the war he resumed practice in his native locality, Canajoharie. 
In 1875 he became the associate of Doctor Vander Veer at Albany, was 
a member of the medical and surgical staff of the Albany Hospital, a 
curator of the college, and was president of the Board of Aldermen at 
the time of his death in December, 1885. 




CHARLES H. PORTER, M. D. 




(b'^^ 






I 



179 

Dr. Albert Vander Veer entered the service early in 1861 as a medi- 
cal cadet. He was one of the original corps of one hundred medical 
cadets appointed in the U. S. army and was assigned to duty at the 
Columbia College Hospital at Washington. January 3, 1863, he was 
commissioned assistant surgeon of the 66th New York Vols., promoted to 
surgeon of the same regiment July 29, 1864, and mustered out of service 
August 31, 1865. Doctor Vander Veer is actively and prominently en- 
gaged in the practice of his profession at Albany. He is a member of 
the college faculty and dean of the faculty, also attending and consult- 
ing surgeon on the hospital staff and a Regent of the University. He 
is prominent as a citizen, eminent as a surgeon and a liberal contribu- 
tor to the literature of his profession. 

Dr. A. B Huested entered the service as hospital steward of the 
113th N. Y. Volunteers (7th Heavy Artillery) early in 1862. March 
21st, 1804, he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 21st N. Y. 
Cavalry, was promoted to surgeon October 15, 1865, and remained in 
service to the close of the war. He returned to Albany, is engaged in 
the drug business and is a member of the faculty of the College of 
Pharmacy. 

Dr. George H. Newcomb was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
113th N. Y. Volunteers August 15, 1862, was promoted to surgeon of 
the same regiment February 18, 1805, and mustered out of service 
June 6, 1865, at Federal Hill, Md. At the close of the war he resumed 
practice at Albany. 

Dr. George T. Stevens was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
77th N. Y. Volunteers October 8, 1861, was promoted to surgeon of 
the same regiment February 16, 1863, and mustered out of service 
with the field and staff of his regiment December 13, 1865. Doctor 
Stevens is a contributor to the surgical history of the rebellion and 
author of "Three Years With the Sixth Corps." He practiced in Al- 
bany for many years after the war, contributed largely to the litera- 
ture of his specialty, ophthalmology, and removed to New York city 
in 1881. 

Dr. P. M. Murphy was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 134th 
N. Y. Volunteers March 30, 1864, was promoted to surgeon of the 89th 
N. Y. Volunteers June 20, 1805, but not mustered as such. He accom- 
panied .Sherman on the March to the Sea, and at the close of the war 
returned to Albany and engaged in the drug business. Doctor Murphy 
died at Albany June, 1894. 



180 

Dr. Alexander A. Edmeston was commissioned assistant surgeon 
18th N. Y. Volunteers, May 17, 1861, and resigned September 25, 
1862. He again entered the service as surgeon of the 92d N. Y. Vol- 
unteers October 7, 1S63, and resigned his commission December 2, 
1864. He resumed practice at Albany and died from the results of 
disease contracted in the service. 

Dr. Frank J. Mattimore was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
18th N. Y. Volunteers, August 11, 1862, and mustered out of service 
with his regiment May 21, 186:5. He died a few months after his re- 
turn from disease contracted in the service. 

Dr. Wesley Blaisdell was practicing at Coeymans. Was appointed 
assistant surgeon of the 113th Regiment N. Y. Vols., later the 7th 
Heavy Artiller)', August 15, 1862, and resigned September 29 of the 
same year. He again entered the service as assistant surgeon of the 
75th N. Y. Vols. November 15, 1862, and resigned July 4, 1863. Dr. 
Blaisdell died at Newbern, N. C, in 1864. 

Dr. Cornelius B. O'Leary was commissioned surgeon of the 25th mih- 
tia regiment May 31, 1861, to serve three months and was mustered 
with his regiment September 8 of the same year. September 12, 1862, 
Dr. O'Leary was appointed assistant surgeon of the 175th New York 
Vols, and was discharged, by resignation, January 16, 1863. He was 
commissioned surgeon of the 175th N. Y. Vols. January 17, 1863, mus- 
tered into service the same day, and discharged from the service Sep- 
tember 19, 1863. Was recommissioned assistant surgeon of the same 
regiment October 17, 1864, but not mustered into service. Dr. O'Leary 
resumed practice at Albany and died in 1877. 

Dr. Warren Van Steenberg was commissioned assistant surgeon 
1st N. Y. Vol. Infantry December 3, 1861, and was discharged Sep- 
tember 30, 1862, to accept promotion as surgeon 55th N. Y. Vols, and 
was discharged from the regiment December 22, 1862, by reason of 
consolidation. Dr. Van Steenberg again entered the service as surgeon 
of the 120th N. Y. Vols April 27, 1863, and was mustered out with his 
regiment June 3, 1865. After the war he resumed practice at Cohoes, 
N. Y. He died in 1880. 

Dr. P. L. F. Reynolds was commissioned assistant surgeon 16th N. 
Y. Volunteers September 22, 1862, and was discharged from the service 
on surgeon's certificate of disability at Folly Island, S. C, December 
13, 1863. In March, 1865, he was commissioned as assistant surgeon 
of the 94th X. Y. Volunteers but was not mustered. He resumed prac- 



181 

tice at Albany, subsequently removed to Oneida, Madison county, N. 
Y., where he died. April, 1887. 

Dr. William H. Craig was commissioned surgeon of the 177th N. Y. 
Volunteers October 11, 1863, and mustered out with his regiment Sep- 
tember 10, 1863. He resumed practice in Albany. He was U. S. 
pension examining surgeon from 1865 to 1877, when he was appointed 
postmaster of Albany. Dr. Craig took an active interest in all matters 
pertaining to public improvements. He was a patriotic soldier, hon- 
ored and esteemed as a citizen and a trusted physician. Dr. Craig died 
in October, 1889. 

Dr. Jeptha R. Boulware was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 
177th regiment N. Y. Volunteers November 5, 1862, and mustered out 
with his regiment December 10, 1863. After the war he was surgeon 
of the 10th Regiment and surgeon of the 9th brigade of the National 
Guard of the State of New York. Dr, Boulware was a prominent 
physician. He was surgeon on the staff of St. Peter's Hospital For 
several years prior to his death he was a victim of disease contracted in 
the service. He died October, 1887. 

Dr. Henry R. Haskins was commissioned surgeon of the 192d N. Y. 
\'olunteers February 1, 1865, and was mustered out of service August 
28 of the same year. He practiced in Albany until his death in 1884. 
Was professor of anatomy on the faculty of the Albany Medical College 
and promiijent as a surgeon. 

Dr. Oscar H. Young was commissioned assistant surgeon of the r77th 
N. Y. Volunteers November 6, 1862, and was mustered out of service 
with his regiment September 10. 1863. He resumed practice in Albany 
and subsequently removed to Michigan. 

Dr. Thomas Beckett was enrolled as surgeon's mate of the 25th N. 
Y. State Militia May 21, 1862, and mustered out with his regiment 
vSeptember 8 of the same year October -4, 1862, he was commissioned 
assistant surgeon of the 175th N. Y. \'ols. and resigned from the service 
Jane 11, 18f>:5. In 18G5 he was appointed acting assisting snrgeon U. vS. 
A. and assigned to duty at the Ira Harris Hospital, sfrsing to the close 
of the war. Dr. Beckett resumed practice at Albany. He never fully re- 
covered his health, undermined by arduous duties during the campaign 
in Louisiana, and died in 1895. 

Dr. Charles P. Staats was commissioned assistant surgeon 67th N. Y. 
Volunteers January 21, 1863, and mustered out of service with his regi- 
ment July i, 1S64. Dr. Staats resumed the practice of his profession 
at Albany. He died in 1884. 



182 

To complete this honorable list it is just to record the names of 
phj'sicians from this city and county who served the country in its 
time of need but were not assigned to regimental organizations, and 
also to name those whose valuable services are mentioned in official 
reports and whose labors are entitled to recognition. The act of April 
10, 1861, authorizing the enrollment of 30,000 volunteers in this State, 
necessitated prompt and energetic action on the part of the chiefs of 
departments to properly equip and provide for this large volunteer 
force that was rapidly being concentrated at the designated rendezvous. 
Efficient organization to provide for the physical examination of re- 
cruits, quarters for the sick and disabled, and medical attendants was 
demanded. The qualification of candidates for the position of surgeon 
and assistant-surgeon was to be determined. The position of surgeon- 
general, which up to this time was only complimentary, became active 
and responsible. Dr. Alexander A. Hoff was appointed medical inspector 
of the military rendezvous at Albany. He served in this capacity until 
May 15, 1861, when he was relieved to accept the position as surgeon 
of the 3d N. Y. Vols. Dr. Hoff was succeeded by Dr. Mason F. Cogs- 
well, who faithfully performed the duties of medical inspector until the 
completion of the levy. Drs. John Swinburne. Alden March, and 
Howard Townsend volunteered their services in attending the sick and 
disabled soldiers, who, under contract with the managers, were ad- 
mitted to the Albany Hospital. In accordance with authority from 
the commander-in-chief, Surgeon-General Vanderpoel, on April 19, 
1861, appointed Drs. Alden March, Thomas Hun, and Mason F. Cogs- 
well of this city, a commission for the examination of candidates for 
the position of surgeon and assistant surgeon of the volunteer regi- 
ments from this State. Dr. John "\'. Lansing was named as secretary, 
and Dr. Joseph Lewi was added to the commission as an adjunct mem- 
ber. Four hundred and sixty-eight applicants were examined by this 
board. Of this number two hundred and twenty eight qualified as 
surgeons, and one hundred and sixty-seven as assistant surgeons. This 
commission remained in service until December 10, 1861. Many of 
the best minds in the profession from this city tendered their ser- 
vices and were assigned to duty in camp, field, and hospitals. Dr. 
Mason F. Cogswell was surgeon in charge of a post hospital and 
served as a volunteer surgeon in the Army of the Potomac in 1862. 
In 1863 Dr. Cogswell, in connection with Dr. Thomas Hun, inspected 
for the Christian Commission, the military hospitals of the west and 



183 

southwest. Dr. Alden March, at the time professor of surgerv at the 
Albany Medical College, devoted much of his time to the care of the 
sick and wounded inmates of the Soldiers' Home located at Albany. 
Dr. John V. Lansing was appointed acting assistant surgeon and as- 
signed to duty as examiner of recruits at the Albany barracks. Dr. 
Henry March, son of Alden March, was commissioned assistant sur- 
geon of volunteers in 1862 and assigned to hospital duty at Fortress 
]\Ionroe and at Fredericksburg, \'a. Dr. William H. Bailey, a prom- 
inent physician of Alban}', was commissioned as surgeon of volunteers 
and assigned to duty at Washington, D. C, and in field hospitals of 
the Army of the Potomac. Dr. John Swinburne served at the recruit- 
ing rendezvous at Albany from 1861 to 1862. Dr. Swinburne was also 
a member of the corps of volunteer surgeons assigned to duty with 
the Army of the Potomac during the peninsular campaign in 1802. 
In connection with Drs. Willard, Cogswell, and Lansing, he was di- 
rected by the medical director of the Army of the Potomac to estalilish 
a field hospital on the Pamunkey River at a point known as the White 
House, and remained in charge of this hospital until he was appointed 
acting assistant surgeon U. S. A. and assigned to duty as surgeon in 
charge of field hospital at Savage Station, Ya. Dr. James H. Armsby 
was one of the attending surgeons at the Soldiers' Home in this city. 
Drs. Levi Moore, James L. Babcock, Ira Delamater, and A. P. Ten 
Eyck, men esteemed by the community and respected as physicians, 
largely assisted in caring for the sick and wounded soldiers confined in 
hospital and barracks. Dr. Samuel H. Freeman, still active in the 
profession, served as an attending physician at the Soldiers' Home. 

Physicians who performed military service other than professional 
were Dr. O. D. Ball, who enlisted November 1, 1861, and was mustered 
as sergeant of Co. M, 3d Artillery, N. Y. Vols., December 9, of the 
same year. Doctor Ball was promoted 3d lieutenant of Co. I, May 21, 
1864. February 14, 1865, was advanced to 1st lieutenant and mustered 
out of service with his company July 7, 1865. After the close of the 
war Doctor Ball practiced medicine in Otsego county, N. Y. In 1874 
he removed to Albany and is still actively engaged in the practice of 
his profession. Doctor Ball is a member of the State Medical Societv 
and ex-president of the County Medical Society, 

Dr. Edward E. Brown was commissioned 1st lieutenant of Co. K. 5th 
Artillery, X. Y. Vols., September 21, 1862, was promoted captain 
January 30, 1863, and resigned his commission May 3, 1865. Doctor 



184 

Brown is a graduate of the Albany Medical College, practiced his pro- 
fession in the town of Bethlehem and at Albany and removed to 
Massachusetts. 

Dr. Ezra A. Bartlett enlisted as a private in the 4th U. S. Artillery 
in lS6o. He served with the Army of the Cumberland and Tennessee, 
participating in many engagements and was wounded at Pulaski, Tenn., 
in Januar}-, 1865. In 1866 he was honorably discharged from the ser- 
vice and completed his collegiate education. After graduating he stud- 
ied medicine at th; Albany Medical College and began the practice of 
his profession at Albany. Doctor Bartlett is a lecturer at the Albany 
Medical College, a member of the staff of the Albany Hospital and a 
contributor to the literature of his profession. 

Dr. Frederick C. Curtis was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 40th Regi- 
ment Wisconsin Vols., May 17, 18(i4, and was discharged on the 16th 
of September of same year by reason of expiration of term of enlist- 
ment. His regiment, mainly recruited from colleges and academies, 
Doctor Curtis at the time being in his sophomore year at Beloit Col- 
lege, served in the defenses of Memphis, Tenn., and participated in the 
engagement defending the city against the raid of General Forrest. 
Doctor Curtis is active in the profession, is a member of the .State Board 
of Health, connected with the college faculty and hospital staff, and since 
1888 has been secretary of the New York State Medical Society. 

Dr. John H. Wilbur at the outbreak of the Rebellion was a student of 
medicine registered with Dr. J. D. Wheeler, West Fulton, Scho- 
harie county, X. Y. He enlisted as a private in Co. C, 44th N. Y. 
Vols., August ^2 1861, and was discharged for disability May ,5, 1863. 
After leaving the army he resumed the study of medicine and was 
graduated from the Eclectic Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa., in 
1864. Doctor Wilbur practiced medicine at West Fulton for three 
years, removed to Oak Hill, Greene county, N. Y., where he remained 
four years. In 1874 he settled in the city of Cohoes and practiced his 
profession until his death March 20, 1896. 

The passage of the act of March 18, 1806, authorizing the formation 
of medical societies, marked the beginning of a new era in the profes- 
sion Previous to that date physicians had been free to begin practice 
when and where they saw fit. The result, as has been seen, was to de- 
grade the noble profession. The ignorant pretender, in many localities, 
stood upon substantially the same footing as regarded success in ob- 
taining patients, with the skilled and educated man. The field was 



185 

overrun with (juacks of all kinds and who based their claims to business 
upon all manner of pretenses. The time was sure to arrive when rep- 
utable physicians would adopt measures for self protection, which 
would serve to sepai-ate them from the army of disreputable practi- 
tioners. Dr. Thomas Hun wrote in 1844 that : "Quackery must be 
suppressed, not by legislation, but by enlightening public opinion of 
its dangers. The respectability of our profession is to be promoted, 
not by asking for legal privileges, but by an increase of individual zeal 
and co-operation." That was written nearly forty years after medical 
societies came into existence and indicates what must have been the 
conditions of the profession at a much earlier period. 

It has frequently been placed on record that the Albany County Med- 
ical Society is the oldest medical society in the State. This is an error. 
The date of its organization was July 39, 1806, at which date there 
were five other county medical societies in existence, all of which ex- 
cepting that of Columbia county, were, however, organized in the same 
month with the Albany County Society. This society has been one of 
the most persistently active in the State, and has met with regularity. 
It has been instrumental in contending against local epidemics and un- 
sanitary conditions, its advice having been frequently sought by the 
mayor and council of Albany. Its discipline over unprofessional mem- 
bers has been both strict and just, and it has been more than generous 
in perpetuating the memory of its deceased members in printed biogra- 
phies and in the publication of its own proceedings. 

Following is a chronological list of the members of this society from 
its organization, with the year of graduation, and other details; 

Chronological List of the Medical Society of the County of Albany from rrs 
Organization, with Year of Admission and Place of Graduation — The Living 
Resident Members are Indicated by a Star*. 

1806, Hunloke Woodruff, New York city, died 1811, aged 56; William McClelland, 
Edinburgh, died 18r.2, aged 43; Charles D. Townsend, Columbia College, medical 
department, 180'3, died 1847, aged 70; John G. Knauff, probably in Germany, died 
1810; Elias Willard, Boston, died 1827, aged 71; Wilhelmus Mancius, studied med- 
icine with his father. Rev, G. W. Mancius, 1758, died 1808, aged 70: William Ander- 
son, LTniversity of Pennsylvania, died 1811, aged 40; Joseph W. Hegeman, Prince- 
ton, died 1837, aged Go; Cornelius Vrooman, jr.. University of Penrisylvania, died 
1811, aged 30; Alexander G. Fonda, licensed 1806, died 1869, aged 84; Caleb Gauff, 
Bethlehem ; Augustus Harris, licensed by Supreme Court, 1800, died 1857, aged 81 ; 
Augustus F. R. Taylor, University of Pennsylvania, 1804, died 1841, aged 58. 

1807, Peter Wendell, University of Pennsylvania, 1807, died 1849, aged 64; Jacob 
L. Van Deusen, Regent's degree, 1806, resigned 1825. 



186 

1808, Archibald H. Adams. Universit)- of Edinburgh, died 1811, aged 43; Charles 
D. Cooper, New York, died 1831, aged 63; Isaac Hyde, probably licensed, died 1833, 
aged 61 ; James Low, University of Edinburgh, 1807, died 1823, aged 40. 

1809, Simon Veeder, licentiate of this society, 1807, died 1860, aged 72. 

1810, William Bay, Columbia College, Medical Department, 1797, died 1865, aged 
93; Jonathan Eights, certificate of two physicians, died 1848, aged 75; John Stearns, 
University of Pennsylvania, died 1848, aged 65. 

1811, T. Roraeyn Beck, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1811. died 1855, 
aged 64. 

1812, Jonathan Johnson, licentiate of this society, 1812, died 1860, aged 75; Eras- 
tus Williams, -licentiate Vermont State Society, 1800, died 1843, aged 69. Peter iJe 
Lamater, studied medicine, 1794, died 1849, aged 77. 

1813, Enoch Cheney; Oliver Lathrop, studied with Dr. White, of Cherry Valley, 
died 1824, aged 57. 

1816, Moses Brownell, died March 12, 1879, aged 90; Richard Brownell, filed 
diploma with county clerk. 1816, removed to Rhode Island; Samuel Freeman, Dart- 
mouth, removed to Saratoga, died 1862; George Upfold, jr.. College Physicians and 
Surgeons, 1816, died 1872, aged 76; Plat! Williams, Columbia College, Medical De- 
partment, 1810, died 1870, aged 86; Joel A. Wing, licentiate Montgomery County 
Society, 1811, died 1852, aged 65. 

1817, Thomas J. Gibbons, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1817, died 1819, 
aged 22. 

1819, William Humphreys, College Physicians and Surgeons; 1819, died 1826, aged 
31; Charles Martin, licentiate of this society, 1818; Ashbel S. Webster, College 
Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1840, aged 44; Caleb Woodward, soon left the 
city. 

1820, John James, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1819, died 1859, aged 70; 
Robert Viets, died 1853. 

1831, Moses Clement, licentiate of New Hampshire State Society, 1807; died 1831, 
aged 51. Henry B. Hallenbeck, licentiate of this society ; died 1825, aged 29. Ly- 
man Spalding, died 1841, aged 46. Barent P. Staats, licentiate New York State 
Medical Society, 1817; died 1871, aged 74. Samuel S. Treat. College Physicians and 
Surgeons, 1821 ; died 1832, aged 33. Peter Van O' Linda, licentiate New York State 
Medical Society, 1820; died 1872, aged 75. Christopher C. Yates, licensed by Su- 
preme Court, 1803; died 1848, aged 70. 

1832, Valentine Dennick, licentiate of this society, 1822, date of birth and death 
not known. 

1833, John W. Bay, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1833, died 1877, aged 76 ; 
Lewis C. Beck, licentiate of this society, 1818, died 1853, aged 55; Alden March, 
Brown University, 1830, died 1869, aged 73. 

1824, Michael Freligh, licensed by civil process, died 1853, aged 83. 

1835, Rensselaer Gansevoort, College Pyhsicians and Surgeons, 1834, died 1838, 
aged 35; John W. Hinckley, licentiate of this society, 1825," died 1860, aged 57. 

1836, Charles E. Burrows; David W. Houghtaling, licensed 1833, died 1839, 
aged 33. 

1837, Hazael Kane, licentiate of this society, 1833, died at Nassau ; Henry Van 
O'Linda, licentiate of Montgomery County Society, 1836, died 1846, aged 41. 



187 

1838, James P. Boyd, University of Pennsylvania, 1825, died May 10, 1881, aged 
77; James M. Brown, licentiate of this society, 1835, died 1854, aged .50; Elisha S. 
Burton, Berkshire Medical College, 1827, died 1873; *Benjamin B. Fredenburg, 
licentiate Columbia County Society, 1819; Samuel Humpfreys, licentiate State So- 
ciety, 1821, died in Liberia, 1832, aged 30; Edward A. Leonard, Yale College, Med- 
ical Department, 1837, died 1837, aged 31 ; Michael Malone, licentiate State Society, 
1836, died 1844, aged 46; James McNaughton, University of Edinburgh, 1816, died 
1874. aged 78; Peter McNaughton, University of Edinburgh, 1835, died 1875, aged 
75; William Noble, removed to Albion, Orleans county; Peter B. Nrfxou, licentiate 
of this society, 1834, died April, 1883, aged 86; Peter P. Staats, licentiate State So- 
ciety, 1825, died 1874, aged 71; William Tulley, licentiate Connecticut State Society, 
1810, died 1859, aged 74; Henry Van Antwerp, licentiate State Society, 1835, died 
1859, aged 57; Luke Wellington, Berkshire Medical College, 1835, removed; Asa 
Burbank, Berkshire Medical College, 1833. died 1833. 

1829, -Ebram T. Bigelow, Fairfield Medical College, died about 1868; Henry Green, 
Fairfield Medical College, 1814, died 1844, aged 54; Isaac Hempstead, licentiate of 
this society, 1837, died 1852, aged 48 ; Augustus F. Lawyer, Fairfield Medical Col- 
lege, died March 27, 1883, aged 75; Solomon Lincoln, licentiate State Society, 1829, 
removed; Nicholas Markay, died; Francis N. Selkirk, licentiate of this society, 
1829, died 1849, aged 40; John Styles, removed to New York city; Benjamin Van 
Zandt, died; James Wade, licentiate Schenectady County Society, 1812, died 1867, 
aged 78; Nanning V. Win-ne, Yale Medical School, IsiN, (Wed 1>!58. aged 51. 

1S;^0, Henry Bronson, removed to New Haven, Conn, ; Jdiuithan H. Case, Fairfield 
Medical College, 1838, died 1865, aged 58; Obadiah Crosby, m New York, 1828, died 
1838, aged 38; Vernor Cuyler, licentiate State Society, 1833, removed; David- 
son; Thomas Hun, Univensity of Pennsylvania, 1830, Albany, died June 33, 1896, 
aged 86; James S. Low, died; David McLachlan, University of Glasgow, 1839, died 
1858, aged 55; Richard Murphy, licentiate State Society, 1830; William O'Donnell, 
removed to New York city; William Pearce; Alva W. Rockwell, Berkshire Medical 
College, 1830, died 1837, aged 41 ; Nelson Rusk, licentiate Chautauqua County So- 
ciety, at Stuyvesant. N. Y. ; Samuel Shaw, removed to Massachusetts; Guy Spald- 
ing, died 1854, aged 75; John F. Townsend, University of Pennsylvania, 1830, died 
1874, aged 65. 

1831, David R Burrus, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1833, removed to Saratoga 
county, 1859; Hiram Christie; Lansing Cory; Darius Coy, removed to Cobleskill ; 
Palmer C. Dorr, licentiate of this society, 1834, died 1840, aged 43 ; Richard J. Dusen- 
bury. removed to Chicago; Edward W. Ford, University of Pennsylvania, 1831, 
died 1875, aged 45; Ten Eyck Gansevoort, University of Pennsylvania, 1835, died 
1843, aged 40; Lewis B. Gregory. Fairfield Medical College, 1830, died 1838, aged 
30; Abraham Groesbeck, removed to Chicago, 111.; Ammond Hammond, Vermont 
Academy of Medicine, died 1849, aged 46; Alson J. Hallenbake. licentiate State So- 
ciety, 1831, died 1846, aged 38; Carroll Humphrey, University of Pennsylvania, died 
at Calcutta, 1834, aged 39; E. A. Lacey ; David Springsteed, licentiate of this so- 
ciety, 1830, died March 36, 1894, aged 86; Luther M. Tracey ; John T. Van Alstyne. 
Fairfield Medical College, 1833,- died 1876, aged 76; Leonard G. Warren. Vermont 
Academy of Medicine, 1836, died 1866, aged 63. 

1832, Jarvis Barney, died 1838, aged 33: Stephen D. Hand, Berkshire Medical Col- 



188 

lege, 1831 ; Josiah W. Lay, licentiate Greene County Medical Society, 1816 died 1803, 
aged 71 ; Piatt Wickes, removed. 

1833, Levarette Moore, Berkshire Medical College, 1839, removed to Ballston ; 
Van Denmark. 

1834, James H. Armsby, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1883, died 1875, aged 06; 
Frederick Crounse, Albany county ; Samuel Dickson, licentiate State Society, 1839, 
died 1858. aged 51; N. L. Hungerford, licensed 1830, died 1839, aged 34; We.stley 
Newcomb, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1833, removed to Ithaca; William G. 
Radcliff, removed to Philadelphia; Bernard Sabalis, returned to Holland; Sidney 
Sawyer, removed to Chicago, 111. ; Herman Wendell, College Physicians and Sur- 
geons, 1833, died 1881, aged 73. 

1837, William F. Carter, Dartmouth Medical College. 1834. died 1866, aged 54; M. 
A. Grant, removed to Connecticut ; Francis W. Priest, left city after short residence ; 
J. B. Rossraan,. Fairfield Medical College, 1839, died December 33, 1883, aged 77; 
Edward O. Sewall, removed to Canada; John H. Trotter, licensed to practice, died 
1801, aged 48; John Van Buren, University of the City of New York, died 1856, aged 
48 ; Alexander Van Rensselaer, removed to New York city. 

1839, John Babcock, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1838, died March 13, 1879, 
aged 65; John Van Alstyne, died at sea, 1844; Peter Van Buren, College Physicians 
and Surgeons, 1833, died 1873, aged 71; John Wilson, Fan-field Medical College (?), 
died 1877. 

1840, Mason F. Cogswell, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1833, died 1804, aged 
54; Otis Jenks, licensed by State Society, 1840, died 1854, aged 55. 

1841, John O. Flagler, died December 17, 1883; E. B. O'Callaghan, licentiate State 
Society, 1841; died 1880, aged 80; Charles H. Payne, removed to Saratoga; U. H. 
Wheeler, died in Brooklyn. 

1843, Selah B. Fish, Berkshire Medical College, 1841, removed from the county. 

1844, John Campbell, Albany Medical College, 1843; entered United States army 
in 1847; C. E. Dayton; Patrick Gannon, in New York, died 1854, aged 74; David 
Martin, Fairfield Medical College, 1838, died 1853, aged 53; William J. Young, re- 
moved. 

1845, Uriah G. Bigelow, Albany Medical College, 1843, died 1878, aged 53; Chris- 
topher C. Griffin, licentiate of this society, 1843, died 1856, aged 41 ; Edward Perry, 
University of New York, died at the age of 43; J. V. P. Quackenbush, Albany Med- 
ical College, 1843, died in 1876, aged 57; Richard H. Thompson, Albany Medical 
College, 1843, died 1864. 

1846, Isaiah Breakey, Royal College of Surgeqns, Dublin, 1816, died 1848, aged 59 ; 
*Samuel H. Freeman. Albany Medical College, 1846, Albany. 

1847, Henry B. McHarg, Albany Medical College, 1847, died 1848, aged 33; Ben- 
jamin A. Sheldon, Albany Medical College, 1847, died September 10, 1864, aged 39; 
John Swinburne, Albany Medical College, 1846, Albany, died March 38, 1889, aged 
65 ; C. C. Waller, left the city, 1855. 

1848, Edward H. Clarke. Albany Medical College, 1848, removed to Buffalo; 
Henry B. Fay, Albany Medical College, 1843, removed to New York city; WiUiam 
Geoghegan, Royal College Surgeons, Dublin, 1837, died 1877. aged 83; Alexander 
W .McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1848, died January 7, 1865, aged 36; Paul 
Todd Taber, Albany Medical College, 1848, died 1851, aged 35; Howard Townsend, 



189 

Albany Medical College, 1846; died January 15, 1867, aged 44; Sylvester D. Willard, 
Albany Medical College, 1848, 'died April 3, 18G.5, aged 40. 

1849, David Wiltsie, Albany Medical College, 1847; died 1875, aged 55. 

1850, Abram H. McKown, Albany Medical College, 18451 died 1853, aged 33; 
Thomas H. Neeley, Albany Medical College, 1850, died 1851, aged 35; Jacob Rein- 
hart, Heidelberg and Gottingen, 1847, died 1800, aged 35; James H. Sallisbury, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1850, removed to New York city; Augustus Viele, Fairfield 
Medical College, 1837, died February 13, 1883; AlonzoG. Westervelt, Albany Medical 
College, 1850, removed to Durham, Greene county. 

1851, James L. Babcock, Albany Medical College, 1850, died February 13, 1881, 
aged 58; J. R. Bullock, Fairfield Medical College, 1836, Albany county ; Ira M. 
De Lamater, Albany Medical College, 1850, died September, 1864, aged 45; David 
E. Fonda, Fairfield Medical College, 1838, died January 13, 1883, aged 66; Will- 
iam A. Hawley, Albany Medical College, 1851, removed to Syracuse; Charles D. 
Marsh, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed" from the city; William B. Sims, Al- 
bany Medical College, died October 18, 1881 ; S. O. Van Der Poel, JeiTerson Medical 
College, 1845, removed to New York 1881, died Macrh 12, 1886; I. N. Wyckoff, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1853, never practiced medicine, died. 

1853, F. L. R. Chapin, Albany Medical College, 1851, removed to Glens Falls, 
died April 10,1889, aged 65 ; Samuel Ingraham, Albany Medical College, 1849, removed 
to Palmyra; *Joseph Lewi, University of Vienna, 1847, Albany; Levi Moore, Albany 
Medical College, 1851, died June 30, 1880, aged 53; Henry F. Spencer, Albany 
Medical College, 1853, died at sea, 1863, aged 36. 

1853, Hiram A. Edmonds. Albany Medical College, 1858, died 1857, aged 39; 
Henry March, Albany Medical College, 1853, died May 7, 1886; J. H. Scoon, 
Albany Medical College, 1849, died July 23, 1880, aged 54; John P. Witbeck, Albany 
Medical College, 1852. died 1873, aged 44; Harvey B. Wilbur, Berkshire Medical 
College, 1843, removed to Syracuse. 

1854, *WilliamH. Bailey, Albany Medical College, 1853, Albany; William H. 
Craig, Albany Medical College, Albany, 1853, died October 4, 1889; Charles Devol, 
Fairfield Medical College, 1831, Albany, died March 5, 1894; Alexander H. Hoff, 
Jefferson Medical College, 1843, died 1876, aged 55; S. P. Uline, Vermont Academy 
of Medicine, 18.52, removed to Lovifville. 

1855, Stephen J. W. Tabor, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1841, removed to 
Iowa; Daniel Wasserbach, University of Hague, 1843, died September 11, 1880, 
aged 66. 

1850, Frederick C. Adams, Albany Medical College, 1847, died 1862, aged 40; 
Amos Fowler, University of New York. 1846, Albany, died October 23, 1895; *Henry 
G. McNaughton, Albany Medical College, 1856. Albany; Staats Winne, Albany 
Medical College, 1851, died May 30, 1880, aged 53. 

1857, O. C. Alexander, Albany Medical College, 1854, Albany; *Hiram Crounse, 
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1847. Albany; *George H. Newcomb, Albany 
Medical College, 1855, Albany ; William C. Rodgers, Albany Medical College, 1854, 
died 1860 aged 30; *A. Shiland, Albany Medical College, 1853, West Troy; John I. 
Swart, Ablany Medical College, 1853, died November 24, 1878, at Schoharie, aged 
47 ; Alfred Wands, Albany Medical College, 1845, died 1870, aged 48. 

1858, John H. Becker, Albany Medical College, 1853, died 1873, aged 45; *H. S. 



190 

Case, Albany Medical College, 1853, Albany; Alex. A. Edmeston, Albany Medical 
College, 1853, died 1871, aged 42; Thomas Helme, Albany Medical College, 1854, 
McKownsville, Albany county, died March 17, 1889; Milton M. Lamb, Vermont 
Academy of Medicine, 1856, removed to Lansingburgh, 1873; J. J. Myers, Albany 
Medical College, 1857, Albany; James E. Pomfret, Albany Medical College, 1858- 
died February 33, 1869, aged 43; Leroy McLean, Albany Medical College, 1855, re- 
moved to Troy; George Steinart, University of New York, 1855, removed to New 
York city; Andrew Wilson, licentiate Columbia County Society, died 1871, aged 56. 
^ 1859, *Charles H. Porter, Albany Medical College, 1859, Albany; R. S. McMurdy, 
Albany Medical College, 1847, removed to Minneapolis. 1873; R. H. Sabin, Albany 
Medical College, 1856, West Troy, died December 4, 1888; *Charles H. Smith, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1859, Albany; Thomas Smith, Albany Medical College, 1845, 
died 1862; Charles P. Staats, Albany Medical College, 1853, died April 16. 1884, aged 
53; Oscar H. Young, Albany Medical College, 1858, removed to Michigan. 

1860, Joseph Atherley, died 1864; J. R. Boulware, Albany Medical College, 1859, 
died October 17, 1887 ; William B. Chambers, Albany Medical College, 1858, re- 
moved to Fulton county; A. S. Harlow, Albany Medical College, 1859, removed 
from the county; Washington Kilmer, Albany Medical College, 1860, removed to 
Florida; John V. Lansing, New York Medical College, 1854, died May 9, 1880, aged 
56; Martin L. Mead, Albany Medical College, removed to Ohio, 1871; J. W. Moore, 
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1850, Cohoes, died 1886; Cornelius D. Mosher, 
Albany Medical College, 1859, Albany, died September 26. 1890; Joseph N. North- 
rop, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1839, died September 17, 1878, aged 61; John 
Sheriff, Albany Medical College, 1850, removed; J. I. Welch, Albany Medical College, 
1859, died June 23, 1878, aged 54. 

1861, Wesley Blaisdell, Castleton, Vt., died 1864, aged 49; Frank G. Mosher, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1848, died September 22, 1894. 

1863, Thomas Beckett, Albany Medical College, 1861, died January 8, 1896; Asahel 
Burt, jr., Albany Medical College, 1868, removed; Henry R. Haskins, Albany 
Medical College, 1861, died March 31, 1883, aged 48; J. D. Havens, Albany Medical 
College, 1861, died February 13, 1875, aged 40; Frank J. Mattimore, Albany 
Medical College, 1860 died 1863, aged 29; F. B. Pannele, Albany Medical College, 
1843, died January, 1883, aged 68. 

18G3, John F. Crounse, Albany Medical College, 1868, died 1872. 

1S64, Stephen Johnson, Albany Medical College, 1849, resigned 1875; Jacob S. 
Mosher, Albany Medical College, 1863, Albany, died August 13, 1883, aged 49; C. B. 
O'Leary, Albany Medical College, 1860, died 1877, aged 38; H. W. Steenberg, Fair- 
field Medical College, 1837, Green Island, died 1893; Silas P. Wright, Albany Medical 
College, 1683, removed. 

1865, Gideon H. Armsby, Albany Medical College, 1864, died November 20, 1881 
aged 39; Myron Knowlton, Castleton, Vt., 1837, removed to Rochester; P. L. F. 
Reynolds, Albany Medical College, 1861, died April, 1887, Albany; Charles A. 
Robertson, Jefferson Medical College, 1853, died April 1, 1880, aged 51; William 
Sigsbee, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1852, removed to Illinois; *Ezekiel Mulford 
Wade, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1839, Watervliet. 

1866, Charles S. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1864, Rensselaer county ; *Herman 
Bendell, Albany Medical College, 1863, Albany; John Ferguson, Vermont Academy 



191 

of Medicine, 1836, died 1874, aged 62; Michael Gilligaiiv removed ; George T. Stevens, 
Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1857, removed to New York city ; Gustavus Treskatis, 
Albany Medical College, 1865, removed to New York city; *Albert Van der Veer, 
National Medical College (Med. Dep. Columbia Col.. Washington), 1863, Albany; 
Warner Van Steenberg, University of Vermont (Med. Dep.). 1856, died at Cohoes, 
May 3, 1880, aged 48. 

1867, James S. Bailey, Albany Medical College, 1853, died July 1,1883, aged 53; -A. 
De Graff, Albany Medical College, 1858, Guilderland ;-*Alfred B. Huested, Albany 
Medical College, 1868, Albany; John R. Gregory, Albany Medical College, 1858, re- 
moved to Trumansburg; Edward R. Hun, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1866, 
died March 14, 1880, aged 38; James F. McKown, Albany Medical College, 1866, Al- 
bany, died August 25, 1892; P. M. Murphy, Albany Medical College, 1863, 
Albany, died June, 1894; *D. V. O'Leary, Albany Medical College, 1866, Albany. 

1868, L. M. Dunkelmeyer, removed to Cincinnati, O. ; Alexander McDonald, died 
1877, aged 33; *John Thompson, Uni^^ersity of New York, 1868, Albany; Richard 
D. Traver, St. Louis Medical College, 1869, removed to Troy, N. V. : *C. E. Wit- 
beck, Albany Medical College, 1866, Cohoes. 

1869, *Hiram Becker, Albany Medical College, 1864, New Salem ; Daniel M. Stim- 
son. College Physicians and Surgeons, 1868, removed to New York city, 1871. 

1870, *John M. Bigelow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany; J. Myers 
Briggs, Albany Medical College, 1869, died 1874, aged 29; Thomas D. Crothers Al- 
bany Medical College, 1865, removed to Hartford, Conn. *J. R. Davidson, Albany 
Medical College, 1869, South Bethlehem; Eustis H. Davis, Albany Medical College, 
1854, removed toWatkins; *J. D. Featherstonhaugh, College Physicians and Sur- 
geons, 1870, Cohoes; H. D. Losee, Albany Medical College, 1868, died 1874, aged 35; 
William Morgan, Albany Medical College, 1869, Albany, resigned 1883; William H. 
T. Reynolds, College of Physicians and. Surgeons, 1870, Albany, died 1894; *Charles 
F. Scattergood, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany ; A. P. Ten Eyck, Albany 
Medical College, 1866, Rensselaer county, died February 4, 1893. 

1871, L. R. Boyce, licentiate Otsego County Society, 1862, resigned 1877; Orson F. 
Cobb, Albany Medical College, 1868, West Troy, suspended 1876 ; P. J. C. Golding, re- 
moved to Massachus^jtts; *L. C. B. Graveline, Albany Medical College, 1862, Al- 
bany; *Lorenzo Hale, Albany Medical College, 1868, Albany; K. V. R. Lansingh, 
jr., Albany Medical College, 1870, died April 13, 1879; *William H. Murray, Albany 
Medical College, 1869, Albany; E. B. Tefft, Buffalo Medical College, 1864, removed; 
Barnabas Wood, University of Nashville, 1852, died 1875, aged 56. 

1873, *Frederick C. Curtis, College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany; 
Isaac De Zouche. Albany Medical College, 1869, removed to Gloversville, 1875; 
*Williara Hailes, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany ;S. A. Ingham, Albany Medi- 
cal College, 1871, removed to Little Falls; J. H. Lagrange, Albany Medical College, 
1871, removed to Columbia county; J. H. Lasher, Albany Medical College, 1871, died 
1873, aged 35; Caleb Lyon, Albany Medical College, 1871, removed to New York city; 
Philip J. Maguire, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1871 removed to Brooklyn ; 
*B. U. Steenberg, Albany Medical College, 1870, Albany ; *John Ben Stonehouse, Al- 
bany Medical College. 1871, Albany ; *Willis G. Tucker, Albany Medical College, 1870, 
Albany; *Eugeue Van Slyke, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany; R. H. Stark- 



193 

weather, Albany Medical College, 1871, Albany, died Novembers?. 1890; *G. L. Ull- 
man, Albany Medical College, 1871, Alban)'. 

1873, Alraon S. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1872, removed to Pittstield, 
Mass. ; *John U. Haynes, Albany Medical College, 1879, Cohoes ; *Joseph H. Blatner, 
Albany Medical College, 1873, Albany; George A. Jones, Albany Medical College, 
1869, died 1875; James C. Harinan, University of New York, 1878, removed to 
Hoosick Falls, 1881; *James P. Boyd, jr., College of Physicians and Surgeons, 1871, 
Albany; Frank Garbutt, Albany Medical College, 1872, removed to Mechanicsville; 
*C. E. Seger, Albany Medical College, 1863. Adams Station ; *Patrick E. Fennelly, 
Albany Medical College, 1869, West Troy ; *Octavius H. E. Clarke, McGill University, 
Mo-ntreal, 1870, Cohoes; Alfred L. Wands, Albany Medical College, 1869, removed. 
1874, *J. L. Archambeault, Laval University, Quebec, 1870, Cohoes; *Lewis Balch, 
College Physicians and Surgeons, 1870, Albany: *0. D. Ball, College Physicians and 
Surgeons, 1867, Albany; George H. Benjamin, Albany Medical College, 1872, re- 
moved; L. Doubrias (De Morat), Victoria University, Montreal, 1870, Cohoes, died 
July 33, 1894; C. E. Buffinton, Albany Medical College, 1874, West Troy ; *Daniel K. 
Cook, Albany Medical College, 1873, Albany; Herman C. Evarts, Albany Medi- 
cal College, 1878, removed to Carthage, N. Y. ; James A. Hart, College Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, 1873. removed to Colorado about 1877; William W. MacGregor, 
Albany Medical College, 1873, removed to Glens Falls; *Cyrus S. Merrill, College 
Physicians and Surgeons, 1871, Albany; Linzee T. Morrill, Albanjr Medical College, 
1873, removed; *Nelson Monroe, Vermont Academy of Medicine, 1840, Green Island; 
*George W. Papen, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1874, Albany; *A. T. Van 
Vranken, Albany Medical College, 1873, West Troy; Felix Weidman, Albany 
Medical College, 1847. Westerlo, died September 10, 1895. 

1875, *Harvey W. Bell, Albany Medical College, 1866, removed to East Albany ; 
*Mary Du Bois, Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, 1871, Albany; Harris I. 
Fellows, Albany Medical College, 1874, died August 39, 1881, aged 44; Hiram T. 
Herrington, Albany Medical College, 1873,^removed to Rensselaer county; Henry V. 
Hull, Albany Medical College, 1874. removed to Schenectady, 1880; *Henry E. 
Merreness, Albany Medical College, 1874, Albany ; John E. Metcalf, Albany Medical 
College, 1874, removed to Ketchum's Corners, N. Y. ; Franklin A. Munson, College 
Physicians and Surgeons, 1878. died December 8, 1878, aged 36; Norman L. Snow, 
College Physicians and Surgeons, 1861, Albany, died December 19, 1885; *T. M. 
Trego, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1874, Albany; Thomas Wilson, Albany 
Medical College, 1874, removed to Claverack, 1876; Edward Yates, Jefferson Medical 
College, 1869, died 1876, aged 29. 

1876, R. D. Clark, Long Island Medical College, Albany, died August 11, 1894; 
William A. Hall, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to Fulton, Oswego county; 
*J. M. Haskell, University of Michigan, Bath-on-the-Hudson ; *P. J. Keegan, Uni- 
versity of New York, Albany; *T. K. Perry, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany; 
*W. L. Purple, Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany; Elbert T. Rulison, Albany 
Medical College, 1875, removed to Amsterdam; *Seth G. Shanks, Albany Medical 
College, 1875, Albany; A. H. V. Smyth, Albany Medical College, 1875, removed to 
Minaville; *Samuel B. Ward, Georgetown Medical College, 1864, Albany; *Harriet 
A, Woodward, Syracuse University, 1875, Albany. 



193 

187T. "-James F. Barker, Albany Medical College, 187T, Albany; *William N. Hays, 
Albany Medical College, 1875, Albany. 

1878, *Jesse Crounse, Albany Medical College, 1877, Knowersville ; *W. O. Still- 
man, Albany Medical College, 1878, Albany. 

1879, *E. A. Bartlett, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; *G. Upton Peltier, 
Bi.shop's College, Quebec, 1873, Cohoes; James C. Healey, Albany Medical College, 

1877, Albany, died March 30, 1889; A. W. Kilbourne, University of the City of New 
Vork, 1874, Albany, died January 14, 1897, aged 47; ^Lansing B. Winne, College 
Physicians und Surgeons, 1878, Albany; Franklin Townsend, jr. College Physi- 
cians and Surgeons, 1876, Albany, died October 31, 1895; Otto Ritzman, Albany 
Medical College, 1879, Albany, died August 19, 1889; *John C. Shiland, Albany 
Medical College, 1878, West Troy; *Uriah B. La Moure, Albany Medical College, 

1878, Albany; William J. Lewis, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878, removed 
to Hartford, Conn. ; "Maurice J. Lewi, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany, 
removed to New York city; Thomas B. Van Alstyne, Albany Medical College, 

1879, removed to Richraondville, N. Y., 1880; P. B. Collier, Long Island College, 
Hospital, 1860, Albany; *Edward E. Brown, Albany Medical College, 1879, Al- 
bany; M. W. Brooks, University of Vermont, 1879, removed to New York city, 1880; 
*J. E. Hall, Albany Medical College, 1877, Green Island; S. O. Van der Poel, jr.. 
College Physicians and Surgeons, 1876, removed to New York ; William Geoghan, 
Albany Medical College, 1874, removed to New York; *Jolin D. R. McAllister, 
Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; Thomas Featherstonhaugh, Albany Medical 
College, 1877, 1882, removed to New York ; Sheldon Voorhees, Albany Medical Col- 
lege, 1879, removed to Auburn, 1881. 

1880, "Daniel C. Case, Albany Medical College, 1870, Slingerlands; "Theodore P. 
Bailey, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1880, Albany; A. P. Casler, Alban)- Medical 
College, 1880; Frank J. Merrington, Albany Medical College, 1886, died August 14, 1889, 
aged 38; *Samuel R. Morrow, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1878, Albany; John 
W. Gould, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; John J. White, Albany Medical 
College, 1879, removed to New York; George E. Elmendorf, Albany Medical Col- 
lege, 1875. died, 1894; M. R. C. Peck, College Physicians and Surgeons, 1876, died 
March 39, 1890; Thomas D. Worden, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; 
Lehman B. Hoit, Albany Medical College, 1880, removed; John Thomas Keay, 
Albany Medical College, 1870, died January 4, 1881, aged 28; Daniel Fegan, Queen's 
University, Dublin, Ireland, removed to Ireland. 

1881, -'George S. Munson, Albany Medical College, 1880, Albany; John F. Lock- 
wood, Albany Medical College, 1881, removed to Wisconsin; S. Edward LHlman, 
Albany Medical College, 1880, Albany; '^T. W. Nellis, Albany Medical College, 1881, 
Albany; "^-W. J. Nellis, Albany Medical College, 1879, Albany; '"-F. L. Classen. 
Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; *Howard Miller, Albany Medical College, 
1881, Albany; ■'^-Howard S. Paine, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; --^Lauren- 
tine Rouchel, Buffalo Medical College, Albany; Thomas G. Hyland, Bellevue Medi- 
cal College, removed; Carroll H. Phillips, Albany Medical College, Watervliet, died 
February 14, 1883; C. W. Qreen, Albany Medical College, removed; Charles F. 
Huddleston, Albany Medical Collegs, removed. 

1883, '-W. B. Sabin, Albany Medical College, 1883, West Troy; -'Samuel Peters, 
X'crmont Academy of Medicine, 1816, West Troy; Frank S. Peters, Albany Medical 



194 

College. 1874, died 1883 ; *Henry Hun, Harvard Medical School, 1879, Albany ; 
*George E. Lyon, Albany Medical College, 1882, West Troy; *W. H. Fowler, Jeffer- 
son Medical College, 1879, Albany; David Fleischman, Albany Medical College, 
1881, died January 30, 1892. 

1883, nVilliam L. Schutter, Albany Medical College. 1883, Albany; *Frank H. 
Fisk, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; *Charles K. Crawford, Albany Medi- 
cal College,' 1881, Albany; -J. W. Riley, Albany Medical College, 1882, Albany; 
Walter W. Schofield, Albany Medical College, 1882, removed to Massachusetts; *C. 
M. Culver, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany; J. W. Mann, Albany Medical 
College, 1882, died 1884. 

1884, *J. H. Mitchell, Albany Medical College, 1882, Cohoes; *R. J. Brown, Albany 
Medical College, 1882, Albany; -T. F. C. Van Allen, Albany Medical College, 1882, 
Albany; *Joseph D. Craig, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; Edgar C. Hal- 
lenbeck, Bellevue Medical College, 1881, Bethlehem, died 1894; G. S. Knickerbocker, 
College Physicians and Surgeons, removed; C. C. Schuyler. Albany Medical College 
Troy (non-resident) ; removed to Plattsburg. 

1885, «Selwin A. Russell, Albany Medical College, 1877, Albany; *Frederick D. 
Morrill, Albany Medical College, 1881, Albany, died January, 1897; *John H. Skilh- 
corn Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; L. E. Blair, Albany Medical College, 
1881, Albany; M. J. Dwyer, Albany Medical College, 1883, Albany; D. W. Houston, 
McGill College, Montreal, 1881, Troy, N. Y. ; J. W. Ross, McGill College, Montreal, 
1881, Cohoes, N. Y. 

1886, John V. Hennessey, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; W. C. Marselius, 
Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany, died December 24, 1893; John L. Cooper, 
University of Pennsylvania, 1877, Albany; Martin McHarg, Albany Medical College, 
1885, Albany; F. R. Greene, Albany Medical College, 1884. Albany; J. W. Shattuck, 
Atlanta, Ga., 1859; Edwin Haines, Albany Medical College, 1867, S. Westerlo, died 
March 19, 1896, aged 52; L. E. Kenney, Albany Medical College, 1881, Waterford, 
N. Y. ; J. H. E. Sand, University City New York, 1886, Brooklyn; G. W. Holding, 
Albany Medical College, 1884, WatervHet, N. Y. ; Orson Britton, no answer to in- 
quiry regarding graduation. 

1887, Robert Babcock, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; Albert Marsh, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1885, Boston ; J. V. Sheppey, Jefferson Medical College, 1885, 
Albany; J. B. Southworth, Burlington State University, 1882, Albany. 

1888, Thomas H. Willard, Albany Medical College, 1887, New York; Elmer E. 
Larkin, Albany Medical College, 1885, Plattsburgh ; Charles H. Moore, Albany Med- 
ical College. 1887, Albany; Willis G. Macdonald, Albany Medical College, 1887, Albany ; 
Arthur D. Capron, Albany Meflical College, 1886, Albany; Terrence L. Carroll, 
Albany Medical College, 1885, Albany; Rensselaer J. Smith, University New York 
City, 1894, Albany; George R. De Silva, University New York City, 1881, Preston 
Hollow. 

1889, N. L. Eastman, Albany Medical College, 1886, Albany; A. J. Blessing, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1886, Albany; George G. Lempe, Albany Medical College, 
1888, Albany; Howard Van Rensselaer, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New 
York city, 1884, Albany. 

1890, A. F. Powell, Albany Medical College, 1889, Coeymans; G. Emory Lochner, 
Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; George T. Moston, Albany Medical College, 



195 

1890, Albany; H. C. Abrams, Albany Medical College, 1882, Newtonville ; James E. 
Smith, Albany Medical College, 1889. Albany; A. McNaughton, Albany Medical 
College, 1886, West Troy; Thomas Helms, Albany Medical College, 1890, McKown- 
ville; Robert F. MacFarlane, Albany Medical College, 1888, Long Island city. 

1891, G. A. Williams, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; J. E. Brennan, 
Albany Medical College, 1889. Albany; J. H. Timmers, Albany Medical College, 

1891, Albany; Arthur G. Root, Albany Medical College, 1890, Albany; J. D. Mont- 
marquet, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1889, Cohoes; William H. 
Happel, Albany Medical College. 1890, Albany. 

1892, W. L. Allen, Albany Medical College, 1881, Greenbush; J. B. Washburne, 
Albany Medical College, 1882, Delmar; L, Le Brun, Albany Medical College, 1891, 
Albany; E. V. Colbert, Albany Medical College. 1890, Albany; Leo H. Neuman, 
Albany Medical College, 1892. Albany; John C. Brown, Albany Medical College, 

1892, Albany; Robert A. Heenan, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; William 
G. Lewi, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Walter H. Conley, Albany Medical 
College, 1891, Buffalo, N. Y. 

1893, James W. Wiltsie, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; W. T. Goewey, 
Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; Charles E. Davis, Albany Medical Col- 
lege, 1891, Albany; Andrew MacFarlane, Albany Medical College, 1887, Albany; J. 
W. Droogan, Albany Medical College, 1891, Westchester; C. C. McCullough, Albany 
Medical College, 1889, Albany; Thomas A. Ryan, Albany Medical College, 189;^, 
Albany; John S. Guinan, Albany Medical College, 1893, Whitehall. 

1894, W. F. Robinson, Albany Medical College, 1884, Albany; W. B. Rossman, 
Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; F. M. Joslin, Albany Medical College, 1893, 
Albany; William J. Kernan, Albany Medical College, 1891, Albany; M. D. Steven- 
son, Albany Medical College, 1889, Albany; Le Rose Rancour, Albany Medical Col- 
lege, 1892, Albany. 

189r), C. F. Theisen, Albany Medical College, 1892, Albany; E. J. Bedell, Albany 
Medical College, 1893, Becker's Corners; J. B. Sweet, jr., Albany Medical College, 

1893, Albany; W. S. Hale, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; James M. Moore, 
Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; S. Le Fevre, Albany Medical College, 1891, 
Richmondville; W. H. George, Albany Medical College, 1894, Albany; L. Van 
Auken, Albany Medical College, 1892, West Troy; E. N. K. Mears, Albany Medical 
College, 1895, Albany. 

1896, T. W. Jenkins, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; Ralph Sheldon, Al- 
bany Medical College, 1894, Albany; H. S. Pearse, Albany Medical College, 1892, 
Albany; Arthur Sautter, Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; R. S. Tedford, 
Albany Medical College, 1893, Albany; M. S. Leavy, Medical Department Univer- 
sity of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, 1888, Albany. 

The early records of this society were carefully collected by the late 
Dr. Sylvester D. Willard and published in one volume covering the 
proceedings from the date of its organization, March 18, 1806, to June 
10, 1851. The growth of the society and its energetic work in promot- 
ing the interests of the medical profession prompted the appointment 
of a committee to continue the work inaugurated bv Dr. Willard. At 



196 

a meeting held June 14, 1870, Dr. James vS. Bailey, Dr. Charles H. 
Porter, and Dr. T. D. Crothers were named to supervise the publica- 
tion of the proceedings of the society from June 10, 1851, to June 14, 
1870. These volumes embrace the records from 1806 to 1870; they 
also contain biographies of nearly two hundred members and many 
portraits, and aside from placing on record the transactions of the so- 
siety, help to complete the medical history of Albany city and county, 
and trace the professional career of those identified with the work of 
the society. The transactions since 1880 have been published in the 
Albany Medical Annals, a monthly journal managed by an editorial 
committee under the auspices of the society. Many interesting papers 
on medical topics and matters of interest to the profession have been 
published in this journal. Sinte 1891 this journal is published as the 
" Albany Medical Annals representing the Alumni Association of the 
Albany Medical College." From 1891 to 1892 this journal was edited 
by Dr. Willis G. Macdonald. From 1892 to 1897 by Dr. Howard Van 
Rensselaer. The present editors are Dr. Andrew MacFarlane and 
Dr. J. Montgomery Mosher. 



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ALBANY MEDICAL COLLEGE. 

The Albany Medical College was founded by the late Drs. Aldcn 
March and James H. Armsby. In 1821 Dr. March opened a school for 
the study of anatomy at Albany, and in 1825 was appointed professor 
of anatomy and physiology in the Vermont Academy of Medicine at 
Castleton. Dr. March first agitated the establishment of a medical 
college and hospital at Albany in 1830. He was ably assisted by Dr. 
Armsby, who came to Albany the same year and was associated with 
Dr. March as a teacher in a private medical school known as the Drs. 
March and Armsby " Practical School of Anatomy and Surgery." Dr. 
Armsby devoted much of his time to the founding of the Albany Med- 
ical College. His efforts in this diretion are worthy of record and con- 
tributed largely to awaken a general interest in behalf of the projsosed 
college. 

On the 14th of April, 1838, a meeting of citizens was called to take 
into consideration the organization of a medical school. This meeting 
was attended by many prominent citizens of Albany and the following 
resolution was adopted : 

Resolved, " That this meeting deem it e.xpedient to establish a medical college in 
this city, and to endeavor hereafter to obtain an act of incorporation from the 
legislature." 

This meeting enlisted many active and energetic friends for the pro- 
posed institution. The Common Council granted the use of the un- 
occupied Lancaster school building for a term of five year for college 
purposes, and at a second meeting of citizens, held May, 1838, articles 
of association were agreed upon and the following named gentlemen 
were appointed to constitute the first Board of Trustees. 

Daniel D. Barnard, Samuel Stevens, John Taylor, Ira Harris, Robert 
H. Pruj-n, Friend Humphrey, Bradford R. Wood, James Goold, George 
■Dexter, Thomas McElroy, William Seymour, John O. Cole, John I. 
Wendell, Conrad A. Ten Eyck, John Davis, Israel William,s, Charles 
D. Gould, John Trotter, Arnold Nelson, John Groesbeck, Oliver Steele 
and Philip S. Van Rensselaer. 

In May, 1838, the following persons were named by the trustees to 
compose the first faculty of this college: Alden March, professor of 
surgery; James H. Arsmby, professor of anatomy and physiology; 
Amos Dean, professor of medical jurisprudence; Ebenezer Emmons, 
professor of chemistry and pharmacy; Henry Greene, professor of 



obstetrics; David M. McLachlan, professor of materia medica; David 
M. Reese, professor of the theor}' and practice of medicine. 

The establishment of the college, the remodeling" of the building', the 
arrangements of the valuable anatomical and pathological collections 
of Drs. March, Armsby and McNaughton, consisting of rare and valu- 
able specimens, collected during the experience of many years of pro- 
fessional labor and gathered by repeated visits to Europe, necessitated, 
during the first two years, an expenditure of over $10,000, all of which 
was contributed by the citizens of Albany. 

The first course of lectures in the college commenced on the 'M of 
January, 1839, to a class of fifty-seven students. The first annual 
commencement was held on the 24th of April, 1839, and the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine was conferred on thirteen young gentlemen. 

After the act of incorporation was obtained the trustees confirmed 
the election of the faculty and named the following physicians as the 
first board of curators: Peter Wendell, Piatt Williams, Barent P. Staats, 
Thomas C. Brinsmade and Samuel White. 

To give in detail the history of the Albany Medical College, its bril- 
liant growth and promising future, would write many pages and not do 
justice to those who have loyally labored in advancing its standard as 
an institution for the study of medicine. From 1839 to 1896 the de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine has been conferred on twenty-one hundred 
and fifty-two students, and during this period no efforts have been 
spared to fully equip the school for the practical and thorough study of 
medicine. The college building is well appointed in its lecture rooms, 
laboratories, dissecting rooms and museum. The chemical laboratory 
was rebuilt in 1884 and a two-story building erected, fitted with every 
requisite for the illustration of the lectures, and the practical study of 
chemistry. "Alumni Hall," constituting" the south wing of the build- 
ing, is set apart for meetings, recitations, examinations and other college 
exercises. The Bender Hygienic Laboratory, equipped for the instruc- 
tion and scientific research in pathology, bacteriology and the allied med- 
ical studies, was dedicated October 27, 1896, and is connected with the 
college. This laboratory is the gift of Mr. Matthew W. Bender of Albany, 
who defrayed the entire cost of its erection, amounting to more than 
$20,000. The cost of fitting up and furnishing this laboratory was paid 
by the college faculty. The class rooms and amphitheatre are furn- 
ished with the most modern apparatus for special work, and as a labora- 
tory of hygiene the building is perfect in all its ap]3ointments. 



202 

Since 1873 the Albany Medical College is the medical deparment of 
Union University. The University includes the Albany Medical Col- 
lege, the College of Pharmacy, Albany Law fSchool and the Dudley 
Observatory, all located at Albany, and Union College and the Schnol 
of Civil Engineering, located at Schenectady. 

The Albany Medical College has been foremost in advocating a high 
standard of medical education. Few medical schools in this country 
are so thoroughly in sympathy with every movement to perfect the pro- 
visions of the laws governing the study of medicine. It was one of the 
first to enforce a three years' graded course of study with evidence of 
preliminary education by entrance examination. It may justly be said 
that this institution has made progress all along the line. It is well 
equipped in every department to meet the legal requirements of a 
higher standard. Its curriculum embraces lectures, recitations, clinical 
teaching and extensive laboratory work. The Albany Hospital, St. 
Peter's Hospital, Child's and County Hospitals, the Eye and Ear Infirm- 
aries, and dispensaries connected with these institutions, are all made 
available for the pursuit of clinical study. The management of the 
school and its administrative affairs are so conducted that there can be 
no doubt of its high standing as a school for the study of medicine. 

The following is a historical list of the faculty from 183',i to 189? : 

Ebenezer E.mmons, M. D., Chemistry and Natural History from 1838 to 1839; Ma- 
teria Medica and Natural History, 1840 to 1843; Obstetrics and Natural History, 1843 
to 1853; Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Natural History, 1853 to 1854. 

James H. Akmsbv. M. D,, Anatomy and Physiology, 1838 to 1839; Anatomy, 1840 
to 1869; Principles and Practice of Surgery, 1870 to 1875; died 1875. 

Davhj M. Reese, M. D., Theory and Practice of Medicine, 1839 to 1840. 

Alden March, M. D., Surgery, 1838 to 1869; died 1869. 

Henkv Greene, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, 1838 to 
1839. 

David M. McLachi.an, M. D., Materia Medica and Pharmacy, 1838 to 1839; Ma- 
teria Medica and Therapeutics, 1839 to 1840; Diseases of Women and Children, 1840 
to 1843. 

Amos Dean, Esij., Medical Jurisprudence, 1839 to 1859; Emeritus Professor of 
Medical Jurisprudence, 1867 to 1868; died 1868. 

Thomas Hu.\, M. D., Institutes of Medicine, 1839 to 1853; Institutes of Jledicine, 
1853 to 1855; Institutes of Medicine, 1855 to 1859; Emeritus Professor of the Insti- 
tutes of Medicine, 1876 to 1896; died 1896. 

Gunning S. Bedford, M. D., Obstetrics, 1839 to 1840. 

James McNaugiitun, M. D., Theory and Practice of Medicine, 184(1 to 1874; died 
1874. 

Lewis C. Beck. M. D., Chemistry and Therapeutics, 1840 to 1841 ; Chemistry and 
Pharmacy, 1841 to 185:!; died 1853. 








J. M. BK.HLOW, M. U. 



203 

T. RoMEYN Beck, M. D., Materia Medica, 1843 to 1853; Emeritus Professor of 
Materia Medica, 1853 to 185G; died 1856. 

Howard Townsend, M. D., Obstetrics, 1853 to 1855; Materia Medica, 1855 to 1859; 
Materia Medica and Physiology, 1859 to 180T; died 18(57. 

Ezra S. Carr, M. D., Chemistry and Pharmacy. 1853 to 1857. 

John V. P. Ouackenbush, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, 
1855 to 1856; Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children, 1856 to 1859; Obstet- 
rics and Diseases of Women and Children. 1859 to 1870; Diseases of Women and 
Children, 1876; died 1876. 

CiiAKi.Ks H. Porter, M. D., Chemistry and Pharmacy, 1857 to 1859; Chemistry 
and Medical Jurisprudence, 1859 to 1864. ' 

Gkokc^e F. Barker, M. D., Acting Professor of Chemistry, 1863 to i863. 

Jm-oi: .-^. Mosher, M. D., Ph. D., Lecturer on Chemistry, 1864; Chemistry and 
Medical Jurisprudence, 1864 to 1876; Medical Jurisprudence and Hygiene, 1876 to 
1883; Pathology, Practice, Clinical Medicine and Hygiene, 1883 to 1883; died 1883. 

S. Oakley Vander Poel, M. D., LL. D , General Pathology and Clinical Medicine, 
1867 to 1870; Theory and Practice and Clinical Medicine, 1876 to 1878; Pathology, 
Practice and Clinical Medicine, 1878 to 1883; Emeritus Professor of Pathology, Prac- 
tice and Clinical Medicine, 1882 to 1886; died 1886. 

James E. Pomfret, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy, 1861; Physiology, 1867 to 186i); 
died 1869. 

John V. Lansing, M. D., Materia Medica, 1867 to 1870; Physiology and Clinical 
Medicine, 1870 to 1873; Principles and Practice of Medicine and Clinical Medicine, 
1873 to 1876; died 1880. 

Henry R. Haskin.s, M. D., Surgical and Descriptive Anatomy, 1869 to 1874; Anat- 
omy, 1874 to 1876; died 1884. 

AniERT Vandek Veer, M. D., General and Special Anatomy, 1869 to 1873; Princi- 
ples and Practice of Surgery, 1876 to 1880; Principles and Practice of Surgery and 
Clinical Surgery, 1880 to 1883; Surgery and Clinical Surgery, 1883 to 1889, Didatic, 
Abdominal and Clinical Surgery, 1889 to . 

Edmund- R. Peaslee, M. D., Diseases of Women, 1870 to 1873. 

Meredith Clymer, M. D., Diseases of the Nervous System and the Mind, 1870 to 
1873. 

William P. Sevmouk, M. D., Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, 
1870 to 1876. 

George T. Stkvens, M. D., Ophthalmology and Orthopa-dic Surgery, 1870 to 1873; 
Physiology and Ophthalmology, 1873 to 1875; Ophthalmology, 1875 to 1876. 

John M, Bigelow, M. D., Materia Medica, 1870 to 1873; Materia Medica and The- 
rapeutics, 1873; Materia Medica and Therapeutics, 1876 to 1883; Materia Medica and 
Therapeutics, Diseases of the Throat and Clinical Laryngoscopy, 1883 to 1888; Ma- 
teria Medica, Therapeutics and Diseases of the Throat and Nose, 1888 to 1896; Dis- 
eases of the Throat and Nose, 1896 to . 

Maurice Perkins, M. D., Chemistry and Toxicology, 1870 to 1876; Chemical Phi- 
losophy and Organic Chemistry, 1876 to . 

Ira Harris, LL. D., Medical Jurisprudence, 1870 to 1874. 

Willis G. Tucker, M. D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 11:71 to 1874; Lec- 
turer on Materia Medica and Assistant Professor of Chemistry, 1874 to 1875; Ad- 
junct Professor of Materia Medica and Chemistry, 1875 to 1876; Inorganic and Ana- 



204 

lytical Chemistry, 1876 to 1882; Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and Medical 
Jurisprudence, 1882 to 1887 ; Inorganic and Analytical Chemistrv and Toxicology, 

1887 to . 

William Hailf.s, M. D., Lecturer on Pathological Anatomy 1874 to 1875; Adjunct 
Professor of Pathological Anatomy, 1875 to 1876; Histology and Pathological Anat- 
omy, 1876 to 1886; Histology and Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Surgery, 1880 

Harrison E. Webstkk. A. M., Lecturer on Physiology, 1875 to 1880. 

JijHN Swinburne, M. IX, Fractures and Dislocations and Clinical Surgerv. I,s7(> lo 
1880; died 1889. 

Lewis Bai.ch, M. D., Anatomy, 1876 to 1887; Anatomy and Medical Jurispru- 
dence, 1887 to 1890; Medical Jurisprudence, 1890 to 1891; Emeritus Professor of 
Anatomy and Lecturer on Medical Jurisprudence, 1891 to 1893; Emeritus Professor 
of Anatomy and Profes.sor of Medical Jurisprudence, 1893 to 1895; Emeritus Pro- 
fessor of Anatomy and Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and H\-giene, 1895 to 
1896; Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Hygiene, 1896 to . 

Samuel B. Ward, M. D., Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery, 1876 to 1880; 
Surgical Pathology and Operative Surgery and Clinical Surgery, 1880 to 188;i; Pa- 
thology, Practice, Clinical Medicine and Hygiene, 1883 to . 

John P. Gray, M. D., LL. D., Psychological Medicine, 1876 to 1886; died lS8(i. 

EiiwARD R. Hun, M. D., Diseases of Nervous System, 1876 to 1880; died 1880. 

James P. Buyd, Jr.. M. D., Diseases of Women and Children, 1876; Obstetrics 
and Diseases of Women and Children, 1876 to 1886; Obstetrics, Gynecology and 
Diseases of Children, 1886 to . 

CvRus S. Merrill, M. D., Opthalmology, 1876 to 1881 ; Opthalmology and Otology. 
1881 to . 

S. O. Vander Poel, Jr., Adjunct Professor of Pathology. Practice and Clinical 
Medicine, 1880 to 1884. 

Franklin Townsend, Jk., M. D., Lecturer on Physiology, 1880 to 1881; Professor 
of Physiology, 1881 to 1891; Emeritus Professor of Physiology, 1891 to 1895; died 
1895. 

Frederic C. Curiis, M. D., Adjunct Professor of IJermatology, 1880 to 1884; Pro 
fessor of Dermatology, 1884 to . 

Henry Hun, M. D., Lecturer on Nervous Diseases, 1883 to 1885; Professor of Dis- 
eases of the Nervous System, 1885 to 1887; Diseases of the Nervous System and 
Psychological Medicine, 1887 to 1890; Diseases of the Chest and of the Nervous Sys- 
tem, 1890 to 1893; Diseases of the Nervous System, 1892 to . 

Samuel R. Morrow, M. D., Lecturer Adjunct to the Chair of Surgery, 1884 to 
1886; Adjunct Professor of Surgery, 1886 lo 1887; Adjunct Professor of Surgery and 
Lecturer on Anatomy, 1887 to 1889; Adjunct Professor of Anatomy and Orthopedic 
Surgery, 1889 to 1890; Professor of Anatomy and Orthopedic Surgery, 1890 to . 

Joseph D. Craig, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy, 1890 to 1892; Adjunct Professor 
of Anatomy, 1892 to . 

Howard Van Rensselaer, M. D., Lecturer on Materia Medica. 1890 to 1892; Ad- 
junct Professor of Materia Medica and Lecturer on Diseases of the Chest, 1892 to 
1895; Adjunct Professor of Materia Medica and Diseases of the Chest, 1895 to 1896: 
Adjunct Professor of Theory of Practice of Medicine and Thereapeutics, 1896 to . 



205 

Herman C. Goruinier, M. D., Lecturer on Anatomy of the Nervous System, 1890 
to 1894; Lecturer on Physiology and Anatomy of the Nervous System, 1894 to 1895; 
Professor of Physiology, 1895 to . 

Cakios F. Ma^Donald, M. D., Lecturer on Insanity, 1891 to 1893. 

Wii.i.i^ G. Ma. Donald, M. D.. Lecturer on Operative Surgery, 1891 to 1895; Ad- 
junct Professor of Surgery, 1895 to ■ . 

Herman BeiNdell, M. D.. Lecturer on Physiology, 1892 to. 1894; Lecturer on Otol- 
ogy, 1894 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Otology, 1896 to . 

Ezra A. Baktlett, M. D., Lecturer on Electro Therapeutics, 1892 to . 

G. Alden R. Blumer, M. D., Lecturer on Insanity, 1893 to 1896; Adjunct Professor 
of Insanity, 1896 to . 

Theodore F. C. Van Allen, M. D., Lecturer on Ophthalmology, 1894 to 1896; 
Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, 1896 to - — . 

Andrew MacFarlane, M. D., Lecturer on Physical Diagnosis and Clinical Mi- 
croscopy, 1895 to 1896; Clinical Professor of Physical Diagnosis and Microscopy, 
1896 to . 

Clinton B. Herrick, M. D , Lecturer on Clinical Surgery, 1895 to . 

John V. Hennessy, M. D., Lecturer on Materia Medica, 1896 to . 

WiLLL\M G. Lewi, M. D., Lecturer on Pharmacy, 1896 to . 

Leu H. Neuman, M. D., Lecturer on Symptomatology, 1896 to , 

The Alumni Association of the A. M. C. was organized January 20, 
1874, and incorporated February 6, of the same year. The object of 
this as.sociation is to promote the interest of the college in the work of 
medical education, and to cultivate social intercourse among the 
alumni. The names and addresses of 1,302 graduates are on the roll 
of membership. The management of this association is entrusted to an 
executive committee and a general meeting is held annually on com- 
mencement day. 

The Albany College of Pharmacy was created by act of the Board of 
Governors of Union University, June 21, 1881, and incorporated Au- 
gust 27, 1881. Chemistry, Botany and Materia Medica, Pharmacy and 
the Microscope and its application to pharmacy are taught in a two 
years' course. The lectures are delivered and the laboratory classes in 
chemLstry conducted in the class rooms of the Medical College building. 
A commodious pharmaceutical laboratory is connected with the college. 
The school is well managed and equipped to impart thorough instruc- 
tion in pharmacy and its kindred branches. 

The following constitute the faculty: Willis G. Tucker, M. D., Ph. D., F. C. S., 
president, professor of chemistry; Alfred B. Huested, M. D., Ph. G., professor of 
botany and materia medica; Gustavus Michaelis, Ph. G., professor of pharmacy ; 
Theodore J. Bradley, Ph. G.. lecturer on pharmacy; De Baun Van Aken, instructor 
in chemistry; Frank Richardson, Ph. G., instructor in materia medica and director 
of the pharmaceutical laboratory ; Thomas \V. Jenkins, M. D., instructor 
copy. 



The Ai.p.anv Hospital. 

The Albany Hospital was founded in 1849. In 1830 Dr. Alden 
March, professor of anatomy and physiology in the Vermont Academy 
of Medicine, delivered a public lecture on the " Propriety of Establish- 
ing a Medical College and Hospital at Albany." The late John C. 
Spencer was the first president, and to his popularity and energy, coupled 
with the unremitting efforts of Dr. James H. Armsby and the support 
of generous contributors, this institution was opened for the reception 
of patients November 1, 1851. The male and female wards, the child's 
ward, endowed by the late William H. De Witt, are comfortably fur- 
nished and well appointed. The rooms for the treatment of private 
patients, fitted up and furnished b}- charitably inclined ladies represent- 
ing the various churches of Albany, have largely added to the comfort 
and accommodation of patients admitted to this institution. The dis 
pensaries are open to the poor, and the hospital records show that thou- 
sands of charity patients have been provided with medicines and at- 
tendance. The entire management is vested in a Board of Governors, 
who have endeavored to combine thoroughness and efficiency in every 
department, and that they have merited the support and confidence of 
the citizens of Albany is apparent by the general interest manifested 
and the liberal contribution of funds to provide for the accommodation 
and care of the sick. In 1851 and 1853 sufficient funds were collected 
]jy special subscription to purchase and equip an adjoining building for 
the purpose of affording rooms for clinical instruction to students at- 
tending the Albany Medical College. The building, originally erected 
as a county jail, before being occupied required remodeling to adajjt 
it for hospital purposes. From 1849 to 1873, principally due to the 
unremitting efforts of Dr. James H. Armsby, over one hundred thou- 
sand dollars were subscribed to defray the cost of enlarging the build- 
ing and providing proper hospital accommodations. As the city in- 
creased in population greater facilities for the treatment of private and 
dispensary patients became necessary and the friends of the institution 
have annually and liberally responded to the appeals of the governors 
for subscriptions to enlarge and continue this worthy charity. The City 
Council appropriates a liberal sum annually toward the sujjport of the 
charity wards, and the income of an increasing endowment fund, together 
with the receipts from private patients, help to meet the expenditures. 
The projected new hospital and training school to be connected with the 



207 

same, a scheme encouraged by mutual co-operation of those interested 
in the future prosperity of the Albany Hospital, will not be erected on 
the site of the present building, it being deemed advisable for the 
proper care and comfort of the sick and convalescent that the new hos- 
pital shall be erected remote from the crowded city thoroughfares. The 
present staff of the hospital consists of: 

Medical and Surgical Staff. — Consulting physicians, Samuel H. Freeman, M. 1)., 
Joseph Lewi, M.U. ; consulting specialist, William H. Baile\-, M.D. ; surgeons, Al- 
bert Vander Veer, M.D., William Hailes, M. D., Samuel R. Morrow, M. D. ; attend- 
ing specialists, Cyrus S. Merrill, M.D. , eye and ear, Herman Bendell, M D., eye and 
ear, John M. Bigelow, M.D., throat and nose, James P. Boyd, M. D., gynecology, 
Frederic C. Curtis, M.D., dermatology, Ezra A. Bartlett, M.D., electricity ; physi- 
cians, Samuel B. Ward, M.D., Henry Hun, M.D., Joseph D. Craig, M.D., Howard 
Van Rensselaer, M. D. 

St. Peter's HosrrrAi.. 

The building occupied as vSt. Peter's Hospital was formerly the resi- 
dence of Governor King. Subsequently this building was purchased by 
the late Peter Cagger and transferred by him to the Rt. Rev. Bishop 
Conroy, who transferred the building to the Order of the Sisters of 
Mercy to be used as a hospital. St. Peter's Hospital was opened for 
the reception of patients November 1, 1869. This hospital is managed 
by the Sisters of Mercy aided by an advisory Board of Managers; it 
has been conducted with success, and its benefits bestowed as liberally 
as means and facilities would permit. Many additions and improve- 
ments have been made to the building to adapt the same for hospital 
purposes, and with increased accommodations the managers have been 
enabled to provide for the many applicants seeking the care and com- 
forts of this benevolent institution. Credit is due to the untiring 
efforts and charitable work of the Sisters of Mercy in promoting and 
dispensing the benefits of this noble charity. Thousands of poor are 
gratuitiously provided with medical attendance and medicines, and the 
contributions of its benefactors are expended in the true cause of 
charity, for the relief of the afflicted, without regard to creed or con- 
dition. The vSisters of Mercy who act as nurses receive no compensa- 
tion for their services; their work is a labor of love for suffering hu- 
manity, and those who .are familiar with the daily work of these de- 
\'i>ted women, can best appreciate the real good of true charity. 

This hos]3ital is supported by private contributions, by the income 
received from private patients, and by an annual appropriation from 



208 

the cit}' for the care of charity patients. Connected with the liospital 
is a dispensary for the treatment of out door patients. The male and 
female wards and private rooms are well ventilated and neatly fiir- 
ished, and the entire management of the institution is in thorough keep- 
ing with the aims of the administration entrusted with its care. Con- 
nected with the hospital is an amphitheatre and lecture room, where 
clinical lectures and instruction to the students of the Albany Medical 
College are given. Modern improvements for the treatment and com- 
fort of patients are being continually made, thus enabling the manage- 
ment to fully consummate the object which prompted the founding of 
this hospital. , It is a worthy tribute to the memory of the eminent 
jurist, to whose liberal contribution the public is indebted for this great 
charity. 

Hospital 5/<i/.— Consulting physicians, Samuel B. Ward, M.D., D. V. O'Leary 
M. D. Consulting surgeons, A. Vander Veer, ^J.D., Lewis Balch, M.D., James V. 
Hoyd. M.D. Attending physicians, Henry Hun, M.D., T. K. Perry, M.D., Howard 
Van Rensselaer, M.D., Andrew MacFarlane, M.D. Attending surgeons, S. R. Mor- 
row, M.D., P. J. Keegan, M.D., William Hailes, jr., M.D., J. V. Hennessy, M.I). 
Specialists, C. S. Merrill, M.D., T. F. C. Van Allen, M.D., Clement F. Theisen, M.D., 
F. C. Curtis, M.D., George S. Munson, M.D., John M. Bigelow, M.U. 

The Child's Hospital. 

The Child's Hospital was opened for the treatment of patients March, 
1875. It is one of the works of charity undertaken by the " Corning 
Foundation for Christian Work in the Diocese of Albany," of which the 
Rt. Rev. William Croswell Doane is the president. The hospital was 
originally located in a small building on Lafayette street. Subsequently, 
owing to an inceased demand for its benefits, the liospital was removed 
to a larger house on Elk street. In 1877 the first hospital building was 
erected having accommodations for forty patients. The present build- 
ing, erected in 1891, equipped with all modern appointments for the 
comfort of patients and treatment of medical and surgical cases, is also 
located on Elk street and contains ninety beds. In the erection of this 
building great care was given to all details pertaining to sanitary pro- 
visions and arrangements for the care and treatment of patients. Chil- 
dren between the ages of one and fifteen years, requiring medical or 
surgical treatment, are adtnitted to this hospital. This worthy charity 
is in charge of the " Sisterhood of the Holy Child Jesus, "and its finan- 
cial management entrusted to a committee of lady managers. It is 



209 

mainly supported by voluntary contributions, and its benefits are ex- 
tended for the relief of the afflicted without regard to creed or condition. 
The annual reports record the gifts of money from subscribers and 
churches showing broad charity for the support of this benevolent in- 
stitution. Closely related to this hospital, and forming a group of 
charity institutions, is the Sisters' House and St. Margaret's House. 
These buildings, completed and occupied during the past year, were 
erected at a cost of $70,000; of this amount $60,000 were donated by 
generous friends and the buildings are entirely free from debt. A 
large number of cases are treated annually at this hospital ; its success 
is due to the unremitting care and faithful work of the Sisterhood in 
charge of its affairs. During the summer the little patients are sent to 
the St. Christina Home, a retreat located at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 
The Child's Hospital is open to the students of the Albany Medical Col- 
lege for clinical instruction, and no efforts are spared by the manage- 
ment in liberally providing for the comfort of children entrusted to 
their care. 

The following constitute the medical and surgical staff : 

Attending Physicians, Dr. T. M. Trego, Dr. Henry Hun ; Attending Surgeons, 
Dr. Lewis Balch, Dr. S. R. Morrow; Ophthalmic and Aural Surgeon, Dr. C. S. 
Merrill; Physician to Out-Patient Department, Dr. H. Van Rensselaer; Dental Sur- 
geon, Dr. Fr. G. Michel; Assistant Aural and Ophthalmic Surgeon, Dr. C. H. Moore. 

The Albany City Homoeopathic Hospital was founded in 1872. The 
nucleus for this hospital was the establishment of a free dispensary by 
the County Medical Homoeopathic Society in 1867. Soon after the 
opening of the dispensary it was evident that in order to provide addi- 
tional facilities to meet the growing demands for dispensary work, it 
was necessary to equip a building for both dispensary and hospital pur- 
poses. In 1871 a building was purchased and the plan of combining 
the dispensary and hospital carried into effect. Althottgh this build- 
ing was well equipped, it soon became evident that it was undesirable 
and that a larger one was necessary. In 1875 the building now occu- 
pied was purchased and remodeled to adapt it for hospital purposes. 
This hospital is centrally located and has accommodations for fifty 
patients It is successfully conducted under the management of the 
board of trustees who are elected annually. The resources of both the 
hospital and dispensary are derived from the income of private patients, 
from voluntary contributions, and an annual appropriation by the city 
government. Much credit is due to the homoeopathic profession of 



Albany for the establishment of this worthy charity. It is an institu- 
tion doing good work, and its benefits are liberally dispensed. It has 
gratuitously afforded medical and surgical treatment to many appli- 
cants who preferred to avail themselves of its medical service. The 
number of dispensary cases treated is unusually large, and accommoda- 
tion for the treatment of indoor patients not adequate to the demands. 
The feasibility of enlarging the present hospital, or procuring a site 
for the erection of a new building, is being considered by the board of 
trustees. The services performed by the physicians and surgeons con- 
nected with this institution have been rendered in the true interests of 
charity, and the management of the hospital conducted to fully accom- 
plish the objects for which it was established. The present staff of the 
hospital consists of the following physicians: 

Attending physicians: C. E. Jones, M. D., George E. Gorham, M. D., W. M. 
Nead, M. D., W. J. McKown, M. D., F. J. Cox, M. D. Attending surgeons: W. E. 
Milbank, M. D., A. B. Van Loon, M. D., Edmund G. Cox, M. D. 

This brief history is based upon research from records, and presents 
in concise form and as accurately as could be obtained, the part per- 
formed by the medical profession in the history of Albany city and 
county. Many changes to meet the demands of a growing city, that 
has celebrated its bi centennial anniversary, have necessitated larger 
facilities for medical education and more ample provisions for the care 
of its needy and afflicted citizens. The Albany Hospital, St. Peter's 
Hospital, Homoeopathic Hospital, Child's Hospital, and Hospital for 
Incurables, besides the Open Door Mission and Asylums, institutions 
that have contributed so largely in providing for the care of the sick 
and indigent, are entitled to a more exhaustive history than detailed 
in this book In no city in the Union is the progressive and humani- 
tarian element of the medical profession more active. The State Medi- 
cal Library, the Albany Medical College, the Bender Hygienic Labora- 
tory, the Hospitals and Dispensaries, are monuments that reflect credit 
and honor to their untiring energy and efforts. The honorable record 
of those members of the profession from the city and county, who 
served their country from the outbreak through the most trying times 
of the late Civil war, briefly as it is here detailed, merits appreciation 
and does honor to those who shared in the great struggle. The num- 
ber of physicians registered in the county clerk's office since 1880 is 
468. 

This list represents a class of general practitioners and specialists 




WM. M. NhAU, M. D. 



211 

who rank high in the profession and many are representative members 
of State, county and special medical associations. The faculty of the 
Albany Medical College is recognized as a most efficient body of medi- 
cal instructors. The medical and surgical staffs of the various hos- 
pitals and dispensaries are made up of men well qualified to fill their 
respective positions. Lack of space prevents the writer from detailing 
much matter pertaining to the history and progress of medicine in 
Albany city and county. It is a privilege and a pleasure to chronicle 
the good work accomplished by distinguished physicians who entered 
upon their career of usefulness in this city. Many have gone, covered 
with honors and duties well done. Many are still active in pushing 
forward the good work inaugurated by the early pioneers of reform, in 
all matters relating to higher education and greater usefiilness. The 
day of primitive education in medicine has given way to the impera- 
tive demands of this age of progress. 



THE ALBANY COUNTY HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
By Horace M. Paine, M. D. 

The Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society, organized Janu- 
ary 24, 1861, has been a recognized force in the establishment, upbuild- 
ing and permanent development of the homoeopathic system of prac- 
tice, and its representative institutions, the Albany City Homoeopathic 
Hospital and Dispensary. 

The records of this society show that its members have been active 
participants in the great medico ethical controversy of this country ; 
and that they have rendered effective service in the frequent contests 
for securing, in behalf of themselves and their associates throughout 
the State, a status, equal in every respect to that of their old school 
rivals. 

There has ever been a desire manifested, during the whole of the 
thirty-seven years since the organization of the society, to make it a 
means for the mutual improvement of its members; the purpose being, 
that the contributions of practical knowledge by individuals might, in 
turn, be made available by the whole membership, thereby making the 
organization in the highest and best sense a medium through which the 
public would be largely benefited. 



21-2 

While it is doubtless true that these beneficent purposes may not 
have been carried out to the fullest extent, it is unquestioned that it 
has been a centre of influence and power for maintaining the fellow- 
ship, integrity, prestige and influence of the homoeopathic school in 
this city, and, in fact, in all the northern part of the State. 

The members of the Homoeopathic County Society, like other 
homoeopathic physicians, maintain adherence to the tenets of their 
system, on the alleged superior curative qualities of homoeopathic 
remedies, when subjected to practical tests in the treatment of disease. 

They admit that while some of the theoretical formulas promulgated 
by Hahnemann are strangely absurd and untenable, the essentia i, 
principles on which the homoeopathic system is founded are reasonable, 
sound, and an exemplification of a natural law of cure 

A proposition to open to the public a homoeopathic free dispensai-y 
was first made at a meeting of the Albany County Homoeopathic Med- 
ical Society, held February 4, 1865. 

During the following two years various plans were offered and an 
interest in the subject was sustained, and at length culminated, in the 
fall of 1867, in the establishment of a free dispeI-jsary, at that time 
the only public institution in Albany for furnishing gratuitous medical 
service and medicines to those who chose to avail themselves of its 
benefits. 

This charity has been ably supported by members of the homoeo- 
pathic medical profession, and the large numbers of worthy poor who 
have been the recipients of its beneficent aid attest both its popularity 
and usefulness. 

During the first ten years of its history it affoi-ded gratuitous medical 
and surgical aid to more than sixt}^ thousand applicants. 

The number of medical prescriptions and of minor surgical opera- 
tions performed have usually ranged from two to three hundred per 
month. 

The amount of charitable work in the aggregate during the first 
thirty years of its history, now nearly completed, is astonishing in 
magnitude, encouraging and gratifying to those who have been its 
willing supporters, and pleasing and beneficial to its thousands of 
grateful recipients. 

An experience of five years of dispensary service revealed the fact 
that m"&ny of the applicants required hospital accommodations and 
treatment. 



213 

With a view, therefore, of increasing its usefulness, and placing its 
work and operations upon a broader foundation, a building was pur- 
chased in the summer of 1872 and supplied with the requisites for both 
dispensary and hospital uses. The building at first selected having 
been found undesirable, in 1875 a larger and more suitable one was 
provided. 

The present hospital and dispensary building is centrally and con- 
veniently located at No. 12o North Pearl street, is large and complete 
in its appointments, and is provided with all suitable appliances for 
accommodating thirty patients. The experience of the past three 
years plainly indicates that a building of double the capacity of the 
present one is greatly needed. 

All of the homoeopathic physicians in the city hold themselves in 
readiness to render any assistance that may be needed. The staff of 
surgeons, Drs. W. E. Milbank, E. G. Cox, W. H. Van Loon and W. N. 
Nead, are so efficiently maintaining the high standard of success in their 
special departments that the resources of the institution are not only 
constantly taxed to the utmost limit, but make clear the pressing need 
of securing a far greater number of suitable rooms in larger and more 
desirable buildings. 

While the influence of the membership of this society has been largelv 
in support of the establishment of Eyu.^Lnv in the exercise of medical 
civil rights, as between schools of medicine, it must be admitted that 
its influence has been also actively exerted in support of the two essen- 
tial principles of homoeopathic practice, viz. : the smallness of the 
CURATIVE iiosE, and the physiological (pathogenei ic) action ok drugs 

IN health as a rational llASIS FOR THEIR CORRECI' APPLICATION IN 
DISEASE. 

Although the honor of having introduced the homoeopathic system 
of practice to the citizens of Albany, belongs to Dr. A. P. Biegler, who 
came in 1837, the real pioneer of homoeopathy in this city was Dr. 
I. M. Ward. Dr. Ward came to Albany in 1841. He was the first 
resident American homoeopathic practitioner north of New York city, 
and for several years the only homoeopathic physician residing in 
Albany. 

The representatives of the homoeopathic system at Albany, prior to 
the advent of Dr. Ward, were physicians of foreign birth and education. 
Their antecedents and manners did not contribute to the rapid promul- 
gation and popularization of the system of therapeutics which they 



214 

labored hard to introduce. Their theories were considered visionary 
and their practice unsound. 

The following list contains the names of upwards of one hundred 
homoeopathic physicians who have resided in Albany county, and have 
identified themselves with homoeopathic interests, either by member- 
ship in the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society, or by ser- 
vice in the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. 

The names of those who have been admitted. to membership in the 
county society, are printed in small capitals. The names of those who 
have not joined the county society are printed in ordinary type. 

The left hand column of figures indicates the chronological order and 
date of entrance on homoeopathic practice in Albany county. 

1837. Augustus Philip Biegler, A. M., M. I). Born in Prussia, in 
1790. Was graduated, March 29, 1832, from the Medical Department 
of the University of Berlin. 

To him belonged the distinguished honor of having introduced the 
homoeopathic system of practice to the citizens of Albany, in Novem- 
ber, 1837. He resided in Albany two and a half years, and then re- 
moved to Schenectady, and subsequently, to Rochester. 

He enjoyed the rare opportunity of having had a long personal ac- 
quaintance with Hahnemann, and of obtaining from him a thorough 
knowledge of homoeopathic principles and practice. He died at Roch- 
ester, N. Y., in 1849, at the age of fifty-nine years. 

1S38. Dr. Rosenstein. Formed a business partnership with Dr. 
Biegler. Resided in Albany one year, and then removed elsewhere. 

1839. Emanuel Sieze, M. D. Dr. Sieze and Dr. Biegler came to- 
gether from Germany to this country, to engage in the practice of 
homoeopathy. Dr. Sieze first located at Hudson, where he remained 
a year and a half. He resided four years in Albany. He was an ed- 
ucated physician. In practice he made quite an extensive use of hy- 
dropathic treatment. 

1840. Charles Frederic Hoffendahl, A. M., M. D. Born in Germany 
in 1799. Was graduated from the Medical Departmentof the Univer- 
sity of Berlin, in 1828. Came to this country in 1837; settled first in 
Philadelphia; came to Albany in 1840; removed to Boston in 1842, 
where he died in April, 1862, at the age of sixty-three years. 

1841. Isaac Moreau Ward, A. M., M. D. Born at Bloomfield, N. J., 
October 23, 1806. Was graduated in arts from Yale, in 1825; and in 
medicine, from Rutgers Medical College in 1829. Began practice in 



215 

Newark, N. J. ; removed to Albany in 1841 ; returned to his home at 
Lyons Farms, N. J., in 1847, where he died February 24, 1895, at the 
age of eighty-nine years. He was widely known as an eminent physi- 
cian and an upright and highly respected citizen. 

1842. Charles Herbert Skiff, M. D. Born at Spencertown, N. Y., 
May 12, 1808. Was graduated, in 1832, from Berkshire Medical Col- 
lege at Pittsfield, Mass. Began practice at Spencertown; removed in 
1842 to Albany; and in 1843 to New Haven, Conn., being the pioneer 
homoeopathic physician of that city. Died at New Haven, December 
11, 1875, at the age of sixty seven years. 

1845. Henry Del.av.4n Paine, A.M., M.D. Born at Delhi, N. Y., 
June 19, 1816. Was graduated in 1838, from the College of Physicians 
and Surgeons in New York city. Began practice in Newburgh, N. Y. ; 
removed, in 1845, to Albany; returned to New York city in 1865. 
During his residence in Albany Dr. Paine won the confidence and re- 
spect of the entire community, his friends and adherents being among 
the leading, most influential and intelligent citizens. The inaugura- 
tion of special medical legislation in behalf of the homoeopathic as a 
separate and distinct school of medicine, was due to Dr. Paine's efforts, 
more than to those of any other person. By the enactment of the law 
of 1857, providing for the organization of county homoeopathic medical 
societies, and the enactment of the law of 1861, providing for the organ- 
ization of the State homoeopathic medical society, the homoeopathic pro- 
fession of the State secured the same legal rights and privileges as were 
extended to old school physicians: and among those whose wisdom, 
tact and zeal were instrumental, during previous years of trial and self- 
denying labor, in placing the homoeopathic school and its organizations 
upon a safe and enduring foundation, the unflagging energy and well 
directed efforts of Dr. Paine were exceptionally effective, and are 
worthy of the grateful recognition and unqualified approval of the 
whole homoeopathic profession of the entire State. He died in New 
York city, June 11, 1893, at the age of seventy seven years. An ex 
pressive epitome of his life and character, and touching tribute to his 
memory ; is found in the closing sentence of an obituary notice of his 
death; "A devoted Churchman; a priestly physician; a Christlike 
man." 

1846. Er.asmus Darwin Junes, M. D. Born at Upper Jay, N. Y. , 
September, 10, 1818. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College 
in 1841. Began practice at Keeseville, N. Y. ; removed to Albany in 



216 

1846, where for forty-five years he conducted a laryc, successful and 
hicrative practice. He was noted for self sacrificinj^ devotion to the 
interests and welfare of his numerous patients. He excelled in indus- 
try, accuracy of discrimination, untiring patience, and a never exhaust- 
ing wealth of resources in all difficult and complicated cases. And 
through, and with, these characteristic qualities, there was always ex 
hibited a kindliness of feeling, courtesy of manner, and fervency of 
zeal, that caused both devoted friends and professional associates to 
sincere'ly regret that the infirmities of advancing years had, in 1891, 
brought forced retirement from active and effective work, in the field 
where his tact and skill were so long recognized as qualities developed 
to a degree to which few younger men could ever hope or expect to 
attain. He died August 17, 1895, at the age of seventy-seven year.s. 

1847. John Alsop Paine, M. D. Born at Whitestown, N. Y., July 
10, 1795. Was graduated from the Medical Department of Yale Col- 
lege in 1825. Began practice at Volney, and continued suceessively in 
Paris, New Hartford, and Utica, N. Y.; in Newark, N. J., Albany, 
N. Y., where he remained four years; subsequently in Newark, N. J., 
and Lake Forest. 111., where he died June 16, 1871, at the age of sev- 
enty six years. He practiced the allopathic system nineteen, and :he 
homoeopathic twenty- six years. 

1848. Henry Adams, M. D. Born at Coxsackie, N. Y., July 6, 1787. 
Licensed to practice under the law of 1808. Began practice at Cox- 
sackie. Appointed surgeon to one of the regiments of the American 
army in the war of 1812, and was stationed at Sackett's Harbor, N Y. 
Adopted the homoeopathic system of practice in 1846. Removed to Al- 
bany in 1848, and to Cohoes in 1850, where he resided to the time of 
his death, July 6, 1857, his seventieth birthday. 

1849. HoR.ACE Mansfield P.ai.ve, A. M., M. D. Born at Paris, N. Y., 
November 19, 1827. Was graduated, March 11, 1849, from the Medi- 
cal Department of the University of the City of New York. Began prac- 
tice at Albany; removed to Clinton, Oneida county, in 1855; returned 
to Albany in 1865. Relinquished active practice in 1895. Resides, in 
summer, at West Newton, Mass., and in winter, at Atlanta, Ga. He 
has, for forty years, been actively identified with the adoption of meas- 
ures for establishing the homoeopathic system of practice on a reasona- 
able and enduring foundation ; for dissociating it from untenable and 
visionary theories; for securing the enactment of such laws as would ex- 
tend to the representatives of all recognized schools of medicine esju.al 




JAMES W. COX, M. D. 



217 

civil. RIGHTS and privilf.i;ks; and such laws also, as would unify and ele- 
vate medical educational standards, by transferring the right of medical 
licensure from medical college faculties (private corporations), to State 
control. In the prosecution of these measures, during the whole of 
that period, he has steadily made use of official positions on commit- 
tees, or as secretary of a number of medical associations, for promot- 
ing these desirable purposes. He received the degree of Master of 
Arts (honorary) from Hamilton College in 1859; and the honorary de- 
gree of Doctor of Medicine from the Regents of the University, on the 
recommendation of the State Homoeopathic Medical Society. He is an 
honorary member of a number of State homoeopathic medical societies 
in this and other countries. 

1850. David Springsteed, M. D, Born in the town of Bethlehem, 
Albany county, January 17, 1808. Attended medical lectures at the 
Medical Department of Yale College, and at the Duane Street Medical 
College in the city of New York. Licensed to practice in 1830, by the 
Medical vSociety of the State of New York. Began practice in Bethle- 
hem. Adopted the homoeopathic system in 1845. Removed to Albany 
in 1850; retired from active practice in 1880, after having completed a 
full half-century of successful professional work. He removed in 1880 
to Saugerties, N. Y; in 1884, to New York city; and in 1889, to South 
Woodstock, Conn., where he died March 26, 1894, at the age of eighty- 
six years. He was appointed county physician by the Board of Super- 
visors of Albany county in 1851, the first appointment, it is believed, of 
a homoeopathic physician to such a position in the United States. 

1851. William Henry Rantiel, M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y., Au- 
gust 28, 1829. Was graduated, in 1851, from the Medical Department 
of the University of the City of New York. Began practice in Albany, 
where he remained to the time of his death, December 13, 1887, at the 
age of fifty-eight years. Dr. Randel was closely identified with the 
work and progress of the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital and Dispen- 
sary, and was unreinitting in his efforts to promote its development 
and usefulness. 

1851. Pascal P. Brooks, M. D. Came to Albany in 1851. He had 
been an old school practitioner sixteen years, and had recently adopted 
the homoeopathic system. He remained in Albany two years, and 
then removed elsewhere. 

1852. James William Cox, M. D. Born at Gilbertsville, N.Y., Feb- 
ruary 5, 1828. He was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 



218 

Janiiar}-, 1852: Began practice in Albany, in association with his 
former preceptor, Dr. H. D. Paine. He remained a resident of Al- 
bany to the time of his death, June 9, 189G, at the age of sixty eight 
years. Dr. Cox was an accomplished, skillful and successful physician. 
His natural powers of insight enabled him to distinguish hidden and 
obscure features of disease; and he was blessed, in a remarkable de- 
gree, with the ability to inspire with courage, cheer and ho^je, those to 
whom he ministered as a physician. These qualities of mind were of 
the highest order, and won for him the steadfast confidence and love of 
all who were fortunate in making his acquaintance. 

1S53. Charles Gilbert Bryant, M. D. Born at Gilbertsville, N. Y., 
March 13, 1829. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 
January, 1852. Began practice at Little Falls, N. Y, ; came to Albany 
in 1853; removed in 1854 to San Francisco, Cal., where he died in 
1806, at the age of thirty-seven years. 

1854. Lester Marcus Pr.\tt, M. D. Born at Pratt's Hollow, N.Y., 
April 25, 1818. Was graduated in 1854 from the Pennsylvania Homoeo- 
pathic Medical College at Philadelphia. Began practice the same year 
at Albany. Remained in Albany until August, 1893, when he retired 
from active practice and removed to Homer, N. Y. During his long 
medical career he endeared himself to many personal friends on account 
of his recognized professional skill, his readiness to minister to the 
relief of human suffering among those in the higher walks of life, as 
well also as the illiterate and indigent. He possessed a cheerful and 
hopeful disposition and a sympathetic nature. Having these estimable 
qualities of mind and heart, it is not surprising that his friends were 
drawn toward him with a strong and abiding attachment; nor that his 
influence and life were radiant with the elevating and ennobling ten- 
dencies that mark the highest and best type of true manhood. 

1857. Georoe Henry Billings, M. D. Born at Claremont, N. H., 
June 19, 1835. Was graduated from the Castleton Medical College in 
June, 1857. Began practice at Cohoes in September, 1857; removed to 
Cambridge, N. Y., in 18G2. to Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1865, and returned 
to Cohoes in 1871, where he died May 20, 1893. 

1862. John Savage Delav.an, M. D. Born at Ballston, N. Y., Oc- 
tober 18, 1840. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College, 
December 23, 1861. Began practice at Albany in 1862. Served three 
years in the war of the Rebellion in the capacity of assistant surgeon. 
Returned to Albany in 1865; removed to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1872; 



219 

returned to Albany in 187G, where he remained to the time of his death, 
which occurred by accidental drowning, August 7, 1885. Dr. Delavan 
was respected for his noble and generous impulses. He stood in the 
front rank of the profession. His smile of recognition, his cordial 
greeting, and his faithful services were characteristic of a whole souled, 
generous hearted friend. 

1863. Walter Samuel Baker, M. D. Born at Newark, N. J., July 
18, 1841. Was graduated in March, 18G3, from the New York Homoeo- 
pathic Medical College and Hospital. Began practice at Cohoes in 
June of the same year, and in 1870 removed to Newark, N. J., where 
(in 1897) he still resides. 

1865. Joseph C. Butler, M. D. Pursued the study of medicine under 
the supervision of Dr. W. H. Randel, of Albany, and was graduated in 
1865 from the New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. 
Began practice in Albany immediately thereafter in association witli 
his former preceptor. After a residence in Albany of two years he 
removed to Florida, where he died the following year. 

1867. Harmon Switz, M. D. Born at Schenectady, N.Y. , June 29, 
1818. Began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. L. S. Roe, a 
homoeopathic physician of that city; entered on practice before he had 
completed his studies on account of the sudden death, by accident, of 
his preceptor. He subsequently attended medical lectures, and re- 
ceived the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1865 from the New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. He became a member 
of the Albany County Honioeopathic Medical Society in 1867. He was 
for many years the sole representative of the homoeopathic school of 
practice in the city where he was born, and where he resided during 
the whole period of his life. Possessing the faculty of close observa- 
tion with acuteness of perception, he acquired a thorough practical 
knowledge of the theory and practice of medicine long before he be- 
came a legall}' qualified practitioner. 

1867. Joseph N. White, M. D. Born at Deerfield, N. Y., July 4, 
1816. Was graduated in 1854 from the Medical College of Ohio at 
Cincinnati. He began practice at Amsterdam, N. Y., and remained 
there to the time of his death, April 24, 1890, at the age of seventy- 
four years. He became a member of the Albany County Homoeo- 
pathic Medical Society in 1867. He possessed a natural aptitude for 
his profession. He was gentle and sympathetic in manners, of simple 
tastes and habits, tenacious of principle, a Puritan in morals, yet withal 
possessed of the broadest charity. 



220 

1807. Herman Brownei.l Horton, M. D. Born at New Lebanon, 
N. Y., October 9, 1831. Was graduated in 1858 from the Berkshire 
Medical College at Pittsfield, Mass. Began practice at Eden, N. Y. ; 
removed in 1865 to Poestenkill, Rensselaer county, to Bath, in the same 
county, in 1866; to Albany in 1867; to Kinderhook in 1869; and in 
1S71, to Huntington, Suffolk county, where he died September 1, 1890. 
Dr. Horton took an active interest in the canvass which resulted in the 
establishment of the Albany Homoeopathic Dispensary, and on its or- 
ganization was appointed its first resident physician. He practiced the 
allopathic system .seven, and the homoeopathic twenty-three years. 

1867. J. Fenimore Niver, M. D. Born at Bethlehem, N. Y., April 
31, 1839. Was graduated in 1S64 from the Berkshire Medical College 
at Pittsfield, Mass. Began practice at Stillwater, K. Y. ; removed in 
1867 to Cohoes; and in 1871 to Cambridge, Washington county, where, 
in 1897, he is still engaged in active practice. 

1867. Jamf.s Henry Augustus Graham, M. D. Born at Sandisfield, 
Mass., January 11, 1809. Was graduated from the Berkshire Medical 
College at Pittsfield, Mass., in 1836. Began practice in the city of New 
York, where he remained a number of years: resided at Catskill several 
years ; and during the last few years of his life, at Berne, Albany county, 
where he died in October, 1878, at the age of sixty-nine years. He 
adopted the homoeopathic system in 1871, and adhered to it during the 
remainder of his life. He had been an old school practitioner thirty- 
five years. 

1868. James Francis McKown, M. D. Born at Guilderland, N. Y., 
April 1, 1844. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College, No- 
vember 25, 1866. Began practice (old school) at Albany the same year. 
Adopted the homoeopathic system in 1868, and adhered to it during 
the remainder of his life. He died August 25, 1892, at the age of forty- 
eight years. 

1868. George Ai.DOMER Cox, M. D. Born at Butternut, N. Y., May 
]7, 1846. Was graduated in December, 1868, from the Albany Medi- 
cal College. He began practice at Albany immediately after gradua- 
tion; removed to Cohoes in 1870; returned to Albany in 1871, where, 
in 1897, he is engaged in the duties of active practice. He served two 
and a half years in the war of the Rebellion, and was mustered out of 
the service in June, 1865. 

1869. John Smith wick, A. M., M. D. Born at Boston, Mass., No- 
vember 8, 1842. Was graduated in December, 1S68, from the Albany 



221 

Medical College. Began practice at Albany in 1809; removed, in 1871, 
to Weston, Mass.; in 1880, to Sharon, Mass., his residence in 1897. 

1809. Porter Lafayette Reynolds, M. D. Born at Cabot, Vt., 
May 18, 1823. Was graduated in the spring of 18G1 from Castleton 
(Vermont) Medical College, and in December, 1801, from the Albany 
Medical College. Began practice (old school) at Troy in 1802; enlisted 
as assistant surgon, and served two years in the war of the Rebellion; 
began practice (homoeopathic) in 1804, at Albany; removed, in 1878, 
to Saratoga Springs; returned, in 1880, to Albany; and in 1887, to 
Oneida, N. Y., where he died April 21, at the age of sixty-four years. 

1870. Nelson Hunting, M. D. Born at Gallupville, N. Y., Novem- 
ber 'M, 18:)7. Was graduated in 1809 from the New York Homoeo- 
pathic College and Hospital. Began practice at Gallupville, remained 
one year, and came to Albany in 1870, where in 1897 he is engaged in 
active practice. 

1870. Edward Annon Carpenter, M. D. Born at Albany, Novem- 
ber 11, 1840. Was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 
December, 1869. Entered immediately on practice in Albany; removed 
in 1872, to Plattsburg, N. Y. ; thence, in 1883, to Cambridge, Mass., 
where, in 1897, he is practicing his profession. 

1870. Stephen H. Carroll, M. D. Born at Milanville, N, Y., Au- 
gust 22, 1842. Was graduated in 1870 from the New York Homoeo- 
pathic College and Hospital. Began practice in Albany immediately 
after graduation, and in 1897 is still engaged in the duties of active 
practice. 

1870. Thomas Henry Mann, M. D. Born at Norfolk, Mass., April 
8, 1843. Was graduated in December, 1870, from the Albany Medical 
College. Began practice in 1871 at Willimantic, Conn. ; removed in 
1872 to Block Island, R. I.; in 1876 to Woonsocket, R. I., where for 
ten years he successfully pursued the practice of his profession. In 1885 
he relinquished the practice of medicine, and entered other business 
pursuits. Residence in 1897, Fitchburg, Mass. , at which place beholds 
the office of postmaster, and is the editor and publisher of the Fitchburg 
Evening Mail. Dr. Mann enlisted in the army in 1801, serving during 
the war of the Rebellion ; was held a whole year at Andersonville Prison, 
and was mustered out of service in May, 1805. 

1870. Philip I. Cromwell, M. D. Born at Queensburg, N. Y., July 
12, 1848. Was graduated December 22, 1870, from the Albany Med- 
ical College. Began practice at Albany, remaining one year; i-emoved 



222 

in 1872 to Cleveland, Oswego county, N. Y. ; in 1874 to DeKalb, 111. ; 
and subsequently to Wilmington, Will county, III, where, in 1807, he 
still resides. 

1871. Henry Green Preston, B. A., M. D. Born at Hartford, Conn., 
in 181:7. Was graduated in 1869 from Bellevue Hospital Medical Col- 
lege. Began practice in 1869 at St. John, New Brunswick; removed 
in 1871 to Albany and in 1876 to Brooklyn, N. Y., where in 1897 he is 
still engaged in successful practice. 

1871. John Hiram Fitch, M. D. Born at New Scotland, N. Y., 
April 2, 1837. Was graduated in 18G8 from the Eclectic Medical Col- 
lege in New York city. Began practice in 1868 in New York city; in 

1871 came to Albany; in 1873 returned to New York city, and in the 
fall of the same year removed to New Scotland, Albany county, where 
in 1897 he still resides. He enlisted in the army in 1801, and was mus- 
tered out of the service in September, 1864. 

1871. Frank W. Thomas, M. D. Born at Watertown, N.Y., De- 
cember 29, 1846. Was graduated in 1871 from the Hahnemann Med- 
ical College, of Philadelphia. Began practice the same year at Albany ; 
removed in 1873 to Dayton, Ohio, where he died September 10, 1890, 
at the age of forty-four years. His death was occasioned by severe 
burns, caused by the explosion of a lamp. 

1871. Elliot Calvin Howe, M. D. Born at Jamaica, Vt., February 
14, 1828. Was graduated in 1853 from the Metropolitan Medical Col- 
of New York city. Began practice (eclectic) the same year at Troy, 
remaining until 1868; pursued the occupation of teaching seven years; 
in 1868 resumed practice and removed to New Baltimore, N. Y. ; in 

1872 removed to Yonkers; and in 1884, to Lansingburgh, where in 1897 
he still resides. 

1871. D. A. Cookingham, M. D. Had been an old school physician 
for a number of years. On coming to Albany in 1871 he adopted the 
homoeopathic system of practice; removed in 1872 to Schenectady; 
thence in 1874 to Chicago, 111. 

1872. William Edward Milhank, M. D. Born at Coeymans, N. Y., 
March 6, 1841. Was graduated in December, 1872, from the Albany 
Medical College. Began practice in Albany the same year, and still 
(in 1897) is engaged in a large, successful and lucrative practice. Dr. 
Milbank has attained the highest standing in his profession; his coun- 
sel is often sought by his associates in the care of complicated and 
difficult cases; and his official connection with the State Board of 



Health contributed largely to the promotion of the purposes for which 
it is established. 

1872. Frederick Wadsworth Halsey, M. D. Born at Plattsburgh, 
July 3, 1849. W&s graduated in 1871 from the National Medical College 
at Washington, D.C. Began practice at Albany in 1873; removed in the 
fall of the same year to Fort Henry, Essex county; removed in 1876 to 
Middleburg, Vt., and in 1885 removed to Boston, Mass., where in 1897 
he is conducting an extensive and remunerative practice. 

1872. TowNSEND BowEN, M. D. Was graduated in December, 1872, 
from the Albany Medical College. Began pi'actice at Albany the same 
year, removing in 1873 to Huntington, N, Y., subsequently to Oneonta, 
N. Y., thence to Denver and Leadville, Col. 

1873. Charles Edmund Jones, A. M., M. D. Born in Albany, Feb- 
ruary 13, 1849. Was graduated in arts in 1870 from Hope College, at 
Holland City, Mich. ; in medicine in December, 1872, from the Albany 
Medical College; also in March, 1873, from the New York Homoeo- 
pathic Medical College and Hospital. He began practice immediately 
after graduation, in association with his father. Dr. E. D. Jones. He 
is still (in 18,97) conducting an extensive and exceptionally successful 
practice. He has held many positions of trust and responsibility, and, 
as his father was, is regarded as a physician of distinguished ability. 

1873. Horace Curran Miller, M. D. Born at Schodack, N. Y., in 
1846. Was graduated January 20, 1874, from the Albany Medical Col- 
lege. Held the position of resident physician at the Albany Homoeo- 
pathic Hospital six months prior to graduation. After graduation he 
began practice in Greenbush, Rensselaer county, where (in 1897) he 
still resides. 

1873. Catharine Elizaueth Goewev, M. D. Born in, the town of 
Greenbush, N. Y., November 26, 1835. Was graduated in May, 1873, 
from the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. Began 
practice in Albany the same year; removed in 1887 to Brooklyn, N. Y. ; 
returned in 1890 to Bath, Rensselaer county, where she died in 189G, at 
the age of sixty-one years. 

1873 RuFUS Reed, M. D. Born at Rockville, III, April 12, 1843. 
Was graduated in 1871 from the Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- 
delphia. Resided and practiced one year in Staunton, Va. ; removed 
in 1873 to Cohoes, Albany county, remaining three years; removed in 
1877 to Lambertville, N. J.; thence in 1882 to Philadelphia, his resi- 
dence in 1897. 



m 

1874:. John Jefferson Wallace, M. D. Born at Niagara, Can., De- 
cember 15, 1805. He attended medical lectures and was graduated 
from one of the New York medical colleges about the year 1835. En- 
tered on practice (old school) in that city; was persuaded to make a 
study of the homoeopathic system; was graduated in 1863 from the 
New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, being one of 
the first to graduate from that institution; removed in 1874 to Albany, 
and in 1877 to East Albany, where he died December 15, 1878, at the 
age of seventy- three years. 

1874. David Edward Collins, L. M. Began the study of medicine 
in 1870; attended four full courses of medical lectures at the Albany 
Medical College; rendered essential and helpful service three years as 
assistant physician at the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; was licensed 
to practice in the spring of 1874 by the Columbia County Homoeo- 
pathic Medical Society; began practice in 1874 at Grapeville, Greene 
county; removed to Medway, an adjoining town, and is still (in 1897) 
rendering active professional service. 

1874. Edgar Valentine Trull, M. D. Born at Cohoes, N.Y., August 
26, 1853. Was graduated in December, 1874, from the Albany Medical 
College. Began practice at Cohoes, remaining three years; removed 
in 1873 to Manchester, Vt., where (in 1897) he still resides. 

1874. William Wesley Seeley, M. D. Born at Carlisle, N. Y., in 
185-2. Was graduated in 1874 from the Detroit Homoeopathic Medical 
College. Began practice after graduation at Albany; removed in 187i! 
to East Walworth, N. Y. ; returned in 1880 to Albany, and in 1889 re- 
moved to Poughkeepsie. 

1874. WiLLiA.M Henry Van Derzee, M. D. Burn at Bethlehem, Al- 
bany county, December 18, 1856. Was graduated in December, 1874, 
from the Albany Medical College. Began practice in Albany the same 
year, where he remained to the time of his death, August 39, 1883. 

1875. Nathaniel Emmons Paine, A. M., M. D. Born at New Hart- 
ford, N. Y., July 14, 1853. Was graduated in arts in 1874 from Ham- 
ilton College ; in medicine, December 33, 1875, from the Albany 
Medical College. Began practice at Albany; appointed in 1877 assist- 
ant physician at the Middletown State Homoeopathic Hospital for the 
Insane; returned in 1880 to Albany; appointed in 1885 superintendent 
of the Westborough State Homoeopathic Hospital for :he Insane at 
Westborough, Mass. ; removed in 1893 to conduct a private institution 
of his own for the care and treatment of nervous and mental diseases 
at West Newton, Mass., his residence in 1897. 



225 

1875. John Nelson Bradley, M. D. Born at Berne, Albany county, 
December 30, 1853. Was graduated December 23, 1875, from the Al- 
bany Medical Collegfe. Began practice at Cedarhill, Albany^ county, 
and has resided successively in the following- places: Delmar, Albany 
county; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Fort Fetterman, Wyoming; Delmar; 
South Plattsburg, Tenn. ; Clarksville, Albany county; Westerlo, Al- 
bany county, his residence in 1897. 

1875. Richard Bennett Sullivan, M. D. Born at Ithaca, N. Y., 
November 27, 1850. Was graduated, in 1875, from the New York Ho- 
moeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began practice at Albany, 
and resided successively in the following places : New York city ; Plain- 
ville, Onondaga county; Baldwinsville, in the same county; Albany; 
Colorado Springs, Col.; Albany, N. Y., where he died, October 29, 
1890. 

1875. Howard Lansing Waldo, M. D. Born at Centreville, N. Y., 
September 13, 1852. Attended lectures at the Albany Medical College; 
admitted to an examination by the State Board of Homoeopathic Med- 
ical Examiners, appointed under the law of 1872; approved by such 
board; received June 30, 1875, the degree of Doctor of Medicine from 
the Regents of the University. Began practice in Watervliet (West 
Troy); removed, in 1887, to the city of Troy, his residence in 1897. 

1876. John Jay Peckham, M. D. .Born at Easton, N. Y.,in 1851, was 
graduated, in March, 1874, from the Hahnemann Medical College of 
Philadelphia. Began practice, in 1874, at CrescLiU, Saratoga county; 
removed, in 1876, to Albany; in 1877, to California; in the spring of 
1878, to Greenbush, Rensselaer county, and in the fall, to Albany. Re- 
turned, in 1883, to Los Angeles, Cal. ; removed, subsequently, to San 
Francisco, and later, to Emigrant Gap, Cal., his place of residence in 
1897. 

1876. Burdette Warren, M. D. Was graduated, in 1872, from the 
New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began prac- 
tice at Worcester, Otsego county, and in July, 1876, came to Albany; 
returned to Worcester in January, 1877. 

1876. Elisha Barker Graham, M. D. Born at Italy, N. Y., January 
28, 1840. Was graduated, in 1866, from the Cleveland Homoepathic 
Medical College. Began practice at Three Rivers, Mich., removed in 
1876, to Albany; in 1878, to Cheyenne, Wyo. ; in 1888, to Ogden, Utah, 
his residence in 1897. 

1877. George Podmore Harire Tavlor, M. D. Born at Turk's Isl- 



320 

and, West Indies, April 20, 1847. Was graduated, in 1874, from the 
Medical Department of the University of the City of New York. Be- 
gan practice in the city of New York; removed, in 187(j, to Stillwater, 
Saratoga county, his residence in 1897. He became a member, in 
1877, of the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society. 

1877. Richard Rowe Trotter, M. D. Born at Roxbury, Mass., 
April 5, 1849. Was graduated, in 1877, from the Boston University 
School of Medicine. Began practice at Springfield, Mass ; removed, in 
1877, to Albany; in 1878, to Berne, Albany county; and, in 1883, to 
Yonkers, N. ¥,, his residence in 1897. 

1877. George H. Benjamin, M. D. Began old school practice about 
the year 1870. Gave attention to the study of the homoeopathic sys- 
tem of therapeutics, and adopted it in practice. Was admitted in 1877 
to membership in the Albany County Homoeopathic Medical Society. 
Removed, in 1879, to New York city. 

1878. George Elmer GoRHA^r, M. D. Born at Le Raysville, Pa., 
November 8, 1850. Was graduated, in 1874, from the Homoeopathic 
Medical College of Chicago. Began practice at Athens, Pa. ; removed, 
in 1877, to Cheyenne, Wyo. ; and in 1878, to Albany, where, in 1897, 
he is engaged in active professional duties. Dr. Gorham is held in 
very high esteem by his medical associates and by his many personal 
friends, for strength and accuracy of judgment ; for high moral tone 
that pervades every action ; for his assiduous and enthusiastic work as 
a student ; and for the decisive way in which he blends reading and ex- 
perience and puts them to practical uses. His genius for applying well 
known principles to new uses and purposes, is strikingly illustrated in 
the construction of the celebrated and unique apparatus known as 
"The Gorham Bed," manufactured by the Albany Invalid Bed Com- 
pany. 

1878. Gertrude Anna Goewey Bishop, M. D. Born at Greenbush, 
Rensselaer county, June 23, 1838. Was graduated, in April, 1877, from 
the New York Medical College and Hospital for Women. Began prac- 
tice at Albany, in 1878, removing, in 1879, to Brooklyn, her residence 
in 1897. 

1878. Lyman Byles Waldo, A. M., M. D. Born at Edmeston, N. Y. 
Was graduated, in arts, in 1844, from Hamilton College; and in medi- 
cine in 1863 from the Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College. Be- 
gan practice at Adams, N. Y. ; removed, in 1869, to Oswego; in 1872, 
to Lansingburgh ; and in 1878, to West Troy, Albany county, where he 
died in 1879, at the age of sixty-four years. 



337 

1878. William H. Griffith, M. D. Held the appointment of resident 
ph3'sician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital during the summer- 
and fall of 1878. He removed elsewhere. 

1879. George Washington Gregory, M. D. Born at Fleming, N. Y., 
September 22, 1854. Was graduated, in 1879, from the Albany Medi- 
cal College. Began practice in Albany; removed, in 1880, to Troy, 
Pa., and in 1895, to Elmira, N. Y., his residence in 1897. 

1879. Edson Wyckoff Masten, M. U. Born at Schodack, N. Y., in 
1857. Was graduated, in 1879, from the Albany Medical College. Al- 
though well qualified to enter on active practice, he has given his whole 
time to the business of preparing and dispensing medicines. Has been 
engaged since graduation in medicine in conducting a large and profit- 
able drug business in the city of Albany. 

1879. Mary Almed.\ Garrison Pomeroy, M. D. Was born at Os- 
wego, N. Y., February 10, 1823. Was graduated, in 1875, from the 
Boston University School iof Medicine. Began practice immediately 
after graduation, at Syracuse, N. Y. ; removed, in 1878, to Albany; and 
in 1881, removed to Ocean Grove, N. J., where she died, in January, 
1892, at the age of sixty-nine years. 

1881. HinvARD Simmons Paine, A. M., M, I). Born at New Hartford, 
N. Y., July 14, 1856. Was graduated in arts in 1878, from Hamilton 
College, and in medicine in 1881, from the Albany Medical College. 
Was admitted to an examination by the State Homoeopathic Board of 
Medical Examiners; was approved by the board and received a second 
time the degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Regents of the Univer- 
sity. Began practice at Albany immediately after graduation, and 
removed in 1894 to Glens Falls, N. Y., his residence in 1897, his prac- 
tice being limited to the treatment of diseases of the eyes, ears and 
throat. 

1881. Edward Llewellyn Crandall, M. D. Born at Greenbush, 
N. Y., in 1857. Was graduated in 1880 from the Albany Medical Col- 
lege. Began practice at Troy immediately after graduation; removed 
in 1881 to Albany; returned in 1883 to Troy, his residence in 1897. 

1882. Robert Kennedy, Jr., A. M., M. D. Born at Washington, 
D. C, July 29, 1856. Was graduated in 1881 from the Hahnemann 
Medical College of Philadelphia. He received the degree (honorary) 
of Master of Arts from the Philadelphia High School, from which insti- 
tution he was graduated in 1878. Began practice in 1881 at Ocean 
Gnive, X. J., removed in 1882 to Green Island, Albany county; in 1883 



to Philadelphia, Pa.; and subsequently to Brooklyn, N. Y.. where he 
died in April, 1894, at the age of thirty-eight years. 

1883. Aaron John Bond, M. D. Born at Dalton, N. H., May 7, 1857. 
Was graduated in March, 1883, from the New York Homoeopathic 
Medical College and Hospital. Was appointed the same year resident 
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; resigned in 1884 to 
accept a similar position at the Brooklyn Homoeopathic Hospital ; re- 
moved in 188() to Adams, Berkshire county, Mass., his residence in 
1897. 

1884. Walter Foot Robinson, M. D. Was born at Albany in Octo- 
ber, 1859. Was graduated in 1884 from the Albany Medical College. 
Began practice in Albany ; spent three years in study in various Euro- 
pean hospitals; returned in 1890 to Albany, where in 1897 he is giving 
special attention to the study and treatment of nervous diseases. 

1884. Clark Durant Welch, M. D. Born at Albany June 14, 1844. 
Was graduated in 1876 from the New York Homoeopathic Medical 
College and Hospital. Began practice in 1877 at Cobleskill, N. Y., 
and in 1879 removed to Castleton, Rensselaer county, his residence in 
1897. 

1884. Margaret Jackson Reynolds, M. D. Born near Clones, Mona- 
ghan county, Ireland, April 12, 1836. Was graduated in 1884 from 
the Boston University School of Medicine. Began practice the same 
year at Albany in association with her husband; f'emoved in 1887 to 
Oneida, Madison county, N. Y., and in 1888 removed to Richmond, 
Ind., her residence in 1897. 

1885. Joseph Ezra Wright, M. D. Born at Fox Chase, Philadelphia 
county, Pa., June 4, 1863. Was graduated in March. 1884, from the 
Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia. Was appointed immedi- 
ately after graduation to the position of interne to the Ward's Island 
Homoeopathic Hospital ; also the same year to the position of ambulance 
surgeon to the Brooklyn Homoeopathic Hospital ; resigning in the winter 
of 1884, entered on private practice at Royersford, Pa., in 1885, ap- 
pointed resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital ; re- 
moved in 1886 to Sommerville, N. J. ; and in 1890 removed to Phoenix- 
ville, Pa., his residence in 1897. 

1885. Elmer Arkell Blessing, M. D. Was born at Albany, August 
20, 1861. Was graduated in 1885 from the Medical Department of the 
University of Vermont at Burlington. Began practice at Albany imme- 
diately after graduation, and in 1897 has risen to a position of distinc- 
tion and prominence in his profession. 



229 

1886. Edward Willers Campbell. Born at Albany, February 6, 1863, 
attended two full courses of medical lectures at the Albany Medical 
College, and while an undergraduate held the position of resident-phy- 
sician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital. Before graduation he 
entered mercantile pursuits. 

1886. Robert Edward Fivey, M. D. Was born at New York city, 
July 28, 1862. Was graduated in 1887 from the Albany Medical Col- 
lege. While an undergraduate in 1885 he held the appointment of 
resident physician to the Albany County Alms House; in 1886 held a 
similar appointment in the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital. Removed 
in 1887 to New York city, his residence in 1897. 

1886. David James Barry, M. D. Born at Lee, Mass., June 30, 1858. 
Was graduated in 1888 from the Albany Medical College. Was ap- 
pointed while an undergraduate to the position of resident physician to 
the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital. After graduation began practice 
at Schenectady, N. Y., his residence in 1897. 

1886. Ch.'^rles William Schwartz, M. D. Born at Littlestown, Pa., 
October 19, 1857. Was graduated in 1880 from the Hahnemann Medi- 
cal College of Philadelphia. Began practice in 1882 at Emmettsburg, 
Md. ; removed in 1886 to Albany, and in 1894 to Ticonderoga, N. Y., 
his residence in 1897. 

1886. Wii.i, Melangchton Nead, M. D. Born at Lodi, Ohio, No- 
vember 30, 1859. Was graduated in March, 1884, from the Cleveland 
Homoeopathic Hospital College. Began practice at Keeseville, N. Y. ; 
removed in 1886 to Albany, his residence in 1897. Dr. Nead has suc- 
ceeded in establishing a large and steadily increasing practice. 

1887. Frank William Van Alstvne, M. D. Born at Chatham 
Centre, N. Y., August 3, 1863. Was graduated in 1886 from the New 
York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. After graduation 
held the position of assistant surgeon at the Ward's Island Homoeo- 
pathic Hospital ; removed in 1887 to West Troy, where he died December 
23, 1890. 

1887. Henry Oscar Rockefeller, M. D. Born at Germantown, N.Y, , 
June 8, 1862. Was graduated in 1887 from the Chicago Homoeopathic 
Medical College. After graduation he held the position of resident 
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; removed in 1888 to 
Brooklyn, his residence in 1897. 

1887. Clarence Mann Paine, A. M., M. D. Born at Clinton, Oneida 
county, N.Y., July 9, 1860. Was graduated in arts in 1884 from Ham- 



230 

ilton College; in medicine, in 1887 from the Albany Medical College, 
Began practice at Albany immediately after graduation, removing in 
1889 to Atlanta, Ga., his residence in 1897. 

1887. Owen Frank McAvenue, M. D. Born at Little Falls, N. Y., 
September 21, 1861. Was graduated in 1887 from the Albany Medical 
College. After graduation held the position of resident physician to 
the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital; removed in 1888 to Amsterdam, 
N. Y. ; returned ill 1890 to Albany, his residence in 1897. 

1889. David Wesley Pitts, M. D. Born at Nassau, Rensselaer 
county, N. Y., September 10, 1835. Was graduated in 1865 from the 
New York Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began prac- 
tice at Johnsonville, Rensselaer county; removed in 1889 to West 
Troy, where he. resided to the time of his death, which occurred De- 
cember 21, 1895. 

1889. AVilbur Fiske Lamont, A. M., M. D. Born at Richmond ville, 
N. Y., July 29, 18C4. Was graduated in arts in 1886 from Union Col- 
lege; in medicine in 1889 from the Albany Medical College. He held 
the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hos- 
pital one year. Removed in the fall of 1S80 to Catskill, Greene 
county, his residence in 1897. 

1890. Edward Bernard Coburn, A. M., M. D. Born at Troy, N. Y., 
February 6, 1808. Was graduated in arts in June, 1888, from Union 
College; in medicine in 1890 from the Albany Medical College. He 
held the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic 
Hospital one year. Gave special attention to the study of diseases of 
the eye and ear, spending one year in New York city and one year in 
Europe. On returning in 1893 he located in New York city, his 
residence in 1897. Treatment of diseases of the eye and ear ex- 
clusively. 

1890. WiLLi.AM Mkl.ancthon Ca.mpi'.f,ll, M. D. Born at Stillwater, 
N. Y., November 21, 1861. Was graduated in 1889 from the Albany 
Medical College. Began practice in lS89 at Waterford, Saratoga 
county; removed in 1890 to Cohoes, his residence in 1897. 

1881. Robert Brockway Lamb, M. D., Ph. G. Born at Jamestown, 
N. Y., August 4, 1867. Was graduated in 1889 from the Albany Col- 
lege of Pharmacy; also in 1891 from the Albany Medical College. He 
held the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic 
Hospital four months in 1891. Appointed in 1891 clinical assistant at 
the Matteawan State Hospital for the Insane; promoted in 18'.t3 to the 



231 

position of second assistant physician, which position (in 1897) he still 
holds. 

1891. Arthur Burton Van Loon, M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y., 
December 23, 1868. Was graduated in 1891 from the Albany Medical 
College. Began practice in Albany immediately' after graduation; 
pursued post-graduate studies in the winter of 1891 and of 1893; at- 
tended a course of lectures in 1892, and was graduated from New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, receiving the degree of 
Doctor of Medicine the second time. Held the position of interne one 
year at Ward's Island Homoeopathic Hospital; returned to Albany in 
1893, his residence in 1897. Member of the surgical staff of the Al- 
bany Homoeopathic Hospital. 

1891. Alexander Charles Calisch, M. D. Born at Jersey City, N. J., 
January 29, 1870. Was graduated m 1891 from the New York Homoeo- 
pathic Medical College and Hospital. Was appointed the same year to 
the position of resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hos- 
pital, which position he held six months. Removed in 1893 to Sharon 
Springs, N.Y., and in 1894 to Port Chester, Westchester county, N.Y., 
his residence in 1897. 

1802. Frederick Joseph Cox, B. A., M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y., 
June 27, 1800. Was graduated in arts in 1889 from Williams College; 
and in medicine in 1892 from the Albany Medical College. Began 
practice in Albany immediately after graduation, where he is engaged 
in active practice, and is giving special attention to some of the new 
and inviting fields of bacteriological studies. 

1893. Albert MoTT, M. D. Born at Moreau, Saratoga county, N.Y., 
November 28, 1850. Was graduated in 1873 from the Long Island 
Cellege and Hospital. Began practice at Sandy Hill, Washington 
county, remaining twenty years. He removed in 1893 to Cohoes, Al- 
bany county, his residence in 1897. 

1893. Edward Gilbert Cox, A. M., M. D. Born at Albany, N. Y., 
February 6, 1868. Entered Williams College in 1889, remaining two 
years; received the degree of Master of Arts after graduation in med- 
icine. Was graduated in 1893 from the Albany Medical College. En- 
tered at once on the practice of medicine in Albany in his father's 
office, where (in 1897) he is successfully engaged in the active duties of 
professional life. He is a gifted physician and skillful and successful 
operator. He is a member of the surgical staff of the Albany Homoeo- 
pathic Hospital To his skill and high standing as an accomplished 



232 

surgeon the ]3resent prosperity and gratifying success of the Albany 
Homoeopathic Hospital is largely due. 

1894. William James McKown, M. D. Born at Albany, N.Y., Jan- 
uary 23, 1872. Was graduated in 1894 from the Albany Medical Col- 
lege. Began practice immediately after graduation, where (in 1897) 
he is engaged in active professional work. 

1894. Charles Van Schaick Evans, M. D. Born at Cohoes, N. Y., 
September 24, 1864. Was graduated in 1893 from the New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Began practice in 1893 
in the city of New York ; removed in 1893 to Albany, his residence in 
1897. 

1894. Charles Burnstein, M. D. Born at Carlisle, N. Y., December 
21, 1872. Was graduated in 1894 from the Albany Medical College. 
Immediately after graduation was appointed to the position of resident 
physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital, retaining the posi- 
tion six months. Appointed in 1894 assistant physician to the State 
Custodial Asylum at Rome, Oneida county, which position (in 1897) 
he still holds. 

1895. Archibald Gilbert, M. D., Ph. G. Born at Albany, N. Y., 
June 7, 1868. Was graduated in pharmacy in 1889 from the Albany 
College of Pharmacy; in medicine in 1895 from the Albany Medical 
College. Was appointed in 1895 resident physician to the Albany 
Homoeopathic Hospital, resigning the- position after an acceptable 
service of three months to enter on a course of special studies in 
Europe. 

1895. George Everett Noble, M. D. Born at Freehold, N. Y., 
November 17, 1871. Was graduated in 1895 from the New York 
Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital. Appointed in May, 1895, 
resident physician to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital, and held that 
position one year. Resigned in 1896 to form a business association 
with Dr. George E. Gorham. Residence, in 1897, Albany, N. Y. 

1896. Albert Husted Rogers, A. B., M, D. Born at Albany, N. Y., 
July 4, 1867. Was graduated in arts in 1S90 from Hamilton College; in 
medicine in 1896 from the Albany Medical College, Received the ap- 
pointment in May, 1896, to the position of resident physician to the 
Albany Htjinoeopathic Hospital, which position (in 1897) he still holds. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

JOURNALISM IN ALBANY COUNTY. 

The historical record of Albany county must be followed for many 
years before it appears that its inhabitants were blessed with a local news- 
paper. Even when that appeared in 1771 it was one of the very few then 
printed in this State. In 1811 there were only thirt3'-four in the whole 
State, and within two years thereafter a paper was founded in Albany that 
is still in existence. The city of Albany boasts of a long list of eminent 
journalists, as they are termed in these modern years; indeed, it is doubt- 
ful if any other city in the Union of similar size has been the home and 
field of newspaper work of so many who were among the leaders in this 
profession. The antiquity of the city, its position as the political cen- 
ter and capital of the Empire State, and other less definite causes, have 
doubtless contributed to bring within its gates so many men who en- 
joyed high repute as makers of newspapers. 

The first number of the first Albany newspaper, the Albany Gazette, 
appeared in November, 1771; it lived less than a year. Those were 
turbulent times, and the publishers, Alexander and James Robertson, 
were loyal to Great Britain. This may have been the cause of the early 
suspension of the Gazette. In any event, when the revolutionary up- 
rising came the brothers left for Xova Scotia. The following quaint 
apology appeared in their issue of January 13, 1772: 

The printers of the Gazette, from motives of gratitude and duty, are obliged to 
apologize to the public for the omission of one week's publication; and hope the 
irregularity of the mail from New York since the first great fall of snow, and the 
severe cold preceding Christmas, which froze the paper prepared for the press so as 
to put a stop to its operation, will sufficiently account for it. 

To old-time printers this extract will convey vivid impressions of a 
pile of dampened paper left over night in a room warmed with a wood 
tire which often died out during the night and left the sheets of paper 
t(i freeze together in a solid mass. The omission of a number of one 
of the very early papers was not an infrequent occurrence. 

Before continuing the long mortuary list of Albany newspapers, we 



234 

shall first describe those tjiat are still in existence and potent forces in 
the community, with their direct ancestors. The Albany Argus, the 
first number of which appeared January 26, 1813, is the oldest news- 
paper in Albany county, and among the oldest in the State. Its founder 
was Jesse Buel, whose name must forever be prominently and honor- 
ably associated with local journalism. He was born in Coventry, Conn., 
January 4, 1778, learned the printing trade and in June, 1797, began 
the publication of the Troy Budget in association with Robert Moffitt. 
He left that paper in 1804, having meanwhile published the Guardian 
in Poughkeepsie in 1801, and the Political Banner, both of which lived 
but a short time. Late in 1803 he established the Plebeian in Kings- 
ton, which he published with success until the close of 1813, when he 
settled in Albany and founded the Argus. In December, 1830, he sold 
the latter establishment ' to Moses I. Cantine and I. O. Leake. The 
former became editor-in-chief, and in the following year the Argus was 
made the State paper, which aided in rapidly increasing its influence. 
Mr. Cantine was a native of Catskill, received a classical education and 
was admitted to the bar in 1798. His natural talent for writing led him 
into the editorial profession. He died suddenly in January, 182:!, 
necessitating a change in the Argus management. Edwin Croswell 
had been one of the editors of the Catskill Recorder, and possessed ex- 
cellent ability as a political writer. Attending Mr. Cantine's funeral, 
he there met Martin Van Buren, Benjamin F. Butler, and Judge Will- 
iam Duer, then leading Democrats in the State and deeply interested 
in the prosperity of the Argus. They strongly urged him to take the 
position of assistant editor with Mr. Leake, which he soon did. In 
1835 the daily edition of the Argus was established. In 1831 Sherman 
Croswell, cousin of Edwin, became an.associate in the editorial conduct 
of the Argus. He was a native of New Haven, Conn., studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1836. In 1833 he became Assembly re- 
porter for the Argus, retaining the position for twenty-five years, with 
the sole exception of one year (1854). At the time of his retirement in 
1857 he had no superior in the country in his chosen field of woik 
He became proprietor of the Argus establishment Juh ib ISU and 



1 spices of the Stall 
is perpetuated thi r 
of rcsponsibi]it\ ind 



335 

so continued until Januai-y, 1855. In the previous year Edwin Cros- 
well retired from the Argus and was succeeded by Gideon J. Tucker, 
who was chosen secretary of state in 1857. In 1855 Sherman Croswell 
and Mr. Tucker sold out to James I. Johnson, who associated with 
liimself Calvert Comstock as editor. 

In 1841 the firm of Vance & Wendell started the publication of the 
Daily Albany Atlas, as the organ of the Barnburners, between which 
and the so-called Hunker faction of the Democratic party a determined 
and bitter strife was waged, the Argus taking the side of the Hunkers. 
In the spring of 1843 William Cassidy became associated with Henry 
H. Van Dyke in the editorial control of the Atlas. Mr. Cassidy was 
born in Albany August 13, 1815, received his education in Union Col- 
lege, and studied law. At the age of twenty five years he entered the 
field of journalism as a writer on the Plaindealer and Rough Hewer, 
then being published in Albany. From 1841 to 1843 he was State 
librarian. Mr. Cassidy, as the friend of Silas Wright and a Free Soiler 
and Barnburner, wielded his vigorous pen in their interest and made 
his antagonists feel his power. The contest continued unabated until 
the birth of the Republican party in 1856 wrought momentous political 
changes. The Atlas and the Argus now saw that their interests were 
mutual and a consolidation was effected. Mr. Cassidy 's power as a 
writer led to his selection as editor of the Atlas and Argus, which soon 
demonstrated his ability and fitness for the position in largely increased 
influence and patronage. In 1865 the Argus Company was formed, as 
a joint stock organization, of which Mr. Cassidy was made president, 
and the weekly edition was established. He continued to edit the paper 
almost up to the time of his death, which took place January 33, 1873. 
At this time Daniel Manning (who had for some time acted as assist- 
ant to Calvert Comstock), partner with Mr. Cassidy in the Argus, took 
full charge of the establishment and was made president of the company. 
Mr. Manning was born in Albany August 16, 1831, and at eleven years 
of age began work in the Atlas establishment, where, by his native 
ability, his unflagging industry, and his fealty to his employers, he rose 
to the lofty position that he finally attained. He was born for a leader 
in whatever field of endeavor he might enter. It has been written of 
him that " No public man of either party in State service at Albany 
for years past, has failed to feel the governing strength of Mr. Man- 
ning's mind on the higher and larger interests of politics." He never 
sought political office, but was long a leader in committees and con- 



236 

ventions, where his influence was paramtmnt. He served efficiently 
and honorably in many positions of responsibility in his native city, and 
was appointed secretary of the treasury in President Cleveland's cabinet 
in 1885; he resigned in 1887, and died December 34, 1887. Stephen C. 
Hutchins was editor of the paper from 1873 to 1878, and St. Clair McKel- 
way from 1878 to 1887. A change was made in the summer of 1893 under 
which William H. Johnson became president of the Argus Company; 
William R. Cassidy vice-president, and William McMurtieSpeer, treas- 
urer and manager. In the fall of 1894 Mr. Cassidy retired from the 
company, and Edward Murphy, 2d, was elected vice-president, and 
Amasa J. Parker, jr., secretary. In the spring of 1896 Mr. Speer re- 
tired from the management of the Argus and James C. Farrell suc- 
ceeded him as treasurer and general manager. At the same time T. 
C. Callicott was made editor of the paper. 

The first number of the Albany Evening Journal was issued March 
22, 1830, by D. B. Packard & Co., with Thurlow Weed editor. This 
is not the place to speak at length of the long and honorable career 
of Thurlow Weed ; nor is it necessary, for his life has been well writ- 
ten and is found in most libraries. He was born in the town of Cairo, 
Greene county, N. Y., November 15, 1797, was given only limited 
opportunity to obtain an education, and in 1808 went with his parents 
to Cincinnatus, Cortland county, to aid in building a log house and 
clearing land. In the following year the family removed to Onondaga 
Hollow, near Syracuse, and there he learned the printing trade with 
Lewis H. Redfield, the pioneer journalist of that locality. He was 
next found about 1812 publishing the Tocsin in the town of Scipio, 
Cayuga county. Next he was working at his trade with Seward & Will- 
iams in Utica, whence he left for the frontier with the army in 1813. 
Returning he found employment with Webster & Skinner in Albany. 
From that time until 1815 he worked in various offices, and then again 
located in Albany, where he learned his first lessons in politics by lis- 
tening to debates in the Legislature. He worked in the Argus office 
in 1816, and in the following year was given the foremanship of the 
Albany Register. There he began his first efforts at editorial writing, 
giving early indication of his future powers. Between 1818, in which 
year he purchased an office and established the Agriculturist in Che- 
nango county, and 1830, Mr. Weed was employed in the Albany Argus 
office, and the Rochester Telegraph office, and from Rochester he was 
elected to the Assembly in 1825 and again in 1830. During this interven 



337 

ing period he had made the acquaintance of many of the leading politi- 
cians of the State. It was while Mr. Weed was in the Assembly in 1830 
that the project of founding the Albany Evening Journal was discussed 
and finally consummated, and he was chosen its editor. He held that 
position more than thirty years, attaining a position in the political 
field and as a writer that has been reached by few. He retired in 1869, 
and was succeeded by George Dawson as editor. Mr. Weed died in 
New York November 32, 1883. 

George Dawson was a native of Scotland where he was born March 
13, 1813. His father came to America in 1816 and two years later 
brought over his wife and three young children. The son was given 
very limited opportunity to obtain education, and when eleven years 
old began learning the printing trade in the office of the Niagara Glean- 
er, the family at that time being residents of that locality. In 1836 the 
family removed to Rochester where Thurlow Weed was then editing 
the Anti-Masonic Inquirer. There Dawson found employment and 
began the acquaintance and friendship with the man with whom he was 
eventually to be so intimately associated. When Mr. Weed came to 
Albany and was given the editor's chair on the Evening Journal, he 
was followed by Mr. Dawson, who was made foreman of the office He 
soon began contributing to the editorial columns of the Journal and his 
articles were influential in extending the patronage of the paper. In 
the legislative session of 1831 he began reporting the proceedings, 
showing marked ability in that line of work, which he continued until 
I83G, when he was called to the editorship of the Rochester Democrat. 
There he was remarkably successful and gained a reputation that led to 
his being requested to accept a similar position on the Detroit Adver- 
tiser, in August, 1839. Very soon after assuming this position he was 
appointed State printer for Michigan, and held that office until 18-13, 
in which year the Advertiser office was burned. He then returned to 
the editorial chair of the Rochester Democrat and there remained until 
August, 1846, when, at the urgent and prolonged solicitation of Mr. 
Weed, he accepted the post of associate editor of the Albany Evening 
Journal. During all of Mr. Weed's career the Journal was almost om- 
nipotent with the Whig and Republican parties, and Mr. Dawson shared 
almost equally its care and prosperity. In 1862 Mr. Weed retired from 
the editorship of the paper and Mr. Dawson succeeded him as senior 
editor and proprietor. He ably filled this station until 1877, when 
George W. Demers was given the editorial chair, and in the same year 



238 

Mr. Dawson sold his interest in the establishment to Charles E. Smith, 
afterwards editor of the Philadelphia Press. Mr. Dawson did some 
desultory editorial work for the Journal until 1880, when, for a time, 
he again took the managing helm, on account of the retirement of Mr. 
vSmith, who had endorsed Governor Cornell's nomination of John F. 
Smyth as superintendent of the Insurance Department, which was dis- 
approved of by the controlling partners. Mr. Dawson finally retired 
in September, 1883, and was succeeded by Harold Frederick, who has 
since obtained high recognition as London correspondent of New York 
papers. Mr. Dawson was appointed, without personal solicitation, post- 
master of x\lbany in 1861 and held the office six years. Outside of 
journalism Mr. Dawson was gifted as a writer. ,He was possessed of 
a poetic temperament, loved nature in all her moods, and was an enthu- 
siastic angler, for the benefit it was to him and the opportunity it gave 
him to study the works of the Creator. He was author of the ver}- 
pleasing work, "Pleasures of Angling," He died in Albany February 
17, 1883. 

In March, 1884, the Albany Journal Company was formed, with W. 
J. Arkell, president; J. W. Drexel, secretary; James Arkell, treasurer, 
the editorial chair being given to John A. Sleicher. The Albany 
Morning Express was started September 13, 1847, and after passing 
through the control of different publishers, among whom were Munsell 
& Co., in 1854, its name was changed to the Daily Statesman in 1857. 
It continued as such a few years and suspended. The Albany Morning 
Express was revived by Stone & Henly, who were the original propri- 
etors, on May 4, 1857, with J. C. Cuyler, editor. The Albany Weekly 
Express was first issued August 4, 1881, and a Sunday edition March 
4, 1883. These were published by the Albany Express Company, com- 
posed of Edward Henly, J. C. Cuyler, Addison A. Keyes, and Nathan 
D. Wendell. In 1888 the Express establishment was purchased by 
William Barnes, jr., and became part of the Journal Company in 1880. 
The officers of the Journal Company are William Barnes, jr. , president ; 
J. H. Lindsay, secretary and manager; John M. Davis, treasurer. 
The managing editor of the Journal is John Hastings, while Arthur 
Lucas occupies this position on the Express. Mr. Barnes is editor-in- 
chief of both papers. 

The Albany Knickerbocker was founded and its first number issued 
September 4, 1843, by Hugh J. Hastings. Mr. Hastings was a native 
of Ireland and came to this country with liis parents when eight years 



--/ 







I 



WILLIAM BARNES, JR. 





.^>^ 



^t £>^fe^^ 



THE CULTTV/JOKAUI) COUFTRY 

HCTNnSFIECE rOKVOL ~ 



230 

old. Though his opportunities were not the best for obtaining an educa- 
tion, he was a great reader and gradually acquired a large store of 
general information. He mingled in politics, made the acquaintance 
of influential men, and soon made his paper popular and successful. 
The Weekly Knickerbocker was first published June 8, 1857. Mr. 
Hastings sold his establishment in 1867 and purchased a controlling- 
interest in the New York Commercial Advertiser, his conduct of which 
added to his high reputation as a journalist. He died in September, 
1883. The first number of the Sunday Press was issued May 13, 1870, 
and of the Daily Press on February 30, 1877. On August 10 of the last 
named year these journals were consolidated and published under the 
title. Press and Knickerbocker, by the Press Company, then composed 
of John H. Farrell, Myron H. Rooker, and James McFarlane. The 
officers of the company at the present time are: President and treas- 
urer, Myron H. Rooker; secretary, John W. Walsh. 

The Albany Times-Union is composed of two separate new.spapers. 
The Albany Morning Times (later the Evening Times) was started 
April 21, 1S.5G, by Barnes & Godfrey; it was afterwards published by 
Alfred Stone, by David M. Barnes, Edward H. Boyd, and later bv 
Samuel Wilbor. On the 1st of March, 1861, the Times was con- 
solidated with the Evening Courier (started in August, 1858). The 
Albany Weekly Times was first issued July 16, 1872. The paper 
passed through the usual vicissitudes under various changes in man- 
agement and editorship. In May, 1881, Theophilus C. Callicot, now 
editor of the Argus, took the editorial chair. The Albany Evening- 
Union was first issued by the Union Printing and Publishing Company 
on May 29, 1882. On July 15, 1883, John J. Parr became editor and 
l)roprietor, and a little later Fred W. White was made president of the 
company and editor of the paper. Mr. White was succeeded by Ira 
L. Wales, an editoral writer on the Albany Argus, and a man of indom- 
itable perseverance, great natural ability, and a wide acquaintance 
among public men. Mr. Wales assumed entire control of the Union, 
and had succeeded in making it a paying property when death inter- 
vened and wrote an untimely "30" to a rising and brilliant career. In 
November, 1891, John H. -Farrell bought both papers and consolidated 
them under the present title. Mr. Callicott acted as editor until the 
summer of 1890, when he took his present position on the Argus. 

The Cultivator was a monthly agricultural journal established, as be 
fore stated, by Jesse Buel in March, 1831. Others who were early 



240 

connected with the pajjer were J. P. Beekman and J. D. Wasson. It 
was subsequently published by W. Gaylord and L. Tucker, and later 
by L. Tucker & Son. Luther Tucker's name is prominent among 
those of Albany journalists. He was born in Brandon, Vt., May 7, 
1802. He early learned the printing' trade, at which he worked a num- 
ber of years as a journeyman, and in 1825 joined with Henry C. 
Sleight in the publication at Jamaica, L. I., of works for New York 
firms. In 1826 he went to Rochester, where he had formerly worked, 
and on October 2T issued the first number of the Rochester Daily Ad- 
vertiser — the first daily newspaper west of Albany. The new paper 
was a success, and on January 1, 1831, while still conducting it, he 
issued the initial number of the Genesee Farmer. This was one of 
the earliest of the long list of agricultural newspapers, and its name 
soon became familiar throught the country. Having finally acquired 
sufficient means to carry out his wish, he purchased a farm near Roch- 
ester and sold his daily paper, which still exists as the Rochester Union 
and Advertiser. Before a year had passed Jesse Buel died, leaving his 
agricultural paper, the Cultivator, without a head and a proposition 
was made to Mr. Tucker to consolidate the two. This arrangement 
was effected and the new journal was removed to Albany where the 
number for January, 1840, was issued. This journal was continued a.s 
the Cultivator and in January, 1853, Mr. Tucker, associated with John 
T. Thomas, started the Country Gentleman, another very successful 
paper, the character of which is happily set forth in its name. The 
two journals were consolidated and issued as a weekly January 4, 1866, 
which soon ranked high, as it does to day, among the leading agricul- 
tural papers of the country. Mr. Tucker died January 26, 1873, hav- 
ing previously associated in his business his sons, Luther H. and Gil- 
bert M. Tucker. On the 1st of December, 1893, L. H. Tucker, jr., was 
admitted to the firm. Luther H. Tucker died February 23, 1897. 

The first number of the Albany Telegram (weekly) was issued March 
14, 1888, by James Hill, in association with Messrs. Hazard & Brooks, 
publishers of the Elmira Telegram, and as a part of that enterprise. 
A dissolution was effected in January, 1893, Mr. Hill taking the Albany 
edition and his partners the Elmira paper. The Telegram has a large 
circulation both in Albany and the surrounding country. 

The German population of Albany county has for many years been 
represented by excellent papers printed in their own language. Of 
these the oldest is the Freie Blaetter, which was started by August 




LUTHER H. TUCKER. 



241 

Miggael and Henry Bender in 18.53; the former has for many years 
been sole pVoprietor, with Julius Kaestner editor. The paper is Dem- 
ocratic in politics, 

The Albany Daily Herold (German) was started in 1868, by Jacob 
Heinmiller. Upon his death it was conducted by his widow until 1895, 
when she sold to the present proprietors, L. Munchausen and W. Ves- 
perman, the latter being the editor. The Herold is Republican in 
politics. 

The Albany Sonntag- Journal was started in 1884 by the German 
Publishing and Printing Company, ,of which Max Kurth is president 
and manager; Michael Schrodt, vice-president; John Gutman, secre- 
tary and treasurer. This company publishes, also, the Frdie Deutsche 
Presse in Troy. 

The Farmers' Union League Advocate was started March 31, 1892, 
by L. D. Collins, ji'., who is still publisher and editor. It is an 
agricultural journal and the organ of the Farmers' League of this 
State. 

There are a number of small religious, family and temperance 
papers issued in Albany, but which do not possess local importance. 
Seven of this character are published by the Leonard Publishing Com- 
pany, as follows: Everybody's Paper, started January 1, 1875; Tem- 
perance Truths, started January 1, 1875; Bright Jev/els, started January 
1, 1875; Everybody's Magazine, started January 1, 1885; Little Folks' 
Paper, started January 1, 1885; Buds of Promise, started January 1, 
1885; The Sunday Hour, started January 1, 1894. 

The existing newspapers published in Albany county outside of the 
city are few in number and are properly noticed in the histories of the 
towns in this volume. 

The list of newspapers that have been published in Albany for lon- 
ger or shorter periods and suspended is a long one. They can be but 
briefly mentioned here. One of the earliest printers in Albany was 
Solomon Balentine, and he was connected with the publication of the 
second journal issued in the city. In 1782 Charles R. Webster settled in 
Albany and joined with Mr. Balentine in the publication of the New 
York Gazette and Northern Intelligencer, the first number of which 
was issued June 2. Webster was a practical printer. In 1783 he left 
the partnership and went to New York where he began publishing the 
New York Gazette. This was not a permanent enterprise and in 1784 
he returned to Albany (Mr. Balentine having meanwhile left) and on 



343 

May 38 issued the first number of the Albany Gazette. This paper had 
Federal proclivities, though its columns were held open to some extent 
to both parties. Its editorial management was on a high plane and the 
paper wielded a powerful influence in the early years. On the 35th of 
May, 1789, the publication of a semi-weekly edition was begun, and in 
March, 1817, it was consolidated with the Albany Advertiser. This 
latter paper was started September 35, 1815, by John Walker, prin- 
ter, and Theodore Dwight, editor, as a daily. At the time of the 
consolidation it was published by William L Stone. Mr. Webster soon 
associated with himself his brother, George Webster, and the firm of 
C. R. & G. Webster became widely known. On January 36, 1788, they 
began the publication of a semi-weekly with the long title. The Albany 
Journal, or Montgomery, Washington and Columbia Intelligencer; 
this paper was issued in connection with the Gazette, and was discon- 
tinued May 35, 1789. The Webster firm was dissolved in 1831 by the 
death of George. The survivor purchased his brother's half of the 
property at the Elm Tree corner for $13,000, and the firm of E. W. 
Skinner & Co. was formed, which purchased one-half of the stock of 
the establishment. The firm of Webster & Skinner then continued 
until the death of Mr. Webster, July 18, 1834. The original publica- 
tion continued in existence until April 14, 1845. 

In February, 1788, the Federal Herald was removed to Albany from 
Lansingburgh by Claxton & Babcock, but remained but a short time. 
In the same year the Albany Register was started by John and Robert 
Barber and continued until 1808, when Solomon South wick took it 
and continued until 1817. It was revived in 1818 by Israel W. Clark. 

In November, 1796, the Chronicle was started by John McDonald; 
discontinued in 1799. The Albany Centinel was started in 1797 by 
Loring C. Andrews, and suspended November 10, 1806. It was at once 
revived with the title, the Centinel Revived in The Republican Crisis, 
by Backus & Whiting, and later was published by Isaac Mitchell, Harry 
Croswell & Co., in 1808, and Croswell & Frary in 1809, when the name 
was changed to the Balance and New York State Journal. In 1811 it 
was removed to Hudson. 

In 1807 the Guardian was started by Van Benthuysen & Wood ; it 
lived about two years. It was a literary publication and was issued 
from what was the beginning of the oldest printing establishment 
now in existance in Albany. O. R. Van Benthuysen left the part- 
nership with Wood in 1808 and opened a separate office in rear of 



243 

the present 376 Broadway. In 1814 Robert Packard became associated 
with him. In 1839 the firm of Charles Van Benthuysen & Co. was 
formed, composed of father and son Charles. In 1848 Charles Van 
Benthuysen became the sole proprietor, continuing such until 1860, 
when his sons, Charles H. and Frank, were admitted to the partnership. 
The business is still in existence under proprietorship of Charles Van 
Benthuysen. 

On April 11, 1812, Samuel R. Brown started the Albany Republican, 
and was soon succeeded by B. F. Romaine; the paper was finally taken 
to Saratoga. In 1813-14 the Stranger, 8vo. , was published by John 
Cook. In June, 1815, Horatio Gates Spofirord began publishing the 
American Magazine, which lived less than a year. The Christian Vis- 
itant, by Mr. .Southwick, started this year, has been mentioned. The 
Friend was another ephemeral publication of this year, by D. & S. A. 
Abbey ; it lived a year. The Statesman was published and edited by 
Nathaniel H. Carter in 1815, and was removed to New York in 1818. 

Solomon Southwick'sl Ploughboy was started in 1819 and in 1820 
Charles Galpin started the Albany Microscope, which lived but a few 
years. August 3, 1822, Bezaleel Howe issued the first number of the 
Oriental Star, a religious weekly. In 1823 William McDougal began 
publishing the National Democrat in Albany and New York; it was 
discontinued in April of the next year, but was at once revived by 
vSolomon Southwick, but proved to be short-lived. In May, 1824, 
Chauncey Webster started the Religious Monitor, which was removed 
to Philadelphia. In 1825, August 8, George Galpin issued the first 
number of the Albany Patriot and Daily Commercial Intelligencer. 
This was doubtless short-lived, for on July 25, 1826, Mr. Galpin started 
the National Observer, with Mr. Southwick editor, which continued 
four years. 

The year 1820 saw the birth of a long list of newspapers, few of 



'Solo 


mon Southwicl 


: wa 


IS distinguished n. 


Dt alone as 


a publisher, but as a poll 


iticiai 


1 and man 


of affairs. 


He was a nat 


ive 


of Newport, R. I., 


where he 


published and edited the 


;New 


port Mer- 


cury duri 


ing a part of th 


eR( 


;volutio 


nary period. Later 


he located in .-Mbany whe 


■re he 


was asso- 


ciated wi 


th his brother-i 


in-k 


iw, John Barber, i 


n the Reg] 


ister office. He was soon 


made 


a partner 


and upon Mr. Barber's 


; de 


ath in : 


1K08, he su. 


:ceeded to 


the establishment. The 


Regii 




Democra 


tic organ and 


Mr. 


Southxx 


■ick made 


it a pow^ 


er in the .State, being himself a leader in 


the party 


. TheRegiste 


r CO 


ntinued 


for a nurr 


iber of yea 


irs, aiid after its suspensit 


mhe 


published 


the Ploughboy. He alsc 




ited the 


Christian 


Visitant, i 


md later the National Dei 


mocra 


.t. During 


the anti- 


Masonic e.xcitf 


■me 


nt he c 


stablished 


and for s 


everal years conducted th 


le National Ob- 


server, ai 


i organ of that 


misi 


.;uided . 


noveinent 


. Herecei 


ved the nomination for govern 


or against 


Martin V 


an Buren and S 


imit 


h Thon- 


ipson. Fa 


iling of ek 


:ction, he withdrew from 


the t 


lurmoil of 


political : 


life. He died ii 


Q Novembei 


r, 1839. 











244 

which survived more than a brief period. On April 22 the Albany 
Daily Chronicle was started by Charles Galpin and M. M. Cole. In 
the same month John Denio and vSeth Richards started the Albany 
Morning Chronicle, which was discontinued within a year. E. B. 
Child started the Escritoire, or Masonic and Miscellaneous Album, 
which in February was chapged to the American Masonic Record and 
Albany Saturday Magazine. January 30, 1830, the name was again 
changed to American Masonic Record and Albany Literary Journal, 
which title probably killed it. In May, 1826, L. G. Hoffman started 
the Albany Christian Register, with J. R. Boyd, editor. This paper 
was subsequently united with a religious journal in Utica and pub- 
lished as the Journal and Telegraph by Hosford & Wait in 1831. Mr. 
Hoffman at about this time started and published about 'five years the 
American Masonic Register. 

In May, 1827, Solomon Southwick started the Antidote, which was 
continued only a short time. Matthew Cole started the Standard, 
which was short-lived. On August 4, the Comet was started with 
Daniel McGlashan editor. October 13 the Albany Signs of the Times 
and Literary Writer was born, with Daniel McGlashan publisher, and 
J. B. Van Schaick and S. D. W. Bloodgood editors. 

The Daily Morning Chronicle was issued in 1828 by Beach, Denio & 
Richards. The Age, by Galpin & Sturtevant ; and the Albany Times and 
Literary Writer, with slight change in name, passed to James McGlash- 
an, publisher. The Albany Minerva was started this year by Joel 
Munsell,^ whose name and fame is indissolubly connected with print- 
ing and publishing in Albany. The Minerva was continued several 
years. 

Arthur N. Sherman started the Albanian January 30, 1830, and on 
April 3 the Farmers', Mechanics', and Workingmen's Advocate was 
issued by McPherson & McKercher. In the same month the Albany 
Bee was started by J. Duffy, W. S. McCulloch and C. Angus. 

ijoel Munsell was born in Northfield, Mass., April 14, 1808. He early learned the printing 
trade in Greenfield, Mass., and soon came to Albany. Here he worked at his trade as a journey- 
man until 1830, when he started his first paper. In 1834 he was associated with Henry D. Stone in 
successfully publishing the Microscope. In 18:K he set up a job printing office at 58 State street. 
He was a skillful workman himself and soon gained a high reputation in the art. He engaged 
largely in book printing and publishing, among his most useful publications being the Annals of 
Albany, in ten volumes, which were begun in 1849 and completed in 18.W. He also published four 
volumes of Collections on the History of Albany. About a dozen newspapers and periodicals 
were issued from his printing office, on some of which he was editorially employed. No man 
has done more for the perpetuation of local history and in the local publication of worthy books 
than Mr. Munsell. His death took place January 15, 1880, his sons Charles and Frank succeeding 



245 

On September 7, 1831, the Albany Literary Gazette appeared with 
John P. Jermain, editor, and James D. Nicholson, publisher. On No- 
vember 21, Hosford & Wait took up the publication of the Journal and 
Telegraph before mentioned. The Temperance Recorder had a brief 
existence beginning this year. In 1832 the Daily Craftsman began a 
short existence, and the Albany Quarterly was first issued by the Al- 
bany Historical Society. In February, 1833, the American Quarterly 
Hemp Magazine was started and continued two years. In 1834 the 
Daily News, by Hunter & Hoffman, and the Albany Whig, by J. B. 
Van Schaick, were started. In January the American Temperance 
Intelligencer began a brief existence. * 

On October 12, 1835, the Albany Transcript was started as a penny 
paper by C. F. Powell & Co. In May of this year the Silk Worm was 
established and continued two years as a monthly, when it was changed 
to the Silk Worm and Sugar Manual; discontinued in 1858. The Al- 
bany Bouquet and Literary (Spectator was started this year by George 
Trumbull; it was a short-lived monthly. In 1836 was commenced the 
publication of a monthly called the Zodiac, by De Coudrey Holstein, 
and another paper, the Common School Assistant, by J. Orville Tay- 
lor. Neither lived long. 

In 1838 Solomon Southwick published a short time the Family News- 
paper; and on July 4 was started the Daily Patriot, an anti-slavery 
paper, by J. G. Wallace. In 1840 Horace Greeley started the Jeffer- 
sonian. The Albany Patriot was published by J. C. Jackson and con- 
tinued four years. Other ephemeral publications of the year, chiefly 
for campaign purposes, were the Unionist, the Tomahawk and Scalp- 
ing Knife, and the Rough Hewer. In 1842 H. O'Kane published the 
Irishman seven weeks. Other unimportant papers of the year were 
the Sunday Tickler, the Albany Switch, and the Youth's Temperance 
Enterprise ; the latter lived three years. 

Besides the Knickerbocker, elsewhere noted, the Subterranean was 
started in 1843 by James Duffy. On April 9, 1845, Thomas A. Devyr 
started the Albany Freeholder, an anti-rent organ. Joel Munsell 
started the Gavel; Woodward & Packard began the Scourge, and 
Abbott & Crosby the Vesper Bell. 

On December 8, 1846, the Albany Herald was started by A. B. Van 
O'Linda. December 17 the Albany Morning Telegraph was first issued. 
In 1847 the District School Journal was published by Francis Dwight; 
the Castigator, by M. J. Smith, and the year saw the beginning of the 



246 

Express, now controlled by the Journal Company. Jasper Hazen be- 
gan the issue of the Christian Palladium in 1848, which was removed 
to New Haven in 1855, with the name changed in 1849 to the Christian 
Herald. E. Andrews began the publication of the Busy Bee and con- 
tinued it two years. On May 15, 1849, the Albany Daily Messenger 
was started by B. F. Romaine. On June 30 the Sunday Dutchman was 
started. Besides the first issue of the Albany Daily Times, elsewhere 
described, B. F. Romaine started the Half-Dollar Monthly in 1850. 
The Albany Atlas was also begun in this year. 

On the 1st of September, 1851, John Sharts started the Albany Daily 
Eagle, whiA survived four months. On January 4, the American 
Mechanic was started by J. M. Patterson. The Carson League, a rad- 
ical temperance organ, was started by T. L. Carson and J. T. Hazen, 
and soon removed to Syracuse. The Albany Mirror and Literary Cab- 
inet was published by J. H. Carroll and W. M. Colburn, and the Cith- 
ren, by Warner & Hooker. The Northern Light was also issued in this 
year and continued about three years, with able editors. 

The papers of 1852 which were soon wrecked, were the Temperance 
Recorder; the Family Intelligencer, by Rev. Jasper Hazen; and the 
New York Teacher, the organ of the New York State Teachers' Asso- 
ciation. 

On February 1, 1853, Cuyler & Henly started a penny paper called 
the Evening Transcript. >The Prohibitionist was started this year as 
the organ of the State Temperance Society; in 1857 it united with the 
Journal of the American Temperance Union. In 1854 D. C. Estes 
started the Family Journal. July 21, 1855, the State Police Tribune 
was started by S. H. Parsons and R. M. Griffin; it was removed to 
New York. March 26, 185G, the Albany Daily Statesman was started; 
September 8, was begun the Albany Evening Union, a penny paper, 
by James McFarlane, which became consolidated with the Times. George 
Herb began the publication of the Albany Volksblatt this year. In 
1857 was started the Albany Evening Herald, the name of which was 
changed in June, 1857, to Albany Evening Union. On May 4, Charles 
Galpin started the Microscope. 

The papers of 1858 were the American Citizen ; the Evening Courier, 
started in August; the Hour and the Man, daily and weekly, by George 
W. Clarke and John J. Thomas; the Mercantile Horn, started in Oc- 
tober; the Voice of the People, a campaign paper; the Evening Stan- 
dard, by R. M. Griffin & Co., started in December; the Independent 



347 

Press, which lived only a few months ; Astronomical Notes, b)' Pro- 
fessor Brunow; the American Magazine, monthly, by J.S. & B. Wood; 
the Gavel, by John Tanner; and the State Military Gazette, by C. G. 
Stone, afterward removed to New York. 

The first issue of the Evening Post appeared in October, 1860, pub- 
lished by R. M. & E. Griffin ; R. M. Griffin, editor. This journal was 
successfully conducted until July, 1895, when it was merged with The 
State, a new Republican daily, which was established with a heavy in- 
vestment and apparently bright prospects. The enterprise was, how- 
ever, a very injudicious one and the paper lived less than a year. 

On Januray 17, 1863, appeared the first number of the Standard and 
Statesman, which did not long survive. The Voice was started as a 
monthly by Edgar S. Werner, in January, 1879. The Albany Law 
Journal was first issued January 9, 1870, with Isaac Grant Thompson, 
editor and still continues, imder the editorship of AmasaJ. Parker, jr., 
to be one of the leading legal journals of the country. The first num- 
ber of the Catholic Telegraph appeared in January, 1380. The Poultry 
Monthly was started by the Ferris Publishing Company in November, 
1879. Forest, Forge and Farm was started by H. S. Ouackenbush in 
188-2. Outing was started in 1883 by the Outing Publishing and Print- 
ing Company, and was removed to Boston. The Inquirer and Criterion 
was first issued by Charles S. Carpenter; taken in February, 1883, by 
Burdick & Taylor; discontinued January 5, 1884, and revived as The 
Inquirer April 30, 1884. The Daily News was incorporated March 37, 
1895, but the publication ceased after a few months. 

The following, supplied by a well-known and versatile writer, is 
thought to be of sufficient interest to warrant its insertion in this 
chapter : 

SOME ALBANY PERIODICALS. 

Joseph A. Lawson. 

The progress of a city in its literary development is attested in 
various ways. One of the most satisfactory evidences to be adduced 
is the encouragement it has given to, or withheld from, publications of 
a periodical nature. The following brief summary of such ventures, 
incomplete though it be, will go very far toward assigning Albany to 
its proper place as a literary center. 

One of the earliest magazines to make its appearance was "The 



•348 

Stranger," a literary paper, published by John C<jok at his reading 
room. This was in 1814. The title page bore the following line from 
Hamlet, " Therefore as a Stranger bid it welcome." 

The editor, in his valedictory, explaining its suspension at the close 
of the first year of its existence, would have it understood that patron- 
age was not wanting, but that which was far worse, the utter lack of 
contributors. And so the Stranger silently stole away into the shades 
of oblivion. 

The year 1815 was more prolific in periodical literature. Two mag- 
azines had the temerity to come into existence; and their aims and 
objects are amply set forth in their titles. The first, the American 
Magazine, a monthly miscellany, devoted to literature, science, history, 
biography and fine arts, etc. , etc. This was edited by Horatio Gates 
Spofford. Editor Spofford had a good bit of confidence in the early 
Albanian, or else he thought the odd half dollar more of an induce- 
ment than it is at this date, for he offered his publication at $2.50 if 
paid in advance, or $3.00 if paid at the end of the year. As it resulted, 
the half dollar was no inducement, and the confidence misplaced, for, 
at the end of one year. Editor Spofford was forced to make an assign- 
ment to one " Absolom Townsend, Jun. Esq." after sinking two thou- 
sand dollars in the venture. To our eyes, accustomed to the "infinite 
variety" of the magazines of the present day, this periodical has an ex- 
ceedingly dry-as-dust flavor. This editor thinks he has fathomed the 
reason of its non-success for, in his closing editorial he says: " Should 
this publication be again revived, it will be in the hands of people hav- 
ing ample pecuniary resources, and who will punctually distribute the 
numbers on the first of each month. This, I think, is all that is now 
wanted to ensure a respectable patronage, and that permanency for 
which it was designed." Delightful ingenuousness! 

The second, contemporaneous with the foregoing, was "The Friend, 
a periodical work, devoted to religion, literature and useful miscel- 
lany." The following quotation ornamented its title page, and was 
evidently fondly hoped to be the entering wedge to popular favor: 
" The greatest blessing is a pleasant friend." 

The publishers to undertake this enterprise were D. & S. A. Abbey. 
The editor's announcement in the first number ran as follows, and 
proved him anything but a "pleasant friend" to his confrere in the 
field of literature : 



To THE Public. 

As we feel an unaccountable aversion to puffing, we shall not imitate the conduct 
of some of our brethren of the quill in making a multitude of fine promises which 
can never be performed. We arrogate to ourselves no extraordinary genius or un- 
common literary acquirements; nor shall we attempt to make amends for lack of 
abilities by adding to our name a long list of titles. . . . We shall endeavor 
to " satisfy our readers;" but we shall never attempt to attain that object by servmg 
up " a small select dish" of vulgar and profane jests and tales. Those who prefer 
such fare will, therefore, seek it m another quarter. 

This charming bit of editorial courtesy was "starred" to refer to the 
bottom of the page, where the following explanation was found: 

For the information of persons of this description, we subjoin the following 
elegant extract from the prospectus of a periodical w-ork, published in this 
city, entitled "The American Magazine," conducted by Horatio Gates Spofford, 
A. M., author of a Geography of the United States, a Gazetteer of the State of New- 
York, etc., a member of the New York Historical Society, and one of the Counsellors 
of the Society for the Promotion of the Useful Arts — a member of the American An- 
tiquarian Society, and of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, Massachusetts. 

Extract from the prospectus of the American Magazine: 

The editor is no friend to those medleys of bon mots, and vulgar and profane jests 
and tales; but if he cannot satisfy his readers without, he will occasionally serve up 
a small, select dish. 

Even at that early date these little amenities were current among 
the "brethren of the quill." But "The Friend" fared no better than 
its contemporary, and at the expiration of its first publication year, 
"joined the silent majority." Certain it is, it contained no "medleys 
of bon mots," so far as we are able to discover in a hasty perusal, and 
we ourselves think we would hardly have been able long to tolerate a 
" friend" that bore so striking a resemblance to the Knight of the Sor- 
rowful Countenance. 

From 1827. to 1831 appeared the American Masonic Record, and Al- 
bany Saturday Magazine. This was a weekly periodical devoted to 
Masonry, science and the arts, popular tales, miscellany, current news, 
etc., etc. Published by E. B. Childs, corner of North Market and 
Steuben streets. 

Appealing, as it did, to so large a class of the community as the Ma- 
sonic fraternity, and having the celebrated Morgan episode to dwell 
upon, placed it upon a foundation that insured it a much longer lease 
of life than its predecessors had enjoyed. And, too, it was cleverly 
33 



250 

edited, and contained much matter that appealed to the popular taste. 
A clear case of the " survival of the fittest." 

The Albany Quarterly, edited by James R. Wilson and Samuel Wil- 
son, made its appearance in 1833, published under the patronage of the 
Albany Historical Society. 

This was scarcely a literary effort ; partaking more of the nature of 
a denominational publication. The opening paper in the first number 
was a history of the Reformed Presbyterian church. 

A short extract from one of the articles appearing in it serves to show 
how much we have to be grateful for, more than half a century later, 
that the Legislature of the State of New York has become, in truth, a 
" reform " Legislature, and no longer closes its ears to the " means of 
grace " daily offered it. The extract reads: 

Immediately after the assembling of the legislature in 1832, a resolution wasoffered 
to dispense with prayer. . . . Ministers, except Methodists, refused to pray in 
either senate or assembly. 

We should be eternally grateful to these long suffering Methodists 
whose patience accomplished such beneficent results. A slight perusal 
convinced us that The Albany Quarterly might, with propriety, be de- 
scribed as a " blue-light " antique. 

The Albany Bouquet and Literary Spectator was next to venture 
into the troubled wraters of periodical publication, in 1835. CJeorge 
Trumbull was the hardy mariner who stood at the helm. The pro 
spectus ran as follows : 

The undersigned will issue, as soon as sufficient encouragement shall have been 
obtained to warrant the undertaking, a semi-monthly work, under the above title, to 
be devoted exclusively to polite literature, viz, popular tales, essays, biography, 
natural history, traveling sketches, anecdotes, etc. It is believed that Albany, with 
a population of nearly thirty thousand, and embracing as much intelligence and lit- 
erary taste as any city of equal size in the union, is competent to sustain a publication 
of this kind; and although similar experiments have been unsuccessful, that result, 
it is thought, is to be attributed to other causes than the lack of liberality on the part 
of the citizens. [Here was another editor who thought he knew to what lethargy of 
the Albany public was attributable.] The papers at present published in this city 
are so exclusively occupied with the political controversies of the day as to exclude 
all matt<fer of a literary character ; and it is believed that a publication devoted entire]}' 
to miscellaneous reading, which shall " strew the rugged path of politics with the 
flowers of literature" will meet with ample encouragement. 

The bulk of this magazine was made up of translations and clippings. 
The original story contained in the first number, to which attention 



251 

was called editorially, was entitled "The Storm," and its hero and 
heroine, Egbert and Lncinda. Vision of bell-crowned hats and crin- 
oline! 

Editor Trumbull also thought to lure the wily Albanians by his 
terms, which were $1.00 per annum in advance, $1.50 after six months 
and $2.00 at the end of the year. But to no purpose, for The Al- 
bany Bouquet was doomed to become as ''the flowers that bloom in 
the spring, tra-la," and at the end of six months expired gracefully in 
the arms of the Zodiac (a copy of which we have been unable to find, 
although we have seen stgiis of it), without editorial comment. It 
would seem as though a magazine holding out such inducements as the 
following editorial contain, merited a kinder fate: 

No critical Cerberus guards our columns to crush the germs of genius with the 
withering blasts of malicious criticism; and, we trust, therefore, that our young 
men. and particularly the members of the Young Men's Association, will favor us 
with some original flowers for our bouquet. 

From 1842 to 1844 the New York State Mechanic, a weekly paper 
devoted to the interests of mechanics and artisans, and placed within 
their reach by being published at $1.00 a year, was put out by Joel 
Munsell of this city, and enjoyed a well deserved circulation and pop- 
ularity. A few more such efforts at this period would go far to lessen 
the recurring conflicts between labor and capital. 

In 1844 Alfred B. Street, assisted by S. S. Randall, esq.. Prof. James 
Hall and others, began the publication of the Northern Light, devoted 
to music, literature, general information, education, science, and the 
arts. The publication price was one dollar a year, or six and a quarter 
cents each. Its objects were outlined as follows: 

We hope the appearance of the present number will please our patrons and 
readers. It is a specimen of what we pledge ourselves the future numbers will be. 
. . . Indeed, so far from deteriorating, we intend making greater and greater 
improvements. 

But alack, and alack! So far as we have been able to ascertain, but 
five numbers of this clever periodical ever appeared. The literary 
firmament was again darkened as the Northern Light went out. 

It was now left for the fair sex to take up the pen fallen from the 
nerveless fingers of those "lords of creation" who had essayed lite- 
rary efforts theretofore. In 1845, The Monthly Rose bloomed, "con- 
ducted by the present and former members of the Albany Female 
Academy." The initial number contained the following plea for recog- 
nition: 



252 

Our Monthly Rose ! Silently, have we watched its unfolding. Silently, yet with 
deep feeling and earnest thought. Carefully have we nurtured it, yet with trem- 
bling hope; calmly have we turned it to the scanty sunshine, while the chilling fear 
frost has fallen upon our hearts. 

This magazine contained many bright contributions, although some 
of the verses were strikingly characteristic of a young ladies' magazine. 
One in particular, entitled The Phantom Bride, attracted our attention. 
The valedictory, appearing at the close of the first year of its existence, 
shows a decided revulsion of feeling in the mind of the fair editor: 

"... But what mean these words, "leave taking" ? Simply that the time has 
expired for which we were pledged to conduct a monthly periodical connected with 
the Albany Female Academy. For good and sufficient reasons we decline the re- 
newal of that pledge, as none of our friends seem to court the inheritance of the 
editorial mantle, the Monthly Rose will be discontinued after this present year. 

And, with this graceful farewell, the Rose folded its petals, and mod- 
estly withdrew from public gaze. 

The last periodical to make its appearance before the Albany reading 
public, was The Fort Orange Monthly, published by the Riggs Print- 
ing and Publishing Company, and under the editorial management of 
Joseph A. Lawson, a member of the Albany bar, who sought to diver- 
sify his calling by incursions into the realms of literature, and inci- 
dentally, to develop the latest talent of the capital city. The first num- 
ber appeared in February, 1886. The valedictory appeared in the issue 
of September of the same year, when the advertising contracts had all 
expired. O tcnipora, O mores/ 



CHAPTER X\'. 

GENERAL EDUCATION. 

Though the men of Holland who were directly responsible for the 
• first settlements along the Hudson River and in the territory now em- 
braced inAlbany county, seem to have possessed the wisdom to realize 
that one of the principal factors of prosperity and advancement m this 
far-oft" country would be the education of children, yet their ideas of 
ways and methods for the accomplishment of this purpose were at that 
early date necessarily crude and imperfect, and seem to have been 
carried out in careless and ineffective manner. In the charter to the 
West India Company is found the following pertinent section: 

XXVII. — The Patroons and Colonists in particular, and in the speediest manner, 
must endeavor to find out ways and means whereby they may supply a minister and 
schoolmaster, that thus the service of God and zeal for religion may not grow cool 
and be neglected among them, and they shall, for the first, procure a comforter of 
the sick there. 

Furthermore, in the charter of Exemptions and Privileges under 
which Patroon Van Rensselaer established his " Colonic, " we find the 
following : 

The patroons shall, also, particularly exert themselves to tind speedy means to 
maintain a clergyman and schoolmaster, in order that Divine Service and zeal for 
religion may be planted in that country, and send, at first, a comforter of the sick 
thither. 

The West India Company was at a later date bound by the following 
regulations : 

Each householder and inhabitant shall bear such tax and public charge as shall 
hereafter be considered proper for the maintenance of clergymen and comforters of 
the sick, schoolmasters, and such like necessary officers. 

It is known that this office of "comforter of the sick" was often, and 
probably nearly always, combined with that of schoolmaster. The 
incumbent aided the minister of the gospel in his charge, and gave 
such time as he could to teaching. Much of that teaching was of a 
religious character, and outside of inculcating the youthful mind with 



254 

the Scriptures, the Dutch teacher worked in the most primitive man- 
ner. 

Adam Roelantsen, who had taught school in Amsterdam, came to 
Rensselaerwyck in 1639. He undoubtedly taught a short time at New 
Amsterdam before coming up the river, and was probably the first school- 
master there. The masses of the .immigrants of the early years were 
unable to read and write, and the immorality that always accompanies 
ignorance prevailed. Dr. O'Callaghan is authority for the statement 
that "the state of morals in New Amsterdam was, at this period [1638] 
by no means healthy — a statement which applies as well to Beverwj'ck. 
The early schools were not eagerly sought nor liberally supported by 
the people, and the teachers were frequently ignorant and sometimes 
unprincipled. The records of the Dutch period are almost bare of the 
mention of schools. While the community were required to have their 
children instructed by good schoolmasters, the requirement was little 
heeded. A schoolmaster in 1644 received thirty florins a month, board- 
ing himself; this was only one-fourth what was paid to a minister; but 
quite likely it was more than he was usually worth. By 1661 his pay 
had advanced to eighteen guilders per month and his board." 

In a remonstrance against the management of the West India Com- 
pany, made in 1649 (one of the many alluded to in early chapters of 
this volume), is found the following paragraph : 

There ought to be, also, a public school, provided with two good teachers, so that 
the youth in so wild a country, where there are so many dissolute people, may, first 
of all, be instructed and indoctrinated, not only in reading and writing, but also in 
the fear of the Lord. Now the school is Ijept very irregularly, by this one or that, 
according to his fancy, as long as he thinks proper. 

There is an epitome of the whole situation in that pregnant para- 
graph ; and it indicates to what an extent scriptural teaching, such as 
it was, was combined with the secular. It would appear that the West 
India Company cared more for new and profitable schemes for obtain- 
ing furs-from the Indians than for education. The reply to the above 
mentioned remonstrance was made in the same year by Secretary Van 
Tienhoven for the Director-General ; it is admitted therein that the 
new school house had not been built and that "there is no Latin school 
or Academy;" but asserted that a place for a school to be taught by 
Jan Cornelissen had been selected, while other schools sufficient for 
"the circumstances of the country," were being taught in hired houses. 

Further complaint of the neglect to build a school house was made in 



255 

1650, and it was probably in that year that a committee was appointed 
for that task and to collect the necessary funds. Andries Janse was 
appointed to take charge of the school when the building was ready; 
he probably served only a short time. Rev. Gideon Schaets was called 
to Rensselaerwyck as a minister in 1652, and a little later was directed 
to teach the catechism in Beverwyck and Fort Orange, and "to pay 
attention to the office of schoolmaster for the old and young." 

The early wretched condition of education in the colony was slow to 
to change. Regarding the subject as it was in 1656 Dr. O'Callaghan 
remarks : 

Bad as it was with the churches, it was worse as regards schools ; not one of all 
these places, whether Dutch or English, had a schoolmaster, except the Manhattans, 
Beverwyck and Fort Cassimer. 

Revs. John Me'gapolensis and Samuel Drisius wrote in the same 
strain in 1657. Stuyvesant knew the value of learning and the neces- 
sity for schools, for he employed a private tutor; but he was the sub 
missive agent of the West India Company. If that company did not 
advise or order the building of school houses and the employment of 
teachers, he certainly would not, so that at the close of his administra- 
tion in 1664 there had been little improvement. 

Educational affairs improved under the English, John Shutte was 
the first teacher at Albany after the change, as is shown by the follow- 
ing license: 



WiiEKEAs, the teaching of the English tongue is necessary in this government; I 
have, therefore, thought fitt to give License to John Shutte to bee the English 
Schoolmaster at Albany; And, upon condition that the said John Shutte shall not 
demand any more wages from each SchoUar than is given by the Dutch to their 
Dutch Schoolmasters, I have further granted to the said John Shutte that hee shall 
bee the onely English Schoolmaster at Albany. 

Given under my hand, at Fort James, in New York, the 12th day of October, 160.5. 

Rich'd Nicou.s. 

An order is on record of May 16, 16T0, signed by Francis Lovelace, 
the preamble of which says: "Whereas, Jan Jeurians Beecker [Bleecker 
or Becker] had a Graunt to keep ye Dutch school at Albany for ye 
teaching of youth to read & Wryte ye which was allowed of and con- 
firmed to him by my predecessor, Coll. Richard Nicolls, " etc. On the 
4th of April, 1676, Gerritt Swartt, Jan Becker (probably the one above 
named) and Arien Appel were chosen schoolmasters at Albany, and soon 
afterward in the same year, Luykas Gerritse (Wyngaard) was added to 
the teaching force. These men had other business besides teaching, and 



256 

it was probably necessary that they should have, in order to live. 
Becker formerly kept a tavern at Fort Cassimer, on the Delaware River, 
and was there convicted of selling liquor to the Indians, but his fine was 
remitted because it was shown he was no worse than many others. 
Swartt was high sheriff of Rensselaerwyck from 1(368 to 1073. Appel 
had a lot in Beverwyck in 1(154 and bound himself to build thereon an 
inn for travelers and not for an ordinary tippling house. He taught 
from 1676 to 1686. Wyngaard became a baker and had his shop in 
1715 on the south corner of Broadway and State street. 

In the instructions given to Governor Dongan at Windsor, May 2'.), 
16S6, was the following: 

38. And wee doe further direct that noe Schoolmoster bee henceforth permitted 
to come from England & to keep school within Our Province of New York without 
the license of the said Archbishop of Canterbury ; and that noe other person now 
there or that shall ccmie from other parts bee admitted to keep school without your 
license first had. 

Similar instructions were given to his succe.ssors in that office. As 
a departure from the regular custom of issuing licenses only by the 
colonial officials, the following is of interest : 

Att a meeting of ye Mayor, Aldermen and Common Council held in ye Citty Hall 

of Albany, ye 23d of January IfXJ. 

The request of Cornelis Bogardus by ye mouth of Mr. WiUm de Meyer to be ad- 
mitted a .schoolmaster for ye Citty is taken into consideration and unanimously doe 
graunt ye same, as also a freeman of this Citty upon his arrival!. 

The following is from the i-ecords of the Common Council of the 
date given : 

Att a Common Council held in the City Hall of Albany, the 8th day of April, 1721. 

Whereas it is very requisite and necessary that a fitt and able Schoolmaster settle 
in this city for teaching and instructing of the youth in speling, reading, writeing 
and cyffering, and Mr. Johannis Glandorf having offered his service to settle here 
and keep a school if reasonably encouraged by the corporation. It is therefore Re- 
solved by this Commonalty, and they do hereby oblidge themselves and their suc- 
cessors to give and procure unto the said Johan's Glandorf free house rent for the 
term seaven years next ensueing for keeping a good and commendable school as 
becomes a diligent Schoolmaster. 

The Society for the Propagation of the (iospel in Foreign Parts, in- 
corporated in 1T01-, accomplished something for the cause of education 
in the colonies. One of their orders as to qualifications of teachers 
contained the following: 

1. That no per.son be admitted a Schoolmaster, till he bring Certificates, with re- 
spect to the Particulars following: 



257 

1. The Age of the Person. 

3. His Condition of Life, whether Single or Married. 

8. His Temper. 

4. His Learning. 

5. His Prudence. 

(i. His sober and pious Conversation. 

7. His zeal for the Christian Religion and Diligence in his Calling. 

8- His Affection to the present Government. 

9. His Conformity to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Church of England. 

This society also published an extended code of instructions for its 
teachers, covering every possible contingency and phase of their calling. 

A grammer school was opened at New York in 1702 and continued 
to 1709, and at about that time attempts were inaugurated to found a col- 
lege in this province. In 1773 there was established under an act of 
the General Assembly "a public school to teach Latin, Greek and 
Mathematics in the city of New York." 

Most of the school teachers prior to the Revolution were men. Down 
to that timeless attention was given to the education of women than of 
men, and many young women possessed of brilliant natural talents, 
were taught only to read and write and a few simple accomplishments. 
These unjust conditions have all happily passed away. With the close 
of the Revolutionary war and under the civilizing influences of free- 
dom, the cause of education was rapidly advanced. The Regents of the 
State of New York were incorporated in 1784, (reorganized 1787) and 
in their report of 1793 they called attention to the benefits likely to 
accrue from the establishment of more schools in various parts of the 
State. "The mode of accomplishing this object," said the report, "we 
respectfully submit to the wisdom of the Legislature." At the opening 
of the session of 1795, Governor Clinton thus alluded to this subject in 
his message: 

While it is evident that the general establishment and liberal endowment of acad- 
emies are highly to be commended, and are attended with the most beneficial conse- 
quences, yet it cannot be denied that they are principally confined to the children of 
the opulent, and that a great portion of the community is excluded from their im- 
mediate advantages. The establishment of common schools throughout the State, 
is happily calculated to remedy this inconvenience, and will therefore engage your 
early and decided consideration. 

These were the first steps taken directly toward the establishment 
of the common school system of the State. On the 11th of January, 
1795, the Assembly appointed a committee of six to consider the school 
subject, and on February 19 they reported "An Act fi<r the Encourage- 



258 

ment of Schools," which became a law on the 9th of April. This act 
appropriated $50,000 annually for five years, for the general support of 
common schools, which sum was at first apportioned to the several 
counties according to thfeir representation in the Legislature; later it 
was apportioned according to the number of electors for member of 
assembly, and to the several towns according to the number of taxable 
inhabitants. The act provided for the election of not less than three 
nor more than seven commissioners in each town, who should have super- 
vision of the schools in each town. The inhabitants in different sec- 
tions of the towns were authorized to meet for the purpose of procur- 
curing "good and sufficient schoolmasters, and for erecting and main- 
taining schools in such and so many parts of the town where they may 
reside, as shall be most convenient," and to appoint two or more trus- 
tees, whose duties were defined by the act. The piiblic money paid to 
each district was to be apportioned by the commissioners according to 
the numbei*of days of instruction given in each of the schools. Provi- ■ 
sion was made also for annual returns from all districts, towns and 
counties. 

Lotteries were early instituted by the State for the support of schools, 
first in 1799, when $100,000 was to be raised, $12,500 of which was to 
go to academies and the remainder to common schools. Again in 
1801 an equal amount was raised, one-half of which went to common 
schools. 

On the 2d of April, 1805, an act was passed providing that the net 
proceeds of the sale of 500,000 acres of unappropriated State lands 
should be made a permanent fund for the support of schools, the avails 
to be invested until the interest amounted to $50,000, when an annual 
distribution of that amount should be made. By February, 1807, re- 
ceipts for the school fund in the treasury had reached $151,115.69. 

In 1811 a law was enacted authorizing the governor to appoint five 
commissioners to report a system for the organization of the common 
schools. The commission consisted of Jedediah Peck, John Murray, jr. , 
Samuel Russell, Roger Skinner, and Samuel Macomb. Their report, 
made February 14, 1812, was accompanied by the draft of a bill em- 
bodying the main features of the common school system as it existed 
until 1838. One feature of the bill was, that each county should raise 
by tax an amount equal to that apportioned by the State. Following 
is a brief outline of the system : 

That the several towns in the State be divided into school districts, three coramis- 



259 

sioners elected by the citizens qualified to vote for town officers, that three trustees 
be elected in each district, to whom shall be confided the caie and superintendence 
of the school to be established therein ; that the interest nf the school fund be divided 
among the different counties and towns, according to their respective population, as 
ascertained by the successive censuses of the United States ; that the proportions re- 
ceived by the respective towns be subdivided among the districts into which said 
towns shall be divided, according to the number of children in each, between the 
ages of five and fifteen years; that each town raise annually, as mnch money as it 
shall have received from the school fund; that the gross amount of moneys received 
from the State and raised by the towns, be appropriated exclusively to the payment 
of wages of teachers; and that the whole system be placed under the superintend- 
ence of an officer appointed by the Council of Appointment. 

Gideon Hawley was made the first superintendent of common srhools 
and held the office from 1813 to 1821. In the first report (1814) he 
called attention to the fifth section of the law under which it was a 
possibility that a single town in a county might receive the whole of 
the public money for that county; and to other provisions giving each 
town the choice of complying with the law and receiving its benefits 
and bearing its btirdens, or of refusing such compliance. Under these 
provisions many towns had refused compliance with the act, to the 
i^reat detriment of the system. The superintendent suggested that it be 
made obligatory upon the towns to comply with ^ the act, and also on 
the Boards of Supervisors to levy on the respective towns a sum equal 
to the sum "which shall be apportioned to such towns out of the public 
money to be distributed. " These suggestions were promptly carried 
out by amendments to the act. 

The founding of this school system was an educational jnovement of 
the greatest importance and its benefits became at once a]3parent. In 
his second report (1815) Mr. Hawley said: 

But the great benefit of the act does not lie in any pecuniary aid which it may 
afford. . . It consists in securing the establishment of common schools wherever 
they are necessary ; in organizing them on a suitable and permanent foundation; 
and in guarding them against the admission of unqualified teachers. 

In the mean time, in 1813, the Albany Academy was incorporated, as 
described further on; and was succeeded later by those at Rensselaer- 
ville, Knoxville, and Coeymans. (See town histories). 

In his sixth annual report the superintendent renewed his recom- 
mendation before made, for a revision and consolidation of the existing 
school laws. On the 19th of April, 1819, accordingly, the Legislature 
re-enacted the "act for the support of Common Schools," making the 
various amendments suggested by Mr. Hawley. To him is given the 



260 

honor and credit of having done more than any one person in the 
founding of the common school system in this State. John Van Ness 
Yates was secretary of state and superintendent ^.r officio of common 
schools from 1821 to 1836, the separate office of superintendent of 
schools having been abolished by the Constitution of 1821. The Con- 
stitution, provided, also, "the proceeds of all lands thereafter to be 
sold, belonging to the State, with the exception of such as might be re- 
served for the public use or ceded to the United States, together with 
the existing school fund, were declared to constitute a perpetual fund, 
the interest of which should be inviolably appropriated and applied t<i 
the support of the common schools." 

In 1820 Albany county had 155 common schools, exclusive of parts 
of districts adjoining other counties. Of this number twenty-five were 
in Albany, twenty-five in Bethlehem, fifteen in Coeymans, sixteen in 
Westerlo, eighteen in Rensselaerville, thirty in Berne, seventy-four in 
Guilderland, and twelve in Watervliet. 

Azariah C. Flagg held the office of secretary of state and superin- 
tendent of schools from 1826 to 1833, and'was succeeded by John A. 
Dix (1833-39), during which period great improvements were made in 
the details of the school system. In 1827 the sum annually distributed 
to the various districts was increased to $100,000; in 1837 it was 
$110,000. On the 13th of April, 1835, an act was passed which laid 
the foundation of district school libraries ; it authorized the taxable in- 
habitants of each district to impose a tax of not more than $20 the first 
year, and $10 each succeeding year for the purchase of a district 
library. Under this act libraries were established in very many dis- 
tricts of the vState and the resultant benefit is beyond estimate. 

In 1838 $160,000 were added from the annual revenue of the United 
States deposit fund to the amount to be apportioned among the various 
school districts. In the following year the number of districts in the 
State was 10,583. The increase in the number of districts from time to 
time is shown as follows: 1798, 1,352 districts; 1810, about 5,000; 
1820, 5,763; 1825, 7,6-12; 1830, 8,872; 1855, 9,865.^ 

On the 4th of February, 1839, John C. Spencer was appointed sec- 
retary of state and superintendent of common schools, and he con- 
tinued in the office until 1842. He advocated several changes in the 
system, the most important being, perhaps, the county supervision of 
schools by regular visitors. These visitors reported to the superin- 
tendent, and one of the results of their early reports was the plan of 



appointinjj county superintendents, which went into effect in April, 
1842, and resulted in a great improvement in the general character of 
the schools. The office was abolished March 13, ,1847, during which 
period the following persons from Albany county held the office: 
Royal Shaw, Francis Dwight, Rufus King, Horace K. Willard, Abra- 
ham Van Vechten, Henry .S. McCall. 

In his annual message of 1844 Governor Bouck treated largely the 
school question, stating among other things the following: 

The substitution of a single ofificer, charged with the supervision of the schools of 
each town, for the board of commissioners and inspectors formerly existing, in con- 
nection with the supervisory and appellate powers of the several county superintend- 
ents, as defined by the law of the last session, seems to have met with the general 
approbation and concurrence of the people. 

Samuel S. Young was secretary of state and superintendent of schools 
from February, 1842, to February, 1845, when he was succeeded by 
Nathaniel S. Benton, who continued until 1847, when the new Consti- 
tution was in effect. 

The subject "f Teachers' Institutes was first brought forward in the 
Tompkins County Teachers' Association in the fall of 1842, and the 
first institute was held in Ijhaca, April 4, 1843; they soon became a 
powerful auxiliary in elevating the teacher's profession. 

A persistent and nearly successful attempt was made to engraft upon 
the new Constitution of 1846 a free school system for the State. The 
section under which it was to be accomplished was the following : 

The Legislature shall provide for the free education and instruction of every child 
of the State in the common schools, now established; or which shall hereafter be 
established therein. 

This section was adopted by a vote of 57 to 53, and a provision was 
then added directing the Legislature to provide for raising the necessar}- 
taxes in the districts to carry out the plan. The convention then ad- 
journed for dinner. After reassembling the school article was referred, 
on resolution, to a committee of one with instructions to strike out the 
last two sections relating to free schools. This was done and the pro- 
vision for |:he establishment of free schools was defeated. 

On the 13th of November, 1847, the Legislature passed an act abol- 
ishing the office of county superintendent of common schools, direct- 
ing appeals authorized to be made by law to be made to the state 
superintendent, and the annual reports of the town superintendents to 
be made to the county clerk. This measure was adopted largely in 



262 

response to popular clamor, and was in many respects temporarily 
disastrous to the welfare of the schools. Rejjorts of town superintend- 
ents were often superficial and incomplete, while they were "wholly 
incapable of supplying the place in the system which had been assigned 
to the higher class of officers." 

On the 16th of December, 1847, the yarious statutes relating to com- 
mon schools were consolidated into one act, with such amendments as 
seemed expedient; town superintendents were to hold their office two 
years; the library law was modified so that library money in any dis- 
trict might be used for teachers' wages, with the consent of the state 
superintendent, provided the number of volumes in the library had 
reached a certain proportion to the number of children, etc. 

Christopher Morgan was state superintendent of schools and secre- 
tary of state from 1847 to 1851, whefi he was succeeded by Henry S. 
Randall, who held the office until 1853. In the message to the Legis- 
lature of 1849 Governor Fish expressed his belief "that the restoration 
of the office of county superintendent would be productive of good to 
the school system." He recommended two measures, either of wliich 
would improve the situation : 

First, The repeal of chap.^358, laws of 184T, restoring the office of county superin- 
tendent, and making it elective by the people. 

Second, The election of a superintendent in every Assembly district, except in the 
city of New York, and the cities which now have, or shall hereafter have, a city 
superintendent, or board of education, to manage their school affairs. 

The superintendent then reviewed the situation as to tlie problem of 
free schools which was before the people. On the 2(;th of March, 1849, 
the Legislature passed the "Act establishing Free Schools throughout 
the State." For its provisions in detail the reader must be referred to 
the statutes. The practical application of this system met with wide- 
spread and intense opposition from the first, and it soon became ap- 
])arent that a demand for its appeal would have to be met. At the 
annual election in the fall of 1850, therefore, the people voted upon 
the question of its repeal, and the majority in favor of repeal was 
4i>,874, in forty-two of the fifty-nine counties of the State; In the re- 
maining- seventeen counties the majority against repeal was 71,912, 
leaving a majority of 25,088 against, repeal. Thus the beneficent free 
school system was permanently, established. The majority in favor of 
repeal in Albany county was 0,798. 

The number of districts in the State reported in 1850 was 11,397, and 



363 

the number of children taught was 735,188. The number of districts 
in 1895 was 11,121. 

In 1856 the provision of the law of 1851 appropriating annually 
$800,000 was repealed and a tax of three-quarters of a mill on the 
dollar of real and personal property substituted for payment of teach- 
ers' wages, and the rate bill was continued; the school commissioners 
to be elected by the Boards of Supervisors. 

A law was passed in 1853 providing for union free schools, authoriz- 
ing the inhabitants of two or more districts to elect trustees and levy a , 
tax on the property in the united districts for the payment of teachers' 
wages and other expenses. 

The general school law was revised in 1861, and in 1867 the rate bill 
was abolished and a tax of one and a quarter mills on the dollar of val- 
uation substituted. 

In 1860 Albany county had 169 district.s. At the present time (1896) 
the number is 151. Most of these are supplied with comfortable school 
houses, some of which are commodious and modern in style. The 
town histories on later pages of this volume contain such reference to 
the local schools as has been found available. 

The first attempt to establish an educational institution of a general 
character in Albany was made in 1767-8, when Eleazer Wheelock came 
from Lebanon, Conn., where he had taught 'an Indian school, and en- 
deavored to establish one here. The Common Council took an inter- 
est in the undertaking and voted to raise $7,500 for the ei-ection of 
the necessary buildings. For some unknown reason the project failed. 
During 1779 an attempt was made to incorporate Clinton College at 
Schenectady. The proposed list of incorporators included the names 
of the following citizens of Albany: Eilardus Westerlo, Philip Schuy- 
ler, Robert R. Livingston, Abraham Ten Broeck, Abraham Yates, 
jr., Robert Yates, John Cuyler and Robert Van Rensselaer. Thi.<! at- 
tempt failed, but opened the way for the later founding of Union 
College, in which many prominent citizens of Albany county took an 
interest. For a time it was undecided whether the institution would 
be located in Schenectady or in Albany. The first trustees of that 
college when it was founded in 1795, had among their number the 
following citizens of Albany: Robert Yates, Abraham Yates, jr., Abra- 
ham Ten Broeck, Goldsboro Banyar, John V. Henry, George Merchant, 
Stephen Van Rensselaer and Joseph Yates. The first president of the 
college. Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Nott, was called from the pastorate of the 



■264 

First Presbyterian church of Albany. The citizens of Albany have al- 
ways shown an active interest in the welfare of the institution. 

In 1813 the Legislature passed an act incorporating the Albany Lan- 
casterian School Society. The trustees were composed of thirteen 
citizens with Mayor Philip S. Van Rensselaer, president. The mem. 
bers of the Common Council were also members of the board ex officio. 
It was the first attempt to establish an institution with partially free 
school character. Any person contributing $25 to its benefit was en- 
titled to the tuition of one scholar. Its first and only principal here 
was William A. Tweed Dale, a Scotchman and disciple of Joseph Lan- 
caster, of England. Charles R. Webster, whose career as the pioneer 
Albany printer is sketched in the preceding chapter, was one of the 
leaders in founding this school. The school was taught in the upper 
part of the building of the Mechanics' Society, corner of Chapel and 
Columbia streets. In 1815 the site now occupied by the Medical College 
was purchased and a school house built thereon at a cost of |24,000, 
wliich was opened April 5, 1817, and accommodated 500 pupils. In sup- 
port of the school the city corporation allowed $500 a year from the ex- 
cise receipts, and about the same amount came from the school fund, while 
receipts received from scholars amounted to about $400 a year. This 
school was continued until 183G, when it was closed by the Common 
Council, as the attendance had decreased and the pupils could be accom- 
modated in the common schools. The basis of the Lancasterian system 
was the teaching of the masses of children with small expense, few 
teachers and self-help. 

In the summer of 1780 the founding of an academy in Albany was 
earnestly discussed and finally acted upon by the Common Council. 
In September proposals made by George W. Merchant, of Philadel- 
phia, to take charge of the institution in rooms which had been fitted 
up in a private dwelling, were accepted. This was not a permanent ar- 
rangement, and in 1804, and again in 1806, further efliorts were made 
toward the erection of a suitable academy building, resulting only in 
failure. Finally in 1812, just as the country was assuming another war, 
the project was again taken up under the auspices of Philip S. Van 
Rensselaer, mayor, and on January 18, 1813, the Common Council 
called a meeting for the 25th in the Capitol. The council appropri- 
ated the old jail on the south side of State street, just below Eagle, 
and about $5,000 in other property. The academy was incorporated 
March 4, 18i:5, by the Regents of the University,"and the trustees held 
their first meeting March 23, the trustees being as follows: 



265 

Stejihen Van Rensselaer, John Lansing, Archibald Mclntyre. Smith Thompson, 
Abraham Van Vechten, John V. Henry, Henry Walton, Rev. William Niel, Rev. 
John M. Bradford, Rev. John McDonald, Rev. Timothy Clowes, Rev. John Mcjimp- 
sey. Rev. Frederic G. Myer, Rev. Samuel Merwin, and the mayor and recorder of 
Albany, f.r officio. 

The Common Council also donated the site where the academy now 
stands, appropriated funds for the building, and grants were made by 
the Regents. On July 28, 1815, the corner stone of the building was 
laid and the structure was completed within the next two years at a 
cost of $90,000. It is of stone and is a handsome edifice. In the mean 
time the school was kept temporarily in a wooden building on the south- 
east corner of vState and Lodge streets, where the first session opened 
September 11, 1815, nnder the presidency of Benjamin Allen, LL.D. 
With him were associated Rev. Joseph .Shaw, professor of languages; 
they with Trustees Niell, Beck and Sedgwick welcomed the first class. 
It numbered about eighty. In August, 1817, Theodore Romeyn Beck, 
M.D., LL.D., was appointed principal, and held the position until 1848, 
excepting from 1841 to 1844, when Rev. Andrew Shiland acted. Dr. Beck 
was born in Schenectady in 1791, and graduated at Union College in 
1807. When called to the principalship he was practicing medicine in 
Albany. It was in this old academy that Joseph Henry, LL.D., pro- 
fessor of mathematics and natural philosophy from 1826 to 1832, made 
himself and the institution immortal by the discovery that the electric 
current could be transmitted long distances and communications made 
by its agency from one point to another. He arranged a coil contain- 
ing a mile of wire in the upper rooms of the academy, and there for 
the first time transmitted through it the signals which constitute the 
germ of the electric telegraph. In 1836 H. W. Delavan died and left 
$2,000 to the academy, the income from which has been used for the 
education of a few poor boys each ye.^r. In 1831 William Caldwell 
gave $100, the income of which was to be devoted each year to the pur- 
chase of a medal for the student of four years' standing who had made the 
greatest proficiency in mathematics. The Albany Institute has had 
rooms in the academy building from the time it was first occupied. 
The later principals of the academy have been as follows; Rev. Will- 
iam H. Campbell, 1848-51; George H. Cook, A. M., 1851-53; Rev. 
William A. Miller, A. M., 1853-56; David Murray, Ph.D , LL.D., 
1856-63; James W. Mason, A. M., 1863-68; Rev. Abel Wood, 1809-70; 
Merrill E. Gates, Ph.D., LL.D., 1870-82; James M. Cassety, Ph.D., 



26r, 

to Januar}-, 1887; Henry P. Warren, M. A., the present incumbent. 
For a long- time prior to 1858 the records do not show a graduating 
class. In that year six are recorded as graduates, as follows: William 
H. Hale, Charles E. Smith, Edward S. Lawson, Thomas M. Gaffney, 
Thaddeus R, White, and Thomas S. Willes. In the spring of 1872 the 
academy was made a military school, the students wearing a cadet uni- 
form and being drilled and governed under the regulations applying to 
such institutions. The entire record of Albany Academy is one of 
prosperity. From its walls have gone out more than 7,000 students, 
while the Faculty has increased from the original two members to four- 
teen. Several literary societies are connected with the academy, con- 
tributing to the welfare of the students. 

The nucleus of the Albany Female Academy was a school for the 
higher education of young women which was opened mainly through 
the efforts of Ebenezer Foot, a prominent lawyer, on May 21, 1814. 
It first occupied a one story building on Montgomery street, and was 
called the Union School, but was incorporated under its present title 
February IG, 1821. The first board of trustees were James Kent, John 
Chester, Joseph Russell, John V. Henry, Asa H. Center, Gideon Haw- 
ley, William Fowler, Teunis Van Vechten, and Peter Boyd. In the 
year of its incorporation a building was erected in rear of the Delavan 
House, at a cost of $3,000, which would accommodate 130 pupils. The 
institution prospered, and to provide the necessary larger accommoda- 
tions the old building on North Pearl street was erected in 1834, at a 
cost of $30,000, and it was first opened May 12 of that year. The first 
principal of this academy was Horaoe Goodrich, who was succeeded by 
Edwin James. In 1815 Lebbeus Booth took the position and was suc- 
ceeded in 1824 by Frederick Matthews. In 1826 Alonzo Crittenden 
was appointed and continued until 1845. Under his long and suc- 
cessful administration the academy flourished to a remarkable degree. 
L. Sprague Parsons succeeded Mr. Crittenden, and resigned in 1854 
to be succeeded by Eben S. vStearns, who held the position until 
1868, when Caroline G. Greeley was appointed for a brief term and was 
succeeded by Louisa Ostrom ; she continued to 1879, since which year, 
with a short intermission, Lucy A. Plympton has been principal. The 
academy is now in a prosperous condition, having removed from the 
old property on North Pearl street to Washington avenue, ne.xt to the 
Harmanus Bleecker Hall, where it occupies two large and well ecjuipped 
buildings. 




LUCY A. PLYMPTON. 



267 

The Albany State Normal vSchool is the oldest of the several now in 
existence in this State. It was established by the Legislature May 7, 
184:4. and opened on the ISth of December with twenty-nine pupils, 
in the old depot building of the Mohawk & Hudson River Railroad, 
which was procured for the purpose by the city, the first principal 
being David B. Page, of New Hampshire. In 1848 the school was made 
a permanent institution, its previous work being in the nature of an 
experiment. In that year a new building was erected on Lodge street 
at a cost of $25,000, which was first opened July 31, 1849. Mr. Page, 
the first principal, died in 1848, and his successors have been as follows: 
George R. Perkins, 1848; Samuel B. Woolworth, 1852; David H. 
Cochran, 1856; Oliver Arey, 1864; Joseph Alden, 1867; Edward P. 
Waterbury, 1882; William J. Milne, Ph. D., LL.D., incumbent. In 
1885 the school was removed to its new building on Willett street, fac- 
ing Washington Park, which was erected at a cost of $140,000. This 
accommodates 670 students, including 400 normals, 300 in the model ' 
department, fifty in kindergarten, and twenty in the object class. This 
institution has been of incalculable benefit to the educational svstem of 
the State. 

The Convent and Academy of the Sacred Heart was founded through 
an application made in 1853 by Rt. Rev. John McCloskey, bishop of 
Albany, to the Mother House of the Ladies of the Sacred Heart, in 
Paris, France. It was his desire to establish a school for higher ed- 
ucation of young Catholic women. His request was granted and sev- 
eral women left the convent at Manhattanville and settled in Albany 
to found the new school. A boarding and day school was at first 
opened in the Westerlo mansion on North Pearl street, but pupils 
increased so rapidly that more ample accommodations were needed and 
the extensive grounds of Thomas Hillhouse, on the Troy road, were 
purchased. The building thereon was fitted up for school purposes and 
for a time served its purpose. 

In 1858 the splendid residence of Joel Rathbone, near Kenwood, was 
offered for sale. The mansion was nearly new and the grounds very 
extensive and picturesque. The Ladies of the vSacred Heart, with the 
bishop's permission, asked the Very Rev. J. J. Conroy and Mr. John 
Tracey to purchase the premises for them, which was done at a cost of 
$45,000. The property on the Troy road was sold. The Rathbone 
residence was used for the school several years, but in 1866 a new 
building was erected with accommodations for about 200 pupils, with a 



wing for a training academy for those who wished to consecrate their 
lives to the work. A chapel was also erected in the building between 
the academy and the novitiate. The entire buildings have cost about 
$200,000. 

St. Agnes school was founded in 1870 through the efforts of Rt. Rev. 
William Croswell Doane, bishop of Albany, for the education of Christian 
women. The Corning Foundation for Christian Work was incorporated 
March l-t,18Tl, and ground was broken for the building May 8; the corner 
stone was laid June 19, and the school was opened on Hallowe'en, 1872. 
The financial basis of this now well known institution was laid by Erastus 
Corning, sr. The building accommodates 110 students with board and 
rooms, and the annual attendance is about 200. Its purpose is most 
beneficent and it has been successful from the beginning. 

The Christian Brothers' Academy was founded in 1864 and incorpo- 
rated by the Regents of the State August 3, 1869. The object of the 
' institution is to train young men for business or college life, at the same 
time offering moral and religious education to its students. These are 
chiefly Catholics, but students of other denominations are received. 

The school system of the city of Albany is described in the pages 
devoted to the historv of the citv. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS AND BUILDINGS. 

The State Capitol. — In 1803 the Common Council of the city of Al- 
bany sent a request to the Legislature to pass an act authorizing the 
erection of a State House and Court House, and appointed a committee 
to prepare a petition and a map. This committee were John Cuyler, 
Charles D. Cooper, and John Van Ness Yates. Their report was sub- 
mitted March 7, 1803, and the Legislature authorized the erection of 
the structure then called the New Capitol, by act passed April 6, 1804. 
The capital commissioners were John Taylor, Daniel Hale, Philip S. 
Van Rensselaer, Simeon De Witt, and Nicholas N. Quackenbush. The 
act required the supervisors of Albany county to raise by tax $12,000. 
Provision was made for raising an equal sum by lottery, a practice 



269 

then much in vogue for raising money for public improvements, but 
which was abolished in 1821. The $24,000 thus provided for was added 
to the proceeds of the sale of the Old Stadt Huys. The building 
erected cost $110,688.42, including the furnishing of the council cham- 
ber. Of this sum the city of Albany paid $34,200, the county $.3,000, 
and the State the remainder. The commissioners chose what was 
known as Pinkster's Hill for the site of the structure, and on April 23, 
1806, the corner stone was laid with impressive ceremonies. The 
Iniilding was first occupied by the Senate and Assembly in special ses- 
sion November 1, 1808. It was an imposing edifice for those times and 
was visited by many people. The following careful description of the 
edifice was written by H. G. Spafford, of Gazetteer fame : 

It stands at the head of State street, 130 feet above the level of the Hudson. It 
is a substantial stone building, faced with freestone taken from the brown sandstone 
quarries on the Hudson below the Highlands. The walls are fifty feet high, consist- 
ing of two stories and a basement story of ten feet. The east or main front is 
adorned with a portico of the Ionic order, tetrastile, the entablature supporting an 
angular pediment in the tympanum of which is to be placed the Arms of the State. 
The ceiling of the wall is supported by a double row of reeded columns; the floors 
are vaulted and laid with squares of Italian marble; the building is roofed with a 
double hip of pyramidal form, upon the center of which is a circular cupola, twenty 
feet in diameter. On its dome is a statue of Themis, facing eastward — a carved 
figure of wood, eleven feet in height, holding a sword in her right hand and the bal- 
ance in her left. 

This is a description applicable as the building appeared in 1883, 
when it was taken down, with the exception of minor additions in the 
rear, and more or less interior alteration. The city and county officials 
met in the Capitol until the completion of the City Hall in 1831, when 
they removed thither. 

The New Capitol, upon which work is still in progress, is fully de- 
scribed in numerous current publications, rendering it unnecessary to 
give in these pages more than an account of the steps which led to 
its erection. The subject of a new Capitol building and of removing 
the State capital to some other city than Albany was agitated to some 
extent about 1860. On April 24, 1863, on motion of James A. Bell, 
senator from Jefferson county, the Senate referred the subject to the 
Trustees of -the Capitol and the Committee on Public Buildings, In 
1865 the Senate appointed a committee of three to receive propositions 
from various cities as to what action they would take regarding the 
removal of the capital from Albany. No satisfactorv result was 



270 

reached through this committee. Albany proposed to convey Congress 
Hall Block, or any other lands in the city suitable for the new Capitol 
building-, and the proposal was promptly accepted. On May 1, 1865, 
an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the erection of a new 
Capitol. Work upon the foundations of the structure was begun July 
7, 1800. In the summer of 1871 the superstructure was far enough 
advanced to receive the corner stone. June 24 was set as the day for 
that ceremony, which was grand and imposing. An introductory ad- 
dress was delivered by Hamilton Harris, followed by the reading of 
documents that were to be placed in the stone by William A. Rice; an 
address by John T. Hoffman, then governor; and Masonic ceremonies 
conducted by Most Worshipful John Anton, grand master of the Grand 
Lodge of the vState. 

The first Board of Capitol Commissioners was composed of Hamilton 
Harris, May 3, 18*66; John V. L. Pruyn, May 3,1866; Obadiah B. 
Latham, May 3, 1866; James S. Thayer, May 19, 1868; William A. 
Rice, May li), 1868; James Terwilliger, May 1!), 1868; John T. Hud- 
son, May 10, 1868; Alonzo B. Cornell, May 19, 1868 The second 
board was thus constituted: Hamilton Harris, April 26, 1871; William 
C. Kingsley, April 26, 1871; William A. Rice, April 26, 1871; Chaun- 
cey M. Depew, April 26, 1871; De Los De Wolf, April 26, 1871; Edwin 
A. Merritt, April 26, 1871. The second Board was superseded by act 
of Legislature passed in 1875, and the lieutenant-governor, attorney- 
general, and auditor of the canal department were made commissioners. 
On July 15, 1875, an advisory board to these commissioners was ap- 
pointed consisting of F. Law Olmsted, Leopold Eidlitz, and Henry 
Richardson. This board was superseded in 1876 by the appointment 
of architects. An act passed March 30, 1883, authorized the governor, 
with consent of the Senate to appoint an officer to be known as the 
Commissioner of the New Capitol, and who was to have charge of the 
completion of the structure in all respects. His term of office is the 
same as that of the governor, two years. The same act abolished the 
office of Superintendent of the Capitol. A subsequent law passed the 
same year designated the governor, lieutenant-governor and speaker of 
the assembly, cx-officio, trustees of the finished parts of the building, 
and of other vState buildings in Albany, for which they appoint a super- 
intendent with an annual salary of $5,000. The Capitol building is 
now nearing completion. Situated in what is to be hereafter known 
as Capitol Park, on the lofty eminence overlooking the valley of the 




F. J. H. MHRRll. 



271 

historic Hudson, it forms one of the grandest State buildings in the 
country. For a detailed description of the structure the reader is re- 
ferred to H. P. Phelps's Albany Hand Book. 

State Hall. — On February 14, 1797, a bill passed the Legislature au- 
thorizing the erection of a public building in the city of Albany with 
the view of making it the seat of State government, Asite was chosen 
on the corner of State and Lodge streets and ground was broken for 
the foundation early in that year. The building was completed in the 
spring of 1799. The building is still standing and presents nearly the 
same appearance that it did nearly a century ago. It is substantially 
built of brick, four stories high, with the front on State street. In the 
eastern wall is a tablet with the following inscription : 
Erected for State Purposes, 
A, D. 1797. 
John Jay, Governor. ( Philip Schuyler, Abraham Ten Broeck, 

- Teunis T. Van Vechten, Daniel Hale, 
William Sanders, Arc/it. ( Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Commissioners. 

In this building were located the State departments, by which it was 
occupied until 1813, when they were removed to the new wState Hall, 
and the vState Museum was placed in this building. Interior changes 
were made to fit it for its new purpose. The museum consists of de- 
partments in botany, zoolog)-, geology, and mineralogy, which embrace 
nearly all of the natural productions of the State. At a later period 
the building was used in part for the State Agricultural Society. This 
so crowded the apartments that the Legislatui-e subsequently made an 
appropriation for the erection of a building in rear of the old Capitol, 
and in 1858 the libraries, antiquities and other collections of a literary 
and art character were removed thereto. In 1865 the Legislature pub- 
licly recognized the importance of making the State Cabinet of Natural 
History a museum of scientific and practical geology and comparative 
zoology. In 1870 a law was passed organizing the State Museum of 
Natural History, and providing an annual appropriation for its support. 
Since that time the old hall has been known as Geological Hall. 

State House. — What is known as the State House, situated on Eagle 
street, was finished in 1812, and at once occupied by the various State 
departments which were removed from the old hall. It is a substantial 
and handsome structure, and until its really grand proportions were 
overshadowed by the new City Hall which stands just to the south of 
it, it was one of the finest buildings in the city. It is built of the white 



372 

stone from the Sing Sing qiiarries and cost the State $350,000. The 
building is now occupied by the comptroller, the state engineer and 
surveyor, the bank department and state geologist. 

Tlie Post-office. — As far as known there were no public postal facili- 
ties established at Albany until after the Revolution. Prior to that 
time each person made such arrangements as he could to get his 
meager mail. But the new government at the close of hostilities 
promptly established the post-office department, by the appointment in 
July, 1775, of a postmaster-general, with headquarters in Philadelphia, 
Benjamin Franklin being the first incumbent of the office. Regulations 
for the guidance of postmasters, the carrying of mails, duties of post- 
riders, etc., were rapidly established, and routes between different 
points opened. The first congressional act relating to mails in Albany 
was the following : 

September 7, 1785. Resolved, That the Postmaster-General be and is hereby 
authorized, and instructed, to enter into contract for the conveyance of the mails by 
stage-carriages from the City of New York to the City of Albany, according to the 
accustomed route. 

No paper money to be received for postage. 

The history of the Albany post-office as a government institution 
begins in 1783, when Abraham Yates was appointed postmaster. There 
is a tradition that Col. Henry ^'an .Schaick performed the duties of 
postmaster in Albany in 1775, but if so it was only in a partially 
private capacity. The early mail facilities were confined largely to 
individual enterprise; messages were sent to New York by river con- 
veyance and by post-riders to other points. The post-riders met at 
certain points and exchanged their letters and papers, a custom that 
prevailed in some localities as late as 1820. The building of steamboats 
and the construction of railroads worked a marvellous change. The 
policy of the government was from the first, and still continues, to give 
the people the best and cheapest postal facilities, even at a heavy out- 
lay. In 1785 Albany was mail headquarters for Greenbush, Schenec- 
tady, Cherry Valley, Orange and Dutchess counties, and Vermont 
letters were advertised here. In 1786 mails came twice a week from 
New York and once aweek from Springfield, ]\Iass. In 1789-90 routes 
were opened westward, the old stages which have been described car- 
rying the mails along the line of what is now the Central Railroad. In 
1792 post routes were extended eastward to Bennington and Burling- 
ton, Vt. In 1798 regular mails were carried between Albany and 



273 

Philadelphia, 280 miles, and delivered in three days; in the same year 
mail facilities were extended west into the Genesee country, and post- 
riders began to traverse the county in various directions to the hamlets 
and settlements. 

The earliest post-office in Albany of which there is reliable record 
stood in, 1784 a few doors above Maiden Lane on the east side of Mar- 
ket street (now Broadway), and was kept by Abraham Yates. During 
the war of 1812, on the corner of State street and Broadway, was 
Jacob Mancius's drug store, in rear of which, in a small room, was 
located the post-office. The clerk mingled the selling of drugs and the 
handling of mail. In 1823 the post office was situated on North 
;\Iarket street (Broadway) a little north of the site of the Government 
buildmg. The office was removed to the Exchange building in ] 840 
and there remained until 1802. During repairs in that building the 
office was temporarily located on State street above Green, and in 1863 
went back to the Exchange, where it remained until 1873. Its next 
location was on the east side of North Pearl street, south of Columbia, 
where it continued until 1877, when it was removed to the Delavan 
block on Broadway. There it remained until it was placed in the new 
government building, January 1, 1884. 

The postmasters in Albany have been as follows: 1795, George W. 
Mancius, Jacob Mancius; 1812, James Mayer; 1815, Peter P. Dox; 
181G, Gerrit L. Dox; 1821, Solomon Southwick; 1822-39, Solomon 
Van Rensselaer; 1839-40, Azariah C. Flagg; 1842-43, Solomon Van 
Rensselaer; 1843-49, James D. Wasson ; 1850-58, James Kidd; 1858- 
(U, Calvert Comstock; 1861-65, George Dawson; 1865-69, Joseph 
Davis; 1869-71, Morgan L. Filkins; 1871-77, John F. Smyth; 1877-85, 
William H. Craig; 1885-89, Dr. D. V. O'Leary; 1889, James M. War- 
ner; January 1, 1894, Francis H. Woods. 

The Government building, corner State street and Broadway, con- 
tains the post-office and all other Federal offices. The first definite 
action relating to its erection was taken by Congress March 21, 1872, 
when an act was passed providing for such a building and limiting the 
appropriation to $350,000. The appropriation was not made at that 
time, as it was required that a site be donated by the city. The city 
subsequently purchased the Exchange building for $100,000 and the 
site was accepted by the government. It was afterwards determined 
that the site was too small, and in 1873 (March 3) an appropriation of 
$150,000 was made for the purchase of the Mechanics' and Farmers' 



274 

Bank property on the north and separated from the Exchange site by 
"Exchange street. Another appropriation of $5,000 was made June :i, 
1874, making the total cost to the city and government $225,000. In 
March, 1877, ,an act was passed limiting the cost of the building to 
$500,000, but meanwhile work had progressed in demolishing the Ex- 
change building. In June, 1877, work was resumed, and the corner 
stone was laid May 7, 1S79. The building is of granite in the Italian 
renaissance style of architecture. It was first occupied duririg 1883-84. 

The United States A rsenal was located in the town of Watervliet, with - 
in the bounds of the present city of Watervliet, in 1813, upon twelve 
acres of land, constituting the original purchase. The arsenal was 
commenced in 1814 under direction of Col. George Bumford, of the 
ordnance department; later its supervision was given to Major Daliba, 
and still later at different periods to various other officers of the gov- 
ernment. In 1835 James Gibbons offered to sell the government forty 
acres of land at $300 an acre, to constitute an addition to the arsenal 
property. The purchase was effected from his widow after his death, 
on April 28, 1828. Some minor additional lots have been since pur- 
chased. The arsenal is under charge of the Ordnance Bureau of the 
War Department at Washington, and is fully equipped for the rapid 
production of every description of heavy ordnance for the army. The 
cost of the buildings for arsenal purposes, including machinery and all 
fixtures, is estimated at $1,500,000, and the cost of all the land was 
about $57,000. During the war of the Rebellion the arsenal employed 
1,500 men, many of the departments running day and night. The 
average number employed in recent years has been about 150, though 
this number is increased at the present time. 

The Neiv York State Library, for the use of the government and 
]3eople of the State, was established April 21, 1818, in charge of the 
governor, lieutenant-governor, chancellor and chief justices of the Su- 
preme Court as trustees. By an. act of May 4, 1844, the Legislature 
placed the library completely in the custody and control of the Regents 
of the University as trustees ex officio, thus protecting it from the 
political dangers which have nearly ruined many other State libraries. 
The rapid growth in size and usefulness under the Regents' control 
resulted in the erection of a fine new library building just west of the 
Capitol and connected with it by a two-story corridor. Into this build- 
ing, 114 by 48 feet, the library was moved in 1854, where it remained 
till the building was demolished in 1883 to make room for the ap- 




GEORGE ROGERS HOWELL. 



275 

preaches to the new Capitol. For the following six years the library 
was in temporary quarters under the present Assembly chamber. 

In 1889 there was a radical revision of the laws governing the library. 
All existing laws were repealed, and the library was made an important 
and integral part of the University of the State of New York. Early 
in the same year it was moved to its present magnificent quarters in 
the west end of the Capitol. By day the reading-rooms are flooded 
with light, and the dark places in the stacks have electric lights, avail- 
able at all hours both day and night. Electric student-lamps light the 
tables, and carefully shaded ceiling or bracket lamps light the shelves, 
aisles and alcoves. 

The Capitol Library — a new feature which has amply justified itself 
— is a lending library, free to every State employee residing in Albany 
or vicinity. It has the choicest books in the best editions, and the 
vState's mechanics, porters, and laboring men are as welcome as the 
clerks or oificials to any assistance the library can give in finding the 
most entertaining or profitable reading. This collection is largely 
used and highly appreciated. 

There are also nearly five hundred similar collections of about one 
hundred volumes each which are called traveling libraries and which 
are lent for periods of six months to any community in the State wish- 
ing access to the best reading. This system has been productive of so 
great educational results for the expenditure that it is being rapidly 
copied by the other leading States of the country. 

Through the paid help department any person in New York or in 
any part of the world may have any service in the library for which he 
is willing to pay actual cost. The least expensive assistant competent 
to do the work is assigned to it, and the charge is simply enough to 
prevent its being a burden on the taxpayers. 

The library now contains 201,799 volumes besides 29,801 volumes in 
the traveling libraries and 142,225 duplicates. It is open every week 
day from 8 a. m. U> 10 r. m., except Saturdays and holidays, when it 
closes at 6 p. m. 

T/ie Albany Institute. — This useful institution is the direct successor 
of similar organizations with different names, the inception of which 
dates back to 1791. On February 27, 1829, a charter was granted 
under the present title, the Society for the Promotion of Useful Arts, 
and the Albany Lyceum of Natural History being consolidated to form it. 
The Institute has a library containing about 7,000 volumes, and many 



276 

valuable papers. It has published ten volumes of Transactions, be- 
sides volumes of its proceedings. 

Tl:e Dudley Observatory stands in the western part of the city, on high 
ground, 215 feet above mean tide, and a short distance from Washington 
Park. It was founded through the rriunificence of Mrs. Blandina Dudley, 
widow of Charles E. Dudley, with co-operation of leading citizens of the 
city. The act of incorporation was passed in 1852, and the first Observa- 
tory building was formally dedicated in August, 1856, under the auspices 
of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Geologi- 
cal Hall, Albany, was opened on the previous day, as elsewhere explained. 
The address commemorating the inauguration of the Observ-atory was 
delivered in Academy Park by Edward Everett. Previous to the 
address an additional and unexpected gift of $50,000 was received from 
Mr.s. Dudley. The total donations to the Observatory exceed $200,000, 
of which sum $105,000 came from Mrs. Dudley. More than $100,000 
was expended on the old buildings and their equipment and about the 
same sum is invested for a permanent fund. While the first Ob- 
servatory served its purpose for many years and gained celebrity, the 
time came when it was deemed necessary that the former buildings 
should be superseded by more modern structures, located on a more 
desirable site. Land was selected on Lake avenue, about two miles 
southwest of the former site, in the southwestern part of the city, and 
efforts were begun to collect the necessary funds for the new institu- 
tion. Among the contributors was Miss Catherine W. Bruce, of New 
York city, who offered to donate $25,000, chief!)' for permanent endow- 
ment, provided the change was made as contemplated. Other contrib- 
utions raised the fund to more than $70,000. The work of erecting new 
buildings was prosecuted in 18',)2-93. In October of that year Miss 
Bruce added $10,000 to her first gift, to be used largely in supplying 
additional equipment to the institution. The site was donated by the 
city of Albany from property in possession of the Park Commission, 
and it also gave $15,000 in exchange for the original property. The 
sons of the late Thomas W. Olcott provided means for refitting the 
Olcott Meridian Circle, for remoimting it on the new site and for housing- 
it in a proper manner. The sons of the late Robert H. Pruyn gave $6,000 
for the construction of a new equatorial telescope, to be twelve inches 
in aperture, and adapted both to visual and photographic use. Both 
instruments are in position, and are in active use. The new establish- 
ment was formallv dedicated to the advancement of astronomv in 



November, 1893, the National AcadetriV of Sciences taking part in this 
ceremony. The institution is now doing work of high scientific value 
under the director, Lewis Boss, A. M. The observations and studies 
of the institution relate principally to the motions of the stars, and to 
the motion of the sun in space. These researches of the .Observatory 
have been aided for several years by appropriations from the Bache 
Fund of the National Academy of Sciences. 

Yoiuig AIi'ii's Association. — This is the oldest institution of its char- 
acter in the United States; it was founded with a memebrship of about 
750 on December 10, 1833. Amos Dean was its first president and 
was re-elected in the second year. The association was incorporated 
March 1-2, 1835, its chief purpose being the maintenance of a library, 
a reading room, literary and scientific lectures, and other means of 
mutual improvement. During twenty-two years 'it sustained a debat- 
ing society through which much good was effected. Its rooms were in 
Knickerbocker Hall on Broadway until 1840, from where it was re- 
moved to Exchange building, site of the Government building, remain- 
ing there until 1852; it was next located until 1870 in the Commercial 
Bank building, and from there went to the Music Hall building un- 
til 1877. In that year it first occupied rooms in the Bleecker building ' 
on North Pearl street. Harmanus Bleecker died in April, 1849, and his 
widow created a fund, retaining only a life interest in same, and made 
John V. L. Pruyn, of Albany, N. Y., sole trustee, with power to name 
his successor. This trust consisted of real estate and securities, which 
in course of time had a value of about $80,000, though ultimately it 
attained a value of over $130,000. This property came under control 
of Mr. Pruyn in 1852. He died in 1877, and his will, recorded January 
IT. 1878, transferred all this property to Amasa J. Parker. On the 13th 
of December, 188ti, Judge Parker addressed a communication to the 
association, that he had at his disposal for the benefit of the association, 
this property, if the necessary arrangements could be made for funds 
towards the building in the city of Albany of a large public hall. 
Besides this property there was a fund of $10,000, left to the association 
by will by Erastus Corning in 1872. The Board of Managers of the 
association on December 14, 1880, adopted the following resolution: 

Resolved, That the generous proposition of Hon. Amasa J. Parker giving to the 
Y, M. A. the use of the Bleecker fund, for the building of a public Hall and Library 
Building, to be under the management of the Association be accepted, and that the 
Association will endeavor to carry the same to a successful completion. 



278 

In January, 1887, a committee from the association was appointed to 
formulate the views and wishes of the body relative to this subject, 
who reported March 9, 1887. One feature of the suggested plans for 
using the fund was the raising of $50,000 additional, which was ac- 
compUshed after considerable effort. Upon the raising of this sum 
Judge Parker transferred the whole Bleecker property to the associa- 
tion, on January 7, 1888, a part of the property consisting of land on 
Washington avenue, on which the hall of the association has since 
been erected. The building erected is finely adapted for its purposes, 
and is called Harmanus Bleecker Hall. It is capable of seating about 
2,500 persons. 

The Young Men's Association has been of incalculable benefit to the 
city of Albany in many directions. Among its ofificers have been 
many of the leading citizens of the city, an indication of which fact is 
gained in the list of presidents, which is as follows : 

Amos Dean, Robert E. Ward, Charles A. Hopkins, John Davis, Robert H. Pruyu, 
Denison WorthingtonT William E. Bleecker, Charles P. Smyth, Walter R. Bush, 
Arthur C. Southwick, Rufus King, Charles H. Stanton, Franklin Townsend, William 
A. Rice, Hooper C. Van Vorst, George B. Steele, William Dey Ermand. Rufus G. 
• Beardslee, James I. Johnson, Theodore Townsend, Gilbert L. Wil.son, George C. 
Lee, Ralph P. Lathrop, Richard Merrifield, Clinton Cassidy, Charles T. Shepard, 
Robert L. Johnson, Charles P. Easton, Edmund L. Judson, John T. McKnight, 
[ohn Templeton, Samuel Hand, Franklin Edson, William D. Morange, Edward 1 )e 
Forest, Frank Chamberlain, Robert Lenox Banks, Grenville Tremain, John S. Dele- 
van, Frederick T. Martin, John Swinburne, Henry C. Littlefield, Charles A. Robert- 
son, Amasa J. Parker, jr., Fred W. Brown, Jacob S. Mosher, Thurlow Weed Barnes, 
John M. Bigelow, William P. Rudd, George E. Oliver, Frederick Harris, Oren F. 
Wilson, Eugene Burlingame, Isaac D. F. Lansing, Harmon P. Reed, Curtis X. 
Douglas, Charles B. Templeton, C. V. Winne. 

The Albany Penitentiary. — This institution was incorporated in 
April, 1844, and on December 19, of that year the supervisors authi)r- 
ized the purchase of a suitable site and the erection of buildings. The 
site selected comprises now about forty-five acres, to the south of Wash- 
ington Park. Work on the first buildings was commenced at once, and 
was largely performed by prisoners who were taken to and from the jail 
for the purpose. It was opened in 1846. AmosPilsbury was appoint- 
ed superintendent in 1844, and held the position until his death in 
1872. During his administration of almost thirty years he established 
a system of government for the penitentiary that was so wonderfully 
successful as to give it and its author a world-wide reputation. The 
svstem has been perpetuated imder subsequent management. ( )rig- 



279 

inally the prison had only ninety cells, but this number has been in- 
creased to more than 600. Many new workshops have been erected 
and the grounds enclosed by a high wall. The penitentiary has been 
made a paying institution through its acceptance of prisoners from 
other counties, and from contract labor done by convicts. General 
Pilsbury was succeeded by his son, Louis D. Pilsbury, who held the 
office of superintendent until 1879, when John McEwen was appointed. 
He held the position until 1889, when James Mclntyre was appointed. 
He was succeeded in 1896 by Chester F. Dearstyne. On May 11, 
1885, an act was passed by the Legislature, which relieved the super- 
visors and the mayor and recorder of the city of responsibility for the 
management of the penitentiary, which was vested in a Penitentiary 
Commission. 

Albany County Alinshouse. — The office of overseer of the poor is one 
of the oldest in the State, being in existence long before the beginning 
of the present century, and has always had. an important bearing upon 
Albany county and city. Unlike most oth'er counties of this State, 
Albany county has never made any material distinction between the 
poor of the towns and those of the county. The poor laws are exe- 
cuted by the superintendent 'of the almshouse, the overseers of the 
poor, and to some extent through a few of the charitable institutions. 
The powers of the office of overseer of the poor were considerably en- 
larged by the act of 1703, and so continued through the colonial period 
and were retained nearly intact by the legislative act of March 7, 1788. 
This act made provision for establishing an almshouse in Albany, 
which was the first one in the State established under State law. The 
churches had, previous to that time, maintained parish almshouses, 
one of which is described in the act of August 10, 1720, incorporating 
the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Albany. The act of 1788 
gave the overseers of the poor, with consent of the towns, authority to 
build, purchase or hire houses for the poor, and to provide work for 
them. An act of April 2, 1819, amended the former act extending the 
powers and duties of the overseers to lunatics, habitual drunkards and 
poor children. The supervisors have the power under certain restric- 
tions, to abolish the distinction between town poor and county poor, 
making them all chargeable to the county. This law provides that in 
those counties where the poor are made a charge upon the counties, 
there shall be a superintendent of the poor, with the same powers and 
rights as the overseers of the poor in respect to compelling relatives to 



care for their own paupers, the seizure of property, etc. There are no 
superintendents of the poor in Albany county. The charter for 1883, 
and the city ordinances under it, passed in May, 1884, provide that the 
overseer of the poor in the city of Albany shall have charge of and 
apply and distribute funds for the temporary relief and support of the 
poor of the city. 

The site of the almshouse is south of Washington Park and west of 
the penitentiary. A farm of eighty-six acres belongs to the institution. 
Here are the poor house, hospital, pest house, and other structures 
for proper care of the poor. The expense is borne in the ratio of 
sixty per cent, by the city and forty per cent, by the county. The 
lands granted under the Dongan charter have all been alienated 
to the city, excepting the farm before mentioned, and the parade 
ground and old bitrying ground which are included in Washington 
Park. The first buildings for the poor were erected in 182G, at a cost 
of $14,000. The poor house proper of to-day was built about 1850, and 
other structures and improvements have been made as necessit)' de- 
manded. 

Albany County Agricultural Society. — The first agricultural society" 
in this county was formed in 1818, and -thereafter held three annual 
fairs. The county was then without an organization akin to an agri- 
cultural society until the organization of the Albany and Rensselaer 
Horticultural Society, which held its first exhibition in the Geological 
rooms in September, 1847. Fairs and exhibitions followed in 1848, 1849 
and 1850. In 1851 the town of Coeymans organized an agricultural soci- 
ety, with James W. Jolley, president ; this was afterwards merged into the 
county society. On May 14, 1853, a meeting was held in Albany, in 
which James W. Jolley was chairman, and Joseph Warren, of Albany, 
secretary. After some discussion an organization was effected with 
the following officers: President, James W. Jolley; treasurer, E. P2. 
Piatt; secretary, Joseph Warren; with a vice-president from each 
town. The first annual fair of this society was held at Bethlehem 
Center, October 4-6, 1853. While this was in a measure successful, 
it was seen that the fairs must be held in or near the city; the second 
fair accordingly was held on the Washington Parade Ground in No- 
vember, 1854. A number of succeeding fairs were held on these 
grounds. On May 8, 1862, was organized the Town Union Agricul- 
tural Association of the Cotmty of Albany, with the following officers: 
President, Jurian Winne; vice-president, James W. Jolley; treasurer, 



281 

William H. Slingerland; secretar}-, Samuel C. Bradt. In the next 
month the title of this association was changed to Albany Count}- Ag- 
ricultural Society. In 18(53 a fair was held by the society on the Wash- 
ington Parade Ground. Fairs continued to be held down to 1870, 
with the exception of one year, some of which were moderately suc- 
cessful, but as a whole they were not very generously supported . In June, 
1873, the Albany Agricultural and Arts Association was organized with 
the folhnving officers: President, Thomas W. Olcott; vice-president, 
Maurice E. Viele; treasurer, William H. Haskell; secretary, Volkert 
P. Douw. This society purchased about forty-four acres of land four 
miles north of the city, a tract whijch was happily adapted to the pur- 
poses of the oi'ganization and where it was hoped permanent buildings 
might be erected and the institution start upon a long career of useful- 
ness The land was properly laid out and buildings were erected at a 
cost of $30,000. The State Agricultural Society held its fair of 1873 
on these grounds. In 1874 this society and the Albany County Society 
held a joint fair September 32-35, with Volkert P. Douw, superintend- 
ent. The county society held no fairs after that year. The other 
association continued in e.Kistence and held exhibitions several years. 
The grounds are now in market for sale. 



CHAPTER XVII. 
THE CITY OF ALBANY. 

The general history of Albany county, which has been traced in the 
preceding pages of this volume, necessarily includes very much of the 
history of the city of Albany down to the close of the Revolutionary 
war; but a few salient facts relating to that pericjd of about 1-50 years 
must be briefly noticed here. 

It cannot be truthfully stated that the topography of the site of 
Albany was originally favorable in all respects as a situation for a great 
city. Consisting of a narrow level tract along the Hudson River, low 
enough to be sometimes partially overflowed, backed by a slope extending 
westward for nearly a mile, quite steep in some sections and divided 
into four well-defined ridges, separated by deep valleys or ravines. 



282 

this much of its area was not especially inviting to the early seekers 
for a city site. .Still farther westward extended a sandy plain, into 
which the ravines mentioned cut their way for some distance. But 
causes other than favorable topographical conditions have often deter- 
mined the situation of large communities. If the land on which Albany 
was to be built seemed forbidding as necessitating vast labor to 
render it suitable for close settlement, it on the other hand offered in 
its sloping hill sides and parallel ravines, the best of conditions for per- 
fect drainage, excellent facilities for military fortifications, which were 
so important to the early residents, and picturesque natural attractions. 
It is not probable that the future drainage facilities or the beauties of 
nature awakened remarkable enthusiasm in the Dutch settlers, but the 
proximity to the Indians and their rich furs, facilities for self-protection 
and for traveling and shipping southward on the great river and west- 
ward on the Mohawk, were something tangible. 

There are five creeks, or kills, as they were called by the Dutch, 
flowing wholly or partially across the territory which was incorporated 
in the city of Albany. These are the Normanskill, Beaverkill, Rutten- 
kill, Foxenkill, and Patroon'sor Mill Creek, some of which have become 
parts of the city sewer system. The Normanskill is one of the largest 
streams in the county and is represented in city territory only by the 
headwaters of the Krumkill, one of its smaller branches, though the 
creek itself empties into the Hudson at Kenwood, but a quarter of a 
mile south of the city limits. Beaverkill (sometimes called Buttermilk 
Creek) rises in the westerly part of the city and empties into the Hud- 
son a little below the steamboat landing. This was formerl_v a con- 
siderable mill stream, and a part of it is now incorporated in the sewer 
system. The Ruttenkill had its source above Lark street and flowed 
wholly within the old city walls. Ordinarily a small stream, it was 
periodically swollen into a torrent by rains and melting snows and 
poured its waters down through a deep ravine, where Hudson avenue 
now is, crossed Pearl street at the site of the Beaver block and emptied 
into the Hudson a little below State street. It was bridged at South 
Pearl street and Broadway. Clay was found on its banks from which 
were made bricks for some of the old buildings, and, in early years, 
fish abounded in its waters. The ravine of the Ruttenkill was about 
o50 feet broad and fifty feet deep through most of its length and was 
a neglected, filthy place. Here was erected the gallows for public 
executions, which was last used for the hanging of Strang in 1827 for 



283 

the murder of Whipple. Between 1845 raid 1850 the ravine was filled 
and the hills lowered b}- contract which was given to Charles Stanford, 
a brother of Gov. Leland Stanford. The Foxenkill flowed outside of 
the city before the extension of the boundaries, being a stream of con- 
siderable size, and affording excellent fishing. It was bridged on North 
Pearl street near Canal. Patroon's Creek once supplied pow'er to the 
Patroon's mills and discharged its waters into the Hudson near the 
old manor house. 

The names given to this city have been : Pem-po-tu-wuth-ut (place of 
the council-fire), by the Mohegans; Sche-negh-ta-da (through the pine 
woods), by the Iroquois; Ga-ish-tin-ic, by the Minci; Fuyck (fouk), a 
hoop-net, otherwise Beversfuyck, supposed to refer to a bend in the 
river where fish were caught, probably first Dutch name; Beverwyck, 
a place for beavers, retained from about 1634 to 1664 (sometimes writ- 
ten Beverswyck); Fort Orange, in honor of William, Prince of Orange 
and Nassau ; Rensselaerwyck, in honor of the Patroons, the Van Rens- 
selaers; Aurania, another name for Orange; Williamstadt, in honor of 
William, the .Stadtholder ; New Orange, in honor of the Duke of Orange 
probably (a designation seldom used); Oranjeburgh, city or fortress of 
Orange (a name spoken of by Mrs. Grant); Albany, inhonor of James, 
Duke of York, Albany and Ulster, brother of King Charles II, who 
made him proprietor of the New Netherlands. He afterward ascended 
the English throne, from which he was driven soon after because of his 
odious character. 

The boundaries of Albany as given in the charter of 1686 were as 
follows: 

East, the Hudson at low water mark ; south, a line drawn from the southernmost 
end ot the pasture at the north end of Martin Gerritsen's Island, and running back 
due northwest sixteen miles into the woods, to a certain creek called Sandkill; north, 
a line parallel to the former, about a mile distant; and west, a straight line drawn 
from the western extremities of the north and south line. 

The charter included ferry rights, all waste land, rights to certain 
fields and public buildings, the right of fishing in the vicinity of the 
Hudson within the limits of the county, and of purchasing from the 
Indians 500 acres of meadow land at Schaahtecogue on the north, and 
1,000 acres at Tiononderoga (Fort Hunter) on the west, whereon to 
establish colonies for frontier protection. After the organization of 
counties from the western district of Rensselaerwyck, that part which 
was west of the Hudson, the city boimdaries were: 



384 

Westerly, Rotterdam and Niskayuna in Schenectady county; easterly, a line run- 
ning through the center of the Hudson River channel ; southerly, Bethlehem and 
Guilderland ; northerly. Colonic and Watervliet. 

The first territorial change was made February 25, 1815, when a part 
of old Colonie was annexed, the line of which adjoining Albany ex- 
tended froin the river westerly along Patroon street, where are now 
Quackenbush street and Clinton avenue. Xhis constituted the old 
Fifth ward. The remainder of Colonie was annexed to Watervliet 
at the same time. The changes which gave the city its present botind- 
aries were made April 6, 1870, and April 26, 1871. 

The islands constituting a part of Albany are Kasteel (or Castle) 
Island, as it was called in early years, and which has had various other 
titles, but is now known as Van Rensselaer Island, and which has been 
referred to in earlier chapters as the probable site of Elkins's trading 
post, established about 1614, and as where Corstiaensen landed, and 
another island, lying between the city and Greenbush, and belonging 
to the Boston and Albany Railroad. 

The granting of the charter of 1686 makes Albany one of the oldest 
existing cities of the original thirteen colonies. It was for that reason, 
as well as for others, that the issue of that document was a most im- 
portant historical event. Dongan was known as a just man, one of 
large views for his time, of good judgment and clear foresight, with 
the result that the charter was drawn upon broad lines. It sought in 
no way to interfere with the then existing privileges of the people nor to 
abridge their rights and liberties. While he may not have foreseen the 
future itnportance of the place in times of war, he evidently clearly 
understood its commercial advantages, which were even then attracting 
notice. These facts are indicated by some of the provisions of the 
charter. It provided that " the said town should forever thereafter be 
called by the name of the Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the 
City of Albany." It granted "to the city of Albany, all the waste, 
vacant, unappropriated land lying and being in the City and the pre- 
cincts and liberties thereof, extending and reaching to the low-water 
mark in, by and through all parts of the said City, together with all 
rivers, coves, creeks, ponds, water courses in the said Cit)' not hereto- 
fore granted." It gave the city corporation its power to purchase and 
hold land in its corporate name — a most important provision — as 
follows: 




GEN. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER. 



285 

1 do, by these presents, give and grant unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Com- 
monahy, full power and license at their pleasure, likewise to purchase from the In- 
dians the quantity of 1,000 acres of low or meadow land lying at a certain place called 
or known by the nameof Tionondoroge, which quantity of 1,000 acres of low or meadow- 
land shall and may be in what part of Tionondoroge, or the land adjacent on both 
sides of the river, as they, the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the said City 
of Albany shall think most convenient ; which said several parcels of low or meadow 
land I do hereby, in behalf of his said Majesty, his heirs and successors, give, grant 
and confirm unto the said Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany 
aforesaid, to be and remain to the use and behoof of them and their successors for- 
ever. To have and to hold all and singular, the premises to the said Mayor, Alder- 
men and Commonalty of the said City of Albany and their successors forever, ren- 
dering and paying therefor unto his most sacred Majesty, his heirs, successors and as- 
signs, or to such oflficer or receiver as shall be appointed to receive the same, year- 
ly, forever hereafter, the annual quit rent or acknow-ledgement of one beaver skin, 
in Albany, on the five and twentieth day of March, yearly forever. 

The charter designates the officers of the city as follows: 

There shall be forever hereafter, within the said City, a Mayor, Recorder, Town 
Clerk, and six Aldermen and six Assistants, to be appointed, nominated, elected, 
chosen and sworn, as hereinafter is particularly and respectively mentioned, who 
shall be forever hereafter called the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City 
of Albany, and that there shall be forever, one Chamberlain, or Treasurer, one 
Sheriff, one Coroner, one Clerk of the Market, one High Constable, three sub-Con- 
stables, one Marshall or Sergeant-at-Mace to be appointed, chosen and sworn in 
manner hereinafter mentioned. 

It provided further: 

The Mayor, Aldermen and Recorder shall be Justices and Keepers of the Peace, 
and Justices to hear and determine matters and causes within the said City and pre- 
cincts thereof, to hear, determine and punish all petty larcenies and all other petty 
offences. 

The mayor was made c.v-officio coroner and clerk of the market, and 
lie with the aldermen and recorder of the city were to be justices of the 
peace of the county, and as such, "shall and may sit in the Court of 
Sessions or County Courts and Courts of Oyer and Terminer, that from 
time to time shall beheld in said County; and that the Mayor, Re- 
corder, and some one of the Aldermen shall preside at such County 
Courts and Courts of vSessions. The town Clerk of the said city shall 
always be the Clerk of the Peace, and Clerk of the Sessions or Court of 
the County." 

Early in July of 1686 Peter Schuyler and Robert Living-ston were 
appointed commissioners to go to New York and receive the charter. 
On the 22d of July they returned with the important document and 



were given a public reception "with all the joy and acclamations im- 
aginable, and received the thanks of the magistrates, bnri:;esses and 
other dignitaries of the city, for their diligence and care." 

By the terms of the charter the following persons were appointed the 
first oiificers of the city: 

Peter Schuyler, mayor; Jan Bleecker, chamberlain; Isaac Svvinton, recorder; 
Richard Pretty, sheriff; Robert Livingston, clerk; James Parker, marshal. 

Aldermen. — Dirk Wessels, Jan Jans Bleecker, David Schuyler, Johannis Wendell, 
Lavinus Van Schaack, Adrian Gerritse. 

Assistant Aldermen. — Joachim .Staats, John Lansing, Isaac Verplanck, Law- 
rence Van Ale, Albert Ruyckman, Melgert Winantse. 

The first meeting of the "Justices of ye peace for ye County of Al- 
bany," was held on the 2r,th of July, and the previously named officers 
took their oaths of office. From the judicial powers conferred upon the 
mayor and aldermen, those of the justices of the peace, all the court 
proceedings of minor character came before them, which had previous 
to the charter been brought before justices of the peace, whos^ limited 
powers were conferred by the governor-general. The first meeting of 
the Mayor's Court, which was also a meeting of the mayor and alder- 
men for transaction of municipal business, was held in the city hall 
August 31, 1686. On that occasion, it is recorded, a negro with the 
classical name of Hercules, was charged by Myndert Frederickse with 
stealing wampum out of his house. The prisoner confessed and was 
sentenced "to be whipped through ye towne at ye carte tale by ye 
hangman, for an example to others." The sense of justice of this 
court apparently exceeded its ability to spell correctly. 

In those days city officials were placed under penalties to attend to 
their duties which at the present day would impoverish some aldermen. 
The following ordinance was adopted at that meeting: 

Whoever of the members of the Common Council shall be absent att ye second 
ringing of ye bell, being in towne, at any common council day, shall forfeit si.N shil- 
lings, toti'es quoties. 

Upon the expulsion of King James II of England in 108'.», and the 
accession of William and Mary, the event was celebrated in Albany. 
The news reached the city on the 1st of July and a meeting of the Com- 
mon Council was promptly called. A procession was formed in which 
marched the mayor, council, other officials and citizens. Proceeding 
to the fort the mayor there proclaimed, in English and Dutch, that 
William and Mary were their lawful sovereigns. Then guns of the fort 



287 

were fired and bells were rung. The imagination may picture the 
peculiar scene. Compare it with a modern political procession follow- 
ing a presidential election. The little concourse of probably less 
than a hundred stolid Dutchmen tramping up the hill, destitute of ban- 
ners and band, to hear the mayor announce that a new king was their 
master on the other side of the broad ocean. The Dutchmen were 
evidently happy over the change, as well they might be. 

It was as difficult, probably, in those days to collect taxes as it is at 
the present time. It was found in 1695 that the city was a number of 
thousand pounds in arrears, and at a meeting of the Council October 
14, 1G05, when Evert Bancker was mayor, the following report was 
made: 

Whereas, the .j^rriears of ye ^2,000 and ^1,500 tax having been directed to ye 
constables of each warde by an warrant from Dirk Wessells, Justice, which consta- 
l^les give m their report, that all who are indebted to ye said arriears gives them an 
answer that they have paid it, and setts them aft from time to time. 

At the same meeting the accounts of the treasurer were examined 
and a warrant was directed to be issued to "fetch up all the lycenses. " 
The justices were also directed to appear before the board on Decem- 
ber 9, following, "to correct all affairs between the Citty and County. " 
The licenses mentioned were those granted for the sale of various 
kinds of merchandise. 

A case that would have been summarily disposed of in these days, 
but which seems to have puzzled the city dignitaries at that time, for 
they never adjusted it as far as the record shows, is described in the fol- 
lowing : 

Cornelia Vanderheyden appears here at ye barr, and gives in the oath of her suster 
Ariaantje, who is brought to child-bed, that Lief t. Symon Young is ye father thereof, ye 
only father, and none but he ; and deseres that ye Mayor and aldermen would use 
some methodd or anoyr with ye sd Young for the maintenance of the child. 

" Ye only father" is decidedly quaint. Lieutenant Young was subse- 
([uently appointed sheriff and offered to take and support the child, but 
the mother refused ; and there the matter probably ended. 

The old line of stockades which enclosed the city gave the inhabitants 
considerable trouble. On December 17, 1695, an order was made for re- 
pairing "the City Stockadoes, which were out of repair toward the 
river side, and that four hundred and fifty new Stockadoes should be 
provided, to be thirteen feet long and a foot over, and that a warrant 
may be directed to the assessors, to make an equal assessment thereof 



288 

upon the inhabitants, and then deliver the same to the Mayor." The 
line of this stockade was on what is now vSteuben street on the north, 
Hudson avenue on the south, the river on the east, and Lodge street 
on the west. Later the boundaries of the stockade were much ex- 
tended. 

The year of 1 096 witnessed a great deal of suffering from a scarcity 
of grain, particularly wheat. The crop was poor and prices became 
very high so that the poor people were utterly unable to obtain it. The 
thrifty Dutch merchants saw their opportunity and bought up all that 
was available, for shipment to New York, where the price was about 
double what they were compelled to pay in Albany, whereupon the 
Common Council took a hand in the matter, as indicated in the follow- 
ing: 

Whereas Several persons of ye citty and county has given in a complaint to ye 
Mayor and justices of the citty and county, yt there is several! persons doe goe with 
money in thare hands to buy wheat, and can not have it, by reason of ye marchants 
lias engrossed iri there hands, being resolved to ship it to New York; the Mayor, 
aldermen, and ye justices of ye peace have resolved and agreed upon yt no raerchts 
or any other persons whatsoever shall ship any corn aboard any sloop, vessel, boat 
whatsoever untill such time wee have his Excell. directions in it, as they will answer 
upon there utmost perill. 

On July 17, 1097, the following was adopted, showing that the Dutch 
city officials, in spite of their general stolidity, were not wholly in- 
sensible to flattery ; 

Whereas, Mr. Lieft. Oliver doth make his addresse to the Court for bedding, 

since he complains that he is in great necessity for want thereof, ye gent'n of ye 

Court cannot fynde that they are obliged to furnish such supplies but, in considera- 
tion of his Civility, doe give as a gift ye surame of five pieces of eight. 

There was an officer with the title of city porter, whose chief duty it 
was to open and close the city gates. On November 23, 1097, the fol- 
lowing order relative to this office was adopted: 

Whereas, It is by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty concluded, who have 
appointed John Ratecliffe as Citty Porter, instead of Hend. Marselis, Deceased, that 
he is upon all occasionable times to open and shutt ye gates of this Citty, e.specially 
in ye mornings and in ye evenings at ye appointed time, as also to attend ye Church 
Ringing of ye bell on all occasions, for which he is to receive yearly eight and 
twenty Pieces of Eight at six shillings, and to be paid quarterly; moreover, he, ye 
sd John Ratecliff, is to attend ye Burger Guards, to keep them clain, and to make 
every eveing a fyre, wherefore he is to receive Three pence per Diem. Who hath 
made oath to be true. 

It is well known that the Dutch set a good example to the other 




WILLIAM C. VAN ALSTYNH. 



589 

colonists in their treatment of the Indians, the city of Albany, for 
instance, being obliged, if it required more land, to purchase it in a 
fair and open trade. The same polic}^ was pursued in nearly all of their 
relations with the natives, for which the settlers in after years had 
much cause for thankfulness. A resolution was adopted by the Com- 
mon Council May 9, 1698, pi-oviding for building an Indian House on 
the hill, for the accommodation of the Indians, and on the 1st of Feb- 
ruary, 1699, the Council resolved as follows: 

Resolved, That one other Indian house, besides ye two heretofore resolved on in 
January last, shall be built just upon ye hill going up from ye Pearl street geat 
northwesterly, in or about ye middle part of said hill, where ye whole Common 
Council forthwith shall appoynt ye Place, and yt ye Building and Charges thereof 
shall bee in ye lyke manner as ye two houses aforesaid. 

These brief records of the more important proceedings of the city 
authorities down to the year 1700, quaint and primitive as some of 
them are, indicate nevertheless much wisdom and a determination to 
govern the little settlement in the interests of morality and for the com- 
mon good. It may, here be remarked that a similar intelligent, prudent 
and conservative administration of municipal affairs continued to the 
close of the colonial period in 177G. 

In ITOO Albany was still but a small village, two years earlier 
(1098) the number of inhabitants being only 8U3, of which five families 
were English, one was Scotch, and the remainder were Dutch. Many 
years were to pass before there would be much change, except in 
gradual growth, and when it did come it was through the introduction 
of new elements into the population, and not through any desire for in- 
novations on the part of the Dutch settlers, who were, as a general 
rule, contented with the existing order of things, they being slow, 
stolid, industrious, and usually thrifty. They cared more for the 
profit of the trade they were pursuing, than for the amenities of life, 
so that what are now known by the general name of public im- 
provements possessed little attraction for them. What if it required a 
week to make the journey down the river to New York, were there not 
more weeks coming and was it not a pleasant trip? So slow was the 
process or change in those early times that in 1718 the place was de- 
scribed by a traveler as little else than a fortified village, with unpaved, 
dirty and irregular streets. Most of the residences were situated on 
the margin of the river, the lower end of State street, and on Court 
street (now Broadway). A few stores were on the present Chapel 



200 

street. In the middle of State street and in Broadway were all the 
public buildings — the town house, two churches, the guard house, and 
the market. On the river were three docks — lower or King's dock, 
middle and upper docks. The docks must have been of the most prim- 
itive character and of recent construction, for the records show no 
mention of them until some years later. The Common Council took the 
initiatory steps towards providing suitable wharves in October, 1727, 
when an ordinance was adopted requiring that the "freeholders of the 
city who held lands or ground fronting on the east near or to the Hudson 
river, be directed to produce their titles to the same, in order that the 
Common Council may be better enabled to consider of finding out the 
proper ways and means for docking and regulating of streets on the 
east thereof, along the Hudson river, and that such titles be produced 
in Common Council at the city Hall on the 10th day of November 
next." As against this, Kalm, the Swedish traveler, from whose 
writings we shall have further occasion to quote, visited Albany in 
1749, and said: "The Hudson river at Albany is from twelve to 
twenty feet deep ; that there is as yet no quay made for the landing of 
yachts, because the people feared it would be swept away in the spring; 
that the vessels come pretty near the shore and receive their cargoes 
from two canoes lashed together." 

The scarcity of water or its impure character occupied the attention 
of the authorities at an early date, about which Kalm, from whose 
writings we have already quoted, said ; 

The water of several wells in this town was very cool about this time, but had a 
kind of acid taste which was not very agreeable. On a nearer examination I found 
an abundance of little insects in it. which were probably monoculi. 

After a description of these insects he continues: 

I think this water is not very wholesome for people who are not used to it, though the 
inhabitants of Albany who drmk it every day say they do not feel the least incon- 
venience from it. I have several times been obliged to drink water here, in which I , 
have plainly seen monoculi swimming; but I generally felt the next day something 
like a pea in my throat, or as if I had a swelling there. i 

The water question was under discussion in 17(iO, and on April 3d of 
that year a petition was presented to the mayor and council, praying 
for the right to bring water in pipes from the hills, collect it in reser- 
voirs and establish pumps. After a hearing the board adopted the fol- 
lowing resolution : 

Resolved, That the petitioners have an instrument drawn, including their petition ; 



391 

that the Mayor will sign the same and cause the Seal of the City to be thereupon 
fixed by virtue of this resolution. 

It was many years later before an adequate supply of wholesome 
water was provided for Albany. Wells were long used and doubtless 
with evil results. Morse's Geography, published in 1796, has the fol- 
lowing on the subject: 

The well water in this city is e.Ntremely bad, scarcely drinkable by those not accus- 
tomed to it. It oozes through a stiff blue clay and it imbibes in its passage the fine 
particles common to that kind of soil. This discolors it, and when exposed any 
length of time to the air it acquires a disagreeable taste. Indeed all the water 
for cooking is brought from the river, and many families use it to drink. The 
water in the wells is unwholesome, being full of little insects, except in size, like 
those which are frequently seen in stagnated water. 

The city ultimately obtained a satisfactory water supply, which is 
described in later pages. 

The inhabitants of the city in 1800 were obtaining their drinking- 
water from wells, though something must have been accomplished 
prior to that time towards a water supply for the extinguishment of 
fire. In the year in which the charter was granted (1686) there was a 
fire, concerning which the records have the following: 

It has been found by experience that the bringing of water of the fountains from the 
hill has not only been of great use to the inhabitants for water, but the only means 
of ([uenching the late fire, which otherwise, by all probability, would have destroyed 
the whole to\yn. 

A well was sunk in Jonker (now State) street in 1695, though 
whether there were others prior to 1712 is not known, but in that year 
(1712) one was constructed in the First ward, about twelve yards from 
the east side of the market house, and another on the north side of 
Cross street. Two years later three more were added, one in each of 
the three wards. In the mean time something had been accomplished 
towards providing apparatus for use in extinguishing fires. An old 
record of October 15, 1694, names certain fire officials called " Brant- 
niasters," and continues: 

It is ordered, and found very requisite yt ye Aldermen of each respective Ward 
shall cause to be made two Brantleere [fire ladders] a greate one and a little one, 
with yron hooks, and yt in time of one month, and cause to be brought to a ready 
place in case of any occasion whatsome ever, and they to bring in their accounts. 

In 1706 a primitive fire department was organized by the appoint- 
ment of certain " Fyre-masters," which is described further on. 

The Dongan charter conferred the right of establishing ferries across 



the river between the city wards and Greenbush. A ferry had, how- 
ever, been in existence since the year 1643, which is claimed by some 
authorities to be the oldest established ferry in the United States. 
The ferry landinj^' on the Albany side was a little north of the Beaver- 
kill, which emptied into the river at what is now the termination of 
Arch street; the Greenbush landing- was directly opposite. The first 
ferry boat was a mere scow which was propelled with setting poles, 
being, however, large enough to carry horses and wagons, while a 
smaller craft was used for passengers. The first ferry-master was 
Hendrick Albertsen, who also built the first ferry house on the Albany 
side of the river. He was succeeded by Jacob Janse Stall, who settled 
at Beverwyck in 1G30, and who held the post until 1057. At that time 
and for many years after the date of the Dongan charter, no charge 
was made by the authorities for the right of operating. 

Owing to the slope of much of the land on which stood the early Al- 
bany it is probable that the unpaved streets could be kept in much bet- 
ter condition and with considerably less labor than would have been 
possible upon a level. The old records contain frequent allusions to 
sidewalks and to measures for promoting cleanliness in the streets, but 
paving did not come until many years later. It was ordered in the 
Common Council March 12, 1694, that " every householder shall make, 
or cause to be made, eight foot ground before his own house, fronting 
on the streets, paved with stone, under a penalty after the first of June, 
of everv week, of six shillings. " This refers, of course, merely to a 
paved sidewalk. In 16'.I5 the sum of ^'50 was raised by the Common 
Council for thus paving sidewalks. In 1817 a number of streets were 
ordered to be paved, but it is difficult to distinguish in the earlv records 
Ijetween sidewalk paving and street paving. 

A few of the ordinances of the Council in the early years are inter- 
esting. In 1686 it was decreed that every Saturday morning each in- 
habitant should clean the street in front of his dwelling and that no filth 
should be thrown in the street. Only a few years after the granting of 
the charter the following ordinance was passed: 

Resolved, That an ordinance be issued forth that all the respectable inhabitants 
within said city do severally clean the streets from the dung, dust, chips and filth 
before their houses or lots in the said streets ; and that all wood and stone, except for 
present building, or cooper's wood, be removed out of the said street before the 15th 
of April next ensuing, on penalty of payidg for every default afterwards by them 
made, the sum of six shillings to the use of the Sheriff or any Constable who shall 
sue for the same. An that hereafter, if any dung, dust, chips or filth shall befound 




HOWARD N. FULLER. 



293 

(on any Saturday after twelve o'clock noon) lying in the said streets against the house 
or lot of any person within the said city, that such person shall pay, also, for such 
default and contempt, the like sum of six shillings, to be sued for as aforesaid. And 
that hogs or swine belonging to any of the said inhabitants be ringed with one ring 
in the nose before Saturday night next, and remain ringed from that time ; and if the 
hog or swine of any person as aforesaid shall be found not ringed, the owners of such 
hog or swine shall pay for every such default or neglect the sum of six shillings to 
the Sheriff or Constable who shall sue for the same. 

Another ordinance forbade driving- through the streets faster than a 
walk, under penalty of three shillings. In writing of the streets of Al- 
bany in 1749, Kalmsaid: 

The streets are broad and some of them are paved. In some parts they are lined 
with trees: the long streets are almost parallel to the river, and the others intersect 
them at right angles. The street which goes between the two churches is five times 
broader than the others, and serves as a market place. The streets upon the whole, 
are very dirty, because the people have their cattle in them during the summer 
nights. 

On the early maps of Beverwyck only a few streets are mentioned, 
but in early conveyances the following- names appear.- Broad wa\' was 
called Cow, de Breede (or Broad), Lower Hondlaers, and Brewers 
street; Hudson avenue was Spanish street; Green south of Beaver was 
Esplanade or Plain street ; north of Beaver it was the Voddemart, or 
Rag market, and Cheapside; Chapel was Berg street; State was Jon- 
kers street, and South Pearl was De Klyne street. After the charter 
of 1(180 the city was' divided into three wards, the first of which em- 
braced all that part of the city south of Exchange and State streets; 
the second the territory north of State and west of James streets; the 
third the portion north of State and Exchange streets and east of James 
street. When State street was laid out it was made of unusual width 
for those times, to accommodate the old Dutch church which stood in 
its center. The map of 1792 shows it 149 feet wide at Pearl street 
and gradually increasing in width until it is 158 feet at Lodge street, 
'but from Broadway to the river it was very narrow as it is to this 
day. This broad street ascending straight up the hill has been an 
impressive one froin the first. Spafford's Gazetteer, 1813, describes it 
as a grand avenue in the heart of the city, " where, its opulence is to be 
di.splayed, where taste shall vie with taste, architect with architect, age 
with age, in perpetual succession." It was an unpaved avenue until 
1796. 

Perhaps the best description of Albany in about the middle of that 



294 

century is from the entertaining pen of Mrs. Grant, in her delightful 
Memoirs of an American Lady (1704), as follows: 

The City of Albany stretched along the banks of the Hudson. One very 
wide and broad street lay parallel to the river, the intermediate space be- 
tween it and the shore being occupied by gardens. A small but steep 
hill rose above the center of the town, on which stood a fort, intended (but very ill 
adapted) for the defen.se of the place and of the neighboring country. From the foot 
of this hill another street was built, sloping pretty rapidly down till it joined the one be- 
forementioned.thatranalongthe river. This street was still wider than the other. It 
wasonlvpaved on eachside.themiddle being occupied by public edifices. These con- 
sisted of a Market-place or Guard-house, a Town Hall, and the English and Dutch 
churches. The English Church, belonging to the Episcopal persuasion, and in the dio- 
cese of the Bishop of London, stood at the foot of the hill at the upper end of the street. 
The Dutch Church was situated at the bottom of the descent, where the street ter- 
minated. Two irregular streets, not so broad, but equally long, ran parallel to 
those, and a few even ones opened between them. The town, in proportion to its 
population, occupied a great space of ground. The city, in short, was a kind of 
-semi-rural establishment. Every house had its garden, well, and a little green be- 
hind. Before every door a tree was planted, rendered interesting by being coeval 
with some beloved member of the family. Many of these trees were of prodigious 
size and extraordinary beauty, but without regularity, every one planting the kind 
that best pleased him. or which he thought would afford the most agreeable shade to 
the open portico at his door, which was surrounded by seats and ascended by a few 
steps. It was in these that each domestic group was seated in summer evenings to 
enjoy the balmy twilight or the serenely clear moonlight. 

This picture of rural simplicity has, however, a reverse side of busi- 
ness activity that was not so carefully noticed by Mrs. Grant. The 
business advantages of the place were attracting residents quite rapid- 
ly, the population of the county in 1723 having reached 6,501, which 
had increased in 1731 to 8,703, and was in 1790 3,506 in the city alone. 

The Common Council on July 31, 1753, made an order that the pave- 
ment between the houses of Jacob Lansing and David Schuyler in the 
Third ward, be raised, so that the water that came down from the hill 
between those houses " may vent itself through the lane or street, and 
so down to the river." 

In 1754 the council fixed the following rates of ferriage across the 
river: 

For every person, if single 3 coppers 

if more than one _. 2 coppers 

head of cattle _ , 9 coppers 

cwt. of beaver or skins 4 coppers 

The ferrv-masters were directed to run their boats from sunrise to 



eight o'clock in the evening. At this time the ferry was in charge of 
Barnardiis Bradt and Johannes Ten Broeck, who had paid the city ^5 for 
its use and privilege. 'From that date until 1786 the ferrymen were 
Harmes Gansevoort, Philip John Schuyler, John Courtney, John Brom- 
ley, Thomas Lotridge, Dirck Hansen and Baltus Van Benthuysen. At 
stated times the council advertised that the right of ferriage would be 
sold to the highest bidder, a course that could be profitably adopted by 
the authorities in granting franchises in modern times and which has 
been followed in some cities in recent years. From 1754 to 1786 the 
amount paid for the ferry privilege ranged from ^"5 to ^130. In the 
last named year a new ferry house forty by fifty feet in size was built 
by Baltus Van Benthuysen, and the city corporation issued the follow- 
ing schedule of rates: 

Man or horse, ox or cow 9d. 

A calf or hog 2 coppers 

A sheep or lamb . . . . : 3 coppers 

For every wagon, or two horses with its loading, provided the same re- 
mains on the wag-on 3 shillings 

For every cart or wagon drawn by four horses or oxen, with or without 

loading. . . ! 3 shillings 

And 6d. for every ox or horse above that number 

For every chaise or chair or horse __. Is. 6d. 

For every full chest or trunk 4 coppers 

For every empty chest or trunk 3 coppers 

For every barrel rum, sugar, molasses, full barrel _. 4 coppers 

Articles of agreement were entered into November 15, 1768, between 
the city corporation and Stephen Van Rensselaer, under which the 
latter agreed that within three months of the granting to him by the 
Crown of letters patent giving him exclusive ferry privileges over the 
Hudson between Bears' Island and Cohoes, he would grant to the city 
the exclusive ferry privileges "from the mouth of a certain creek, com- 
monly known as De Vysele Kill, on the south of the city limits, to 
lands of H. Van Schack ; with one acre of ground, to be taken by said 
Corporation in such position as it shall think most convenient to them, 
joining to and on the north bounds of John Van Rensselaer." Two 
years later (1770) the ferry to Greenbush was leased to Thomas Lott- 
ridge for three years at /[W a year, he to make a dock fourteen feet 
wide. 

At a meeting of the Common Council held July 10, 1756, the follow- 
ing important resolution was adopted : 



2 9 (J 

Resolved, That the Clerk draw a deed to the Minister, Church Wardens and 
Vestrymen of St. Peter's Church, in the City of Albany, for them and their suc- 
cessors, in trust forever, for a piece of ground for a burial place, lying upon the hill 
adjoining the fort, agreeable to a map made by John R. Bleecker, and that the Mayor 
execute a deed, and cause the City Seal to be thereupon affixed in behalf of the 
Corporation. 

It has been stated herein that by the Dongan charter the title to all 
the land within the city corporation was vested in the inayor, recorder, 
aldermen and Coinmon Council. Under their right to sell, which was 
thus conferred, a great many transfers were made in early years, some 
of which are of historical importance. The first deed executed by the 
city corporation is dated November 1, 1687, the year after the charter. 
It conveyed land to Dr. Godfredius Dellius, pastor of the Dutch church. 
On account of its early date and its quaint wording we quote the con- 
veying clause : 

To All Christian People to whom these presents Shall Come, the Mayor, Alder- 
men, and Commonalty of ye Citty of Albany Send Greeting in our Lord God Ever- 
lasting. Know ye that for and in consideration of ye sum of three hundred an ninty 
pounds currant money of this province to them in hand paid, at and before ye en- 
sealing and delivery hereof, by Doctor Godfredius Dellius, Minister of ye Reformed 
Nether Dutch Congregational Dutch Church, Albany, a certain piece or parcel of 
land commonly called or known by ye name of Pasture, Situate, lying and being to 
ye Southward of ye said Citty, near ye place where ye Fort Stood, and extending 
along Hudson River till it comes over against ye most northerly point of ye island, 
commonly called, Marston Gerrittsen's Island; havmg to ye east Hudson River, to 
Ye south ye manor of Renslarewck, to ye west of highway leading to ye Towne, Ve 
pasture lots in ye occupation of Martin or Marston Geritsen, and the pasture lot in 
ye occupation of Casper Jacobs, to the north of ye several pasture lots in ye occupa- 
tion of Robert Sanders, Myndert Harmons, and Evert Wendell, and ye Several 
Garden lots in ye tenure and Occupation of Killian Van Rensselaer and Abraham 
Staats. Together with All and Singular ye profits, commodities and appurtenances 
whatsoever to ye said Pasthur Piece or Parcel of land and Premises, or any part or 
parcel thereof Belonging or in any way appertaining to or with the same, now or at 
any time heretofore belonging or own'd occupied, enjoyed as part, parcel! or mem- 
ber thereof, and All deeds. Evidences and writings Touching and Concerning the 
premises only. 

This deed was signed by Peter Schuyler, mayor. Some of these 
public lands were sold at auction as seen in the following: 

Resolved, By this Board, That the Clerk put up Advertisements that a piece of 
land lying on Gallows hill containing between 10 and 11 acres, as per Draft to be 
seen at the time of Sale, to be sold at Public Vendue on Saturday, the 30th day of 
this current month, by the Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty at two o'clock in the 
afternoon at the City Hall in the City of Albany. 




CHARLtS F. STOWELL. 



297 

On the 19th of February, 1761, the council by resolution directed 
John R. Bleecker to make a survey of the land described in a petition 
of the minister and officers of the Dutch church, leaving room for 
highways, for which land the board was to give a deed to the church 
in consideration of ^50, and a reserve of ^^20 per annum forever. The 
tract thus conveyed contained 153 acres and is described in Bleecker's 
survey. In 1762 an important land transaction was consummated in 
the transfer of what has been known as the Wendell Patent, a tract in 
the heart of the city; the northwest line of this lot extended 1,207 feet 
in a straight line; the southwesterly corner was situated in the center 
of the block west of Eagle street, between Hamilton and Hudson 
streets; and the northeasterly corner, which was the end of the above 
mentioned straight line, terminated "on the west side of Lodge street 
about 152 feet north of Howard street. The other boundaries of the 
tract were irregular, the southeast corner terminating in the corner of 
William street, about fifty feet south of Beaver street. In following 
the southeast line a bend and corner is situated in the center of the 
block between Philip, Grand, Hudson and Plain streets, the other re- 
maining corner terminating about ninety-five feet east of Eagle on the 
north side of Hamilton street. The original map of this tract is still 
in possession of descendants of the patentee, and the outline of the 
tract appears on some of the early maps. 

The old records show that there was a corporation officer in those 
days called the town whipper, who had considerable employment in his 
peculiar official capacity. There are frequent instances where he was 
complimented for his good work in his particular line. In one case in 
1762, when one Rick Van Toper held the office, he was voted five shil- 
lings and sixpence, in addition to his regular fees, " for the due and 
wholesome manner in which he laid the lash upon the back of Tiberius 
Haines," who had been convicted of beating his wife. On the 30th of 
January, 1789, the corporation agreed with Benjamin Gable to act as 
town-whipper at a yearly salary of ^20. 

At the beginning of Mayor Cuyler's administration in 1780 a ques- 
tion arose as to the right of the mayor and aldermen, who were by the 
charter made ex- officio members of the Supreme Court and the Court 
of Oyer and Terminer, to sit on the bench with the judges of those 
courts. When these courts sat on June 5, 1771, they were waited upon 
by a committee (appointed by the council), consisting of the mayor 
and Aldermen Yates and Ten Broeck, and informed that the mayor. 



298 

recorder and six aldermen intended to sit with tliem on that day. 
After their withdrawal from the court the city officials received a com- 
munication from the judges denying their right to sit in such judicial 
capacity and concluding as follows : 

We cannot conceive that your city charter can be so construed as to render this 
honorable Court a Mob, instead of a Bench of Judges with full consideration of their 
dignity and responsibility. We have therefore directed the Officers of the Court to 
prevent your taking your seats upon the Bench, in case you insist upon so doing. 

As a result of this singular contest, the council adopted resolutions 
in October, expressing their determination to send a commission to 
New York and submit the matter to the colonial authorities. Alder- 
man Abraham Yates was selected for this mission, which was probably 
unsuccessful, as the records contain no allusion to the sitting of those 
officials in those courts; they were, however, members of the Court of 
Sessions of the City and County of Albany, as elsewhere explained. 

In April, 1774, various changes were made in the city ordinances, 
among them being provisions for regulating the ferry between Albany 
and Greenbush; for grading and paving some of the streets; for regu- 
lating the line of vessels at the docks and wharves; regulating cartmen 
and their carts and the public market; against profaning the Lord's 
day; protecting the city from danger of gunpowder; preventing fires 
and accidents from fast driving, and many other minor matters. 

It will already have been inferred by the reader that by far the most 
important business of the Common Council for many years was in rela- 
tion to the real property owned by the city corporation or coming into 
its possession under the provisions of the first charter. The provision 
enabling the corporation to purchase 1,000 acres of low land at "Tion- 
deroge" will be remembered. Under this, several Indians in June, 
1721, conveyed a tract of eleven morgen of land to Mr. Cuyler in fee, 
whose heirs obtained from' the corporation, April 24, 1769, for ^30 a 
conveyance releasing the land. Again, on July 7, 1730, certain Indians 
conveyed about the same quantity land to Peter Brower for 999 years; 
he on November 29, 1734, conveyed the same to the corporation, and 
on April 27, 1749, the corporation leased the land to Peter Brower for 
999 years at the annual rent of one skipple of wheat for each morgen. 
Other parts of these lands were obtained from the corporation at the 
same annual rent, but leaving the larger part of the 1,000 acres the 
property of the city. In 1779 the Indians had all removed from these 
lands, and they had become occupied principally by refugees and 



299 

squatters. What to do under these conditions and how to recover the 
rights of the city, was an important problem of that time. The whole 
question was finally referred to Peter W. Yates, one of the ablest law- 
yers of that era. His subsequent report was to the effect that the city and 
its successors had an undoubted estate in fee simple in the lands in 
question ; that although the Indian deeds could not be considered a 
part of the title, yet the city's title was paramount to that of any other 
claimant. 

Other land difficulties soon arose in connection with the large and 
valuable tracts owned by the city at Schaghticoke (now in Rensselaer 
county). These lands were occupied by tenants who began to neglect 
to pay their rents. In order to learn the particulars of the situation 
the mayor and aldermen held a meeting at the house of Johannes 
Knickerbacker, at Schaghticoke, September 20, 1780, where they sum- 
moned the delinquents before them. Various excuses for the non pay- 
ment of rent were made, many claiming that none was due. There 
was no course left the city authorities but to proceed to extremities, 
and Peter W. Yates and John Lansing, jr., were retained and instructed 
to bring actions against all the tenants from whom rent was due, which 
was done. At a meeting held at the city hall January 30, 1784, at 
which were present the mayor, aldermen and assistant aldermen, the 
following resolution was adopted : 

Resolved, That Peter W. Yates, Esq., be directed to immediately write letters, as 
Attorney for the Corporation, to the tenants of this Board at Schaghticoke, and who 
were lately prosecuted for non-payment of rent, acquainting them that unless they 
pay this winter the wheat stipulated in the agreement for the stay of suits, they 
must depend upon being prosecuted. 

The resolution explains itself. When the actions were first brought 
in 1780, the suits were stayed upon agreement by the tenants to pay a 
certain quantity of wheat in regular settlement. Many did so, while 
others delayed, and some never paid. It was customary in those times 
for the city to receive its rents in wheat and large storehouses were 
frequently filled with grain and kept in charge of the chamberlain, who 
sold it under direction of the council. In times of scarcity this policy 
was of great benefit to the poor, and the sales to those who might be 
disposed to speculate were restricted in quantity to each buyer. In 
January, 1777, an order is recorded directing the chamberlain " to sell 
100 skepels of the wheat belonging to the Corporation, at four shillings 
sixpence per skepel, to those persons who had demands on the Board. 
No person to have more than three skepels at a time." 



In February, 1780, the question came before the Common Council 
of surrendering some of the privileges granted by the charter of 1686, 
and applying to the State Legislature for others. The matter met 
with much opposition and was long discussed, and final action post- 
poned until 1787, when on March 21, the act entitled "An Act for alter- 
ing the Charter Rights of the City of Albany," passed the Legislature. 
The principal changes took from the mayor the right to grant licenses 
to tavern keepers, victualers, and all retail dealers in liquors; also the 
right of the mayor and the aldermen to have the sole regulation of 
trade with the Indians; annulled the provision that a court of Com- 
mon Pleas should be held once in every fortnight before the mayor; 
and altered the time of election of aldermen, their assistants and the 
chamberlain to the last Tuesday in each year. 

The city of Albany was now one hundred years old, and at the close 
of the war of the Revolution its growth was stimulated and its busi- 
ness interests rapidly increased. The enterprising Yankees saw their 
opportunity and came in large numbers to supplant the slow methods 
of the Dutch with their activity and ingenuity. Up to this time, it 
has been written, the city "old as it was, still retained its primitive 
aspect, and still stood in all its original simplicity, unchanged, un- 
modified, imimproved, still pertinaciously adhering in all its walks to 
the old track and the old form. The rude hand of innovation was 
then just beginning to be felt; and slight as was the touch, it was 
regarded as an injury, or resented as an insult." The Dutch resisted 
Yankee encroachment on their trade, but the new element was daily 
becoming strong, and before long they were overmatched. 

Albany celebrated its one hundredth anniversary on July 23, 178(1. 
A meeting of the Common Council was held July 15, in the City Hall, 
when the following resolution was adopted : 

Resolved, That the 23d instant, being the jubilee of the charter of this city, lie 
commemorated by a public feast at the City Hall; that a committee of five be ap- 
pointed to procure the materials necessary, and to regulate the same. 

The committee appointed were Aldermen Philip Van Rensselaer, 
Peter W. Yates, and Assistants John W. Wendell, Richard Lash and 
Jelles Winne. On the 18th of July this committee reported as follows: 

The Committee to whom was referred the mode of celebrating the 32d of July 
instant, being the century anniversary of this city, do report that, in their opinion, 
the Common Council do convene iu the forenoon of that dav, at ten o'clock, at the 



301 

City Hall, and from thence proceed in procession to the hill westward of the city, 
attended by such citizens as shall choose; that, during the procession, all the bells of 
the several churches in this city shall ring; and at the arrival at the place assigned 
for the purpose, on the hill, thirteen toasts, and one for the charter, under the dis- 
charge of fourteen cannon ; and that a barrel of good spirits be purchased for the 
occasion. 

This report was accepted and another committee was appointed to 
have entire charge of the celebration. When the day arrived an im- 
posing procession for that time was formed, which marched up State 
street to the grounds formerly occupied by the OJd Capitol, where the 
ceremonies took place. Later in the day the mayor, alderman and 
commonalty of the city partook of a supper served at Lewis's tavern, 
where it may be presumed some of that "barrel of good spirits" lent 
its inspiring influence to the flow of reason. The expenses of this 
celebration were ordered paid by the chamberlain. 

The year 1797 saw Albany made definitely and permanently the 
.State capital. Previous to this time the Legislature had met here on 
several occasions, the first being one of the three sessions of the third 
Legislature in 1780, the next being a session of the Fourth Legislature, 
which also held three sessions, in 1781. Aside from these, however, the 
Legislatures up to 1788-89 were held in Poughkeepsie and New York. 
The twelfth session was held in Albany; from 1789 to 1793 the meet- 
ings were in New York ; the seventeenth session was held in Albany 
in 1794, the eighteenth at Poughkeepsie and in New York, the nine- 
teenth in New York, 1796, and the twentieth, 1796-7, in New York 
and Albany. At this session the question of permanently locating the 
State capital was finally settled in favor of Albany. While political 
influence and the power of wealth had something to do with this choice, 
the chief factors determining the selection were the situation of the 
city with reference to the remainder of the State and the natural ad- 
vantages of the place. Albany became the capital in the same year 
that the United States Constitution was transmitted to Congress for 
ratification or rejection. The constitution received bitter opposition 
from the Anti Federalists of New York State, with George Clinton at 
their head, and of cour-se Albany was the center of the local strife; 
but the old governor and his political adherents were destined to defeat. 
From the adoption of that constitution down to the presetit time Al- 
bany has been the center of great political influence and power. From 
this ancient city into every part of the State have ramified the various 



302 

])arts of the vast and intricate system of political machinery which has 
controlled public affairs. 

The beginninjj of the century found Albany city with a population of 
5,38'.), which increased to 9,35(1 in 1810, these figures being according 
to the United States census. The State census in 1814 gave Albany 
10,083 inhabitants. This shows the remarkable growth during the first 
twenty years succeeding the Revolution. " About 1781," wrote a local 
editor, " not more than seventy, at the utmost calculation, shops and 
stores were kept in this city, nor had we manufactories of any kind, but 
depended on importation for every manufactured article. Now [seven 
or eight years, later] we behold Market and State streets crowded with 
stores, and rents in those streets enhanced to such a degree as to put 
houses out of the reach of inconsiderable traders." In alluding to the 
business of one day (February 8, 1794), the Gazette said: 

On a moderate estimate, it is presumed the purchases and sales of produce and 
merchandise exceeded §50,000. Of the article of wheat, between 25 and 30,000 
bushels were brought to this market; a quantity far exceeding the receipts of any 
one day since the settlement of this country. The price of wheat rose during the 
the day from 7s. 6d. to 8s., or the highest price between this and the first of March. 
The last mode of purchase is truly novel and must be convincing to the farmer that 
the merchants of this city are too independent to form combinations. 

Count Liancourt visited Albany in 1795, and has left the following- 
regarding business interests at that time : 

The trade of Albany is chiefly carried on with the produce of the Mohawk 
country, and extends eastward as far as agriculture and cultivated lands expand. 
The State of Vermont and a part of New Hampshire furnish many articles of trade, 
and the exports chiefly consist in timber and lumber of every sort and description, 
jjotatoes, potash and pearl ashes, all species of grain, lastly, in manufactured 
articles. These articles are most of them transported to Albany in winter on 
sledges, housed by the merchants, and by them successively transmitted to New 
York, where they are either sold for bills on England or exchanged for English 
goods, which are in return sent from Albany to the provinces, whence the articles 
for transportation were drawn. . . • The trade of Albany is carried on in ninety 
vessels, forty-five of which belong to the inhabitants of the town, and the rest to 
New York or other places. 

This French nobleman was surprised that no vessels had yet sailed 
direct from Albany to England, causing a loss to the local merchants 
and a gain to the shippers in New York. At the beginning of the cen- 
tury the great tide of migration westward, a large part of which passed 
through Albany, had begun its flow, and within a few years reached 
enormous proportions. In one day in 1795 a citizen counted five hun- 



303 

dred sleighs laden with emigrants. All of this travel through the city 
left a constantly increasing profit to tradesmen, and stores multiplied 
rapidly. In 1796 there were one hundred and thirty-one stores, almost 
double the number of sixteen years earlier, and sixty-eight storehouses. 
During the war of 1812, as the i-eader has already been informed, the 
city was one of the principal places for accumulating and transporting 
government supplies, for the armies in the West and North. It then 
cost from $20 to $30 a ton to transport goods from Albany to Buffalo, 
and it was estimated that 9,000 tons were shipped from this port. This 
account of trade conditions early in the century may be closed with the 
following from the Spafford Gazetteer of 1813: 

Situated on one of the finest rivers m the world, at a distance of 300 miles from 
the ocean, whose tide it enjoys; with an uninterrupted sloop navigation; and in the 
the center of an extensive and fertile country, of which it becomes the natural mart, 
Albany carries on an immense trade already, and seems destined to become one of 
the greatest iiilandtowus in America. . . . Of the shipping belonging to Albany 
1 am not precisely informed, but, agreeable to information derived from the dock- 
master, there are fifty Albany sloops that pay wharfage by the year; sixty belonging 
to Troy, Lansingburgh and Waterford ; twenty-six from Tarrytown and New York ; 
seventy from New Jersey and the eastern States, including twenty schooners, in all 
two hundred and six ; and about one hundred and fifty from different places have 
paid wharfage by the day, bemg engaged in different kmds of trade, during the 
season of 1812, making a total of 350. The quantity of wheat purchased annually 
in Albany is immensely great ; and good judges have estimated it at nearly a million 
bushels. Other grain, and every article of the agricultural and other common pro- 
ducts, nearly in the same proportion, swell the aggregate exports from this city to an 
enormous amount. 

This growing business interests in Albany gave rise to the need 
of banking facilities. Prior to 1793 the project of establishing a bank 
in the northern part of the State was much discussed, some favoring it 
and many violently opposing it. On the 3d of February of that year a 
meeting was called at Lewis's tavern in Albany, at which many leading 
capitalists attended for discussion. There was at that time only one 
bank in the State, the Bank of New York, the stock of which was fifty 
per cent, above par. It was announced in the newspapers that $100,000 
in subscriptions cmild he taken for stock in a new bank. At a later 
meeting the priijcct assmned definite form and it was determined 
to found a financial in.stitution here with the name of the Albany Bank 
and a capital of $75,000, to be divided into five hundred shares of 
$150 each, $15 to be paid on each share at the time of subscribing and 
the remainder in three installments. Thirteen directors were to be 



304 

chosen, nine of whom should be residents of Alban}-. Jeremiah Van 
Rensselaer, Jacob Van Derheyden and Barent Bleecker were appointed 
to open the subscription books and close them as soon as five hundred 
shares were taken. The books were opened February 17 and in less 
than three hours the amount of stock was over-subscribed. As soon as 
the books were closed the stock advanced ten per cent, and on 
the Saturday following it rose to 100 per cent, advance. A char- 
ter was applied for and obtained towards the close of the session of the 
Legislature. Further description of this and other banks is given in, 
later pages. A second bank was established in 1803 and the third in 
1811. 

While deeply engrossed in promoting the various business interests 
and public affairs of the city, the people very properly sought some 
means of amusement and recreation. A theatrical company under 
management of Hallam Brothers played a season in New York in 1769, 
and obtained permission to appear in Albany three times a week for 
one month, opening July 3, in "Venice Preserved." Mrs. Grant has 
recorded that the officers of an English regiment stationed here, played 
the "Beau's Stratagem" in a barn in 17G0; but the Hallam company 
were the first to open a regular season. In 1785 a company came up 
from New York and in the Gazette of December 5, announced performan- 
ces of "Cross Purposes," and "Catharine and Petruchio." Permission had 
been obtained from the authorities, but before the performances, a 
storm of opposition arose against the theatre, and a petition signed by 
seventy persons was presented to the officials asking withdrawal of 
their consent to the company. But the mayor, recorder and council, 
by a vote of nine to four decided that as consent had been given, and 
expense incurred by the company in fitting up rooms, it would not be 
just to turn them away. The performances were given twice a week 
until the latter part of February. In 1803 a company managed by 
William Dunlap and Lewis Hallam played in Albany three nights a 
week from August 23 to October 37, in a dancing room on North Pearl 
street, in the company being the grandparents of Joseph Jefferson, the 
comedian. In the spring of 1811 John Howard Payne, then twenty 
years old, who is better known as the author of " Home, Sweet Home," 
than as an actor, played an engagement there. In November of that 
year an actor named John Bernard came from Boston with the avowed 
intention of establishing a permanent theatre in a building to be erected 
for the purpose. At that time there was much opposition among some 



305 

classes to the theatre as an institution; the theatre in Richmond, 
Va., had recently burned with the loss of seventy-one lives, and the 
Boston manager was not warmly welcomed in Albany. The feeling 
against his project was intense, and a motion was made in the council 
to abolish all theatrical performances as a nuisance. The matter was 
referred to the committee on law, who made a long report dated Janu- 
ary 13, 1813. In the report the opinion was expressed that "a well- 
regulated theatre, supported by the respectable portion of society, so 
far from being contrary to good order and morality, must essentially 
contribute to correct the language, refine the taste, ameliorate the 
heart, and enlighten the understanding. " The report closed with an 
opinion that the council could not interfere with the projected building. 
During its erection, which was begun at once, Bernard's company 
played in the Thespian Hotel, which was the name of a hall near Clin- 
ton avenue. The theatre was situated on the west side of Green street, 
south of Hamilton, and was formally opened to the public January 18, 
1813, with the plays, "West Indian," and "Fortune's Frolic," the ad- 
mission being about the same as commonly demanded now — $1, 75 and 
50 cents, and the opening address being written by Solomon Southwick. 
Mr. Bernard managed the theatre for four years, and though he had a 
good company met with but indifferent financial success, and in 1818 sold 
it to the Baptist Society who used it for many years for a church. In 
1824-0 a theatre was built on the site of the Leland Opera House, a 
portion of which is incorporated in the present building, being opened 
May 13, 1825, and here many of the great actors of their times have 
played. There was also an Albany Museum, established in a small 
way as early as 1797, which was continued from 1826 by Harry Meech, 
and was removed in 1831 from the corner of Hudson avenue and Broad- 
way to the corner of State and Broadwaj-, where in later years theatri- 
cal performances were given in connection with the museum. 

Between the beginning of the present century and the war of 1812 
the administration of the city government moved quietly along, the 
proceedings involving little of importance. The public revenue for 
the fiscal year 1799 was ^^46 lis. it/, and the dtv was in debt ^479 
Is. Sd. 

At this time the yellow fever was raging in New York, and collec- 
tions were taken up in the Albany churches for the relief of sufferers, ' 
the total contributions amounting to $555.87. For a number of years 



there was more or less of this dreaded disease in New York, causing- 
grave fears that it would be brought up the river to Albany. In 1803 
the Common Council, acting as a Board of Health, passed an ordinance 
requiring- all vessels from New York city to be quarantined for a short 
time at a point some miles down the river. There was one death from 
the disease in Troy that year, but none in Albany. 

When the news of the death of Washington reached Albany, Decem- 
ber 23, 1799, the Common Council immediately assembled and recom- 
mended the closing of all places of business, directed the tolling of bells 
from three to five o'clock, and that the members of the board wear crape 
during six weeks. The 9th of the following January was designated as 
a day for the observance of public funeral ceremonies, which were most 
solemn and impressive. Many of the citizens were then living who had 
been present at the reception given to Washington in the city at the 
close of the Revolutionary war, and the loss of the great statesman 
and general was deeply felt. 

In the early years a part of the duty of the Common Council was to 
fix the weight and price of a loaf of bread, this being known as "the 
assize of bread," and any baker who was detected in selling a loaf that 
was below the prescribed weight was subject to a fine of one dollar. 
For example in 1799 a loaf weighing two pounds and five ounces, made 
from inspected wheat, sold for 8d., and other weights in proportion. 
In 1813, during and on account of the war, flour rose to $11 a barrel, 
and the Council adopted an ordinance requiring the flour merchants so 
to assize the bread that it would correspond to $9 a barrel. The bakers 
complained bitterly at this and called a meeting, at which a resolution 
was adopted to the effect' that it was inexpedient to longer interfere 
with the baking and sale of bread. 

It will surprise some readers of to-day to learn that prior to 1818 all 
meetings of the council were held behind closed doors. On November 
16 of that year the board adopted a resolution that thereafter the meet- 
ings should be open to the public. The council at that time occupied 
the northeast corner of the first floor of the Old Capitol, all the other 
rooms on the first floor being used by the State. It will be remembered 
that the city had paid about $34,000 towards the expense of erect- 
ing the Capitol. At this time several efforts were made in the council 
to pass a resolution ordering the sale of the city's interest in that build- 
ing and the Board of Supervisors also discussed the policy of disposing of 
the interest of the county to the State. These measures were destined 



307 

to be postponed for many years, and meanwhile the Council and the 
supervisors met in the Old Capitol until the erection of the first city 
hall. 

With the passing years the city became deeper and deeper involved 
in debt, that being the history of most cities in that respect. On 
September 30, 1823, the council directed a tax to raise $3,000 with 
which to pay the interest on the city debt, and at the same time $6,000 
was ordered raised for lighting the streets and for the nightwatch, and 
$8,000 for caring for the poor. The following table shows the condi- 
tion of the city's finances at the close of the first quarter of this cen- 
tury : 

Sinking Fund. 

City Stock held by Commissioners §6,000 00 

Albany Insurance Stock 2,500 00 

Bonds, notes and interest due for lands sold 2,879 67 

Cash loaned _. 4,535 00 

" on hand _ 3,130 88 

359 Shares in Great Western Turnpike 8,975 00 

40 Shares in Bethlehem Turnpike.. 1 1,150 00 

Total .-. S39,170 55 

Mayor ' $400 00 

Chamberlain ^ 500 00 

City Superintendent ._ 450 00 

Superintendent of Alms-house -. 400 00 

Overseers of the Poor 200 00 

Police Justice 450 00 

" Constables (3) - 400 00 

Deputy Excise Officer 200 00 

City Physician _ _ _ 550 00 

Clerk of Common Council 150 00 

Deputy Clerk of Market 100 00 

Bellringers _ _ 40 00 

Total ?3,840 00 

Criv Debt. 

Funded... §305,000 00 

Due on bonds to individuals 40, 100 00 

Small notes unredeemed 10,300 18 

Total $355,400 18 

Returning for a moment to the year 1818, we find that the Common 



Council had been authorized by law to fund the city debt, to the amount 
of $205,000. On the 14th of April, 1820, a law was passed by the Leg- 
islature authorizing the council to sell certain lands belonging to the 
city to an amount not exceeding $250,000, on a lottery basis, valuation 
being placed on the various lots which were to be the prizes, but the 
scheme under this arrangement did not succeed. The council there- 
fore, in 1835, applied to the Legislature for permission to sell the lands, 
and at the same time for the privilege of raising the remainder of the 
fund necessary by selling tickets in a lottery created under the act of 
1820, the prizes to be paid out of the proceeds of the sale. This plan 
was carried out and called forth much denunciation from individuals 
and from the press The New York Evening Post said : "The capital of 
the State, with the aid of the Legislature, has become an immense gam- 
bling establishment." It is well known that lotteries were favorite insti- 
tions in early years for raising money for all sorts of public purposes. 
In January, 1814, a law authorized a lottery to raise $200,000 for Union 
College, and was favored by Dr. Nott, the distinguished president of 
the institution. In May, 1825, the council appointed a committee to 
negotiate with Yates & Mclntyre, who had made a proposition to pur- 
chase the Albany City Lottery, as the institution was called, for $200,- 
000, which arrangement was subsequently carried out, though the pur- 
chase price was $240,795, to be paid in five years. The total valua- 
tion of the city lands which constituted the basis of this lottery was 
$254,385.' 

For the year ending in October, 182G, the receipts by the chamberlain 
were $60,060.19, the expenses $62,004.98. The chamberlain's report 
for 1829 showed the gross receipts of the city treasury to be $320,- 
878.52, the disbursements, $317,126.15. The heavy expenses of the 
year were due in part to the erection of two markets, the beginning of 
the City Hall, and large cost of keeping the poor. The population of 
the city had now (1830) reached 24,209, having increased to that number 
from 12,630 in 1820, and progress was everywhere manifest. 

In 1835 the county clerk reported to the Common Council that the 
population of the city according to a recent canvass was 13,712 males 
and 14,373 females, a total of 28,085, of whom 4,489 were voters. 
Erastus Corning was inaugurated mayor of the city on January 1, 1836, 
in which year the election of members of the Board of Aldermen took 
place in the spring for the first time. Improvements were made that 
year in the basin, and the government improved navigation in the river. 



309 

Of the city debt of more than $350,000 in 181?, there remained now due 
only $95,000. The Utica and Schenectady Railroad was nearing com- 
pletion and the early opening of an iminterrupted line to Buffalo was 
in sight. At this time the Common Council adopted measures to open 
a space in the pier between the Columbia and the State street bridges, 
and a resolution was also adopted, to allow the Hudson and Mohawk 
Railroad to continue its track from Gansevoort street to North Ferry 
street. 

In 1840 the canvassers reported to the Common Council that the pop- 
ulation of the city was 33,637, which number was increased in 1850 to 
a little more than 50,000. Previous to 1848 the money raised annually 
by tax for the expenses of the city government was usually nearly or 
quite exhausted by the 1st of May, in the temporary loans made in an- 
ticipation of the tax levy, a practice which has prevailed in most cities, 
but in that year a law was passed by the Legislature doing away with 
this method, greatly to the benefit of the city. The reports from 1844 
to 1850 inclusive show the following sums of money applicable to the 
support of the city government in the years named: 

1844 §19,464.67 

1845 10,677.81 

1846 , 6,797.98 

1847 __._ 793.70 

1848- - 662.35 

1849... 41,668.78 

1850 67,731.84 

These figures indicate the great increase in the amounts immediately 
available in the last two years, under the operation of the law just 
mentioned. The chamberlain's report for 1850 gives the amount of 
money received from all sources, inclusive of $41,668.78 which was the 
balance on hand, as $095,366.67, and the expenditures, as $627,635.42, 
leaving a balance of $67,731.34. The mayor's statement of that year 
upon the financial condition of the city has the following: ' 

On the first of May, 1848, debt of the city (exclusive of certain loans so amply 
secured that they cannot be considered absolute Habilities of the city) amounted to 
?753,896.93. Since that date this debt has been reduced $211,764.90; and the e.xact 
amount of the same at this time is .5541,1.32.03. 

The assessment rolls in 1849 give the valuation of the taxable prop- 
erty of the city as $11,971,263. Such was the condition of the city's 
financial aflfairs in the middle of this century. 



310 

During- this period of growth in municipal affairs, vast changes took 
place in other directions. The steamboat came in 1807, to be followed 
ere long by the canals and the railroads, all of which were of great 
importance to Albany, revolutionizing methods of transportation and 
travel, and river commerce was greatly extending, with the greatest 
benefit to all industries and trades of the city. Fulton's first steam- 
boat, the Clermont, was thus noticed in the Albany (Jazette of Sep- 
tember 2, 1807: 

The north river steamboat will leave Pauliis' Hook Ferry ou Friday, the 4th of 
September, at nine in the morning, and arrive in Albany on Saturday, at nine in the 
afternoon. Provisions, good berths and accommodation are provided. 

The through fare was $7. In the Gazette supplement of September 
7 appeared the following notice of the first trip of the steamboat to 
Albany: 

This morning at six o'clock, Mr. Fulton's steamboat left the ferry stairs at Court- 
land street dock for Albany. She is to make her passage in 36 hours from the time 
of her departure, touching at Newburg, Poughkeepsie, Esopus, and Hudson on the 
way. The steamboat arrived at Albany on Saturday afternoon, and this morning 
at nine o'clock again departed for New York, with about forty ladies and gentlemen. 

The first steamer continued her regular trips, gradually reducing 
the time of passage to twenty-eight hours, receiving constantly in- 
creasing patronage. Other boats soon followed. The Hudson River 
Line was established in 1825, with three boats, and within four years 
added three more. The North River Line was established in 1820 and 
the Troy Line in 1832. In the next year these three lines were con- 
solidated as the Hudson River Association Line, which sailed three 
day and three night boats. The People's Line was established in ISo-t 
in opposition to the day boats of the Hudson River Association, but 
was sold in 1835 to the association for $100,000 cash and $10,000 a year 
for ten years. The People's Line was revived in 1836 by Daniel Drew, 
and within the next twenty-five ye^rs bought or built seven or eight 
splendid boats, among them the Dean Richmond and the Drew, and 
ending with the superb Adirondack of to-day. 

By the year 18-18 the fleet of sailing vessels on the river had in- 
creased to 331 sloops and 284 schooners, and at the end of the suc- 
ceeding thirty-seven years (1885) the character and numbers had 
changed to to 53 sailing vessels, 113 steam vessels, 175 canal boats, 
and 86 barges, with a total tonnage of 61,261. The number of canal 
boats indicates the importance of the great artificial waterways, 



311 

which have already been alluded to in detail. Between 1840 and 
1850 railroad traffic became an important factor in the general pros- 
perity of Albany, bringing hither from the West the immense grain 
product for reshipment to New York, and successfully contending 
for a large share of the passenger traffic. A great lumber interest 
had been created, the receipts of which in the year 1840 reached 
134,173,383 feet of boards, and 784,310 feet of timber. By 1850 
these figures were increased to 425,095,436 feet of boards, and 3,039,- 
588 feet of timber. In the year 1840 there were eighty- four saw 
mills running in Albany county, though these were only a small factor 
in the local lumber business. The iron industry had become large and 
the manufacture of stoves, begun in 1808, reached enormous propor- 
tions. In 1833 the quantity of iron castings, a large part of which 
consisted of stove plates, is given as follows: Howard, Nott & Co. 
(manufacturers of the famous Nott stove), 1,000 tons; Bartlett, Bent 
& Co., 350 tons; I. & J. Townsend, 300 tons; Rathbone & Silliman, 
300 tons; Maney & Ward, 450 tons; a total of 3,300 tons. Besides 
this in that year Heermans, Rathbone & Co. sold 750 tons of stove 
plates brought from Philadelphia, and nearly as many more were sold 
by other firms. The manufacture of brick, begun here in 1708, was 
large and at one time reached about 20,000,000 a year. A large brew- 
ing interest had grown up which has continued to the present time. 
The manufacture of pianos, begun at Albany by James A. Gray in 
1S35, was successfully continued by himself and with William G. 
Boardman, and many other departments of industry were successfully 
developed. 

The insurance business was begun in Albany- in 1811 by the organiza- 
tion of the Albany Insurance Company with the following directors: 
Elisha Jenkins, Philip S. Van Rensselaer, Isaiah Townsend, Dudley 
Walsh, Henry Guest, jr., Charles Z. Piatt, Simeon De Witt, Stephen 
Lush, Charles D. Cooper, Thomas Gould, John Woodworth, Peter 
Gansevoort, and Christian Miller. The capital stock was $500,000, and 
the first president was Isaiah Townsend, an able business man and 
good citizen. This old company has continued in successful operation 
ever since. The Merchants' Insurance Company was organized in 
1824, with a capital stock of $250,000, and having Charles E. Dudley 
for its president. The Clinton Insurance Company was organized in 
1829, with capital stock of $300,000. The Firemen's Insurance Com- 
pany was incorporated in April, 1831, with capital stock of $150,000, 



312 

and with James Stevenson as the first president, while the Mutual In- 
surance Company was organized in 183G and is still in business. 

Banking facilities were also extended to meet the demands of increas- 
ing business. The Commercial Bank was incorporated in 1823; the 
Canal Bank, which failed in 1848, in 1820; the Albany City Bank in 
1837; the Albany Exchange Bank in 1838. Besides these two savings 
institutions were founded, the Albany Savings Bank in 1820 and the 
Albany City Savings Institution in 1850. 

As the capital of the State and an active business center, Albany has 
always attracted a large number of strangers, and is also the tempo- 
rary residence for the members of the State government. This fact 
will in a measure account for the number and high character of the 
hotels of the city, the names of some of which have become familiar 
throughout a wide extent of territory. The old American Hotel was 
opened in 1 838 and for some years had a large patronage. The Delavan 
began its long and popular career in 1845 and is still open to the public, 
though reduced in its accommodations by fire; the Stanwix was opened 
in 1844 and continues to care for hosts of guests, while the Kenmore is 
the latest addition. 

The principal public impi-ovements and most important proceedings 
of the city government during the past forty-five years may now be 
briefly summarized. Illuminating gas was first introduced into the city 
in 1845 and is now supplied by the Municipal Gaslight Company, which 
came into existence by the consolidation of the Albany Gaslight Com- 
pany (incorporated in 1841), and the People's Gaslight Company (incor- 
porated in 1872). The Fire Department was wholly reorganized in 
1848, as described in detail further on, and measures were adopted to- 
wards the early development of the sewer system begun in 1854. 

The city chamberlain's report for 1860 shows the following figures: 

Balance on hand November 1, 18.59 $ 24,310 31 

Receipts for current year. _ 4-18.418 .58 

8472,028 8'J 

Disbursements §423,376 98 

On hand November 1, 1860 49,351 96 

9472,628 89 

Similar statements at the close of each year up to 1870 since the 
above date, and for 1880 and 1890, will give the reader a fair knowledge 
of the gradually changing financial condition of the city. They are as 
follows : 



313 

Balance on hand November 1, 1861. $ 40,906 40 

Receipts for current year . _ _ 525,749 14 

$566,053 54 

Disbursements §463,528 19 

On hand November 1, 1863 103.124 85 

§566, 653 54 

Balance on hand November 1, 1863 $103,134 35 

Receipts for current year .. 608,432 86 

$711,547 31 

Disbursements $607,946 69 

On hand November 1, 1863 103,600 53 

$711,547 31 

Balance 09 hand November 1 , 1868 §103,600 22 

Receipts for current year 756,986 82 

8863,737 04 

Disbursements §796,981 34 

On hand November 1. 1864 _._. 66,555 70 

§863,737 04 

Balance on hand November 1, 1864. $66,555 70 

Receipts for current vear ._ 905,457 60 

§973,013 30 

Disbursements §883,310 77 

On hand November 1, 1865 88,803 53 

§973,013 30 

Balance on hand November 1, 1865 §88,803 53 

Receipts for current year. 961,036 75 

-§1,049,829 28 

Disbursements.. §978,037 71 

On hand November 1, 1866... 71,791 57 

■ §1,049,839 38 

Balance on hand November 1, 1867 §78,632 47 

Receipts for current year 890,307 19 

§968,939 66 

Disbursements .§871,155 63 

On hand November 1, 1868 97,784 03 

§968,939 66 

Balance on hand November 1, 1868 §97,784 03 

Receipts for current year .. §1,367,647 01 

§1,465,431 04 

Disbursements §1,338,109 52 

On hand November 1, 1869 137,331 52 

§1,465,431 04 

Balance on hand November 1, 1869. §127,821 52 

Receipts for current year §1,510,538 37 

§1,637,859 89 

Disbursements $1,448,487 36 

On hand November 1, 1870 187,872 58 

§1,637,859 89 

Balance on hand November 1 , 1871 §366,989 14 

Receipts for current vear 1,080,328 18 

— §1,447,312 82 

Disbursements §1,266,410 28 

On hand November 1, 1873 180,902 04 

§1,447,313 32 



3U 

Balance ou hand November 1, 1871) sy4,49:? 01 

Receipts for current year. 81,3(16,45? 41 

SI, 391 1, 9.51 1 42 

Disbursements 81,296,66.5 60 

On hand November 1, 1880 94,288 82 

81,390,9.50 42 

Balance on hand November 1, 1889 .. .8665,110 29 

Receipts for current vear _■... 81,889,106 50 

82,554,216 79 

Disbursements , . $2,029,942 36 

On hand November 1, 1890 524,274 53 

.82,5.54.216 79 

Balance on hand November 1, 1894. .8685,907 96 

Receipts for current vear. 81,983,496 21 

82,669,404 17 

Disbursements 82,001,602 46 

On hand November 1, 1895 - 667,801 71 

-82,669,404 17 

For the year closing November 1, 1895, the chamberlain's report shows 
that the expense of maintaining the almshouse was $30,715.67. There 
was paid on Washington and Beaver parks, $6-1,313.88. The board of 
health cost $9,524.35; the city hall and city building about $10,000; 
the city poor, $13,481-46; the fire department, $111,065.15; hospitals, 
$32,490.79; police department, $149,372.85 ; street cleaning, $13,000.- 
37; and street improvements, $42,503.90-. 

Horse cars were introduced into Albany in 1863, the first car being 
run un June 'i-i, of that year. This improvement was the work of the 
Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company, which was incorporated 
April 16, 1863, with a capital stock of $340,000. In 1864 the line was 
continued to the Albany Cemetery and in 1865 to Green Island. The 
Albany Railway Company was incorporated September 14. 1863, with ' 
a capital stock of $100,000. Its first line of track was finished in Feb- 
ruary, 1864, extending through State, Washington and Central avei 
to Knox street. This line was extended to West Alban)- in the follow- 
ing year, and other lines were added imtil the present complete system 
was established. 

For a number of years the subject of establishing a large public park 1 
in Albany attracted attention and caused much discussion in the public 
press and among the people, and in June, 1863, an able paper un 
subject was read before the Common Council. Nothing, however, was! 
definitely accomplished until 1869, when a law was passed creating aj 
Board of Park Commissioners for the city and setting apart what was! 



315 

then known as the burial ground property, the old Washington Parade 
Ground, the penitentiary ground and the almshouse farm. The Board 
of Commissioners comprised John Bridgford, Arthur Bott, George 
Dawson, Dudley Olcott, William Cassidy, John Fair, Rufus W. Peck- 
ham, jr., Samuel H. Ransom, and John H. Van Antwerp. Plans were 
made for improvements on a part of this territory and work began in 
1870, under supervision of R. H. Bingham, chief engineer. In the fol- 
lowing year the old burial ground was divested of its dead, laid out and 
opened to the public as part of the park. Further improvements con- 
tinued every year. In 1880 and 1883 additional land was purchased, 
including the Knox street property of nine acres, and a tract lying on 
Madison and Lake avenues. Washington Park now contains about 
eighty-two acres and is one of the most beautiful of its area in the 
country. 

By an act of the Legislature passed March 16, 1870, the city charter 
was largely amended. There had, of course, been many minor changes 
in the charter since the city was fotmded in 1686, but none of very radi- 
cal character, and the corporation still retained its original title of The 
Mayor, Aldermen and Commonalty of the City of Albany. By the act 
referred to this title was abridged to that of the City of Albany. For 
the other important amendments the reader is referred to the original 
and the present charters, which are accessible in many places in the 
city. Still further amendments were made in April, 1883, some of 
which were of importance. 

As indicated in succeeding pages under separate headings, the history 
of Albany during the last half century is a record of continuous ad- 
vancement. In the extension and improvement of streets; in beauti- 
fying the public parks; in largely adding to the number of its Christian 
and benevolent institutions; in building up the public school system 
until it is excelled nowhere in the country ; in all the departments of 
public works that better the condition of the community at large, and 
in the extent and variety of its manufactures, it has more than kept 
abreast of its growth in population. 

The city of Albany celebrated the two hundredth anniversary of its 
existence as a chartered city in 1886. For some time prior to that the 
subject of appropriately observing the day had been considered and 
discussed among leading citizens. The matter was definitely brought 
up by a resolution offered in the Common Council November 16, 1885, 



316 

by Alderman James B. Lyon, that the celebration of the bi-centennial 
be referred to the Committee on Public Celebrations and Entertain- 
ments of the council. The city budget of 1886 contained an item of 
$10,000 "for celebrating- the bi-centennial of Albany." On December 
18, the bi-centennial proclamation was issued by the mayor, A. Bleecker 
Banks, and the committee before mentioned, which consisted of Galen 
R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, James Thornton, and 
August Whitman. In response to a call in the proclamation a meeting 
of citizens whs held in the council chamber January 6, 1886, where 
many local organizations were represented. The proceedings adopted 
for the celebration of the centennial in 1786, described on an earlier 
page, were read, and a committee of twenty-five citizens was appoint- 
ed, with the mayor as chairman, to act in conjunction with the council 
committee in carrying out the plans for the celebration. This commit- 
tee were A. Bleecker Banks, chairman, Robert Lenox Banks, Lewis 
Boss, Anthony N. Brady, Walter Dickson, Franklin M. Danaher, Douw 
H. Fonda, Charles E. Jones, Rufus, H. King, J. Townsend Lansing, 
James H. Manning, Archibald McClure, Edward J. Meegan, John C. 
Nott, Michael N. Nolan, Amasa J. Parker, jr., Robert C. Pruyn, John 
H. Quinby, Simon W. Rosendale, Samuel B. Towner, William B. Van 
Rensselaer, John L. Van Valkenburgh, Daniel W. Wemple, William M. 
Whitney, Robert D. Williams, Horace G. Young, John Zimmerman. 
Aldermen — Galen R. Hitt, Patrick McCann, Jeremiah Kieley, James 
Thornton, August Whitman, John J. Greagan, David J. Norton, George 
L. Thomas, James O. Woodward. Robert D. Williams was chosen 
recording secretary, and James H. Manning, corresponding secretary ^ 
of the committee. 

The full account of the proceedings of this committee and of the 
celebration itself has been published in a handsome volume of 461 
pages, which is in the hands of many citizens of the city and is acces- 
sible to all. This fact renders it unnecessary, as it is also entirely im- 
practicable, to give more than a very brief outline of the event in 
these pages. 

The committee above named appointed sub-committees, including 
the executive, finance, reception, historical pageant, regatta, military 
parade, civic parade, educational day, trades' parade, all nations' day, 
fireworks, decorations and monumenting, music, bi-centennial flag and 
medal, printing and press committees, with a loan commission, a bureau 
of information and accommodation, an auditing board and an advisory 



317 

committee of 147 members to aid all the others. These committees 
met frequently and labored with energy to carry out the elaborate 
plans. On March i, 1886, the executive committee reported that the 
celebration should begin on vSunday, July 18, and end on July 23. 
Sunday was named as a day of general religious observance, with his- 
torical and memorial sermons in the churches; Monday, educational 
day, on which the school children were assembled in a public place for 
exercises, singing, recitations and addresses, and historic spots were 
monumented, with addresses appropriate to the occasion delivered at 
each place marked. Tuesday was the day of all nations, devoted to 
national sports, exercises and observances, under direction of the Ger- 
man, Irish, English. Scotch, French, Italian, Holland and other national 
societies; in the afternoon a regatta, amateur and professional, was 
held over the Island course, and a yacht race in front of the city ; in the 
evening a river parade of illuminated and decorated steamboats, with 
music and fireworks. Wednesday was civic day, and was ushered in 
by a national salute of thirty-eight guns; a grand parade of civic 
bodies at 10 a. m., with a firemen's tournament; in the afternoon there 
was a continuation of the regatta, and a canoeing tournament in front 
of the city; in the evening a grand historical pageant under colored 
fires and electric lights, showing the contrast between past and present, 
the growth of two centuries, and placing before the people in living 
tableaux the historical events and great men in Albany's history. This 
pageant massed, after the parade, in State street at 12 o'clock midnight, 
and there amid a blaze of fireworks, ringing of church bells, sounding 
of whistles and singing of the national anthem, ushered in the anni- 
versary day. Thursday, bi-centennial day, a salute of 200 guns was 
given at sunrise, fifty guns being fired in four separate places ; a grand 
military procession in the morning as escort to orator, poet, guests, 
etc., to place of exercises, these exercises consisting of music, invoca- 
tion, singing, poems, orations, addresses, etc. ; in the evening, fire- 
works and municipal reception, Friday, trades and manufactures; a 
parade of all trades' unions, assemblies and Knights of Labor, manu- 
facturing and business interests, represented by floats bearing work- 
men carrying on their various trades; in the afternoon, grand open air 
concert; in the evening singing by Albany societies in the Capitol 
Park, with fireworks as a finale. 

It can be stated in a general manner that this programme was, in 
the main features, carried out in a most successful manner. The vari- 



318 

oiis committees arranged plans for the different features of each day's 
proceedings and reported frequently to the. general committee; thus 
the entire work of preparation moved along harmoniously to its con- 
summation. On April 1 it was resolved that the National Association 
of Amateur Oarsmen be invited to hold their regetta in Albany during 
bi-centennial week, and $1,850 was appropriated to cover the expenses; 
this was a substitute for the first proposed regatta. 

About the middle of April the committee on the historical pageant 
made an elaborate report, which was adopted, and the sum of $10,000 
appropriated to carry out its provisions. On April 22 an estimate of 
the entire expenses of the celebration placed it at between $35,000 and 
$40,000. On the 29th of April, Gov. David B. Hill was appointed ora- 
tor, and William H. McElroy, poet of the occasion. On May Mayor 
Banks was succeeded in that office by John Boyd Thacher, and resigned 
his chairmanship of the bi-centennial committee; Mr. Thacher was 
elected in his place and Mr. Banks was chosen vice-chairman. 

During the month of May the work of collecting funds progressed 
satisfactorily and a committee of five was appointed to meet with the 
committee on celebrations of the Common Council, to appropriate and 
distribute the $10,000 given by the city. The sum of $3,000 was ap- 
propriated for fireworks; $2,500 for monumenting and decorating; 
$1,900 for expenses of the reception committee, and $500 for prelimi- 
nary expenses of the Toan exhibition. 

On June 10 Walter Dickson, of the committee on monuments and 
decoration reported, advising the placing of the following bronze tab- 
lets, with appropriate inscriptions, which were given in the report and 
which now appear on the tablets in various parts of the city : 

No. 1, located 50 feet east of the bend in Broadway, at Steamboat Square. No. 2, 
inserted in the exterior surface of the Eagle street wall of the city hall. No. ;i, on 
the government building fronting State street. No. 4, the first Patroon, placed in 
the city hall. No. 5, the Old Dutch church, in the government building adjoining 
No. 3. No. 6, Lutheran church, on the South Pearl street face of the city building. 
No. 7, First English church, in the wall near the curb, northwest corner of Chapel 
and State streets. No. 8, Old St. Mary's, in the wall of the present St. Mary's. No. 
9, First Presbyterian church, in the wall of building northeast corner of Grand and 
Hudson streets. No. 10, Schuyler Mansion, in front of wall inclosing grounds on 
Catherine street. No. 11, Fort Frederick, in sidewalk at the head of State street 
on lower edge of Capitol Park. No. 13, Philip Livingston, in Tweddle Building 
wall. No. 13, Anneke Janse Bogardus, on front door pier of State street side of 
Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank. No. 14, the old Lansing House, in granite block in 
front of the present house, corner of Pearl and Columbia streets. No. 15, oldest 



319 

building in Albany, southeast corner of State and North Pearl street (this building 
has since been removed). No. 16, old Elm Tree Corner, on granite block northwest 
corner of State and North Pearl streets. No. 17, Vanderheyden Place, in front wall 
of Perry Building. No. 18, Lydius Corner, in Pearl street wall on northeast corner 
of State and North Pearl streets. No 19, Washington's Visit, in Beaver street wall 
northwest corner of Beaver and Green streets. No. 30, First Theater, in front wall 
of the original building, the Green street theater. No. 21, First English School- 
master, on the High School building. No. 22, Foxenkill, in southern wall of build- 
ing northwest corner of Canal and North Pearl streets. No. 23, Beaverkill, in granite 
block corner of South Pearl and Arch streets. No. 24, City Gate, in face of north 
wall of American Express building, Broadway and Steuben street. No. 25, Manor 
House, in granite near the Van Rensselaer business office on Broadway. No. 26, 
Johannes ^'an Rensselaer, in the wall of the original mansion on the Greenbush 
banks. No. 27, Joel Munsell, in gable building 58 and 60 State street. No. 28, 
Northwest Gate, in building on North Pearl street, occupied by Johnson & Reilly. 
No. 29, Northeast Gate, in granite block in walk m front of the Van Benthuysen 
printing office, Broadway. No. 30, First Methodist church, in wall of building cor- 
ner of North Pearl and Orange streets. No. 31, Academy Park, in granite block in 
the park. No. 32, Washington Avenue, on corner of Capitol Building. No. 33, 
Hamilton Street, on corner building at Hamilton and Pearl streets. No. 34, Dean 
Street* in Government Building corner of State and Dean streets. No. 35, State 
Street, on old Museum corner. No. 36, James Street, on Farmers' and Mechanics' 
Bank. No. 37, Eagle Street, on corner building State and Eagle streets. No. 38» 
Exchange Street, on north side of government building. No. 39, Norton street, 
north side of Beaver Block. No. 40, Franklin Street, corner of Franklin and Mad- 
ison avenue. No. 41, Clinton Avenue, corner of North Pearl street. No. 42, Mon- 
roe street, south side of Dutch Reformed Church. 

The placing of these historical tablets was one of the most important 
and tisefnl features of the celebration. 

In June it was determined to eliminate Friday from the programme 
of the parade, and the Trades' Parade was transferred to Monday, the 
19th of July. June 17 was reported the acceptance of Rev. William 
Cros.swell Doane, Bishop of Albany, as chaplain of Bi-Centennial Day. 
On the 24th of June the committee on bi-centennial tlag presented a 
design, which is described and illustrated in the "volume before alluded 
to. The committee on medals also presented the design that had been 
adopted; the scene represents Governor Dongan seated at his desk 
with Livingston and Schuyler on his either side, commemorative of 
the statement that these two men went to New York to receive the 
charter from Dongan. On the reverse is the inscription, " In memory 
of the two hundredth anniversary of the cityof Albany, N. Y. , 1886. " 

On July 1 the sum of $2,000 was appropriated for expenses of the 
military committee; it was also resolved that all persons subscribing $1 



320 

or more to the All-Nations' Day fund should be entitled to a bi-centen- 
nial flag; subscribers of $20 two flags; $50, three flags, and $100, four 
flags. 

On July 13, Amasa J. Parker, jr., presented a resolution which had 
been adopted in a joint meeting of the Senate and Assembly, to the 
efl'ect that the senators and members of the then present Legislature 
and all previous Legislatures be cordially invited to meet the legis- 
lative committee at the Delavan House July 22, to make such arrange- 
ments as seemed desirable. The .Senate committee were Amasa J. 
Parker, jr., J. Sloat Fassett, John Raines, James F. Pierce, and Ed- 
mund L. Pitts. The Assembly committee were James W. Huested, 
George S. Batcheller, George L. Erwin, Henry D. Hotchkiss, George 
W. Lyon, William F. Sheehan, Michael F. Collins, Thomas McCarthy, 
George W. Green, and Edward D. Cutler. 

A grand stand was erected, a short time before the opening of the 
celebration, on the Capitol grounds opposite the City Hall, with a seat- 
ing capacity of 2,500. 

The celebration opened auspiciously. The elaborate programme as 
carried out cannot be followed here, but the principal events were the 
opening of the Loan Exhibition July 5, and the reading of a poem on 
that day by William D. Morange, and an oration by Leonard Kip; the 
reception of the Caughnawaga Indians on July 17; the services appro- 
priate to the event in most of the churches on Sunday, the 18th ; the 
parade of industrial interests and the children's exercises on the 19th; 
the parade of the nations on the 20th, and their review at the Capitol 
by high State officials; the very interesting exercises of Civic Day on 
the 21st; the grand military display and the reading of the poem by 
William H. McElroy; the legislative reunion, and the delivery of the 
oration on Bi-Centennial Day, the22d. 

This hasty glance at this great celebration, perhaps the grandest 
ever held for a similar purpose in this country, must suffice for these 
pages. It was in every way a fitting culmination of the two hundred 
years of the city's history. 

Mayors of Albany. — The first mayor of Albany is named in the Don- 
gan charter of July 22, 1686. That charter provided for the annual 
appointment of a mayor "upon the feast day of St. Michael, the Arch- 
angel." By virtue of his office the mayor was also commander of the 
militia of the county, and possessed the authority of a justice of the 




EDWARD De L. palmer. 



I 



321 

peace, coroner, commissioner of excise, and clerk of the market. 
Twenty-six mayors were thus appointed under the Colonial govern- 
ment, down to the English accession ; among them were five members 
of the Schuyler family, three of the Bleecker family, and three of the 
Cuyler family. Following the Declaration of Independence the may- 
ors of Albany were for a period appointed by the governor; later and 
down to and including 1839 they were chosen by the Common Council. 
In 1840 and since they have been elected by the people. 

The first mayor was Peter Schuyler, with whose eminent career the reader must 
now be comparatively familiar. He filled the office with dignity and ability; exer- 
cised a powerful influence over the neighboring Indians, and for some years held the 
office of Indian Commissioner. 

The second Mayor was John Abeel, appointed October 14, 1694, who also served 
another term, 1700-10. He was recorder in 1703 and held several other local offices. 
He died January 28, 1711. 

Evert Bancker, mayor 1695-96 and 1707-09, was born January 24, 1665. He was a 
merchant of Beverwyck and held several offices, among them master in chancery, 
Indian commissioner, and member of assembly. (See civil list.) He was buried 
July 10, 1734. 

Dirck Wessels, mayor 1696-98, was also the first recorder under the charter of 
1686. He was a prominent fur trader, held the rank of major in the militia and was 
conspicuous in public affairs. He died September 13, 1717. 

Hendric Hansen, 1698-99, held the office of alderman, commissioner of Indian 
affairs, and assemblyman. He was buried February 19, 1724. Nicholas Hansen, the 
last male representative of this family, died in 1869. 

Peter Van Brugh, son of Johannes Pieterse Verbrugge, a leading Holland trader, 
was mayor 1699-1700 and in 1721-23. He resided on State street, on the north side, 
west of 'Pearl. He was buried July 20, 1740. 

Jansjanse Bleecker. mayor 1700-01, was a blacksmith and later a trader, and also 
held the offices of recorder, justice of the peace and member of the Provincial As- 
sembly. 

Johannes Bleecker, 1702-03, was brewer and a captain in the militia; was buried 
January 12, 1737. 

Johannes Schuyler, 1703-06, was the son of Philip Peter Schuyler and brother of 
Peter, the first mayor. He was attached to the army of General Winthrop in 1691 
as captain, and exhibited great bravery and energy in border warfare. He took an 
active part in several important military movements; was alderman several years, 
Indian commissioner, in 1705. He died at his home, corner of State and Pearl 
streets, July 25, 1727. 

David Schuyler, 1706-07, one of the five sons of David (brother of Philip Peter), 
also held the offices of alderman, justice of the peace, and Indian commissioner. He 
was twice married and had seven children. 

Robert Livingston, 1710-19, was the first settler of that name in the province from 
whom were descended many eminent men. The family is of Scotch descent and 
espoused the cause of the patriots in the Revolution. Robert was secretary of Al- 



332 

banv nearly fifty years, 1G75-1721, aud held other office. His house stood on the 
northwest corner of State and North Pearl streets. He died Apiil J), 1 .-5. 

Mvnde t sihuvler, 1719-31 and 1733-25. was son of David Pteterse Schuyler and 
alsoreSth! office o alderman and other pubUc positions. He was sent m 720 ,nto 
tie Sen ca country where he succeeded in dissuading the Senecas from f- l^e-var 
upon the Western Indians. He acted as Indian comm,ss,oner wUh s,gnal ab,htv 

"j<:;::n:S: C:;ernS-6. son of Hendr,cU, was a trader and settled .n Albany ,n 
'"Rutger Bleecker. 1726-9, held also the office of recorder m 1725. He was buried 
'^ll::^:^rPe^r:i?3£?and 1733-3, and .7.1-2, was son of Johanne. who 
wL ma^or of New Yo^-, and grandson of Johannes, one of the wealthiest and mos 
w as ma> or founder of the family m this country, which 

waTofn: :;:rori "^ -yor also held the o-es of Indian commis 

sioner, member of assembly and was the first surrogate of the county. He d,ed 

' HrHfns;ri731-2, and 1754-6. was a successful trader. Hed.ed December 0, 

^Edward Holland, 1733-40, was the first man of English descent to hold the office of 
mayor HfsTathe;, Henry Holland, was m command of the Albany garnson m 

'Tohn Schuyler, jr., 1740-41, second son of Mayor John Sclu^ler, was born in 1G97. 
One of his mne children was Major-Gen. Schuyler, of RevoluUonary fame 

Cornelius Cuyler, 1742-46, was father of Col. Abraham C. Cuyler, who .as ma^or 

at a later date. , , . , i-r;i 

Dirck Ten Broeck was mayor 1746-48. He died in January. 1 ,51. 
Jacob C. Ten Eyek, 1748-50, was also a judge of the Court of Common Pleas; he 

died September 9, 1793. , ,. , , ki ;„ i^dr. 

Robert Sanders, 1750-54, was a leading merchant and ^-ed, probabl, i„ l.J, 
Sybrant G. Van Schaick. 17,56-Gl, was a son of Goosen Van Schaick, who^^as 

r^SrTp" 00^^^1761-70, one of the nine children of Petrus Douw, was born in 
Grelbu if and married a daughter of John De Peyster by whom he had ten ch, - 
pren among whom was Gen. John De Peyster Douw, a distinguished office,. Dur- 
fngMr. Douw-s mayoralty grave responsibilities f f.-^I"^ "P^ ^^litv He' was a 
himself equal to the emergency and conducted public affairs with abihtyv He was a 
Pgeof t^eCommon Pleas, 1759-70; recorder, l'^0-«0-.'-'«^-;--™^>'-/3;, '-'''■ 
member of the first Congress, 1775 ; State senator, etc. He died March 20, 801 

Abraham C. Cuvler, 1770-78, was the last mayor to serve under royal commission 
He became an open royalist and finally went to Canada, where he died February 5, 

'Tohn Barclay, 1778-'9, was the first mayor under the State g°-«'-"«.^'^;-..^"^^:;"^ 
president of the Committee of Safety and Correspondence, organl^ed m 1 , ,4, and a 
man of hi^h character. He died while in office in 1779. 

Ab hfm Ten Broeck, 1779-83 and 1796-99, son of Mayor Dirck Ten Broecl. ^^s 
a merchant, and a man prominent in public lif^ ; was a member of the Colonial As 



323 

sembly 1760-65 : member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, and ranked high as a 
militia officer in Revolutionary times. After the war he was State senator, 1780-83, 
and judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1781-94. 

John Jacob Beekman, was mayor 1783-86, and died December 17, 1802. 

John Lansing, jr., 1786-90; was delegate to the convention that framed the 
United States Constitution, and a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1788. 
While in New York and about to start for Albany he suddenly disappeared Decem- 
ber 12, 1829, and was never after heard from. 

Abraham Yates, jr., 1790-96, was one of the Committee of Safety, president of the 
Provincial Congress 1775-6, and an active patriot. He died June 30, 1796. 

Phillip S. Van Rensselaer, 1796-1816 and 1819-21, had the longest term of any 
Albany mayor. He was a son of Stephen Van Rensselaer, 

Elisha Jenkins, 1816-19, was the son of Thomas Jenkins, and was also member 
of assembly, State senator, and secretary of state, the latter in 1806-09, comptroller 
1805-06, and a Regent of the University. 

Charles E. Dudley, 1831-24 and 1828-29; settled in Albany in 1819 and engaged in 
mercantile pursuits. He was State senator 1823-35; U. S. senator 1829-31. He 
died January 33, 1841. His widow was the founder of Dudley Observatory. 

Ambrose Spencer, 1834-26, was a graduate of Harvard and an LL. D., studied 
law and early in life was called to public office. He was attorney-general 1802-04, 
at which time he settled in Albany, coming from Hudson. He was also a justice of 
the Supreme Court 1804, and chief justice 1819-33, and a member of congress 1829- 
31. He held other local offices and was eminent in his profession. He died March 
13, 1848. 

James Stevenson, 1820-38, was long a prosperous and active citizen. He died 
July 3, 1852. 

John Townsend was mayor in 1839-81 and in 1833-33. He was a brother of Isaiah 
Townsend and for a long time his partner in their extensive business operations. 
Isaiah settled in Albany in 1799 and John in 1803. The firm of John & Isaiah 
Townsend was formed in 1804 and continued until the death of Isaiah in 1838. The 
business consisted largely of the purchase and sale of iron, but they also had an 
interest in the Troy Nail and Iron factory, in a furnace and machine shop in Albany, 
and in other large industries. John was a counselor of De Witt Clinton in the Erie 
Canal enterprise; was the founder of the insurance business in Albany; prominent 
in the banking business, and in all ways a leading citizen. He died August 26, 
1854. 

Francis Bloodgood, 1833-34, son of Abraham Bloodgood. who was a merchant in 
West India trade. He was a graduate of Yale, and studied and practiced law; was 
clerk of the Supreme Court, a director and president of the State Bank, and presi- 
dent of the Albany Insurance Company. He was a man of high character and 
ability. He died March 5, 1840. 

Erastus Corning, 1834-37, was born in Norwich, Conn., December 14, 1794, and 
died April 8, 1873. During his long life he was one of the leading business men of 
Albany and one of its foremost citizens. Beginning in a humble position in the 
store of Hart & Smith, he later became confidential clerk for John A. Spencer & 
Co., in which firm he soon became a partner. He remained in the hardware trade 
for nearly half a century, with different persons as partners, among them his son, 



334 

Erastus Corning, jr. He was a leader in establishing the early railroads of the 
State, the importance of which he clearly foresaw, and was chosen president of the 
New York Central when the consolidation of several lines was effected in 1854. He 
occupied similar responsible positions in various other great corporations. In official 
life he was alderman in 1S28: a Regent of the University; State senator, 1841 ; dele- 
gate to the Democratic national conventions of 1848 and 1852 ; member of congress 
1857-59, and two later terms, and a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1867. In all of these high stations he acquitted himself with signal ability. He was 
benevolent and generous with the large fortune which he had accumulated, giving 
largely to many of the most useful institutions in the city. Endowed with a high 
degree of public spirit, he was ever ready to devote his powerful influence to the ad- 
vancement of every good work. 

Teunis Van Vechten, 1837-39 and 1841-43, was born November 4. 1785, and died 
February 4, 1859. He bore the same given name as his father and grandfather, 
both of whom lived in the county, his father having been a merchant in Albany in 
1805, on the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane; later he was admitted to the 
bar and was counsel for the old Patroon and his son Stephen. The mayor was for 
many years a director and president of the Albany Insurance Company, and was 
alderman for several terms. 

Jared L. Rathbone, 1839-41, was the first mayor elected by popular vote. He was 
a trustee and president of the Albany Medical College, and was prominently con- 
nected with the educational, industrial and benevolent interests of the city. He 
died in 1845. 

Barent P. Staats, 1842-43, was a member of one of the oldest Holland families in 
the State. He was born in Rensselaer county in 1796 and died in 1871. He was a 
practicing physician in Albany for about fifty years and was eminent in his profes- 
sion. He also held the offices of supervisor and alderman. 

Friend Humphrey, 1843-45 and 1849-50, was born in Simsbury in 1787 and settled 
in Albany in 1811. He was a successful leather dealer and prominent in educational 
and religious work. He died March 15, 1854. 

John Keyes Paige, 1845-46, was an attorney and clerk of the Supreme Court for 
nineteen years before he was elected mayor, and was also president of the Canal 
Bank, which failed. He afterwards resided in Schenectady, where he died Decem- 
ber 10, 1857. 

William Parmalee, 1846^8 and 1854-56, was a native of Lansingburgh, born in 
1807, and graduated from Yale in 1836; practiced law in Albany; was city attorney 
in 1836; county judge in 1839 and 1847-52; and recorder 1840^6. He died during 
his term as mayor, March 15, 1856. 

John Taylor, 1848-49, was born in Durham, England, in March, 1790, died in Al- 
bany September 31, 1863. He came to Albany in 1793 with his father, whom he 
joined in the tallow chandler business. Later he was very successful as a brewer, 
and gained great wealth and popularity through his generosity to the poor. 

Franklin Townsend, son of Isaiah Townsend, 1850-51, took charge of the Townsend 
furnace and machine shop while yet a boy. He served also as alderman and super- 
visor, member of assembly and for nine years as adjutant general of the State; he 
was prominent also in the banking business. General Townsend now resides on Elk 
street. 



325 

Eli Perry, 1851-.'j4, 1856-60 and 1862-64, held also the office of alderman and 
served one term in Congress. He accumulated a fortune in the meat packing busi- 
ness, which he greatly increased by judicious real estate investments. His term as 
mayor included most of the war period, during which his duties were arduous and 
of great responsibility. These he performed with rare energy and ability and for 
many years he was among the foremost citizens of the city. His second election 
was contested by John V. P. Quackenbush and the case was taken to the courts, 
Recorder W. S. Paddock acting in the mean time. The case was never tried, Mr. 
Paddock serving the term, and Mr. Perry and Dr. Quackenbush both receiving the 
full salary of mayor. Mr. Perry was born December 35, 1799, and died May 17, 
1881. 

George H. Thacher, 1860-63, 1866-68 and 1870-74, was descended from Rev. 
Thomas Thacher, a Puritan and first pastor of the old South Congregational church 
of Boston. He was born in Hornellsville, June 4, 1818, and settled in Albany in 
1848, where he was successful in the manufacture of stoves, and later of car wheels 
and other foundry products. He was a man of indomitable energy, active, public 
spirited and ready at all times to co-operate in every enterprise that promised to be 
for the public good. The present mayor, John Boyd Thacher, is a son of George 
H. Thacher. 

Charles E. Bleecker was mayor 1868-70. 

PMmund L. Judson, 1874-76, is the grandson of Nathaniel Judson, one of the New 
England immigrants who came to Albany in 1796. and son of Ichabod L. Judson, 
who was a prominent Albany business man. He was born November 30, 1830, and 
succeeded to his father's business. He was alderman 1863-66. 

A. Bleecker Banks, 1876-78 and 1884-86, is a native of New York city and a mem- 
ber of the law publishing house of Banks Brothers. He represented Albany county 
in the Assembly in 1863 and in the State Senate in 1868-71, was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1894 and has held numerous offices of trust and honor, 
both of a public and private nature. 

Michael N. Nolan, 1878-83, a native of Ireland, was member of congress 1881-83, 
is president of the Beverwyck Brewing Company, and a man of rare business 
sagacity. 

John Swinburne was mayor 1883-84. The contest for the office of mayor in 1883 
was a very exciting one between Mr. Nolan and Dr. Swinburne and Nolan was de- 
clared elected by a small majority, The case was taken to the courts and Nolan 
resigned after filling the office about fifteen months and Dr. Swinburne was seated 
June 25, 1883. Dr. Swinburne was one of the leading phy^sicians of the city. (See 
chapter on the medical profession herein.) 

John Boyd Thacher, 1886-88 and 1896 , is a son of George H. Thacher and a 

prominent citizen of Albany. Mr. Thacher has held many offices both of a public 
and private nature, notably state senator, 1884-86, world's fair commissioner, 
1892-93. He still continues with his brother, George H. Thacher, the car wheel 
foundry established by their father. 

Edward A. Maher was may-or 1888-90. Mr. Maher was formerly manager of the 
Albany Illuminating Company, and is now president of the Union Railway Company 
of New York city^ 

James H. Manning, 1890-94, is the son of Daniel Manning, the distinguished jour- 



326 

nalist and politician, of whom a sketch is given in the chapter devoted to the news- 
papers of Albany county. James H. Manning received a liberal education and subse- 
quently occupied the post of managing editor of the Argus, and is now president of 
the Weed-Parsons Printing Company. 

Oren E. Wilson was mayor May 1, 1894, January 1, 1896, being the candidate of 
the Honest Election party. Mr. Wilson was at the time of his election associated 
with the large dry goods house of W. M. Whitney &• Co., but is now in the insurance 
business. 

.Schools of Albany. 

The reader of Chapter XV has learned something of educational 
affairs at large and as they existed in Albany county in early years. 
It is there made clear that the education of the young in Albany city 
was much neglected prior to the beginning of the present centtny. 
Elkanah Watson has left a record that the schools of Albany in 1788 
were mostly taught in the English language; but how many there 
were or what their character he did not state. In 1790 the Com- 
mon Council passed an ordinance for the establishment of free schools ; 
but it was many long years before anything of a practical nature was 
accomplished. The Albany Gazette of November 2U, 1804, has an item 
of news regarding a school that was taught in a building erected through 
contributions for the benefit of helpless female children, where twenty- 
three pupils were instructed by a matron in reading, writing, and plain 
work. Munsell's Annals of 1810 note the fact that there were no pub- 
lic schools in the city at that time, and the corporation was then con- 
sidering the project of starting the Lancasterian school, which is de- 
scribed in Chapter XV. In 1813 the record shows that the following 
schools were in existence in the city: 

Widow Catherine Goheen, 1 Liberty ; Widow Esther Bedford, 119 Washington; 
Catherine Peck, 39 Hudson; Widow Martha Wilson, 39 Steuben; Miss Brenton, 118 
State; Catherine B. Thompson, Young Ladies' School, 38 Colonie; Sarah McGeorge, 
Young Ladies' Seminary, GO Market; Mrs. Smith, School, 13 Washington; John 
Nugent, Young Ladies' Seminary, 81 Pearl ; and the following male teachers: Thomas 
D. Huggins, 43and45Pearl; John Keys, 5T Church; Joshua Tinker, 16 Deer; George 
Upfold, 8 Yan Tromp ; William Andruss, 19 Pearl; Robert O. K. Bennet, 67 Pearl; 
James W. Blacket, 70 Hudson; John Brainard, 3.") Chapel; Joseph Caldwell, 2r) Steu- 
ben ; Thomas Ennis, 48 Beaver. 

Between 1830 and 1865 the schools of Albany do not seem to have 
advanced in proportion to the growth and intelligence of the city, 
though the causes for this condition maybe difficult to determine. The 
first important step towards the founding of the free school system in 



327 

Albany was taken in 1830 when, on April 17, an act was passed by the 
Legislature providing for the annual election of a Board of School Com- 
missioners and a Board of School Inspectors, 'one commissioner and 
one inspector to be chosen from each ward. This action divided the 
city into nine districts for common schools. The commissioners had 
power to appoint three trustees for each school district, and to appor- 
tion the money received from the State on the basis of the number of 
scholars of school age, and they prescribed the rate of tuition so as not 
to exceed two dollars a quarter for each scholar. Under this law the 
Board of Supervisors was directed to cause a sum of money to be raised 
and paid to the chamberlain of the city for the support of the common 
schools of the city. The schools east of Perry street were to be taught 
nine months of each year, and those west of that street, four months, 
in order to enable them to draw this public monej'. This was the old 
free school system. The several boards of trustees were at that period 
compelled to supply the necessary rooms for school purposes for which 
no provision had been made by the city authorities. The school in the 
first district was kept in a building which had formerly been a stable; 
in the ninth district the cellar of the old Universalist church on Herki- 
mer street was used for a time and afterwards the basement of a church 
on Westerlo street. In district No. 8 the school was taught for some 
years in the lecture room of St. Peter's church, while another school 
occupied the upper part of the engine house on William street. The 
other schools were most of them located in equally undesirable quar- 
ters. 

In 1832 the first school building, excepting the Lancaster school, was 
erected by the trustees of district No. 2, at a cost of $22,000; being 
three stories high, and containing four large school rooms, two halls, and 
a room for an engine company. It stood at 218 State street, and was 
sold in 1884, when the present building on Chestnut street, known as 
No. 2, was erected at a cost of about $37,000. George H. Benjamin is 
the present principal of this school, and has twelve teachers under him. 

In the year 1838, after the Lancaster school had been abolished, a 
new impulse was given to educational affairs in Albany by the erection 
of eight new school buildings, as follows: No. 1, 310 South Pearl street, 
three stories, 312 seats, cost $13,00(,). No. 3, at 7 Van Tromp street, 
three stories, 200 seats, cost $13,000, sold in 1882. No. 4, at 55 Union 
street, three stories, 206 seats, cost $11,000, sold in 1882. No. 5, at 172 
North Pearl street, three stories, 296 seats, cost $13,000, sold in 1882, 



and the present building erected. No. 7, at 5fi Canal street, three sto- 
ries, 300 seats, cost $11,000. No. 8, at 157 Madison avenue; three sto- 
ries, 338 seats, cost $17,000; rebuilt in brick in 1880, with 448 seats at 
a cost of $25,000. No. 9, corner of South Ferry and Dallius streets, 
three stories, 210 seats, cost $12,000. No. 10, at 182 Washington ave- 
nue, three stories, 313 seats. No. 18, formerly at No. G, and located 
at the junction of Madison and Western avenues, originally one story, 
a second added in 1870, cost originally $7,000. The change in the 
number of this district was caused by alteration of the city school limits, 
leaving that school out of the jurisdiction of the Board of Education 
and placing it under control of the trustees west of Perry street; 
thereupon the school on Second street (Arbor Hill) in 1849, took the 
number 6. 

The sum of money thus expended in 1838 for school buildings was 
about $119,000, affording accommodations, with those of the buildings 
erected in 1832, for 2,783 scholars; but at that time there were at least 
7,000 children of school age in the city. While very many of these 
attended private schools (as they were forced to do in order to obtain 
education), the utter inadequacy of .school facilities in the city at that 
time is apparent. Nothing further was done until 1849, when the 
old school No. G was erected at 105 Second street. 

In 1844 a law was passed authorizing the creation of the Board of 
Education, to be elected by the people and to take the place of the 
former Board of Commissioners and trustees. In 1854 school No. 24 
(formerly No. 11), at 417 Madison avenue, was erected. It was en- 
larged in 1868, and on completion of the Grammar School adjoining 
the number was changed, the latter school taking the old nttmber and 
No. 24 going to the old building. The present school No. 34 was 
erected in 1893 on Delaware Square, near the corner of Delaware and 
Madison avenues, at a cost of $47,000; it seats 700 and is under charge 
of Jennie A. Utter, principal. 

In 1856 School No. 12, corner of Washington avenue and Robin street, 
was erected as it stands at present, at a cost of about $75,000; it seats 
1,000 and is under E. E. Packer, principal. 

At this time there were thirteen public schools in the city, besides 
academies, while there were seventy private schools, some of which were 
excellent, while many were inferior and insignificant. In the year 1856 
there were registered 6,813 scholars in the public schools, which was 



329 

nearly double the number for which there were proper accommoda- 
tions; at the same time 5,293 attended private schools. This condition 
called out in the report of the Board of Education for 1857 a statement 
that the public schools were wholly inadequate and led to the erection 
of several new structures. School No. 16, 201 Hudson avenue (the 
Wilberforce school for coloi;ed children), was opened in 1858, with ac- 
commodations for 143 scholars; it ceased its existence as a distinctive 
colored school in 1871: and was sold in 1883. During the period of 
1856-58 the school buildings from No. 1 to 10 inclusive, excepting No. 
6, were enlarged and improved by the addition of another story or more 
recitation rooms. In 1858 the Common Council purchased the old State 
Arsenal, corner of Broadway and Lawrence street, for $10,800, and re- 
modeled it into a school building for 594 scholars, at a cost of $7,300. 
This is now No. 13. The arsenal was erected in 1799. A. Elizabeth 
McCarthy is principal. 

School No. 14, at No. 70 Trinity Place, was built in 1801 substan- 
tially as it at present stands, at a cost of $35,000. This was the last 
school building erected under the supervision of the old Board of Edu- 
cation. James L. Bothwell, A.M., is principal of this school, which 
seats 804. 

By act of the Legislature, passed in 1866, the Board of Education was 
given the title of the Board of Public Instruction. The new board took 
charge of the schools and under its subsequent supervision the school 
system of the city has been developed to its present magnificent propor- 
tions. At that time the value of the school property was estimated at 
$187,000, while the annual expense of maintaining the schools was 
about $69,000. The new board was confronted by the same conditions 
that had surrounded their predecessors — the great lack of school ac- 
commodations. Moreover, there existed at that time a feeling of 
serious opposition among the people to the expenditure of much money 
for public improvements, while the condition of the currency and of 
business generally was unsettled through the effects of the war. The 
need of a higher department of education in which more advanced 
studies could be pursued was imperative, and led to an effort to estab- 
lish a free academy. A majority of the board and many progressive 
citizens favored this plan, and on December 17, 1806, a bill was pre- 
sented to the Legislature for this purpose. The Common Council and 
a large body of prominent citizens opposed the measure. Upon a thor- 
ough examination of the law of 1806 it was discovered that the board 

42 



330 

was amply clothed with authority to establish such an academy, with- 
out further legislation, and measures were promptly adopted to carry 
out the plan. The board leased ^'an Yechten Hall on State street, 
where the Normal School had formerly been held. The Free Academy 
was opened in September, 1868, with Prof. John E. Bradley, principal, 
and 141 pupils. The other teachers were Charles W. Cole, A.M. (now 
superintendent of schools of the city), Samuel B. Howe, A.M., Mary 
Morgan, and Rebecca I. Hindmaq. Soon afterward Mr. Howe re- 
signed and Charles A. Home, A. M., was chosen in his place. The 
hall was soon found inadequate for the attendance and other rooms 
connected with the premises were engaged and occupied. In 1870 the 
rooms over the Harris livery stable on Maiden Lane were fitted up, and 
in 1873 those in the second story, formerly a part of a carpet store, were 
adapted to school purposes. The academy prospered and was placed 
under visitation of the Regents of the University in 1873, at which 
time its name was changed to the Albany High School. In 1873 there 
were 130 academic scholars in the High School; this number gradually' 
increased until 1896, the report of which year shows that there were 800. 
The High School was continued in Van Vechten Hall until 187(1, when 
the western part of the present splendid structure was erected. It has 
a front on Eagle street of eighty seven feet, 135 feet on Steuben street, 
120 feet on Columbia street, and ninety-two feet in rear. The cost 
of the building with the addition erected in 1893 was $185,000. John 
I'xlwin Bradley was chosen as principal of the High School and was 
succeeded in 1886 by the present incumbent, Oscar D. Robinson, A.M., 
Ph. D. The following table shows the enrollment in the High School 
from its establishment to 1896: 

Whole Whole 

Year. number of Increase. Decrease. Year. number of Increase. Decrease, 

pupils. pupils. 

1868-09 ..141 .. -. 1882-8H 591 7 

1869-70.. 209 08 1883-84... 607 1(1 

1870-71 279 70 1884-85 608 1 

1871-73. 314 :55 1885-86. 622 14 

1872-73 ..338 14 1886-87 ...633 1 

1878-74 362 34 1887-88 ..646 23 

1874-75 429 67 1888-89 646 

1875-76 494 65 1889-90. 698 52 

1876-77 533 38 1890-91 75S 60 

1877-78 580 48 .. 1891-92.. 765 7 

1878-79 581 1 .- 1893-93 794 29 

1879-80 595 14 .. 1893-94 773 .. 21 



1881-82 584 



331 

The number of "Academic scholars" — that is, those holding Re- 
gents' preliminary certificates — in the institution each j'ear since it was 
received under the visitation of the Regents, has been as follows: 
1873-73. - 130 1884-85 ._.. 527 



1873-74 


250 


1885-86 , 


531 


1874-75. _ 


320 


1886-87 


584 


1875-76 _ , 


348 


1887-88.. 


512 


1876-77 


401 


1888-89 


562 


1877-78 


447 


1889-90 


629 


1878-79... , 


455 


1890-91 


672 


1879-80.. 


501 


1891-92 


643 


1880-81 


466 


1892-93 


643 


1881-82 


471 


1893-94 


-. 643 


1882-83 


-. 473 


1894-95.. 


728 


1883-84 


_-..: 491 


1895-96 


721 



The Albany High School occupies an enviable position in the educa- 
tional world; being admittedly in the front rank of the secondary schools 
of the country. Its varied and elastic courses of study offer opportu- 
nities for ciioice in lines of work that permit special preparation for all 
walks in life, thus meeting the needs of the great majority of its pupils 
who must end their scholastic career with the High School, and that also 
afford the best facilities for preparation for collegiate and professional 
study. Evidently the success of such an institution must largely de- 
pend on the organization of the elementary schools from which it draws 
its students. The elementary public schools of this city are organized on 
a broad and generous plan, in accordance with the best educational 
thought of the day, and are equipped with skillful instructors and the 
most approved apparatus and material in all grades, 

Returning to the other schools of the city, we find that No. 15, 
corner of Herkimer and Franklin streets, was erected in 1871, the cost 
of the building and lot being $91,000. This was the first school build- 
ing erected in the city on modern plans and now seats 940 scholars. 
Levi Cass, A. M., is principal. 

School No. 17, corner of Second avenue and Stephen street, was 
erected in 1856 by the town of Bethlehem. It came within the city 
limits in 1870. The present building was erected in 1878 and has a 
seating capacity of 440. Its cost was $15,000. Martha B. McFarland 
is principal. 

The school formerly situated in West Albany, and then known as 
No. 19, was erected by the town of Watervliet, but came within the city 



332 

limits in 1870, and was abandoned in 1875, and School No. 21, at G60 Clin- 
ton avenue was erected to take its place. This buildinj^ seats 854, and 
cost $48,000. P. H. McOuade is principal. 

What was formerly school No. 20, on Mohawk street, was erected in 
1872, but was sold in 1880, and the present brick two story structure, 
corner of North Pearl and North Second streets was erected to take its 
place. The building seats 008 and cost $18,000. Ernest A. Corbin, 
A. M , is principal. 

School No. 32, at 292 Second street, is of brick, two stories and base- 
ment, and was erected in 1874 at a cost of $24,000. It seats 440. Mary 
A. Simpson is principal. 

School No. 25 was erected in 1878, corner of Morton and South Swan 
streets, at a cost of $15,000. It is two stories, brick, and seats 440. 
Julia Cordell is principal. 

School No. 11, at 409 Madison avenue (before mentioned in connec- 
tion with No. 24), was erected in 1873 at a cost of $50,000. The build- 
ing is of brick, three stories, and seats G40. Lewis H. Rockwell, A.M., 
is principal. 

In 1882 school buildings Nos 3 and 5 were sold and the Tabernacle 
Baptist church. North Pearl street, was purchased and converted into 
a school building, at a cost of about $35,000. It is now known as No. 
5, and seats 584. Thomas S. O'Brien is principal. 

The present School No. G, at 105 Second street, was erected in ISiKS, 
at a cost of $50,000. Almond Holland is principal. School No. 7, at 
165 Clinton avenue, was erected in 188G; it is of brick, three stories, 
and cost $30,000. It seats 600, and C. E. Franklin, A. M., is prin- 
cipal. The present School No. 8, at 157 Madison avenue, was erected 
in 1881, at a cost of $25,000. It is of brick, two stories, and John E. 
Sherwood, A. M., is principal. The present School No. 10, corner of 
Central avenue and Perry street, was erected in 1890, at a cost of $37,- 
000. It is of brick, two stories, and seats 440. Mary E. Howard is 
principal. 

The following statement shows the number of schools in the city 
and the number of scholars registered in each from 1857 to 1895 in- 
clusive; 



Regi; 



6,539 1877 . 
7,760 1878 . 



1859.... - 13 7,832 

1860 14 8,395 

1861 15 9,182 

1863... 15 9,614 

1863 15 9,507 

1864 15 8,917 

1865.. 15 8,850 

1866 15 8,934 

1867 15 8,880 

1868 15 9,414 

1809 - 16 9,665 

1870 10 9,933 



1871.... ; 33 10,939 1891. 

1873.. 24 13,060 1893. 

1873 24 13,327 1893. 

1874 25 12,460 1894 

1875 35 13,773 1895. 



13,941 



24 


14,412 


35 


14,034 


26 


14,633 


26 


14.049 


26 


13,976 


26 


13,984 


36 


13,914 


24 


13,708 


24 


13,720 


24 


13,410 


34 


13,410 


24 


13,580 


34 


13,616 


33 


14,389 


33 


14,412 


22 


13,914 


23 


13,655 


31 


13,491 


21 


13,533 


21 


13,418 



Connected with the city schools is an admirable kindergarten system 
which is now under supervision of Frances C. Hayes. There are 
eighteen of these schools, all of which are well attended. The follow- 
ing table shows their condition for the school year, from .September, 
1895, to June, 1896: 

Number Number Number Number 

Scliools. of boys of girls Schools. of boys of girls 

register'd. register'd. registered, register'd. 

No. 1 40 88 No. 12 . . . 32 48 

No. 3 24 31 No. 13 .18 32 

No. 3 30 33 No. 15 40 37 

No. 4 .23 33 No. 20 ....44 33 

No. 5... .29 23 No. 31 39 26 



No, 



^ A. M 31 24 No. 22 30 35 

( •"■ " ....16 18 No.34..._ 34 47 

No. 7 .30 18 No.35... 19 19 

No. 8 25 19 

No. 10 37 33 501 535 

The grand proportions of the public school system may be judged 
from the present total valuation of the buildings and lots devoted to 
public education, namely, $1,036,000. 

The Board of Public Instruction was reorganized March 18, 1893, 
the membership of the body being reduced from twelve to seven in 



334 



number, and other desirable changes effected. Following is a list of 
the officers of the board since its organization in ISGC: 

Preszde}its.—*]o\in O. Cole', 1866-1869; George W. Carpenter, 1869-1871; 
*CharlesP. Easton, 1872; *Addison A. Keys, 1873-1874; *Charles P. Eastoii, 1875- 
1880; Herman Bendell, 1881-1882; Alden Chester, 1883; *George B. Hoyt, 1884; 
Peter J. Flinn, 1885; Oren E. Wilson, 1886; James M. Riiso, 1887; William P. Rudd, 
1888; Henry W. Lipman, 1889; Charles H. Gaus, 1890; Michael F. Walsh, 1891; 
William L. Learned, 1892, 

Superiniendenis of Schools.— ^Uemy^.'Ha.zweW:-' 1806-1869; "John O. Cole,-' 
1869-1878; Charles W. Cole, A. M., Ph. D., 1878. 

Superintendents of Buildings. — *John G. Treadwell.^ 1872-1879; Alexander 
Sayles, 1879-1885; *Hugh J. McDonald, = 1885-1886; Robert Parker, 1880-1887; 
John'H. Oliver, 1887-1892; Thomas H. Dwyer, 1892. 



The following is a list of the member.' 
tion since its organization in 1866: 



)f the Board of Public Instruc- 



chosen. Term of service. 

1866*John O. Colef'^ 1866-1869 

1866 George W. Carpenterf. .1866-1872 

1866 Michael Delhantyf 1866-1869 

1866*Charles P. Eastonf 1866-1881 

1866*Paul F. Cooperf 1866-1868 

1866 John G. Tread vvellf' ....1866-1872 
1806 *Charles Van Benthuyseuf 1866-1868 

1866 *Stewart McKissickf 1866-1868 

1866 *James L. Babcockf 1866-1873 

1866 ^Bradford R. Woodt* 

1866*Jacob S. Mosherf 1866-1868 

1866 William C. McHargf ....1866-1873 

1866 *Howard Townsend' " -1866 

1867*PorterL. F. Reynolds... 1867-1870 

1868 Joseph Lewi 1868-1880 

1868*Robert H. Waterman" .1868-1872 

1868 *Warren S. Kelly 1868-1871 

1868 William L. Learned 1868-1869 



When 

chosen. Term of service. 

1869 Barnet B. .Sanders 1869-1875 

1869 Daniel V. O'Leary' = ....1869-1872 

1869 William L. Learned 1869-1870 

1870*John Tracy!" 1870-1871 

1870*Daniel L. Babcock 1870-1876 

1871 *Arthur C Ouinn" -1871 

1871 *Alfred Edvvardsi= 1871-1872 

1872 Daniel V. O' Leary 1872-1874 

1872*Thomas Hayes ...1872-1875 

1872*Addison A. Keyes 1872-1875 

1872 John McKenna... 1872-1873 

1872 *Charles Senrick 1872-1874 

1872*George B. Hoyt ...1872-1886 

1873 James J. Franklin.. 1873-1875 

1873*James H. White 1873-1870 

1873*John V. Lansing.. 1873-1874 

1874 *.Samuel Templeton 1874-1883 

1874 Joseph P. Morrow .1874-1877 



Registered June 



♦Deceased. 
t Appointed by the act creating the Board — the first four named 
second four for two years and the last four for one year. 

1 Resigned October 4, 18«9, and elected sup 
erintendent. 

2 Died in office August 10, 1869. 
» Died in office January 4, 18r8. 
i Resigned March 3, 1879. 
6 Died in office January 21, 1880. 
fi Resigned October •(, 18ij9. 
' Resigned July 1, 1873. 



ISIifi, 



Resigned June 1, I8(>S. 

Died in office January — , 1867. 

Resigned April 15, 1872. 

Resigned April 15, 1872. 

Resigned July n. T871. 

Died in office September 12, 1871. 

Appointed by the Mayor. 



335 



When 

chosen. Terra of service. 

1874 John Kautz 1874-1877 

1875 Daniel V. O'Leary' 1875-1877 

1875 Peter J. Flmn. ..1875-1887 

1875 *Isaac Edwards-' 1875-1879 

1876 Timothy D. Keleher.... 1876-1879 
1876 *James Morris _ 1876-1879 

1876 William Morgan 1876-1883 

1S77 Daniel Casey 1877-1878 

1877 Henry W. Lipman 1877-1892 

1877*Charles A. Robertson '..1877-1880 

1878 John H. Lynch-i 1878-1883 

1879 John A. McCall" 1879-1885 

1879 Linzee T. Morrill" 1879-1881 

1779 Andrew S. Draper 1879-1881 

1880 Douw H. Fonda' 1880-1885 

1880 Herman Bendell.. .1880-1886 

1881 Alden Chester 1881-1884 

1881 Charles E. Jones... 1881-1884 

1881 James M. Ruso 'l881-1892 

1883 Henry T. Sanford .1883-1885 

1883 Robert D. Williams 1883-1889 

1883 Edward J. Graham' 1883-1885 

The following have constituted the Board of Public Instruction since 
its reorganization March 18, 1892. Full term of office seven years. 



When 

chosen. Term o£ service. 

1884 Oren E. Wilson ...1884^1893 

1884 Edward A. Durant, Jr.». 1884-1886 

1884 Peter A. Stephens 1884-1888 

1885 Francis B. Delehanty.. .1885-1886 

1885 Robert G. Scherer 1885-1886 

1885*John Neil, Jr.i» 1885-1886 

1885 Edward Phillips 1885-1886 

1886 Fred C. Ham.... 1886-1889 

1886 William F. Hourigan. .. .1886-1889 
1886 *William F. Reddy 1886-1890 

1886 William P. Rudd 1886-1893 

1876 Charles H, Gaus 1886-1893 

1887 ^Cornelius D. Mosher" -.1887- 1890 

1888 William Reynolds. 1888-1891 

1888 Michael F. Walsh .1888-1892 

1888 James J. Fitzsimmons.. .1889-1892 

1889 Agnus McD. Shoemaker. 1889-1892 

1889 Bowen Staley 1889-1892 

1890 Stephen J. Bergen 1890-1892 

1890 John L. Goodley ..1890-1892 

1891 George H. Guardineer.. 1891-1892 



William L. Learnedf ...... (Appointed for seven years) 1893 

Andrew S. Draper'- (Appointed for six years) 1892-1894 

John H. Lynch (Appointed for five years) 1892 

Herman Bendell (Appointed for four years) 1893 

William J. Maher (Appointed for three years) 1892 

Charles H. Gansi' (Appointed for two years) 1892-1894 

James M. Ruso (Reappointed Jan. 1. 1894) 1892 

Howard N. Fuller" (Appointed 7//^^ Draper) 1894^1894 

Angus McD. Shoemaker' = (Appointed ince Gaus) 1894 

Lewis B. Hall.. (Appointed i'/f(? Fuller) 1894 

Harlau P. French (Appointed t//<:^ Maher| 1896 



^ Deceased. 

■ All of the first seven date froi 

I Resigned February ai, 187". 

; Died in office March 80, ISm. 

1 Died in office April 1, 1880. 

I Resigned July 10, 1883. 

i Resigned December 1, 1881. 

i Resigned September 13, 1881. 

' Resigned September 28, 1885. 

' Resigned May 18, 1885. 



3Ut actual service begrn March 18, 18112. 

'J Resigned June 11, 1880. 
1" Died in office July 27, 1880. 
1 1 Died in office September 20, 1800. 
1 2 Resigned April .30, 18S4. 
1 3 Resigned May 7, 1894. 
n Resigned October 8(1, 1894. 
1 5 Appointed vice Gaus, resigned May 'i 



Rf.ligious Institutions. 

The first ecclesiastical organization in Albany was the First Re- 
formed Dutch church, tlje society which now worships in the First 
Reformed church, corner of North Pearl and Orange streets, and is 
one of the two oldest in the country, the other being the Collegiate 
Reformed church of New York city. The first minister of this faith 
was Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, who was sent over by the Patroon 
in 1642. This church was maintained chiefly from the public rev- 
enues until after the English accession when, in 1686, one hundred 
acres of land were granted it. During more than 140 years the services 
were conducted only in Dutch. The first church edifice of this society 
was built near Fort Orange on what is now Steamboat Square, and 
Church street received its name on account of its proximity to this ed- 
ifice. That building was only 34 by 19 feet in size and its cost was 
about $32 in the money of to-da3\ In 1656 a new church was built 
near the intersection of the present .State street and Broadway, which 
was in use until 1715, when a larger edifice was erected. This stood 
for ninety-one years, and many engravings of it are in existence. It 
was nearly square, the roof sloping to each of the four sides, with a 
belfrv and spire at the apex. The site of the old church was finally 
sold to the city for $3,000, and the materials of the building were used 
in erecting the Reformed church in Beaver street. The present First 
Reformed church edifice was erected and dedicated in 1700, its outer 
appearance remaining much the same as at first. The interior has been 
changed materially in 1820, 1850, and 1860. Mr. Megapolensis was 
pastor until 1640 when he was succeeded by Gideon Schaets, who served 
the church for more than twenty years and was a prominent man in 
the community. Pastors since have been: 

Revs. William Niewenhuysen, 1675; Godfriedus Dellius, 1683-99; Johannes Petrus 
Nucella, 1699-1702; Johannes Lydius, 1703-09; Gualterus Du Bois, 1710; Petrus Van 
Driessen, 1712-39; Cornelius Van Schie, 1739-44; Theodorus Frelinghuysen, 1746-60; 
Eilardus Westerlo, 1760, 90; John A. Livingston, 1776; John Bassett, 1787, ISO,"); 
John B. Johnson, 1796, 1802; John M. Bradford, 1805, 30; Wilham Linn, 1808; John 
DeWitt, 1813-1.5; John Ludlow, 1823-33; Thomas E. Vermilye, 1835-39; Duncan 
Kennedy, 1841-55; Ebenezer P. Rogers, 1856-62; Rufus W. Clark, 1862-83; J. Wil- 
bur Chapman, 1885. The present pastor is Rev. Edward P. Johnson. 

A .Second Reformed church was organized and until 1810 formed, 
with the one above described, the First Collegiate Dutch Church of the 
City of Albany. When they finally separated into two distinct bodies. 



337 

two church buildings were in use, the one above described and a sec- 
ond one in Beaver street, which was erected very early in the present 
century. This was at first known as the South church, and later, when 
the third society was formed, as the Middle church. The church prop 
erty in Beaver street was subsequently sold to the city for a market 
site and the present church edifice was built on Madison avenue, on the 
corner of Swan street, in 1881. At the time of the separation the pas- 
tors in charge were Revs. John M. Bradford and John De Witt, of whom 
the latter became sole pastor of the Second church. Edward G. Selden, 
the present pastor, took up his charge in October, 1893. 

The Third Reformed church was organized December ID, 1834, 
mainly through efforts of Rev. Isaac Ferris, D. D., then pastor of the 
Second church. An edifice was at once erected on the north corner of 
Green and South Ferry streets, which is still in use, though the interior 
has been altered and thoroughly renovated. A two- story chapel has 
also been erected. The first pastor was Rev. Edwin Holmes. The 
present pastor is Rev. W. N. P. Dailey, who began his labor in May, 
1891. 

The Fourth Reformed church (German) is situated on Schuyler 
street below South Pearl, and was organized in 18oo. The first pastor 
was Rev. H. F. Schnellendrussler. He remained until 1864, when 
he was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Neef. The present pastor is Rev. 
Henry Miller. 

The First Lutheran church of Albany was formed very early in the 
history of the city, the exact date not being known. Lutherans are 
mentioned as living here in 1644, and ten years later are spoken of as 
strong enough to support their own church, though receiving much 
opposition in early years from the Reformed church element. There 
was certainly a congregation in Albany in 165G. In the ne.xt year Rev. 
John Ernest Goetwater came over to serve two congregations, one at 
New iVmsterdam and one at Beverwyck, but he was made to return by 
the same ship. In 1660 a subscription was made for the support of a 
clergyman of their own, and in 1664 it is known that a permanent or- 
ganization was in existence. The first church edifice was built on Pearl 
street between what is now Howard street and Beaver street, facing 
Pearl, which was standing in 1674. It is not known just how long it 
was used, but in the Annals we read that in 1795 " there is in Albany 
a Dutch Lutheran Church of a Gothic and very peculiar shape." This 



338 

may have been the second edifice and in it in 1786 was organized the 
second synod in America. The edifice preceding the present one was 
erected on that site during the pastorate of Rev. F. G. Mayer in 1810, 
and cost $25,000. Among the early pastors of this congregation were 
Rev. Jacob Fabritius, the first. In 1671 Rev. Bernardus Arensius as- 
sumed the place. In 1703 Rev. Justus Falckner preached here, and at 
his death in 1733 Rev. William Christopher Berkenmeyer assumed the 
pastorate. From that time until 1800 Revs. Michael Christian Knoll, 
Henry Moeller, Mr. Schwerdfeger, A. T. Braun, Mr. Groetz, and John 
Frederick Ernst occupied the pulpit. Since that date 'the pastors have 
been Revs. F. G. Mayer, who served thirty-seven years from 1807; 
Henry N. Pohlman, twenty three years: S. P. Sprecher, I. Magee, and 
the present pastor. The present edifice was erected in 1871 at a cost 
of $85,000. 

The congregation of the Lutheran Tabernacle was organized on Jan- 
uary 1, 1893, and have purchased a lot on Clinton avenue, where a 
church edifice will be erected in the near future. John G. Henry is 
the pastor, having been installed in September, 1892. 

Besides these Lutheran societies, the Germans of Albany have si.x con- 
gregations of the Evangelical Lutheran denomination. The Church of 
the Evangelical Association was incorporated in 1817 and the first 
house of worship was erected on Grand street. The second one stood 
on the corner of Clinton and Nucella streets. The present church, on 
the north side of Elm street between Grand and Philip streets, was 
built in 1860. The first pastor was Rev. John Wagner; the present 
one, Rev. P. C. Braunschweiger. 

vSt. Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran church was organized 
in 1854 under the pastoral charge of Rev. William A. Frey, who is still 
in charge of the congregation. The church edifice is situated on 
Fourth avenue, corner of Franklin street. 

St. Paul's Evangelical church. Western avenue, was organized li\' 
the separation from the First Lutheran church of a part of the mem- 
bership, under the pastorate of G. Fr. Stutz, who still occupies the 
pulpit. The church edifice was erected and first occupied in 1872, the 
congregation having worshiped prior to that year in the building now 
used by the Albany Law School. 

St. John's Evangelical church. Central avenue, was organized in 
1857, and the church edifice was erected in 1859. The first pastor was 
Rev. Ernest Hoffman who labored with the church nearly thirty years. 
The present pastor is Rev. Bernard Pick. 



i 



339 

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church, 58 Alexander street, was 
ereeted soon after the organization of the society. The building has 
since been extended ten feet in rear and greatly improved in the in- 
terior. A new parsonage was built in 1894. Rev. John FHerel is the 
present pastor. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer was organized 
in 1888, and the church edifice was erected soon after; it is situated on 
Lake avenue near Western avenue. Rev. John C. Seegers, the pres- 
ent pastor, began his charge over the congregation in March, 1895. 

Churches of the Episcopal denomination are among the oldest in Al- 
bany. In 1075 Rev. Nicolaus Van Rensselaer, son of Killian Van Rens- 
selaer, the Patroon, was a contemporary of Rev. Gideon vSchaets (before 
mentioned), then pastor of the Reformed church. Mr. Van Rensselaer 
had received holy orders in the Church of England, on which account 
serious differences arose between him and his collegue. The matter was 
taken to the Governor and Council and there decided in Mr. Van Rensse- 
laer's favor. He remained in Albany until his death in 1078. Episcopal 
chaplains at Fort Amsterdam occasionally visited Albany and held 
services for the benefit of the few English families and the English gar- 
rison in Fort Frederick, which stood on the site of St. Peter's church 
until 1704, when Rev. Thoroughgood Moore was sent by the English 
Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts, on mission 
work to the Mohawk Indians. He remained in Albany one yeai', but 
without making much progress in converting the natives, and held 
regular services in Fort Frederick. In 170-^ Rev. John Talbot spent a 
few weeks in Albany and held divine service. In 1708 Rev. Thomas 
Barclay, who was chaplain at Fort Frederick, organized a parish and 
held services six years in the Lutheran chapel, which stood on the site 
of the old City Building, corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets. On 
October 21, 1714, a piece of ground in the middle of what is now State 
street, next below Fort Frederick, was granted by the English crown 
for an English church and burial ground. The Common Council re- 
monstrated -against the erection of a church edifice there, but without 
effect, and the building was opened for services in November, 1716. 
It was built of blue stone and was 58 by 43 feet in size. Mr. Barclay 
continued his unselfish labor in Albany and Schenectady, and among 
the Indians until 1721, when his pay of ^50 a year was withdrawn by 
the English society before named. The parish in Albany was named 



340 

St. Peter's, and in 17'2? Rev. John Miln assumed charge of the church, 
and about the same time a parish school was opened under John Beas- 
ley's teaching, which was conducted many years. In 1738 Rev. Henry 
Barclay, son of the first rector, and a native of Albany, who had been 
laboring among the Mohawks, succeeded his father as rector of St. Pe- 
ter's. He remained until 1746, when he accepted the rectorship of 
Trinity church in New York, where he died in 17C4. In 1750 Rev. 
John Ogilvie was called to St. Peter's. When, in 1758, the French and 
Indian ■ war had somewhat scattered his congregation, he became a 
chaplain in the army going on General Amherst's expedition and on that 
of Sir William Johnson in the next year, 1759. Resigning in December, 
1760, he still remained with the army until 1764, and died ten years 
later in New York. In 1751 the tower of St. Peter's was erected and a 
clock and bell placed therein, both of which were brought from Eng- 
land. Rev. Thomas Brown succeeded Mr. Ogilvie as rector, and was 
followed in 1768, by Rev. Harvey Munro. Under his administration 
the parish prospered, the church was repaired, and an act of incorpora- 
tion obtained under date of April 25, 1769. The church was closed 
during most of the Revolutionary period. On May 1, 1787, the vestry 
elected Rev. Thomas Ellison rector. He was an able man and died in 
the midst of his usefulness in 1802, just after preparations had been 
made for the erection of a new church, of which the plans had been 
drawn by Phillip Hooker, a prominent architect of Albany. Thebuilcl- 
ing was finished in the summer of 1803, the consecration taking place 
October 4, 1803, under the rectorship of Rev. Frederick Beasley, who 
resigned in 1809. He was succeeded the next year by Rev. Timothy 
Clowes, who acted as officiating minister for a time and was made rector 
in 1811. A controversy arose over the disposition of the income from 
church lands in which he took part, and this led to his temporary suspen- 
sion from the ministry in 1817, when Rev. William B. Lacy succeeded 
him at St. Peter's, who was in turn succeeded in January, 1833, by Rev. 
Horatio Potter. In 1821 the spire of the church edifice was erected and 
in 1831 a rectory was built, which was superseded ten years later by 
another on the corner of Lodge street and Maiden Lane. Dr. Potter 
remained with the church twenty-one years and was succeeded in De- 
cember, 1855, by Rev. Thomas C. Pitkin. In 1858, the foundations 
of the church having become unstable, a new edifice was contracted 
for, after plans by Upjohn & Co., of New York, and the present church 
erected and consecrated October 4, 1860. Rev. Mr. Pitkin was sue- 




RT. REV. WILLIAM CROSWELL DOANE, D.D., LL.D. 



i 



341 

ceeded in 1862 by Rev. William T. Wilson, with Rev. William Tatlock, 
associate, but both resigned in 18GG, and in the next year Rev. William 
Crosswell Doane accepted the charge. In December, 1868, Dr. Doane 
was elected the first bishop of Albany by the primary convention of 
the diocese, his consecration taking place February 2, 1869. He re- 
signed the rectorship in that year, but remained with the church until 
Easter, 1870. His successor was William A. Snively, who resigned in 
18'i'4, when the present rector, Rev. Walton W. Battershall, was in- 
stalled on September 29, of that year. Under his administration the 
church has been progressive and successful. In 1876 the parish house 
was erected on Lodge street, for vSunday school, charitable and social 
purposes. In the same year the church tower was built as a memorial 
to the late warden, John Tweddle, and supplied with a beautiful chime 
of bells. Since that time the arrangement of the chancel has been 
altered, and new chancel windows, altar and reredos provided, with 
other interior improvements. The church property is valued at $250,- 
OOO. Connected with St. Peter's church is the St. Peter's Orphan 
Home, which was organized in 1864. After a few years devoted to the 
care of orphan children the Home was incorporated under the name of 
the Albany Juvenile Retreat, but the rector having received assurances 
of support, took the institution under parish charge, and in October, 
1864, it was reorganized under its present name. A board of mana- 
gers was chosen from the women of the congregation, and a matron 
appointed. In 1865 a commodious building was erected at 59 Chapel 
street; this was sold to the Albany Savings Bank in 1873, and in the 
next year the trustees purchased the house No. 1 Pine street. This 
was rendered unsuitable in 1883 by the erection of the City Hall, and 
the household was transferred to No. 3 Madison Place. The school 
and home have accomplished great good. The present handsome rec- 
tory of the parish, adjoining the church, was built in 1895. 

St. Paul's parish was organized Xovcinber r.\ 1827, though services 
had previously been held in a school room on South Pearl street. Rev. 
Richard Bury was the first rector, through whose efforts and those of 
the vestry a lot on South Pearl street was purchased, a church erected 
and consecrated August 24, 1829, being then known as St. John's 
church. Mr. Burey resigned in 1830 and was succeeded by Rev. 
William Linn Keese, who served for three years, greatly extending 
the parish, but resigned on account of ill health. Rev. Joseph H. 
Price was the third rector and was succeeded in 1837 by Rev. William 



342 

Ingraham Kip, D. D. In 1839 the church propert}- was sold and a 
theatre property on the same street purchased, tlie building being re- 
fitted and consecrated in 1840. Dr. Kip was elected bishop of Califor- 
nia in 1853 and was succeeded by Rev. T. A. Starkey, D. D. He oc- 
cupied the pulpit until 1858, and in April, 1859, Rev. William Rudder 
was called. During his rectorship the Pearl street church was sold and 
in 18G2 the present property on Lancaster street was purchased. Rev. 
J. Livingston Reese succeeded Mr. Riidder in June, 1864, and in 
December of that year the church was consecrated, the rector}' being 
added in 18G7, while the Free Chapel on Madison avenue was opened 
in 1868 and the parish house in 1883. Extensive improvements have 
been made in the church itself from time to time since its erection. 
The present rector is Rev. F. G. Jewett. 

The first meeting with reference to the organization of Grace Church 
was held Sexige.sima Sunday, 1840, in a room over a store at the cor- 
ner of State and Lark streets, under the auspices Of Rev. Maunsell 
Van Rensselaer, who had been for some time in charge of St. Peter's 
in the absence of the i-ector. Services were continued in this room until 
.Sunday May 24, of that year, when a meeting was held to perfect the 
organization and adopt the name, and at which Rev. Mr. Van Rens- 
selaer was chosen rector. At the close of that year the congregation 
accepted the use of the Spring street mission building, which had been 
tendered them. On -February 11, 1847, the lot on the corner of Lark 
street and Washington avenue was purchased for a church site, and 
the corner stone of the edifice was laid September 10, 1850, and on 
Christmas day of that year the first service was held in the building, 
though it was not wholly finished, and was not consecrated until De- 
cember 15, 1852. In June, 1873, the building was removed to the cor- 
ner of Clinton avenue and Robin street, and a rectory was built in 1874 
at a cost of $9,000. The church has been much improved since, par- 
ticularly in 1884, 1892 and 1894, resulting in a new transept and choir, 
a new roof, and the guild-hall and a choir room. The rectors since 
Mr. Van Rensselaer have been Revs. John Alden Spooner, James R. 
Davenport, Theodore M. Bishop, Philander K. Cady, Edwin B. Rus- 
sell, James Hutchings Brown, William A. Snively, Thaddeus A. Snively, 
C. W. Knauff, David L. Schwartz, William H. Bown, and George D. 
Silliman. 

Trinity church, Trinity Place, was organized in 1839, and leased the 
Presbyterian (Cameronian) church on Westerlo street until 1841. In 



343 

1842 a frame edifice was built on the corner of Herkimer and Franklin 
streets, and in 1849 the present church building was erected, since which 
time the chancel has been rebuilt and other improvements made. The 
present rector is Rev. Russell Woodman, who began his service in 1888. 

The Hoi)' Innocents' Church society was organized February 15, 
1850, and the handsome church, corner of North Pearl and Colonic 
streets, the gift of the late William H. De Witt, was consecrated in 
September of the same year. During the rectorship of Rev. Richmond 
Shreve, which began in 1888, the parish added to its property by the 
purchase of a rectory on Ten Broeck street. Rev. Mr. Shreve resigned 
July 31, 1896, and was succeeded by Rev. A. Randolph B. Hagerman, 
the present rector. 

The Cathedral of All Saints was incorporated by act of the Legisla- 
ture March 27, 1873, and on All Saints' day in 1872 the building at 
first used for cathedral purposes, and which was originally an iron 
foundry, was first occupied for religious services. On the festival of 
All Saints in 1881 the bishop announced the purpose of at once begin- 
ning the erection of the cathedral, and at a meeting held in November 
23, 1881, the bishop, Erastus Corning, and Orlando Meads were ap- 
pointed a committee to select a site. It was also resolved to raise the 
sum of $150,000 for building purposes, exclusive of cost of site, and a 
subscription book was opened with James Moir (acting under Gen. S. 
E. Marvin, treasurer of the chapter) as treasurer. On April 30, 1883, 
the plans of R. W. Gibson, architect, were adopted for the edifice, and 
t>n November 28, 1883, the grounds donated by Erastus Corning, valued 
at $80,000, were accepted for the site, and work on the structure soon 
began. At a meeting held March 24, 1884, it was resolved to lay the 
corner stone on June 3, and at the same meeting a special subscription 
was authorized for the columns of the building, to stand as memorials 
of eminent churchmen. These columns are twenty-four in number and 
cost over $1,000 each. When the day arrived for laying the corner 
stone the subscriptions had reached nearly $100,000. The edifice was 
carried to its present partial state of completion within the year. 

Methodism was first established in Albany county in 1788, although 
services in this faith had been held, probably, as early as 17G6 in Al- 
bany by Capt. Thomas Webb, of the British army. He was then 
stationed here as barrackmaster and having been converted to Method- 
ism in his own country, held family prayers at which some of his neigh- 



344 

bors attended, and prubably preached in the streets. In February, 
17G7, he was in New York where he labored as an evangelist. The 
pioneer Methodist preacher to labor regularly in the local field was Rev. 
Freeborn Garretson, a native of Maryland, one of the earliest Methodist 
preachers of American birth. He went to New York in 1788 and en- 
gaged in the revival work that was then spreading northward. 

Francis Asbury, who had been elected bishop in 1771, and Mr. Gar- 
retson were assigned with a number of other young men to this district, 
the bishop himself passing over the territory once each three months. 
Albany soon became an important point in this field and Mr. Garretson 
obtained permission to preach in the City Hall. It can be easily imag- 
ined that the new doctrine, which had received more or less opposi- 
tion wherever planted, received little encouragement in Albany, espe- 
cially from the clergy of other denominations, so that Mr. Garretson 
wrote on luly 1, 1770, that " Albany still appears to be a poor place for 
Methodism." The following day he met a few friends in a private 
dwelling and united them in a society under Methodist discipline, 
and in the evening preached to them in the City Hall, Within the 
next two years a house of worship was built on the southeast corner of 
North Pearl and Orange streets. This church and society were incor- 
porated in 1784 as the Methodist Episcopal Church of the City of Al- 
bany, with John Bloodgood, Abraham Ellison, Isaac Lawson, Elisha 
Johnson, William Fradenberg, Nathaniel Ames, and Calvin Chessman, 
trustees. In 1812 a new church edifice was built on Division street, the 
old one being occupied for a time by a Baptist congregation, and finally 
in 1882 being sold to the Scotch Presbyterians. The first preacher 
stationed at Albany after it was taken from the circuit was Joel 
Ketcham, after whom changes in pastors were frequent, as is cu.s- 
tomary in this denomination. In 1813 it was proposed to found a Sun- 
day school, but as the older members of the church frowned upon 
the proposition as a desecration of the day, the project was temporarily 
abandoned in favor of a liberal circulation of tracts. The school was, 
however, finally established through the efforts of a woman, a Mrs. 
Brockway, who in 1816 had organized a day school and added Sabbath 
services. The church was slow in growth, its membership of forty per- 
sons in 1799 being only a little more than one hundred in 1811. In 
February, 1812, two lots on the south side of Division street, a little 
below South Pearl, were purchased and there a new church was erected 
and first used in 181o, the membership then being 153 white persons 




REV. WILLIAM GRIFFIN, D. U. 



I 



345 

and sixteen blacks. The introduction in 1829 of the policy of renting 
seats caused great dissatisfaction and led to the withdrawal of a consid- 
erable number of the congregation, who rented a hall on the corner of 
Pearl and Columbia streets and obtained preachers from the Water- 
vliet circuit, and in February purchased a large building on the east side 
of Pearl street near the site they had occupied. Here a revival soon be- 
gan which greatly enlarged not only the Methodist church, but ex- 
tended its influence among other denominations. At the Conference of 
1834 a third church was organized — the Wesleyan Chapel in the southern 
part of the city. In 1835 the membership of the three societies was 
440 in the first; 435 in the second (called Garretson Station), and 214 
in the Wesleyan. Another church was now authorized by the Confer- 
ence called the West Station, The organization was effected by mem- 
bers of the Division street society and the Garretson Station, who 
united in the purchase of a small house of worship which the Primitive 
Methodists had built on State street, above the Capitol. This society, 
feeble at first, soon increased in numbers and in 1845 purchased a site 
on the corner of Washington a\Liiuc and Swan streets and there erected a 
new edifice. The societ\-, thruugh lack of wisdom in financial manage- 
ment, finally became reduced in number and heavily encumbered with 
debt. In 1839 the Wesleyan Chapel was burned. This organization 
had also become involved in debt and small in number, largely through 
its anti-slavery proclivities and activity, so that the property was sold to 
pay debts and in May, 1842, the society disbanded; but on the follow- 
ing Sabbath (May 27) the teachers of the Sunday school met and deter- 
mined to reorganize, which they did at the Ferry Street M. E. church. 
While still under pressing difficulties Thomas Schuyler joined the con- 
gregation and relieved their financial burdens. In 1843 the Division 
Street church found a more eligible site on Hudson street between 
Philip and Grand and built a new edifice which they occupied within 
the same year. A parsonage has been erected in connection with the 
church property, and the church building has been extensively im- 
proved, particularly in 1865. The fifth Methodist church in Albany was 
organized in 1848, succeeding the formation of a class on Arbor Hill. 
In the year 1854 the Albany Methodist Sunday School Union was formed 
which within a few years established five schools — one on Central 
avenue, one at West Albany, one called the South Mission, on Benja- 
min street, one at Bath, and one at East Albany, the two latter being 
across the river. Some of these formed the nucleus of later churches. 



V 346 

In 1870 a remarkable revival was experienced in the Central avenue 
chapel, conducted by a number of zealous laymen and the missionary 
who had been appointed in 1868. At the ensuing Conference a second 
missionary was appointed with special charge of the Central avenue 
congregation, which had a membership of ninety at the close of the first 
pastorate in 1873. Meanwhile the West Station, or Washington vStreet 
church, which was merely a mission in 1853, had prospered, funds had 
been raised, and in 1867 a fine edifice was erected on the corner of 
Lark and Lancaster streets. It took the name of Trinity M. E. church 
and was dedicated in December, 1875. Within the past four years the 
interior of the church has been somewhat changed and redecorated. In 
1881 the Garretson Station congregation, which had in the mean time 
erected its second church building, united with the Central avenue 
congregation. Separate worship was kept up, however, until the com- 
pletion of the new church edifice, situated on the corner of Clinton and 
Lexington avenues, in 1883-4, which took its present name of St. Luke's. 
In 1869 the Broadway Mission and the Arbor Hill congregation were 
united under the name of Grace church, and a lot was purchased on the 
corner of Ten Broeck street and Livingston avenue, where a temporary 
structure was built which was supei'seded a few years later by the present 
edifice. When the pressure of business establishments began to crowd 
upon the church property of the Methodists and Presbyterians on Hud- 
son avenue, it was realized that a removal must be made. The latter 
congregation finally built their new church edifice on the corner of State 
and Willet streets, at the northeast corner of the Park, while the Metho- 
dists purchased the building previously occupied by the Presbyterians, 
at the same time selling their own property. The Ferry Street church 
prospered and in 1863 sought a better location, a site being purchased 
on the corner of Westerlo and Grand streets where the present Ash 
Grove church v^'as erected, with a parsonage adjoining. 

The fourth church society organized in Albany was in the Presby- 
terian faith, the organization having been perfected in 1762. Preach- 
ing had been maintained for about two years previous to that date by 
supplies sent by the New York and Philadelphia Synods, among whom 
were Revs. Hector Alison, Andrew Bay, William Tennant, Abraham 
Kettletas, John Smith, and Aaron Richards. The site for the first 
church edifice was purchased in 1763 and in the next year the society 
was recognized as an incorporated body. The church was at first 



347 

connected with the Dutchess County Presbytery, organized in October, 
1762, but in 1775 it was transferred to the Presbytery of New York. 
The first church edifice was erected in 1764, on the lot on Gallows Hill, 
on a site bounded by Beaver street on the north, Hudson street on the 
south, William street on the east, and Grand street on the south, and' 
was a plain wooden structure, painted red,- and having a bell tower 
surmounted by a spire. This was occupied until about 1795, in which 
and the following year the second edifice was erected on South Pearl 
street on the site occupied in recent years by the Beaver block, at a 
cost of about $13,000. This building was sold to the Congregational- 
ists in 1850 and the congregation removed to their third church on the 
corner of Hudson avenue and Philip street, which was erected in 1849- 
50, at a cost of $15,000, the lot having been purchased two years 
earlier, and which was-opened for service March 10, 1850. In 1856 this 
building was sold to the First M. E. Society (as before stated) for $25,000, 
and in 1883-4 the fourth church of this society was built on the corner 
of State and Willett streets, fronting Washington Park, and with its 
session house cost about $110,000. William Force Whittaker is the 
present pastor.' 

On the third Monday in July, 1813, certain subscribers to a building- 
fund for a new Presbyterian church met and appointed James Kane, 
John L. Winne, Joseph Russell, Nathaniel Davis, and Robert Sedg- 
wick, trustees. Work was at once commenced on a building, which 
was opened for worship in vSeptember, 1815, and over which Rev. John 
Chester was installed as the first pastor November 8, 1815. On De- 
cember 3, John L. Winne, John Boardman, Chester Bulkley, and 
Uriah Marvin were chosen ruling elders of the church. This society 
was greatly prospered under Dr. Chester's administrations, the mem- 
bership reaching 365 in 1829. Among the pastors of this church was 
Rev. William Buell Sprague, 1829-69, eminent as the author of " The 
Annals of the American Pulpit," a work of nine volumes. 

The third Presbyterian church in Albany, now known as the Second 
Presbyterian church, was organized by a number of members from the 
First church and some from the Associate Reformed church, in 1817. 
An edifice was soon erected on Montgomery street, which was occu- 
pied until 1844, when it was sold to the Bethel Society, the present 
church, corner of Clinton avenue and North Pearl street, being dedi- 
cated December 3, 1845. 'The first pastor was Rev. Hooper Gumming. 

The fourth Presbyterian church was incorporated December 1, 1828, 



348 

the edifice of which, on the north side of Broadway, was erected in 
1829, and dedicated May :iO, 1830; but this was taken down in 1865 and 
the present church erected in 1866. The first pastor was Rev. Edmund 
N. Kirk, the present being Rev. David O. Mears. During a few years 
past this society has erected a permanent building for the Viaduct 
Mission, which it established, and has considerably improved the 
church itself. 

The fifth Presbyterian church in Albany was organized in 1831, the 
first meeting being held in the City Hall, the firs,t pastor being Rev. 
Alonzo Welton, whose services began in 1832. 

The sixth Presbyterian church in Albany was organized as a result 
of a prayer meeting held in December, 1853, in a room on what is now 
Living-ston avenue, and in October of the next year a Sunday school 
was organized. The work continued until the spring of 1868, when 
Rev. John R. Young was employed as a missionary to aid in organiz- 
ing the church. His place was taken in May, 1868, by Rev. Amos 
Hammond Dean, and the organization was perfected December 8, of 
that year. The church edifice on Second street v/as completed in the 
fall of 1871 and dedicated on November 16. Rev. Leslie R. Groves is 
the present pastor. 

The State Street Presbyterian church was organized in 1860, with 
Rev. Alexander S. Tombley as pastor, and the present church edifice 
was erected and dedicated October 13, 1862, since which time it has 
been little changed. Rev. John McC. Holmes is the present pastor, 
having served the church since 1877. 

The West End Presbyterian church was built in 1877 on the corner 
of New York Central avenue and Third street. The first pa.stor was 
Rev. Robert Ennis, the present being Rev. George N. Karner. Within 
a few years past the main audience room of the edifice has been en- 
larged and the interior otherwise improved, and a chapel has been 
added to the building. 

Madison Avenue Presbyterian church was organized and a temporary 
building erected in 1888, which was occupied until 1894, when it was 
enlarged to meet the increasing numbers of the congregation. A new 
and handsome edifice in pressed brick is now (1896) in process of erec- 
tion, which is due to the untiring eiiforts of Rev. Charles A. Richmond, 
the present pastor. 

The United Presbyterian church in Albany had its inception as early 
as October, 1800, when the society was connected with the Presbytery 



349 

of Montreal, the first pastor being; Rev. John McDonald, who con- 
tinued until 1S19 and died in Albany. In 1820 the chui-ch was trans- 
ferred to the Presbytery of Cambridge and Rev. James Martin became 
pastor, continuing to 18-12. The first church edifice stood on the cor- 
ner of Chapel and Canal streets and was occupied in January, 1802. A 
new edifice, situated en Lancaster street near Eagle, was erected in 
1800 and opened on the first Sabbath of 1801. In May, 1858, the As- 
sociate and Associate Reformed churches were united to form the 
United Presbyterian Church of North America, and this congregation 
then took its present title. Rev. S. C. McKelvey is the present pastor. 

The first meeting of Baptists in Albany was held January 1, 1810, 
by Joshua A. Burke, Salem Butcher, John Gray, William Penrey, 
Charles Boyington, Tamer Page, Betsey Burke, Catharine Gordon, 
I\Iargaret Jones, Elenor Penrey, and on January 23, 1811, a church or- 
ganization was perfected with twenty-one members. In 1818 what was 
then known as the Green Street Theater was purchased, refitted and 
occupied many years as a place of worship, until in 1852 a site on the 
corner of Hudson avenue and Philip street was purchased and there the 
present edifice was built at a cost of $-2G,000. The building was ex- 
tensively improved in 1865. Rev. De Witt T. Van Doren is the pres- 
ent paster. 

The Tabernacle Baptist Church is an outgrowth of a mission formed 
in 1856, consisting of a few members of the society now constituting 
the Emmanuel Baptist church, who met in a building on North Pearl 
street. The rapid growth of the society led to its organization in Oc- 
tober, 1859, under the present title, and in 1875 the site of the present 
edifice was purchased, a new church built and dedicated February 14, 
1877. The first pastor was Rev. Justin D. Fulton, the present being- 
Rev. Thomas M, Eastwood. 

Emmanuel Baptist church was organized in 1834 and bore the name 
of the Pearl Street Baptist church until 1S71. The first pastor was 
Rev. Bartholomew T. Welch, D. D., who had during the seven pre- 
vious years preached to the First Baptist church, but was released from 
that pulpit to form the new church, whose first edifice was erected on 
North Pearl street and cost $46,000. In 1869-70 the present church 
was built on the north side of vState street, between Swan and Dove 
streets, and was dedicated in February, 1871, the tower being added in 
1883, a gift from Mrs. Eli Perry in memory of her husband. The 



350 

entire church property cost about $220,000. Rev. Wallace Ruttrick is 
the present pastor. 

Calvary Baptist church was organized January 16, 1860, under the 
name of Washington Avenue Baptist church, and was first under pas- 
toral charge of Rev. Wm. P. Everett, but the i-apid early growth of the 
congregation led them to purchase the church on Washington avenue 
which had been built for the German Baptists, and February 4, 1865, 
the society purchased the State street Baptist church building (corner 
of High street), and took the present title. That building was occu- 
pied until 1880 when it was demolished and the present edifice erected. 
The State Street church, mentioned above, was organized in 1845, and 
in the same year built the edifice which was finally sold to the Calvary 
church. Rev. Joseph F. Elder is present pastor of the Calvary church. 

The Washington avenue German Baptist church, situated on Wash- 
ington avenue, was purchased in 1859, and sold within a few years to 
the Roman Catholics. The first pastor was Rev. William P. Everett. 

The German Baptist church, situated at No. 252 Washington avenue 
was organized and the edifice built and dedicated in 1854. Rev. A. 
Von Pattkammer was the first pastor. In 1892 a new front to the ed- 
ifice was erected. Rev. A. M. Petersen is the present pastor. 

Hope Baptist church, on Clinton avenue, originated in a mission, 
and was regularly organized in 1891, when the present beautiful brick 
edifice was erected and dedicated. Rev. Henry vS. Potter is pastor. 

The organization of Roman Catholic churches in Albany followed 
clo,sely upon the work of the Jesuit missionaries. On October C, 179C, 
a meeting was held in Albany at the house of James Robichaux, where 
an organization was effected which was soon followed by incorporation, 
the certificate of which is on file in the county clerk's office and is signed 
by Lewis Le Coulteaux and David McEvers, and is witnessed by Se- 
bastian \'isscher and Archibald Yates. The first church edifice was 
erected on the site of the present St. Mary's church, the corner stone 
being laid in 1797 by Thomas Barry, then a prominent merchant. St. 
Mary's is older than any other Roman Catholic parish in this State ex- 
cepting St. Peter's in New York city. The entrance to the first St. 
Mary's was on Pine street and the interior was about fifty feet square. 
Among the early clergy who officiated over this congregation were Rev. 
Fatjiers Thayer, Whelan, O'Brien, and La Valenure. Rev. D. Maho^ 
ney was here in 1806-7; Father James Buyshe in 1808; Father Hurley 
in 1809; Father Weddin in 1810-11; Father O'Gorman in 1812-13. Others 



351 

served the parish from time to time until 1816. Father Charles Smith, 
formerly a Methodist, was called and served the con'gregation until 
1836. The first Roman Catholic Sunday school was formed in 1828. 
The demolition of this first church building began September 14, 1829, 
and the corner stone of a new edifice was laid on October 13, the church 
being opened for service August 29, 1830. It fronted on Chapel street 
and was entered by high steps, and contained a school room in the 
basement. A dwelling on Lodge street adjoining the rear of the church 
was used at first for an orphan asylum and afterwards as a rectory. In 
1817, when the Diocese of Albany was set off from that of New York 
Bishop McCloskey ruling over it became its first bishop, and St. Mary's 
became his Cathedral. The edifice, while perhaps sufficient for the 
period, was rather poorly constructed and did not long suffice for the 
rapidly increasing congregation. Several priests succeeded Father 
Smith as rectors for short periods until Bishop McCloskey's administra- 
tion began in 1846, when he took charge in person, assisted by Fathers 
Edgar P. Wadhams and Thomas Doran, until finally in September, 
1866, Father Clarence A. Walworth began his long pastorate. Upon 
his appointment it was apparent that a new church edifice was a neces- 
sity. A new incorporation act was procured March 25, 1863, changing 
the name of the church to St. Mary's Church of the City of Albany, 
and all the property passed to the new trustees. A subscription for a 
new edifice was started and the city conceded to the society twenty feet 
of land on the eastern side of the site. Association Hall was tempo- 
rarily occupied during the erection of the new edifice, the corner stone 
of which was laid August 11, 1867. The structure was so far com- 
pleted by February 16, 1868, that it was then used for services, and 
was dedicated by Bishop Conroy March, 14, 1869. St. Mary's parish 
originally included all that part of the Diocese of Albany lying in the 
valleys of the Hudson and the Mohawk, but at the present time it is 
only one of Albany's twelve parishes. In 1839 St. John's church on 
South Ferry street was bought from the Episcopalians and all the south- 
ern part of the city was set off to that parish. In 1843 the section of the 
city north of Clinton avenue was constituted a third parish called St. 
Joseph's and a new edifice was erected on the corner of North Pearl 
and Lumber streets. Next followed the formation of a parish for the 
new Cathedral, built in 1852 on Eagle street, which left St. Mary's lim- 
ited on the south by Beaver and Lancaster streets; and finally, in 1858, 
St. Patrick's parish was formed with a church on Central avenue, tak- 



352 

ing- from the old mother church the territory west of Knox street. 
Since then St. Mary's parish has not been changed. 

The corner stone of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was 
laid July 2, 1848, by Archbishop Hughes, and on November 21, 1852, 
the building was dedicated with imposing ceremonies. The cost of the 
structure was $180,000. It is a magnificent building and its twin spires 
attract attention from the east and south for a long distance, but mucli 
still remained to be done to the structure when Bishop McCloskey suc- 
ceeded to the archbishopric in 1864. Rt. Rev. John J. Conroy succeeded 
Bishop McCloskey as bishop of Albany and filled the station twelve 
years, and he was followed by Rt. Rev. Francis McNeirny on October 
16, 1877. Under Bishop Conroy little was done on the cathedral, but 
since his administration and under that of Bishop McNeirny, the in- 
terior has been provided with a new chancel for which the apse was 
extended thirty feet ; the seven bays beautifully decorated ; a reredos 
of great beauty added to the transept ; handsome stained windows put 
in, and new altars built. Bishop McNeirny died January 2, 1894, and 
was succeeded on July 2, 1894, by Rt. Rev. T. M. A. Burke. 

The diocese of Albany includes territory bounded on the north by the north line of 
Warren county, and portions of Herkimer and Hamilton, north of the northern lines 
of the townships of Ohio and Russia in Herkimer county; on the east by Massachu- 
setts and Vermont; on the south by the southern line of Columbia, Greene and 
Delaware counties ; on the west by the western line of Otsego and Herkimer and 
part of Hamilton. 

It has an estimated Catholic population of 130,000, ministered to by 159 priests. 
It has ninety-two churches with resident pastors, and forty without ; forty-five chap- 
els, eighty stations; eight academies, and select schools, with 1,300 pupils; thirty- 
eight parochial schools with 13,000 pupils; seven orphan asylums; two homes for the 
aged; two hospitals; two houses of the Good Shepherd. 

St. John's Catholic church was founded in 1837, with Rev. J. Kelly 
in charge, the first place of worship being on the corner of Herkimer 
and Franklin streets, but, July 1, 1839, the present church, on the cor- 
ner of South Ferry and Dallius streets, was purchased from St. Paul's 
society. The parish has been at different periods in charge of priests 
who were or became eminent in the church, among them the present 
Bishop Ludden. 

St. Joseph's Catholic church was organized in 1842 to meet the wants 
of the residents in the northern part of the city, and measures were at 
once adopted for the erection of a church edifice on the corner of North 
Pearl and Lumber streets, the corner stone of which was laid July 25, 



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353 

1843, and the building- consecrated May 7, 1843. The first regular pas- 
tor was Father John J. Conroy, who was installed March 25, 1844, and 
under whom the parish made rapid progress. He erected what is 
known as the Girl's Orphan Asylum, on North Pearl street, built a 
parochial residence, and established a school for both boy's and girls. 
The church soor^ became inadequate for the congregation and a new 
site was purchased, bounded by Ten Broeck, First, and Second streets," 
for $45,000. Ground was broken for the present edifice in the fall of 
1855 and the corner stone was laid June 1, 1856, in which year the 
structure was completed. In 1865 the Holy See appointed Father Con- 
roy bishop of Albany, but he, however, retained the title of rector of 
this church until 1874. When Bishop Conroy took up his pennanent 
residence at the Cathedral in 1866, he left the Rev. T. M. A. Burke iij 
char-ge of St. Joseph's. Father. Burke was appointed pastor in 1874. 

During the administration and pastorate of Father Burke a commo- 
dious school for l)oys was erected, the church and grounds were im- 
proved and beautified, a large and handsome parochial residence was 
built, and more than $100,000 of debt was paid. Father Burke remained 
in charge of St. Joseph's until December 6, 1896, when he removed to the 
Episcopal residence on Madison avenue. From this parish have been 
taken the parishes of the Sacred Heart (North Albany) and St. Patrick's. 
Father Joseph H. Mangan is now in charge of this church. The Church 
of the Holy Cross (German), corner of Hamilton and Philip streets, was 
erected in 1849-52, and was consecrated in the latter year during the 
rectorship of Father Noethen. He remained with the church until 
1878 and was succeeded by Father Ottenhaus, who is still rector. Al- 
■ though the church has been a prosperous one, it was in later years 
greatly reduced by withdrawals to form other congregationfe, which 
were the Church of Our Lady of Angels, 1868; Church of the Assump- 
tion, 1869, and Our Lady Help of Christians, 1880. 

St. Ann's parish was formed in 1866 from the Cathedral parish and 
St. John's; its first priest was Father Thomas Doran, who had pre- 
viously been in charge of St. Mary's. The corner stone of St. Ann's 
was laid in 1867 and the edifice was dedicated December 20, 1868, the 
site, on the corner of Fourth avenue and Franklin streets, having been 
donated by John Tracy, who with Thomas Kearnan, John Carmody, 
and James Coyle, were the trustees. The congregation has always 
been zealous in advancing the church and in establishing connecting 



354 

societies, among which are Sunday vSchool Union, St. X'inccnt de 
Paul's, and a Ladies' Aid Society. Father Terry is now the rector. 

Church of the Assumption. — On January 1, 1868, the French Cana- 
dians of Albany founded the St. Jean Baptist society with twenty five 
members, its objects being to aid sick members and provide a fund 
from which to pay a certain sum at death. In 1869 there were 130 
French Canadians in Albany without church accommodations, and this 
led to the immediate erection of their church on the corner of Dallius 
street and Fourth avenue. In the spring of 1871 the residence ad- 
joining the church was bought for $4,000. The parsonage was erected 
in 1876 and cost $8,000. Father Alphonse Villeneuve is the present 
pastor. 

The Catholic congregation bearing the name of Our Lady Help of 
Christians is an outgrowth of the Holy Cross church, and was or.gan- 
ganized in 1873 by Father Teodore Noethen, vicar-general for the 
Ciermans of the Albany diocese. The church property on Second ave- 
nue was purchased in 1873 and a frame building then standing was 
converted into a chapel and a school was soon opened in connection 
and taught by John Hess, which is now in charge of the Sisters of St. 
Francis of Syracuse. In June, 1874, Father Stephen A. Preisser was 
placed in charge of the congregation, and the corner stone of the pres- 
ent church was laid June 28, 1880, and the dedication services are held 
August 28, 1881. Father Bernard Schoppe is the present rector. 

Our Lady of Angels Church (German), on Central avenue at the cor- 
ner of Robin street, was erected in 1868, soon after the organization of 
the society, the first priest being Father Francis Neubauer, who con- 
tinued until 1877. In 1887 the church was considerably improved, and 
in 1892 a convent was erected adjoining. Rev. Fidelis M. Voight is the 
rector. 

St. Patrick's church, the organization of which in 1859 has been 
alluded to, is situated on the corner of Central avenue and Perry street, 
having been erected in 1868 and consecrated on August 30th of that 
year. The first priest in charge was Father McGough, who began his 
work in 1859. Father P. J. Smith is the present priest. 

The parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was formed August 5, 1884, 
by Bishop McNeirny, who appointed Father Francis J. McGuire the 
first rector. The site of the present church on Walter street was pur- 
chased at a cost of about $7,000, but for temporary use a chapel was 
built on Erie street. The necessity for larger accommodations was 



i 



355 

soon felt and the present new church was begun in Juh% 18?<i, and, the 
church was dedicated May 23, 1880. The property was vahied at 
nearly §100,000. Father McGuire is still in charge of the parish. 

In 1849 thirteen citizens of Albany joined in the purchase for $20,- 
000, of the church which had long been occupied by the First Presbyte- 
rian society, corner of South Pearl and Beaver streets. After being 
repaired it was first used for Congregational purposes April 7, 1850, 
the sermon being preached by Rev. Leonard Bacon, D. D., and the 
loth of July of that year a Congregational church was organized with 
eighty-one members. On December 10, 1850, Rev. Ray Palmer, D. D., 
was installed over the church, his pastorate continuing until 1860, when 
his successor. Rev. William S. Smart, began his long charge. The last 
sermon in the old church was preached February 8, 1808, after which 
Association Hall was used during the erection of the present edifice, on 
the corner of Eagle and Beaver streets, which was dedicated October 
14, 1809, having cost with the site, $130,000. Rev. J. Brainerd Thrall, 
the present pastor, was installed in March, 1894. 

The Second Congregational church was organized in 1862, but was 
dissolved in the following year. The Clinton Avenue Congregational 
church was organized, their church being on Clinton avenue, of which 
Rev. Francis A. Strough is pastor. The chapel of the church was 
partly burned in the fall of 1895 but was at once rebuilt. 

The First Christian church was organized in 1881, and a building was 
erected on Chestnut street, between Lark and Dove, the first pastor 
being Rev. E. C. Abbott. The Rev. P. A. Canada is at present in 
charge. 

Besides the foregoing churches of Albany, the Hebrews have three 
religious organizations: Beth El Jacob, 28 Fulton street. Rev. Albert 
Kauterivitz, rabbi; Beth Emeth, on Lancaster street, organized 1850, 
Dr. Max Schlesinger, rabbi; Sons of Abraham, South Ferry street. 
Rev. J. Block, rabbi. 

An Unitarian society was incorporated in Albany in 1842, and ser- 
vices were held in various places, until finally the society purchased the 
edifice of the Methodists on Division street, which they sold in 1869, 
since which time they h&ve had no active existence. 

The Universalists, also, had a society and held meetings from about 
1825, and built their first church on Herkimer street in 1829, and a 
second in 1833 on Green street. Their present church is situated on 
the corner of Jay and Swan streets. 



356 

There ars a number of patriotic hereditary orders and societies in 
Albany, and probably they have a larger membership than those of 
any other city of its population in the country. Prominent among these 
is the Philip Livingston Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, which 
was organized in 1893 and chartered December 3, 1895. Following 
is the muster roll of this Chapter: 

Baker, George Conistock.— Great-great-grandson of Private Reuben Baker, Barn's 
Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, 1781. 

Balch, Dr. Lewis. — Great-grandsonof John Jay, member and president of the Con- 
stitutional Congress, 1774; member of New York Provincial Convention, 1775; mem- 
ber of Committee of One Hundred, 1775; colonel 3d Regiment New York City Militia; 
member New York Council of Safety; prepared draft of Constitution of New York, 
1777; chief justice, 1777-9. 

Banks, Maj. Robert Lenox, jr. — Great-great-grandson of Jedediah Turner, private 
in Captain Fitch's Company of Independent Volunteers, Connecticut. 

Barker, James Franklin. — Great great-grandson of Lieut. Walter Swits in regiment 
commanded by Col. Seth Warner. 

Barnes, John O. — Great-grandson cf Artificer Benjamin Johnson, Captain Saxton's 
Company, Colonel Mason's Regiment, Connecticut Militia. 

Bartlett, Dr. Ezra Albert— Great-grandson of Chief Justice Josiah Bartlett of New 
Hampshire, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

Boutelle, Frank Warren and Frederick A. — Great-grandsons of Ebenezer Boutelle. 
drummer at Lexington. 

Brandow, Frank Hammond. — Great-grandson of Joel Tuttle, private in Connec- 
ticut Volunteers. 

Bridge, Charles Francis. — Great-grandson of Col. Ebenezer Bridge, captain in Col. 
John Witcomb's Regiment, Massachusetts Minute-men, " Lexington Alarm ;" colonel 
27th Regiment Massachusetts Continental Infantry, April 30, 1775; 2d major, 8th 
Regiment, Worcester County Militia, Col. Abijah Stearns, February 6, 1776; lieuten- 
ant-colonel Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts Regiment, June 3, 1775; colonel Massa- 
chusetts Militia, August 1, 1775; member of Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 
1775. 

Browne, Hon. Goodwin.— Great-great-grandson of Joseph Hopkins, civil officer 
committee State of Connecticut. ■ 

Bulkeley, Alpheus Tompkins. — Great-great-grandson of Stephen N. Tompkins, 
corporal in Captain Sage's Company. Col. Henry Ludington's 7th Regiment New 
York, was granted a pension for services by Congress, October, 1833. 

Byington, Charles Sperry. — Great-grandson of Justus Byington, private in Capt. 
Ambrose Sloper's Company, Connecticut Militia, New Haven Alarm, 1779. 

Byington, William Wilberforce. — Grandson of Private Justus Byington, Capt. Am- 
brose Sloper's Company, Connecticut Militia. 

Chapin, Josiah Dexter. — Great-grandson of Private Abel Chapin, Capt. Charles 
Colton's Company, Massachusetts Militia, 1776. 

Clark, Seth Henry. — Great-great-grandson of Abel Lines, Capt. Samuel Peck's 
Company, 5th Battalion, Wadsworth's Brigade, Connecticut troops, Col. William 
Douglass, June-December 25, 1776, at Long Island and White Plains. 



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W. W, BYINGTON. 



357 

Corbin, Prof. Ernest Albert Morrison. — Great-grandson of Clement Corbin, private 
in Captain Chandler's Company, 11th Regiment Connecticut Militia. 

Culver, Dr. Charles Mortimer. — Great-great-grandson of Sergeant David Culver, 
sr. , 4th Connecticut Regiment, Continental line ; also great-grandson of Private David 
Culver, jr. , 4th Connecticut Regiment, Continental Line; also, great-grandson of 
Private Comfort Bullock, who participated in battle, Rhode Island. Massachusetts 
Continental Lijje. 

Curtis, Dr. Frederick Cotton. — Great-grandson of Private Abel Curtis, Capt. John 
Woodbridge's Companj', Col. John Brown's Regiment, Berkshire County Mass. 
Militia, July 8-36, 1777, served at Ticonderoga; private in Capt. Ebenezer Cook's 
Company, same regiment, September 22-October 4, 1777; private in Capt. Ezra 
Whittlesey's Company, same regiment, October 14-17, 1780. 

Douglass, Charles H. — Great-great-grandson of Major Oliver Root, Colonel Burns's 
Regiment, Massachusetts Line, at Saratoga, October, 1777. 

Durant, Clark Terry. — Great-great-grand.son of Private Allen Durant, Colonel 
Gardinier's Regiment at Bunker Hill and Lexington. 

Elmendorf, William Burgess. — Great-great-grandson of Private Abraham Elmen- 
dorf, Capt. Frederick Schoonmaker's Company, Col. Levi Pawling's Regiment, Ulster 
County Regiment, August 1, 1777; also private in Capt. Tobias Van Bemen's Com- 
pany, Col. Cornelius Wynkoop's Regiment, New York Continental Line. 

French, Harlan Page. — Grandson of Jonathan French, private in Captain Goss's 
Company, Colonel Nicholas's Regiment, with General Stark at Bennington, July 20, 
1777. 

Gibbons, Eugene Campbell, — Great great-grandson of Lieut. -Col. Samuel Camp- 
bell, 1st Battalion Tryon County Militia, 1778 and 1781, a member of Tryon County 
Committee of Safety. 

Griffith, William Herrick.— Great-great-grandson of Col. Rufus Herrick, captain 
of Colonel Holmes's 4th Regiment, New York Line, 1775-6; colonel Dutchess county. 
New York, Exempts, 1779; also, great-great-grandson of Capt. Israel Piatt, Dutchess 
County Regiment, at Kingsbridge, 1776; also, great-great- grandson of Lieut. Daniel 
Knowlton, Connecticut Continental Line. Engagements: Long Island, Harlem 
Heights, White Plains. Fort Washington, Fort Trumbull, and Horseneck; twenty- 
three months a prisoner of war on Long Island, and on prison ship "Jersey;" an in- 
timate friend of Washington; also, great-great-great-grandson of Major Robert 
Freeman, captain in Col. David Sutherland's 6th Regiment, New York Cine, 177.j, 
major in same regiment, 1776; also, great great-grandson of Sergeant Jonathan 
Freeman, Capt. Benjamin Pelton's Company, Col. Philip \'an Cortlandt's Regiment, 
New York Line; also, great-great-grandson of Private Win. Griffith. Capt. Joel 
Mead's Company, Col. Henry Ludington's Regiment, 7th New York Line. 

Hale, Hon. Matthew. 1st Regent of the Chapter. — Grandson of Col. Nathan Hale, 
captain New Hampshire Militia; "Lexington Alarm;" major 3d Regiment New. 
Hampshire Line, 177."); lieutentant-colonel 2d Regiment New Hampshire Line, 
1776; colonel of same, 1777; prisoner of war, Hubbardton, Vt., 1777, and died a 
prisoner of war at New I'tretcht, Long Island, September 23, 1780; also, grandson 
of Ephraim Eddy, Capt. Joshua Eddy's Company, 14th Regiment, Massachusetts 
Line, Col. Gamaliel Bradford; private and corporal in Capt. Caleb Gibbs's Company, 
Washiijgton Life Guards, March, 1777-March, 1780; also, great-grandson of Joseph 
Safford, Vermont Militia, 1780. Mr. Hale died March 2'j, 1897. 



Hastings, Hon. Hugh. — Great-great-granclson of Corporal Joseph Jewell, Captain 
Ballard's Company, Colonel Fryes Regiment, New Hampshire Continental Line; 
served six years. 

Herrick. Frank Castle. — Great-great-grandson of Col. Rufus Herrick, captain in 
Colonel Holmes's 4th Regiment New York Line, 17T5-6; colonel Dutchess County 
N. Y. Associate Exempts, 1779. 

Hoyt, Albert Ellis. — Great-great-grandson of Thomas Chandler, first secretary of 
Vermont. 

Husted, Prof. Albert Nathaniel. — Grandson of Private Thaddeus Husted, Connec- 
ticut Militia Regiment, Continental Line. 

Judson, Capt. Albert Lewis. — (ireat-grandson of Adjutant Nathaniel Judson, pri- 
vate in Capt. Joseph Smith's Company, 5th Connecticut Continental Regiment, Col. 
David Waterbury, May 9-October 13, 1777, at St. John's, Canada; private Connec- 
ticut Militia, 1776, served one month at New York; private and sergeant-major in 
Colonel Lewis's Regiment, Connecticut Militia. 177(i, served four months; private 
in Connecticut Militia, 1777, served three months: private in Capt. John Yeat.s's 
Company, Col. Samuel Whiting's Regiment, Connecticut Militia, October 2-22, 1777 ; 
adjutant 1st Regiment, 4th Brigade, Connecticut Militia, September 25, 1778-80. 

Laimbeer, Hon. Francis Effingham. — Grandson of Private William Pmto, Connec- 
ticut Militia, New Haven Alarm, July 5, 1779. 

Lawyer, George. — Great-great-grandson of Jacob Lawyer, ensign 15th Regiment, 
Albany County N. Y. Militia, Col. Peter Vrooman; also, great-great-great-grandson 
of Lawrence Lawyer, sergeant 1st Regiment Albany County N. Y. Militia, Col. Peter 
Vrooman. 

Leonard, Edgar Cottrell. — Great-great-grandson of Capt. Nathaniel Gardner of 
Massachusetts Militia in the battle of Bennington; also, great-great great-grandson 
of Private Stephen Savage of Middletown, Conn., who served through the war; also, 
great-great grandson of Private Jacob Fenn. 1st Regiment, Connecticut Continental 
Line. 

Livingston, Phillip, (Honorary member. New York city). — Great-great-grandson 
of Hon. Philip Livingston, member of Continental Congiess, 1774-78; signer of the 
Declaration of Independence; president New York Provincial Convention, 1775; 
member New York Committee of One Hundred, 1775; member of New York Provin- 
cial Congress, 1776-77. 

Mills, Charles Hood. — Great-grandson of George Mills, private Captain Hubbard's 
Company, Massachusetts Militia, 1776, with Arnold's expedition to Quebec taken 
prisoner, chained to a log with ten others, exchanged in 1777 ; later private in Captain 
Webster's Company, Col. Fellows's Regiment, Mas.sachusetts Militia. 

Munson, Samuel Lyman.— Great-great-grandson of Stephen Munson, private in 
Captain Durkee's Company, Wyoming, Pa. 

Murphey, Elijah Warrener. — Great-grandson of Corporal Daniel Murphey of Col. 
Rufus Putnam's Massachusetts Regiment; served at the siege of Boston and until 
end of the war; also, great-great-grandson of Private Jonas Coolidge of Massachu- 
setts Minute Men ; served at Bunker Hill, siege of Boston, and Ticonderoga, where 
he died in camp. 

Nellis, Dr. William Jacob.— Great great-grandson of Private Peter Nellis, 2d Reg- 
iment, Trvon Countv, New York, Militia. 




SAMUEL L. MUNSON. 



I 



359 

Newman, Charles, and Major John Ludlow. — Great-grandsons of Lieut. James 
Lyman, Phineas Wright's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, 1777, at Stillwater and 
Saratoga; Northfield, Massachusetts Militia, 1779, at Ticonderoga; Murray's Regi- 
ment, Massachusetts, Militia. 1780; served on the Hudson. 

Noble, Henry Harmon.— Great great-grandson of Asahel Noble, member of Com- 
mittee of Inspection and Correspondence, New Milford, Litchfield County, Conn. 

Norton, John Treadwell. — Great great-grandson of Major Ichabod Norton, Cap- 
tain Mott's I^ttaliou Connecticut State Troops, 1776; in Northern Department under 
Gates, 1776-7; major 15th Connecticut Militia Regiment, Hooker's, 1779; also great- 
great-grandson of John Treadwell, member of Connecticut Assembly. 

Parsons, Hon. James Russell, jr. — Great-great-grandson of Surgeon Jonas Fav, 
M. D., Col. Ethan Allen's Regiment, Green Mountain Boys, 1775 at Ticonderoga; 
appointed by Massachusetts to muster troops at Ticonderoga, 1775; surgeon Col. 
Seth Warner's Regiment, additional Continental Infantry, 1776; clerk of Dorset 
Convention, 1776; secretary convention to form Constitution of Vermont, July, 1777; 
agent for Vermont to Continental Congress, 1777, 1779, 1781, 1783; member of Ver- 
mont State Council, 1778-84; judge Vermont Supreme Court, 1782; judge of pro- 
bate, Vermont, 1782-87. 

Parsons, John D., jr. — Great-grandson of Corporal Henry Browne, New Jersey 
Line. 

Peltz. John Devvitt. — Great-great-grandson of Capt John L. De Witt, 1st Regi- 
ment Dutchess County N. Y. Minute-men, Col. Jonathan Van Ness, October 17, 
1775; captain 1st Regiment Ulster County N. Y. Militia, Col. Abraham Hasbrouck, 
January, 1776. 

Pierce, George William. — Grandson of Joshua Johuson, minute man; also, great- 
grandson of Col. Samuel Johnson, 4th Massachusetts Militia. 

Pruyn, Col. Augustus. — Great-grandson of Lieut. Casparus Pruyn. Capt. John N. 
Bleeker's Company, Col. 'Jacob Lansing, jr.'s 1st Regiment Albany County N. Y. 
Militia, October 20. 1775. 

Pruyn, Col Juhii Van Schaick Lansing. — Great-grandson of Lieut. Casparus Pruyn, 
Albany County Militia, 1775; also, great-grandson of yuartermaster Christopher 
Lansing, Albany County Militia, 1775-8. 

Pruyn, Robert Clarence. — Great-great-grandson of Lieut. Casparus Pruyn ; also, 
great-great-grandson of Abraham Yates, jr., member New York Provincial Conven- 
tion, 1775; member New York Provincial Congress, 1775-7; member New York 
Council Safety and Appointment, 1777-8; member New York Senate, 1779-90. 

Pumpelly, John Hollenback. — Great-grandson of Col. Elizur Talcott, 6th Regiment 
Connecticut Militia, 1775-6.. 

Read, Gen. John Meredith, former consul-general to France, former U. S. minis- 
ter to Greece, knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, etc. — Great-grand- 
son of His E.\cellency George Read, one of the six signers of the Declaration of 
Independence who were framers of the Constitution of the United States; president 
of Delaware; president of the Constitutional Convention of that State; judge of the 
Admiralty, 1782; United States senator; twice elected chief justice of Delaware; 
also, great-grandson of Brig. -Gen. Samuel Meredith, major 3d Battalion, Philadel- 
phia Associators, Col John Cadwalader, 1775; major 3d Battalion, Philadelphia Mil- 
itia, Col. John Ni.xon, 1777 ; brigadier-general Pennsylvania Militia, April 5, 1777, 



at Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and Valley Forge; also, great- 
grandson of Lieut. Isaac Marshall, private Capt. Moses Parker's Company, Chelms- 
ford Mass. Militia, ■' Lexington Alarm;" private Capt. Zaccheus Wright's Company, 
Colonel Brooks's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, at White Plains; private Capt. 
John Minot's Company, Col. Josiah Whitney's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, May 
10, 1777; lieutenant 3d Company, 7th Division, Middlesex County Mass. Militia, 
1780; also, great-great-grandson of Thomas Cadwalader, examining surgeon Penn- 
sylvania Militia, 1776. 

Read, Major Harmon Pumpelly and John Meredith. — Great-great-grandsons of His 
Excellency George Read, one of the six signers of the Declaration of Independence 
who were framers of the Constitution of the United States; president of Delaware; 
president of the Constitutional Convention of that State; judge of the Admiralty, 
1782; United States senator; twice elected chief justice of Delaware; also great-great- 
grandsons of Brig.-Gen. Samuel Meredith, major 3d Battalion, Philadelphia Asso- 
ciators, Col. John Cadwalader, 1775; major 3d Battalion Philadelphia Militia, Col. 
John Nixon, 1777; brigadier-general Pennsylvania Militia, April 5, 1777, at Tren- 
ton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown, and Valley Forge; also great-great-grand- 
sons of Lieut. Isaac Marshall, private Capt. Moses Parker s Company, Chelmsford 
Mass. Militia, "Lexington Alarm;" private Capt. Zaccheus Wright's Company, Col. 
Brooks's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, at White Plains; private Capt. John 
Minot s Company, Col. Josiah Whitney's Regiment, Massachusetts Militia, May 10, 
1777; lieutenant 3d Company, 7th Division, Middlesex County Mass. Militia, 1780; 
also, great-great-great-grandsons of Thomas Cadwalader, M. D., examining surgeon 
Pennsylvania Militia, 1776. 

Rice, Col. William Gorham. — Great-grandson of Private Joseph Rice, Capt. Robert 
Oliver's Company, Col. Ephraim Doolittle's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental 
Line, April-December, 177.5. 

Richardson, Rev. Leonard Woods. — Great-great-grandsou of Rev. Joseph 
Wheeler, private in Captain Stone's Company. Colonel Prescott's Regiment, Massa- 
chusetts Militia. 

Richmond, Adelbert G.— Great-grandson of Private Thomas Hart, Captain Stod- 
dard's Company, Colonel Hooker's Regiment, Connecticut Militia, on duty at White 
Plains and along the Hudson, 1777. 

Root, Dr. Arthur Guernsey. — Great-grandson of Corporal Jonathan Root, Massa- 
chusetts Continental Line. 

Sage, Dean. — Great-grandson of Chaplain Rev. William Linn, D. D., 5th and 6th 
Battalions Pennsylvania Continental Infantry, February to December, 1776. 

Sanford, Roscoe Conkling. — Great-great-grandson of Private Joseph Sanford, Col- 
onel Hooker's Regmient, Connecticut Militia. 

Sanger, Hon. William Cary.— Great great-grandson of Richard Sanger, member 
Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 1775; also, great-grandson of Lieut. Joseph 
Requa, Dubois's Regiment New York Levies, to reinforce the army, 1780. 

Sard, Grange.— Great-grandson of Private Joseph Russell, Capt. William Two- 
good's Company, Col. Thomas Nixon's Regiment, 6th Massachusetts Line, 1777-79; 
sergeant in Capt. Benjamin Haywood's Company, same regiment, January-De- 
cember, 1780. 

Scudder, Myton Tracey.— Great-grandson of Col. Nathaniel Scudder, M. D., 



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GEN. FRHDHRICk TOWNSEND. 



361 

member of New Jersey Council of Safety, 1775-(!: member of New Jersey Legisla- 
ture and speaker of Assembly, November. 1TT6; member of Continental Congress, 
1777-79; colonel 1st Regiment Monmouth County N. J. Militia, November 28, 1778. 
Killed in action near Shrewsbury, N. J., October 16, 1781. 

Shoemaker, Angus McDuffie, and James Duncan. — Great- grandson and great- 
great-grandson of Private Gottfried Shoemaker, Van Rensselaer Regiment, New 
York Line ; siege and capture of Saratoga. 

.Slingerland, Cornelius H. — Great-great-grandson of Ensign Robert Andrews, 
Captain Colton's Company, Colonel Brewer's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental 
Line. 

Stedman, Francis W. — Great-great-grandson of Corporal Amos Hooker, Colonel 
Leonard's Regiment, Massachusetts Continental Line. 

Townsend, Gen. Frederick. — Great-great grandson of Samuel Townsend, member 
of New York Provincial Congress, 177.5-7; member of committee to draft the Consti- 
tution of New York, 1777; paymaster 5th Regiment, New York Line, Col. Lewis 
Dubois, June 35. 1777-January 1, 1778. 

Treadwell, Col. George Curtis. — Great-great-grandson of Gov. John Treadwell of 
Connecticut. 

Tucker, Willis Gaylord, M.D. — Great- great-grandson of Stephen Tucker, corporal 
in Captain McClellan's Company, Woodstock, Conn., lieutenant in command of 6th 
Company of 11th Regiment of Militia at New York in 1776. 

Van Allen, Theodore Frelingbuysen Collier, M.D. — Great-great grandson of Col. 
Frederick Frelingbuysen, New Jersey Militia; major in Colonel Stewart's Battalion 
New Jersey Minute-men, February 15, 1776; captain Eastern Company of Artillery, 
N. Y. State troops, March 1, 1776; colonel 1st Battalion Somerset County N. J. Mili- 
tia, February 28, 1778; member New Jersey Provisional Congress, 177.5-8; member 
Continental Congress, 1778 and 1782-3. 

Van Antwerp, John Henry.— Great-grandson of Lewis Simon Van Antwerp, 
member of Committee of Correspondence and Safety, Schaghticoke, Albany county, 
N. Y., 1776. 

Vander Veer, Edgar Albert, M. I). — Great-great-grandson of Jacob Dievendorf, 
captain in 1st Company, 5th Battalion, Tryon County, NewY'ork, Militia. 

Van Heusen, John Manning. — Great-great-grandson of Joseph Manning, private 
in Captain Olney's Company, Angell's Regiment, Rhode Island, 1780 and 1783. 

Van Tuyl, George Casey, jr. — Great-great-grandson of John Van Tuyl, corporal 
in Lansing's Company, Orange County Regiment, New Y'ork Line. 

Viele, Maurice Edward. — Great-grandson of Col. John Knickerbocker, Albany 
County Militia, 1775-8. 

Wadhams, Frederick Eugene. — Great-grandson of Ebnezer Bostwick, private in 
Capt. Elizur Warner's Company, 7th Regiment Connecticut Line, Col. Heraan 
vSwift; corporal same company, and sergeant same company. 

Wallace, Major William Addison.— Great-grandson of Abijah Thompson, Capt, 
Samuel Belknap's Company, Woburn, Massachusetts, Militia, at Lexington and Cam- 
bridge, 19 April, 1775; also, great-great great-grandson of Private Rowlandson 
Bond. Captain Warner's Company, Colonel Collins's Regiment, Massachusetts Line, 
1777-80; also, great-great-grandson of Capt. John Wisner, captain of Florida and 
46 



362 

Warwick Company. Orange County Minute-men, Col. Isaac Nichols's Regiment, 
March, 1:76. 

Warner, Gen. James Meech. — Great-grandson of Lieut. Joseph Little, Welch's 
Regiment, New Hampshire Volunteers; joined the Northern Army at Saratoga, 
September 38, 1777. Gen. J. M. Warner died March 16, 1897. 

Wetmore, Prof. Edward Willard. — Great-grandson of Surgeon Ellis Willard; 
private Massachusetts Militia; at Boston, April, 1775; hospital surgeon, New York, 
177.5-9; surgeon in military hospitals at Boston, 1780 5. 

Whitney, William Minott. — Grandson of Brig-Gen. Josiah Whitney, one of the 
"Boston Tea Party," December 16,1773; at Concord, April 19,177.5; lieutenant- 
colonel of Col. Asa Whitcomb's Massachusetts Continental Regiment at Bunker Hill 
and Siege of Boston, April to December, 1765; colonel of Massachusetts Militia be- 
fore Boston, January to April, 1776; colonel of " Colony" Regiment raised to fortify 
the town and harbor of Boston, April, 1776 — January, 1777; colonel in command of 
Massachusetts Militia, Rhode Lsland Alarm, April, May and June, 1777, and Ben- 
nington Alarm, August, 1777; at Saratoga, September and October, 1777; member 
of last Provincial Legislature, 1779; member of convention that framed State Con- 
stitution for Massachusetts in 1780; member of first State Legislature in 1780, and 
also those of 1788 and 1789; promoted to brigadier-general, July, 1781. 

Williams, Captain Chauncey Pratt. — Great-grandson of Jehiel Williams, corporal 
in Captain Tilden's Company, engaged at Bunker Hill ; enlisted from Connecticut. 

Williams, Robert Day. — Great-grandson of Corporal Isaac Foot, gunner 2d Regi- 
ment Connecticut Artillery, Col. John Lamb, 1777; corporal same, 1780. 

Woodruff, Hon. Timothy Lester, Lieutenant-Governor of New York State. — Great- 
grandson of Private Samuel Scott, Capt. William Judd's Company, Col. Samuel 
Wylly'sSd Regiment, Connecticut Line, served on the Hudson May 1, 1777-January 
1, 1778. 

Youngman, Hon. Vreelaud Houghwout. — Grandson of Private John Youngman, 
Wingate's New Hampshire Militia Regiment; private, also, in Frye's Company, 3d 
New Hampshire Line; at Saratoga, Monmouth, and Valley Forge; and Harry 
Vreeland Youngman, great-grandson of above. 

Following are lists of members of other organizations of the charac- 
actei under consideration, which have been prepared for this work: 

Order of the Cincinnati. — J. Howard King, Richard Varick De Witt. 

Sons of the American Revolution. — William H. McClure, Archibald Jermain Mc- 
Clure, William Herrick Griffith, George Comstock Baker, Captain C. C. Cu.ssick, 
Captain Chauncey Pratt Williams, Hon. Erastus Corning, Dr. Frederick Joseph 
Cox, Hon. James A. Roberts. Williani N. Stetson, John N. Cutler, Hon. Edward T. 
Bartlett. 

Society War of 1S12 in the State of New Kor/!-.— Henry Harmon Noble, William 
Herrick Griftith (Pennsylvania Society), George Comstock Baker. Elijah Warriner 
JIurphey, James William Cox, jr., Frederick Eugene, Wadhams, James Duncan 
Shoemaker. 

(/. S. Daughters of 1S12. — Mr.s. Henry Harmon Noble. 

Society of Colonial Wars. — There are thirty-six members, nearly all of whom are 
members of Sons of Revolution. 



Military Order of Foreign Wars of the U. S. — Henry Harmon Noble, George 
Lawyer. 

Military Order of the Members of the Loyal Legion in Albany. — Major Richard 
L. Annesley, Lieut. John M, Bailey, Judson Hooker Bailey, 3d class, Major Herman 
Bendell, Major Charles J. Buchanan, Col. Stephen P. Corliss, M. H., Lieut. -Col. 
Frank Chamberlain, Eugene T. Chamberlain, 2d class, Capt. Louis Dietz, Lieut. 
Bertold Fernow, Lieut. William Kidd, Henry M. Kidd, 2d class, Capt.. Charles R. 
Knowles, Gen. Selden E. Marvin, Selden E. Marvin, jr., 2d class, Lieut. -Col. An- 
drew E. Mather, Major John S. McEwan, Major John L. Newman, Lieut. -Col. Dud- 
ley Olcott, Capt. John Palmer, Ensign Clarence Rathbone, Capt. Oscar D. Robin- 
son, Gustavius C. Sniper, Lieut. Col. Alexander Strain, Lieut. David A. Teller, 
Major Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Franklin Townsend, 3d class. Gen. Frederick Townsend, 
Frederick Townsend, jr., 2d class. Major Albert Vander Veer, Edgar A. Vander 
Veer, 2d class, Capt. Samuel B. Ward, Lieut. Andrew G. White, Major Bradford 
R. Wood, Major George H. Tread well, George Curtis Tread well, 3d class. Col. Fred 
Phisterer, Gen. Nathaniel Wales, Mass. Commandery; Gen. Robert Shaw OUiver, 
Mass. Commandery; Edward Bowditch, 3d class, Mass. Commandery. 

Ancient Chivalric and Heraldic Order of Kmghts of Albion. — Major Harmon 
Pumpelly Read, Director-General and Herald; William Herrick Griffith, Registrar 
General and Genealogist, 

Order of Old Guard, Chicago.— George Comstock Baker, William Herrick 
Griffith. 

Daughters of tl/e Cincinnati — Mrs. Abraham Lansing. 

Society of the Colonial Datnes of America. — ^JSIrs. Erastus Corning, Mrs. Selden 
E. Marvin, Mrs. Anna Parker Pruyn, Miss Hybertie L. Pruyn, Mrs. William Gor- 
ham Rice. 

Society of Colonial Dames of State of N. K— Mrs. William H. McClure, Mrs. 
John DeWitt Peltz, Miss Mary B. S. Tibbets, Mrs. Garret A. Van Allen, Mrs. Will- 
iam Bayard Van Rensselaer, Mrs. Levi P. Morton, Mrs. James W. Cox, jr. 

BANKS. 

This city has always been the home of banking institutions of high 
character and ample means. Failure in such institutions have been 
comparatively few, while the facilities afforded by them to tradesmen 
and manufacturers have been liberal and progressive. The first dis- 
cussion, as far as known, relating to the establishment of a bank in 
Albany took place in Lewis's tavern on February 3, 1792. At that early 
date the need of a bank in the northern part of the State was felt, 
there being but one in the whole State. At a subsequent "meeting plans 
were outlined, the name, Bank of Albany, settled, and the capital fixed at 
$75,000, in five hundred shares, with a board of thirteen directors, nine 
of whom should reside in Albany. Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Jacob 
Van Derheyden and Barent Bleecker were to open subscription books 



in the following week and close them when five hundred shares were 
taken. The books were opened February 17, and the stock was over- 
subscribed in less than three hours. After the books were closed offers 
of ten per cent, advance on the stock were made, and within a week it 
rose to one hundred per.cent. Considerable difficulty was encountered 
in obtaining a charter, and the price of the stock fluctuated somewhat 
until towards the close of the legislative session, when the act of incor- 
poration became a law. The first board of directors was elected June 
12, 1793, as follows: Abraham Ten Broeck, Cornelius Glen, Stephen 
Van Rensselaer, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, John Maley, Abraham A'an 
Vechten, Henry Cuyler, John Stephenson, James Caldwell, Jacob Van 
Derheyden, Goldsboro Banyar, Daniel Hale and Elkanah Watson. Mr. 
Ten Broeck was elected president of the bank, and business was com- 
menced on the 16th of July. The incorporating act limited the bank 
capital to $260,000, but in February, 1794, it was increased to $540,000, in 
135 shares. In 1833 the charter of the bank was extended to January, 
1855, at which time, for the purpose of more widely diffusing the stock, 
its par value was reduced to $30 and the number of shares proportion- 
ately increased. The bank was at first located in an old Dutch edifice 
in North Pearl street, but in 1794 a bank building was erected and oc- 
cupied until 1810, when a second building was erected by the bank on 
the corner of State and. Broadway. This was demolished in 183^-J in 
widening State street, and the bank removed to No. 43 State street, 
and from there to the Merchants' Bank building, where it remained 
until 1861. The presidents of this bank from 1792 to 1861 were Abra- 
ham Ten Broeck, 1792-98; Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 1798-1806; Philip 
S. Van Rensselaer, 1806-10; Dudley Walsh, 1810-14; John Van Schaick, 
1814-30; Barent Bleecker, 1830-40; Jacob H. Ten Eyck, 1840-61. 
During this period of seventy years there were only four cashiers, 
namely: Garret W. Van Schwaick, 1793-1815; John Van Zandt, 1815- 
33; Jellis Winne, jr., 1832-49; E. E. Kendrick, 1849-61. 

This bank failed on May 11, 1861, at a time when the utmost con- 
fidence was felt in the institution and $100 shares commanded $150 in 
the market. It resulted from a combination of causes from which four 
Albany banks failed in that year. Adam Van Allen was appointed 
receiver of the bank and closed up its affairs. 

Neiv York State Bank. — This institution owed its existence largely 
to Elkanah Watson, and was incorporated and began business in 1803. 
The original directors were: The State comptrofler, Elisha Jenkins, 



365 

John Tayler, Thomas Tillotson, Abraham G. Lansing, Peter Ganse- 
voort, Elkanah Watson, John R. Bleecker, Francis Bloodgood, John 
Robison, Gilbert Stewart, Jolm I)e Peyster Douw, Richard Lush and 
Thomas Mather. 

At a meeting of the directors on March 25, 1803, John Tayler was 
chosen president, and John W. Yates, cashier. The bank began busi- 
ness on September 7. Opposition to the incorporation of this bank 
was very bitter, especially from the officials and prominent stockholders 
in the Bank of Albany. The original capital was $400,000. It is at 
the present time $250,000 and the surplus is an equal amount. 

John Tayler continued president until his death in 1829. He was 
succeeded by Francis Bloodgood, who died in 1840, the last survivor of 
the original board of directors. Rufus H. King was elected president 
in 1840 and remained as such until his death in 1867. He was suc- 
ceeded by Gen. Franklin Townsend. J. Howard King was elected 
president in 1879. John W. Yates died in 1828, and was succeeded as 
cashier by his son, Richard Yates, whose successor was Aaron D. 
Patchin. J. B. Plumb succeeded Mr. Patchin, who was succeeded by 
John H. Van Antwerp. He was followed by D. W. Wemple. In 1850 
the charter of the bank expired, when it closed up its business, paying 
back to its stockholders their capital with a handsome surplus. Under 
the same name, with new articles of association, and under the general 
banking laws of the State, it commenced business on January 1, 1851. 
Nearly all the old stockholders subscribed for equal amounts in the 
new association. In 1849 the capital in this bank was reduced to 
$:!69,000. The new bank began with a capital of $.350,000. In 1892 
the bank gave back to stockholders fifty per cent, as an extra dividend. 
The present cashier is Willis G. Nash, who took the position in 1888. 
J. Howard King, president; J. H. Van Antwerp and Ledyard Cogs- 
well, vice-presidents; John H. Van Antwerp, J. Howard King, Fred- 
erick Townsend, James H. Pratt, Marcus T. Hun, Henry K. McHarg, 
Ledyard Cogswell, William Bayard Van Rensselaer, Edward N. Mc- 
Kinney, Nelson H. Salisbury, James Ten Eyck, J. Townsend Lansing 
and Rufus H. King, directors. 

Canal Bank. — This institution was incorporated in 1829, with a cap- 
ital of $300,000. The first directors were John T. Norton, Jeremiah 
Clark, Edward C. Delavan, Lyman Root, Israel Smith, John I. God- 
frey, Aaron Thorpe, David Wood, Henry L. Webb, James Goold, 
Alexander Marvin, Edwin Croswell, James Porter, Richard V. De Witt, 
Lyman Chapin. 



366 

From 1829 to 1835 John T. Norton was president. John Keyes 
Paige succeeded him, who a short time after was foHowed by Joseph 
Russell. The last president was Robert Hunter. Theodore Olcott was 
was the first and only cashier of this bank. 

The failure of this bank in July, 1848, was memorable as the first 
failure of a banking institution in Albany. It was closed by order of 
the comptroller, and a commission appointed to examine into the affairs 
of the bank. No irregularity was discovered. 

Meclianics' and Farmers' Bank. — This institution was incorporated 
March 4, 1811, and opened for business July 2i), 181 1. By the act of 
incorporation, the following were named as directors: Samuel South- 
wick, Benjamin Knower, Elisha Dorr, Isaac f)enniston, Benjamin \'an 
Benthuysen, William Fowler, George Merchant, Thomas Livingston, 
Giles W. Porter, Willard Walker, Walter Weed, Peter Boyd, Isaac 
Hutton, Spencer Stafford and John Bryan. This bank was chartered 
ostensibly for the benefit of the mechanics and farmers of Albany 
county, and its charter provided that none but farmers and mechanics 
should be elected as bank officers; but some years after, application 
was made to the Legislature for an amendment to the charter, so as to 
authorize the election of president and directors without reference to 
the pursuits or employments in which they may have been engaged. 

This bank was first located on the site of the post-office building. 
It is a memorable fact and one that for a time created some uneasiness, 
that the entire first board of directors were Democrats. It had been 
understood that two Federalists would have a place on the board, and 
a substitution was made a little later. 

The first president was Solomon Southwick, who filled the office un- 
til 1813, when he was succeeded by Isaac Hutton. Isaac Hutton was 
succeeded by Benjamin Knower in 1817, who remained president until 
1834, when financial embarrassments having caused his resignation, he 
was succeeded by Charles E. Dudley as president pro tern.., February 
3, 1834. At the election in June of this year, Ezra Ames was elected 
president and Charles E. Dudley, vice-president. This seems to have 
been the first vice-president ever elected by this bank. Ezra Ames 
filled the office of president until 1836, when Thomas W. Olcott having 
resigned the office of cashier, was elected president, which office he 
held until his death in 1880. As a clerk, cashier and president Mr. 
Thomas W. Olcott had been connected with the bank for the long pe- 
riod of sixty-nine years, besidestwo or three years passed in the Colum- 



367 

bia Bank of Hudson, N. Y. , a period of time almost beyond parallel in 
this country. At his death, in 1880, he was succeeded by his son 
Dudley. There is no record of the election of a vice-president from 
the date of the death of Charles E. Dudley in 1841, until 1844, when 
Samuel S. Fowler was chosen. He was succeeded by William H. De 
Witt, who held this office until January 1, 1853, the date of the expira- 
tion of the charter of the old Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. From 
this period, until June, 1865, the bank had no vice-president, when Mr. 
Thomas Olcott, resigning the position of cashier, was elected vice- 
president, which office he held until his death in 1873. From this date 
until January 1, 1879, there was no election of vice-president, when 
Dudley Olcott having resigned as cashier was elected to that otfice. 
He held it until March, 1880, when he was succeeded by John J. Ol- 
cott, who now holds the position. 

Gorham A. Worth was the first cashier, which position he held until 
1817, when he resigned to accept the position of cashier of the Branch 
Bank of the United States, at Cincinnati, Ohio Thomas W. Olcott 
was appointed to the vacancy and held the position until June 7, 183G, 
when he was succeeded by E. E. Kendrick. E. E. Kendrick held the 
office until February 23, 1849, when he was succeeded by Thomas Ol- 
cott, who resigned the position in June, 1865. Dudley Olcott was his 
successor in the office, until January 1, 1879, when he was succeeded 
by George G. Davidson. At the time of the appointment of Thomas 
W. Olcott as cashier, in 1817, the bank's capital had become impaired, 
owing to the financial troubles growing out of the depression following 
the close of the last war with Great Britain ; but from this date, the 
financial history of the bank has been one of unvarying prosperity. 

At the expiration of the charter of the old bank January 1, 1853, the 
stockholders received about 115 per cent., besides their stock in the 
new bank, which was $350,000. The first charter expired in 1833 and 
was renewed for twenty years. At the expiration of the second charter, 
1853, the bank closed its affairs, dividing its surplus, and went into 
operation again with the same officers. During the war of the Rebel- 
lion it again wound up its affairs, and went under the national bank 
system; this was abandoned in 1868. Thomas W. Olcott, to whom must 
be credited a large share of the success of this institution, is by general 
consent acknowledged to have been the great banker of Albany. 

The present capital of this bank is $250,000, and it has a surplus of 
nearly a million dollars. 



National Coiinncrcial Bank. — A bill for the incorporation of the Com- 
mercial Bank of Albany was passed by the vSenate of the State of New 
York on March 30, 1825, and by the Assembly on April 8, 1825, and 
became a law by the signature of Governor De Witt Clinton on April 
12, 1825. The following were named as commissioners in the bill, and 
constituted the first board of directors: Willard Walker, Joshua Tuffs, 
George W. Stanton, Lewis Benedict, William Cook, David E. Gregory, 
Seth Hastings, Ira Jenkins, Joseph Alexander, Robert Gilchrist, Rich- 
ard Marvin, John Townsend, Asa H. Center. 

The directors of the bank were for a time enjoined from opening on 
account of the dissatisfaction of the subscribers with the distribution 
of the capital stock, but August 29, 1836, the chancellor decided that 
the bank might go into operation so far as to issue bills and discount 
notes, but prohibited any transfer of stock, or making any loan or 
pledges on stock. A meeting of the board of directors was held at 
Knickerbocker Hall on the evening of May 23, 1826, at which all the 
directors, with the exception of William Cook were present. At this 
meeting the board was organized and Joseph Alexander- was elected 
president. On July 13, 1826, Henry Bartow was appointed cashier. 

The bank began bufiiness September 5, 1826, with a capital of $300,- 
000, and continued until the expiration of its charter on July 1, 1845, 
and under an extension of its charter until July 1, 1847, when it was 
reorganized under the general banking law of the State. On May 31, 
1865, the bank was chartered under the act of Congress as a national 
institution, and was reorganized and began business under that act Au- 
gust 1, 1865. It continued under this charter for twenty years, until 
May 31, 1885, when an extension of the charter was granted to May 31, 
1905. The capital stock was increased to $500,000 February 1, 1855, 
and on June 10, 1875, was reduced to $300,000, in shares of $100 each, 
the amount of the reduction being paid to the stockholders. On Jan- 
uary 13, 1880, the number of directors was reduced to nine, and on 
September 10, 1887, the number was again changed, so that it should 
not be less than five nor more than fifteen. 

Mr. Alexander was succeeded in the office of president by the follow- 
inu- persons, who were elected at the dates given: John Townsend, 
June 7, 1832; John L. Schoolcraft, August 31, 1854; Ezra P. Prentice, 
June 13, 1860; Robert H. Pruyn, November 24, 1875; Daniel Manning, 
March 4, 1882; Robert C. Pruyn, May 23, 1885. 

Vice-presidents: Seth Hastings, June 18, 1836; John L. Schoolcraft, 



369 

October 28, 1839 ; Andrew White, June 16, 1855. The death of Andrew 
White, in 1857, made a vacancy until the election of Robert H Pruyn, 
November 2, 1872; Robert L. Johnson, November 24, 1875; Daniel 
Manning, April 9, 1881; Robert C. Pruyn, March 4, 1882; Nathan B. 
Perry, November 20, 1885; Grange Sard, April 11, 1890. 

The following cashiers have been appointed: Henry Bartow, July 13, 
1826; James Taylor, October21, 1835; Andrew White, March 17, 1854; 
Powers L. Green, June 16, 1855; Visscher Ten Eyck, July 7, 1858; 
Eliphalet Wickes, August 11, 1863; James Martin, February 24, 1866; 
Edward A. Groesbeck, April 30, 1873. 

Assistant cashiers: James Martin, August 11, 1862; Edward A. 
Groesbeck, November 2, 1872; Edward J. Hussey, December 1, 1891. 

The present board of directors : Abraham Lansing, Simon W. Rosen- 
dale, Robert C. Pruyn, Grange Sard, Robert L. Fryer, James H. Man- 
ning, Hamilton Harris, Horace G. Young, Anthony N. Brady, Charles 
Tracey, William H. Weaver, William J. Walker. This bank has been 
the depositary of the State of New York for nearly si.xty years. 

Albany City National Bank. — This staunch institution was organized 
as the Albany City Bank April 30, 1834, with capital of $500,000. It 
began business on October 1, of that year, with Erastus Corning, presi- 
dent; Samuel S. Fowler, vice-president; Watts Sherman, cashier. 
Charles L. Garfield was appointed clerk in October, 1836 ; in June, 1837, ' 
he was appointed teller in place of Moses B. Wright, and held that po- 
sition many years. In 1840 the bank purchased from Joel Rathbone 
his store at 47 State street, and converted it into a bank building. 
Watts Sherman continued cashier until 1847, when his health failed 
and he was given a vacation in Europe, Henry L. Lansing taking the 
position in his absence. In October, 1850, John V. L. Pruyn was 
elected vice-president. In July, 1851, Mr. Sherman resigned as cashier 
and Henry H, Martin was elected to the position. The charter of this 
bank expired January 1, 1864, and it was immediately reorganized 
under the National Banking Laws with the same officers and capital. 
The stockholders were then paid eighty per cent, in addition to their 
regular dividends, and the sum of $90,000 of the undivided profits of 
the old bank was carried as a surplus fund of the new one. On June 
1, 1885, the charter of the bank was renewed with its present title. In 
December, 1870, Mr. Martin resigned as cashier and Amos P. Palmer 
was selected as his successor. Erastus Corning died in April, 1872, 
and was succeeded as president by his son, Erastus, who still holds the 



37(1 

office. Father and son have served the bank in the capacity of presi- 
dent for a period of sixtj^-three years up to the present date (1897). In 
March, 1873, work was begun on a new bank building on the same site, 
and it was occupied in June, 1874 In February of that year the direc- 
tors reduced the capital of the bank to $300,000. In November, 1877, 
John V. L. Pruyn, one of the oldest officers of the bank, died and Eli 
Perry was elected vice-president in his place. Upon the death of Mr. 
Perry George H. Thacher succeeded to the office of vice-president, and 
after his death his son, George H. Thacher, was elected in his stead. 
The present officers are Erastus Corning, president ; George H. Thacher 
and George I Amsdell, vice-presidents; Jonas H. Brooks, cashier; 
Joseph S. House, assistant cashier. 

National Exxkange Bank. — This bank was organized in 1838 as the 
Albany Exchange Bank, with capital of $311,100, and privileged to in- 
crease it to $10,000,000. It was among the earliest associations under 
the general banking act passed in April of that year. Its first board 
of directors was composed of John Q. Wilson, who was elected presi- 
dent, George W. Stanton, Alfred Douglas, Galen Batchelder, Fred- 
erick J. Barnard, Lansing G. Taylor, John Thomas, Robert Hunter, 
Oliver Steele, Henry Greene, John M. Newton, James McNaughton, 
Giles Sanford, Samuel Stevens, Robert L. Noyes. Soon after organ- 
ization, and before business was commenced, John Q. Wilson and 
Robert Hunter resigned as directors, and Ichabod L. Judson and Gay- 
lor Sheldon were appointed to fill the vacancies. A vacancy thus 
occurring in the office of president, George W. Stanton was elected 
president and filled the office until his death in April, 1841. 

Some unfortunate speculations in the early histoi-y of this bank and 
the loss of money through other bank failures, weakened its credit so 
that at the outbreak of the Civil war its stock was offered at seventy 
cents on the dollar. Careful management by its officers, however, 
averted serious trouble, and when, in 1865, the affairs of the institution 
were wound up preparatory to forming it into a national bank, a 
creditable showing was made. On January 4, 1865, it became the 
National Albany Exchange Bank, with a capital of $300,000. Chaun- 
cey P. Williams, who had acted as receiver of the former bank, was 
appointed cashier; William Gould, president; William G. Thomas, 
vice president. Mr. Gould was succeeded as president by Ichabod L. 
Judson; he by Chauncey P. Williams. He died May 31, 1894, and the 
office was filled by John D. Parsons, jr., the present president. In 



371 

1875 Theodore L. vScott succeeded Mr. Williams as cashier; he died in 
February, 1881, and was succeeded by Jonas H. Brooks. The latter 
was succeeded in 1891 by John J. Gallogly. 

In view of the expiration of the charter of the bank on the 10th of 
January, 1885, the directors decided to not apply for the extension of 
its corporate existence, but recommended the formation of a new 
national banking association. Under direction of C. P. Williams, 
Lansing Merchant and A. V. De Witt the institution was given its 
present organization, the National Exchange Bank of Albany. The 
present paid up stock is $300,000; the surplus, $60,000. 

Merchants' National Bank. — This institution was incorporated under 
the name of the Merchants' Bank January 19, 1853, with capital of 
$350,000. The first board of directors was John Tweddle, Billings P. 
Learned, Richard Van Rensselaer, Matthew J. Hallenbeck, (nlbert L. 
Wilson, Maurice E. Viele, Henry P. Pulling, Joseph N. Bullock, John 
Sill. The bank began business at No. 59 State street April 7, 1853, 
with John Tweddle, president; John Sill, cashier. On April 22, 1865, 
the institution was organized as a national bank with its present title. 
In 18(;i it was removed to its present quarters, No. 458 Broadway. In 
187G Richard Van Rensselaer became president, and was succeeded by 
the present incumbent, J. W. Tillinghast in 1880. Nathan D. Wendell 
was made cashier in 1864, and was succeeded by J. Irving Wendell in 
1880. Nathan D. Wendell became vice-president in 1880 and held that 
ofifice until his death in 1886, when he was succeeded by John G. Myers, 
the present incumbent. The present capital and surplus of this bank 
is $400,000. 

Union Bank. — This institution was first organized under the general 
banking law as the Bank of the Union, June 8, 1853. It began busi- 
ness January 1, 1854, at No. 35 State street, with a capital of $250,000. 
The first board of directors was composed of Billings P. Learned, Gil- 
bert C. Davidson, William N. Strong, Chauncey Vibbard, Amos P. 
Palmer, Charles Coates, George H. Thacher, William L. Learned, 
John H. Reynolds, Daniel D. T. Charles, Alfred Wild, Le Roy Mowry 
and Adam Cottrell. Billings P. Learned was the first president of this 
bank, holding the position from the date of its organization to the time 
of his death, April 16, 1884, when he was succeeded by his son, Bill- 
ings P. Learned. 

John F. Batchelder was the first cashier, holding the office until his 
resignation in 1857, when he was succeeded by Adam Van Allen, who 
resigned in 1861, and was succeeded by Amos P. Palmer. 



372 

In the early part of the year 1865, the stockholders of the Union 
Bank decided to abandon their organization under the State law, and 
organize under the National Bank act; and March 8, 1865, it was au- 
thorized to continue business, under the title of the Union Bank of Al- 
bany, for twenty years. At the expiration of its charter, March 8, 
1885, by agreement with the stockholders, this bank was satisfactorily 
closed and its affairs liquidated in full. Shortly after its organization 
as a national bank, a bank building was erected at No. 446 Broadway, 
which was occupied until the expiration of its charter. The last cashier 
was James C. Cook, who held this position from 1870. 

Bank of the Capitol. — -This was one of the four banks that failed in 
1861, to which allusion has been made; one of them has been described. 
The Bank of the Capitol was incorporated in 1853, with a capital of 
$300,000. The first directors were Thomas Schuyler, M. H. Read, 
John G. White, Adam Van Allen, A. D. Shepard James Van Nostrand, 
Matthew Vassar, Alfred Noxon, and Noah Lee. The latter was chosen 
president, and was succeeded by Thomas Schuyler, and he by John G. 
White. Horatio G. Gilbert was the first cashier, and was succeeded 
by John Templeton. The bank failed May 18, 1861, when M. H. Read 
was appointed receiver. 

The National Bank was another of the four failures and went into 
operation in 1856, with a capital of $600,000, and the following directors: 
William E. Bleecker, Albion Ransom, James C. Kennedy, Richard J. 
Grant, Samuel W. Burnett, Charles Adams and Robert C. Martin. 
William E. Bleecker was chosen president, and Robert C. Martin, 
cashier. Both of these officers remained in their positions until the 
failure of the bank May 33, 1860. James Edwards was appointed 
receiver. 

The Bank of the Interior was the fourth one of those which failed in 
1861 and was incorporated in 1851. Josiah B. Plumb was its principal 
founder and was elected president, with John F. Batchelder, cashier; 
both men were in office at the time of the failure, May 1, 1861. Orlando 
Meads was made receiver. 

First National Bank. — This bank was organized January 26, 1864, 
and began business on the 25th of the next month. It was the first 
bank in Albany organized under the national system and became the 
financial agent of the government for receiving and disbursing its funds 
in this vicinity. Thomas Schuyler was the first president, and Adam 
Van Allen the first cashier. The directors were Thomas Schuyler, 



373 

Garret A. Van Allen, Matthew H. Read, Charles H. Adams, and Frank 
Chamberlain. Matthew H. Read was chosen president in 18G9 and 
continued such until his death in 1883, when he was succeeded by Adam 
Van Allen. He died in ISSi aud was succeeded by Garret A. Van 
Allen. The present cashier, S. W. Rowell, has handed in his resigna- 
tion to take effect May 1, 1897, and up to the date of this writing his 
successor has not been appointed. The directors besides Mr. Van Allen 
are William M. Whitney, C. S. Merrill, John M. Bailey, Horace S. Bell, 
Noel E. Sisson and John A. Dix. The capital of the bank is $300,000; 
surplus, $100,000, and it has paid to stockholders since its organization, 
$750,000. 

The Hope Bank. — Organized and incorporated under the general 
State law, began busines in 1863 with $100,000 capital. James Hen- 
drick was president and William Young, cashier. It was continued 
under these officers until 1874, when it was discontinued and the stock- 
holders paid in full. In the same year it was succeeded by the Hope 
Banking Company, of which Mr. Hendrick was president. This in- 
stitution was discontinued in 1877. 

Albany County Bank — This institution was incorporated under the 
State banking law, and commenced business May 15, 1871, in Tweddle 
Hall building. Removed to present building corner State and South 
Pearl streets, January 16, 1883. Capital, $200,000. Its first board of 
directors was composed of Jacob Learned, B. W. Wooster, Theodore 
D. Smith, A. W. Brumaghim, Royal Bancroft, Elvin Taylor, Francis 
N. Sill, Cornelius Smith, Joseph Mann, Henry A. Fonda and John 
Templeton. Jacob Learned was president from 1871 to 1878, when he 
was succeeded by B. W. Wooster. John R. Cornell now holds that 
office. John Templeton was the first cashier. The present cashier is 
Wm. N. S. Sanders with George C. Lee, assistant. James Moore is vice- 
president. Directors, John R. Carnell, James Moore, Jacob Leonard, 
James Mix, Seth Wheeler, Lansing Hotaling, Albert V. Bensen, Clif- 
ford D. Gregory, John J. White, Frank C. Herrick. The capital of 
this bank is $250,000. 

The Park Bank of Albany was organized in 1889 with capital of 
$100,000. It has been prudently conducted and now has a surplus of 
$25,000. The officers are Grange Sard, president; Robert C. Pruyn, 
first vice-president; James D. Wasson, second vice-president; Charles 
H. Sabin, cashier. 



Tlie Albany Savings Bank is the second oldest savings bank in this 
State and was organized through eiTorts of William James, Charles R. 
Webster, Jesse Buel, John Townsend, and Joseph Alexander, who 
petitioned the Legislature for an act of incorporation. The act was 
passed March 25, 1820. The first officers of the institution were 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, president; William James, first vice president; 
Joseph Alexander, second vice-president; John Townsend, third vice- 
president; Charles R. Webster, Jesse Buel, Thomas Russell, Volkert 
P. Douw, William Durant, Douw Fonda, Simeon De Witt, Peter Boyd, 
John Spencer, John L. Winne, William McHarg, Matthew Gill, Har- 
manus Bleecker and Sylvanus P. Jermain, managers, none of whom 
received directly or indirectly, pay for their services. The first meet- 
ing of these officers was held May 16, 1820, at the Chamber of Com- 
merce room, when Sylvanus P. Jermain was appointed secretary; and 
a short time after, John W. Yates was made treasurer. 

The first deposit was made June 10, 1820, the money being received 
at the New York State Bank, with which the Savings Bank had made 
arrangements for the safe keeping of its funds. The deposits received 
this day amounted to $527. The first depositor was Joseph T. Rice, a 
silversmith. The arrangements made with the New York State Bank 
continued until 1828, when a contract was made with the Commercial 
Bank to keep and invest the funds of the Savings Bank. In 1872 the 
business of the Savings Bank was conducted in the rooms formerly 
occupied by the First National Bank. It occupied its own building, 
No. 89 State street, in May, 1875, but is about to remove to a new 
structure, corner of Maiden Lane and North Pearl street. 

Mr. Van Rensselaer was succeeded as president, in 1840, by John 
Townsend; in 1854, by Gerrit Y. Lansing; by Rufus H. King in 1803; 
by Harmon Pumpelly, in 1867; by Henry H. Martin, in 1882. J. 
Howard King is now president, with Marcus T, Hun, vice-president. 

John W. Yates was succeeded as treasurer, in 1844, by James Taylor; 
by Visscher Ten Eyck, 1861; James Martin, 1869; Henry H. Martin, 
1874; Theodore Townsend, in 1882. 

This institution is one of the strongest in the State and has always 
had the confidence of the community. Its deposits have increased from 
about $14,000 in the first year until its assets now amount to nearly 
$20,000,000, with a surplus of about $2,350,000. 

Tlie Albany City Savings Institution was incorporated on March 29, 




GEN. SELDEN E. MARVIN. 



375 

1850, and began business in the Albany- City National Bank build- 
ing, No. 47 State street. The first trustees were Erastus Corn- 
ing, sr , John Taylor, James Maher, Lansing Pruyn, James Kidd, 
James McNaughton, John V. L. Pruyn, William Humphrey, Watts 
vSherman, John T. Norton, James Goold, Samuel Pruyn, Henry H. 
Martin, John Knower, John McKnight, William Boardman, John G. 
White, Ellis Baker, Christopher W. Bender and Thomas Noonan. The 
first president was Erastus Corning, sr. , who was succeeded by his son, 
Erastus Corning. Selden E Marvin now holds that position. Watts 
Sherman was the first treasurer and was succeeded by Henry H. Mar- 
tin. In 1874: Amos P. Palmer took this office and was succeeded by 
Russell C. Case. The present treasurer is William S. Hackett. John 
E. Walker and Horace S, Bell, vice-presidents. The deposits and sur- 
plus amount to $2,740,582.71. The present trustees are : Selden E. 
Marvin, Rodney Vose, George I. Amsdell, Francis H. Woods, Charles 
R. Knowles, James W. Cox, jr., John E. Walker, John E. Palmer, Geo. 
H. Thacher, E. De L Palmer, Albert Hessberg, Horace S. Bell, Ed- 
ward J. Gallien, J. H. Brooks, John Bowe, P. N. Bouton. 

The Mechanics' and Fanners' Savings Bank was incorporated April 
12, 1855, and commenced business in the Mechanics' and Farmers' 
Bank building. Thomas W. Olcott was its first president. He was 
succeeded by his son, Dudley Olcott, who still holds the office, Both 
Thomas W. and Dudley Olcott held the office of secretary, of which 
the present incumbent is George G. Davidson. Charles Newman is 
vice-president, and Horatio N. Snow, accountant. The surplus on 
July 1, 1896, was $357,085.67. The deposits are nearly $2,000,000. 

The Albany Exchange Savings Bank was incorporated in April, 1850, 
with James McNaughton, president, and Joseph M. Lovett, treasurer. 
The office of president has been held by William G. Thomas, Isaac A. 
Chapman, John E. McElroy, and William Dalton, the present incum- 
bent. In 1860 Chauncey P. Williams was elected treasurer. The 
present treasurer is Abraham V. De Witt, John DeWitt Peltz is first 
vice-president, and Jarnes McKinney second vice-president. 

The National Savings Bank was incorporated May G, 1868, and began 
business in June of the following year. The first president was Eras- 
tus Corning, sr. , who was succeeded by John H. Van Antwerp in 1872; 
he has held this position ever since. Albert P. Stevens was the first 
treasurer, and he also has held the office to the present time. John G. 
Myers and G. A. Van Allen are vice-presidents. On January 1, 1897, 
its deposits and surplus reached the total of $8,443,594.56, exhibiting 



376 

a continuance of growth, year by year, measuring the confidence 
reposed in it by its depositors in a most assuring and satisfactory man- 
ner to its officers and trustees. Economy in its administration is 
evidenced by the fact that its president, Mr. Van Antwerp, has from 
the first declined holding the presidency as a salaried position. 

Tlie Home Savi)igs Bank, located in its new building, No. 13 North 
Pearl street, in this city, was incorporated May 10, 1871. William White 
was the fir.st president, holding the office up to the time of his death in 
January, 1882. He was succeeded by JohnD. Capron, who held the 
office until May, 1891. Peter Kinnear was then chosen to succeed 
him, and held the office until January, 1896, when he was succeeded by 
the present incumbent, James Ten Eyck, of the firm of Bacon, Stickney 
& Co., also past grand master of Masons in this State. Edmund L. 
Judson was treasurer from the organization of the bank up to the time 
of his death in April, 1890, when he was succeeded by the present 
incumbent, John D. Capron. The other officers are David A. Thomp- 
son, first vice-president; John H. Farrell, second vice-president; and 
Samuel L. Munson, secretary. The deposits on January 1, 1897, 
amounted to $1,604,204.23. The surplus on the same date was $91,- 
719.80. 

The Albany County Savings Bank was incorporated April 30, 1874, 
with Jasper H Pratt, president; who was succeeded by the present in- 
cumbent, Jasper Van Wormer. John Templeton was the first treasu- 
rer, and was succeeded by William N. S. Sanders, the incumbent. Al- 
bert V. Bensen has been secretary from the incorporation. Seth 
Wheeler, James Mix and F. C. Curtis are vice-presidents. Amount 
due depositors January 1, 1896, $4,359,892.45; surplus, $200,226,33. 

MANUFACTURES. 

While Albany has gained a high position as a center of political in- 
fluence, in art and educational affairs, and in the character of its financial 
institutions, it has also attained prominence through the number and 
importance of its manufacturing industries. 

The iron industry in its various branches is one of the oldest and most 
important in the city. What is now the Townsend Furnace and Ma- 
chine vShop Company was established in 1807 by John and Isaiah Town- 
send, who were succeeded in 1838 by John Townsend alone, who was 
followed in 1849 by Franklin and Theodore Townsend. In 1856 Frank- 
lin Townsend became sole proprietor, and in 1867 admitted George P. 




JOHN H. VAN ANTWERP. 



377 

jaekson to a partnership. In 1871 Rufiis K. Townsend, grandson of 
Isaiah, took his father's place in the business, and in July, 1882, upon the 
death of Mr. Jackson, became sole proprietor. Rufus K. Townsend died 
in December, 1895, and his father (Franklin) again assumed control of the 
business and organized a stock company with the above title and the 
following officers: Ledyard Cogswell, vice-president ; John T Brady, 
secretary and treasurer; Ezra Loughren, superintendent. 

The iron foundry of Isaiah Page & Son was established by the senior 
member of the firm in 1832, and occupied its present site in 1850. Will- 
iam B. Page became a member of the firm in 1883, and two years later 
Isaiah Page died. For more than fifty years this establishment has 
conducted a successful and honorable business. 

The car wheel works now operated by Hon. John Boyd Thacher 
and his brother, George H. Thacher, jr., merit notice. This busi- 
ness was founded by George H. Thacher in 1852, and during many 
years some of the leading railroads in the country, including the 
New York Central, were supplied with wheels from this foundry. The 
Albany Saw, Steel and File Works, conducted by E. F. Decker & Bros., 
was established by Pruyn & Lansing (Robert H. Pruyn and Charles B. 
Lansing) in 1855. This lirm was succeeded in 1879 by Lansing & Co., 
and they by the present firm in 1892. The name of the works sufficiently 
explains its character. Other iron industries have been conducted by 
Storks & Pruyn (established 1848), and operated later by Prince & Ott; 
Sullivan & Ehler, steam engines; James McKinney & Son, the Albany 
Malleable Iron Works, E D. Ransom & Co., and others. 

During many years Albany was the headquarters of stove manufac- 
turing in the United States, and the industry is a prominent one at the 
present time. Stoves were made here as early as 1827 by H. Nott cSc 
Co., and from that time onward the industry rapidly advanced. The 
great establishment of the Perry Stove Co. was started in 1837 by 
Treadwell & Perry and for fifty years carried on a large business. For 
reasons that need not be entered upon here the business was placed in 
the hands of Selden E. Marvin as receiver in 1895. 

Rathbone, Sard & Co., manufacture the celebrated Acorn stoves and 
ranges, and have branches in Chicago, Detroit, and Aurora, 111. The 
business was estabhshed in 1835 by Gen. John F. Rathbone, who is 
still president of the company. George Sard is vice-president and man- ' 
ager, and Edward Bowditch, secretary and treasurer. About 700 men are 
employed in Albany and 500 in Aurora. The Littlefield Stove Com- 



378 

pany was organized in 1865 by D. G. Littlefield, who is now president 
of the company, with H. C. Littlefield, as treasurer. D. G. Littlefield is 
the inventor of the first successful base-burning stove. Among other 
firms that have been represented in this industry are the Albany Stove 
Company, organized in 1868 ; the Ransom Stove Company, Carroll & 
Co., the Albany Co-operative vStove Company, and several individuals. 

The brewing industry in Albany had its inception in the early years 
of the city's existence, and before the granting of the Dongan charter, 
Arent Van Corlaer making ale here in 1601. In 1695 Ren C. Corlaer 
and Albert Ryckman were "authorized and directed to brew, for the 
use of the Common Council, three pipes of beer at ^10 I3.f." Another 
early and prominent brewer was Harme Gansevoort who died in 1801. 
At about the same period a Mr. Gill was producing 150 barrels a year 
and boasted of the great quantity. At the present time there are 
manufactured in the city approximately half a million barrels of malt 
liquors annually. Robert Dunlop was an early brewer, as were also 
John McKnight, and Andrew Kirk, the latter on the site of the present 
Capitol City Brewery. Among the leading brewers of ale and lager in 
the city at the present time is the Beverwyck Brewing Company, which 
had its inception in a plant established in 1845 by James Quinn; this 
brewery now has an annual product of 100,000 barrels of lager and 80,- 
000 barrels of ale. The Albany Brewing Company had its inception in 
1797 and now has a malting capacity of 150,000 bushels and produces 
more than 100,000 barrels of ale and porter annually. The Taylor 
Brewery was started in 1822 and is still in successful operation. The 
Fort Orange Brewing Company was formed in 1839 and was succeeded 
by the present Capitol City Brewing Company. In 1843 William Ams- 
dell founded the ale and porter brewery now conducted by his son, 
George I. Amsdell, the annual capacity of which is about 100,000 bar- 
rels. Other brewers of importance are Quinn & Nolan, the Hinckic 
Brewing Company, the Dobler Brewing Company, and the Hedrick 
Brewing Compan)', all of which are comparatively large producers. 
Intimately connected with this industry is the malting interest, in which 
John G. White and his son, Andrew G., John Tweddle, J. W. Tilling- 
hast, Thomas McCredie, William Appleton, Story Brothers, William 
Kirk and others have been prominent. 

The lumber industry, which is both manufacturing and mercantile in 
character, has for many years been a prominent factor in the business 
interests of the city. The Swedish traveler, Kalm, noted the fact that 



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GEORGE 1. AMSDELL. 



379 

vast quantities of wliite pine existed in this region in 1749, from which 
the early merchants and others sawed valuable lumber. The Patroon's 
early saw mills, on the creek that bears his name, have already been 
mentioned; they were in charge of Barent Pieterse Coeymans and Jan 
Gerritsen for a time, and in 1763 the former bought a large tract of 
land twelve miles south of the city, on which mills had already been 
built. In De Liancourt's notes of travel in 1795, he places timber and 
lumber first among the exports from Albany. In 1840 there were 
eighty-four saw mills in operation in Albany county; but the sale of 
local lumber soon became only a small part of the traffic of this city. 
In early years lumber was rafted and boated on the upper Hudson and 
the Mohawk from Northern and Central New York and here loaded on 
sloops and sent down the river. Two lumber yards were early estab- 
lished, one at the foot of South Ferry street and the other between 
Ouackenbush street and Lumber street (now Livingston avenue). With 
the opening of the canals the business received a great impetus. Lum- 
ber was brought here in immense quantities and the wharves were 
used for its temporary storage. These soon became inadequate and 
slips were cut from the canal towards the river and the lumber piled 
along their banks. In the course of time the Lumber District, as it is 
termed, occupied about one and a half miles of river front and contained 
numerous slips running east and west. There were also erected large 
sawing and planing mills and other wood working establishments. In 
1840 the receipts of lumber and timber were 124, 173,383 feet of the 
former, and 784,310 of the latter, valued at over $2,000,000. This 
quantity was increased in 1850 to 425,095,430 feet of lumber and 3,039,- 
588 of timber, valued at $6,80(5,213 The highest value in boards and 
scantling received was recorded in 1853, the figures being $6,299,017. 
In 1860 the valuation was a little more than $5,000,000. In 1870 the 
receipts of sawed lumber by canal were 415,000,000. In 1880, 362,000,- 
01)0. After that time the quantity was considerably increased for a 
few years. The trade was at its height from 1880 to 1885, when about 
■"ii 10,000, 000 were annually received by about thirty- five to forty firms. 
During that period by far the larger part of the receipts were from 
Michigan and Wisconsin, the receipts from Canada having gradually 
diminished. In the past ten years the business as a whole has fallen 
off largely, imtil at the present time there are less than twenty large 
dealers, handling from 200,000,000 to 250,000,000 feet annually. The 
decline is due to changes in business methods, under which mill owners 



consign directly to market, driving out the middle men. Unfavorable 
discrimination in railroad freight rates, too, has had an unfavorable in- 
fluence against the business. 

The Board of Lumber Dealers was organized in 1863 and was incor- 
porated in 1869. It has been instrumental in maintaining equitable 
business principles among dealers, disseminating valuable information 
and adjusting difficulties. It is entirely impracticable here to give a 
detailed account of the many companies and individuals who have been 
connected with this great industry in Albany. Among them have been 
Whitlock & Fassett, who began in 1832, and were succeeded by Will- 
iam X. Fassett; Douglas L. White cS: Co., Dalton & Kibbe, Moore & 
Zimmerman, W. H. Weaver & Co. (whose business was founded in 
1802 by William McEchron, J. Ordway, James Morgan, A. M. Adsit 
and W. H. Weaver), Rathbun & Co. (established in 1845 by Joshua 
Rathbun), Rodney Vose (began in 1853), Maltbie & Simons (succeeded 
by Simons & Richards), Gratwick & Fryer, L. Thompson & Co., 
Hughson & Co., Mattoon & Robinson, J. O. Towner & Co., Arnold & 
Co., J. Benedict & Son, William N. Callender, Truman D. Cameron, 
J. W. Dunham & Co., Charles P. Easton & Co., Fogg, Patton & Co., 
John H. Gordon, Hand & Babbitt, Hubbell & Hill, Harvey Hunter, 
John Krutz, W. C. Many & Co., T. Miles & Co., Morgan Lumber 
Company, Thomas Murphy, J. R. Nangle, Charles B. Nichols, Phil- 
lips & Dunscomb, H. W. Sage & Co., Saxe Bros., Robert Scott, Smith, 
Craig & Co. , Henry Spawn, Staples & Van Allen, P. Van Rensselaer 
& Co., Van Santford & Eaton, C. Warren, David Whitney, jr., N. R. 
Wilbur & vSon, C. H. Winne and Waine & Andrews. 

The manufacture of agricultural machinery has been a considerable 
industry in Albany. The Wheeler & Melick Companj' was founded in 
1830 and for many years were the leaders in this line of business, the 
value of their annual product reaching $500,000. The agricultural 
and machine works of Peter K. Dederick & Co. also carry on a large 
industry, manufacturing the Dederick patent hand and power presses, 
and many other kinds of apparatus for farmers' use. 

The manufacture of pianos was begun in Albany in 1825 by James A. 
Gray. In 1837 he took as a partner William G. Boardman, the firm 
name being Boardman & Graj-. The business was successful and from 
1840 to 1860 the firm was among the leading piano manufacturers of 
the country. In 1877 William J. Gray, son of the founder of the busi- 
ness, became a meniber of the firm. Mr. Boardman died in 1881 and 



the business was continued bj' the Grays. In 1853 Marshall & Traver, 
two practical workmen from the Boardman & Gray factory, began 
making: pianos, and two years later were succeeded by Marshall & 
Wendell. In 1882 the firm, under the title of the Marshall & Wen- 
dell Manufacturing Co., was incorporated, with Henry Russell, presi- 
dent; J. V. Marshall, superintendent; Harvey Wendell, manager and 
treasurer, and John Loujjhren, secretary. This business is still in exist- 
ence, the present officers of the company being Jacob H. Ten Eyck, 
jn-esident; Thomas S. Willes, vice president ; Edward M. McKinney, 
manager and treasurer, and James L. Carpenter, secretary. 

William McCammon was an early manufacturer of pianos in Albany 
and his instruments acquired considerable reputation. Upon his death 
in 1881 the business was continued by his son, Edward McCammon, 
who finally removed it to Oueonta a few years since. 

While there are very many other branches of industry profitably 
pursued in this city, this brief glance at some of the more prominent of 
the past and present ones will suffice to show that as a manufactur- 
ing center Albany is not far behind other cities of its size. 

WATER SUPPLY. 

The first notice in the city records of a proposed water supply, other 
llian wells, occurs under date of 1794. An advertisement was then 
published asking for proposals for supplying the city with water 
through an aqueduct from a spring "at the Five-Mile House on the 
road to Albany." Xo further notice of this matter appears in the re- 
cords. Two years later the Legislature passed an act to enable the 
corporation to establish a water supply, but this, too, failed of accom- 
lilishment. In 179T Benjamin Prescott received from Stephen ^'an 
Rensselaer a grant of the Maezlandt Kill, and he laid a line of wooden 
log conduits from the fountain head. For some unexplained reason 
the grant must have reverted to Van Rensselaer, who, a few years 
later, transferred all the rights on that stream to the water company. 
The Albany Water Works Company was incorporated in 1802 with a 
capital of §40,000. The first trustees were Stephen Lush, Pliilip Van 
Rensselaer, and John Tayler. The work of laying iron and wooden 
jiipes through the principal streets was immediately commenced, and 
the' Maezlandt Kill continued to be the source of supply until 1837, 
when that stream failed to meet the demands made upon it and the 



383 

Middle Brocjk was drawn upon. Within a few years both streams proved 
inadequate, and in 1845 a part of the Patroon's Creek was purchased by 
the company. Meanwhile in 1844 the capital of the company was 
increased to $80,000, and in the same year the Albany Hydrant Company 
was incorporated, with John Townsend, John K. Paige, Bradford R. 
Wood, James D. Wasson, Barnum Whipple, Rufus W. Peckham, and 
Peter Gansevoort, trustees. This company caused extensive investi- 
gation and surveys to be made for the purpose of providing a better 
water supply, but nothing further was done. 

A long-existing sentiment among progressive citizens that it would 
be wise for the city to own its own water works culminated in the sub- 
mission of a bill to the Legislature by the corporation, which became 
a law April 9, 1850. This law empowered the council to appoint a 
board of five water commissioners, whose most important duty at that 
time was to make the necessary investigations and report upon the 
most feasible plan for establishing adequate water works for the city at 
a cost not exceeding $600,000. The first water commission comprised 
James Stevenson, Erastus Corning, John Townsend, John Tayler and 
Robert E. Temple. The commission entered at once upon their task 
and had examinations made of the Hudson River, Patroon's Creek, the 
Normans Kill and the lakes on the Helderbergs. Plans were finally 
devised and reported which met the approval of the coiuicil. On Au 
gust 23, 1850, all the sources of water supply owned by the old com- 
pany were purchased for $150,000, and most of the wooden pipes were 
superseded by iron, but the old method of obtaining water by gravita- 
tion was continued some years, the supply being the Maeztland Kill, 
with a further source which was adopted in 1851. This was provided 
by building a dam about six miles west of the city where three streams 
united to form the Patroon's Creek, thus creating a body of water since 
called Rensselaer Lake, covering full forty acres of land and holding 
about '200,000,00(1 gallons. From this lake an egg shaped brick con- 
duit four feet high and nearly four miles long, was built to Bleecker 
reservoir, with a capacity of 30,000,000 gallons. In the same year two 
other reservoirs were built a little east of West Albany, which took the 
names of LTpperand Lower Tivoli Lakes, the upper one being for stor- 
age and the lower for distribution. These received their supply from 
water entering the creek east of Rensselaer Lake. From the lower 
lake a 24-inch main was laid to the intersection of North Pearl and 
Van Woert streets, where the water entered the distributing mains. 



( 



383 

This was the system of water supply up to 1S75, and included iron 
mains all through the city east of Bleecker reservoir. 

Before the year last named, however, the demand upon the water 
supply was so great, owing to growth of the city, that several water 
famines occurred, and it was evident that something must be done for 
relief. The Hudson River was now brought forward and discussed as a 
proper source of supply, and thorough analyses and investigations were 
made to determine its purity. O. F. Chandler, Ph.D., made an analysis 
of the water in ] 872 and said : "I have no hesitation in recommending it 
as a suitable and proper source of supply." This decision he supported 
in 1885, when asked by the water commissioners if anything had taken 
place since his first analysis to lead him to change his first opinion. 
The plans of the water commissioners for the adoption of the river as 
a source of supply were carried out in in 1875, the water being taken 
from beyond the pier, carried into a well chamber six feet in diam- 
eter and eighty feet deep through a copper wire screen of one hundred 
meshes to the inch, and thence through a culvert below low water 
mark. From this well chamber was extended a tunnel five feet in 
diameter and nearly nine hundred feet long under the basin to the 
pumping works, corner of Montgomery and Quackenbush streets, 
where engines were established which operated pumps to force the sup- 
ply into Bleecker reservoir. While this plan gave an abundant supply 
to the district east of Bleecker reservoir, there were more elevated 
parts of the city that received no benefit from the new arrangement. 
To improve the conditions another reservoir was built in 1878 on Pros- 
pect Hill with a capacity of 7,000,000 gallons, and into this water is 
pumped from the Bleecker reservoir. The use of water from the Hudson 
River continued to cause discussion for a number of years, many intel- 
ligent persons insisting that it could not possibly be wholesome. On 
November 17, 188-1, the Common Council passed a resolution recpiesting 
from the water commissioners a detailed statement of their infurmation 
concerning the possible sources of water supply for the city, and of 
their reasons for adopting the plan of pumping water from tiie Hudson. 
The board reported February 2, 1885, as follows: 

This Board has no prejudice in favor of the river water, or against any other source 
of supply, and if it can be shown that a better source of supply exists, it will gladly 
take all practicable measures within its power to secure it. 

The report adds that judging by experience and by the numerous 



384 

tests made, the river is the only practicable and attainable source of 
supply. 

The water subject continued to be agitated and before long an addi- 
tional supply was needed to meet the increasing demand of the city. In 
accordance with a law of 1885, a special water commission was appointed 
consisting of Samuel Hand, president; Albert Vander Veer, secretary; 
Archibald McClure and Owen Golden, "to make inquiry as to the 
available sources of supply of pure and wholesome water for the city," 
and if the present supply was decided to be the best available, what 
method could be adopted for purifying it. On November 30, 1885, 
this commission recommended to the council 1st, That the supply then 
obtained from Patroon's Creek and Sand Creek by the Tivoli Lake be 
gathered and transmitted to the Tivoli main, the cost of which would 
not exceed $230,000. 2d, " That a contract be-made for a new supply 
of 10,000,000 gallons daily, to be delivered at Quackenbush street pump- 
ing station, from the flats between the Troy road and the Hudson River 
north of the city, at or about in the locality of the well from which the 
water has been tested, to be furnished by the patent improved gang- 
well system of William B. Andrews & Bro.," the cost of thi.s improve- 
ment not to exceed $450,000. 

The commission further recommended in the event uf the council not 
approving of this plan, an alternative as follows: A new intake at a 
point in the Hudson River about 2,500 feet above the present intake, 
a new main from the pumping station to Bleecker reservoir, and addi- 
tional pumps, with extensive facilities for aeration and filtration, and 
the abandonment of Tivoli Lake, the estimated expense of all this 
being $750,000. 

In their report to the council for 188(3 the water commissioners again 
recommended the purchase of another and more powerful engine. At 
that time the consumption of water was exceeding the capacity of the 
pumps by more than twenty five per cent. Although Tivoli Lake had 
been in one sense condemned, it was indispensable during 1886, as it 
was furnishing about one-fourth of the city supply. The report of the 
board for 1887 called for increased pumping capacity. On the 6th of 
January of this year Robert L. Banks, president of the Board of Water 
Commissioners, sent a communication to the water committee of the 
council, stating that the commissioners recommended such action by 
the council in its recommendations to the Legislature as would result 
in mutual action with the conimissioner.s. That even if the driven well 



385 

project authorized by the law of 1885 should be successful, an unneces- 
sary provision in the law of 1884 restrained the commissioners from 
taking any progressive steps, after an engine had been contracted for 
and land purchased for the completion of the plant. The commission- 
ers' report for 1887 states that the engines already contracted for were 
completed and installed, but that the city was under fearful risks of water 
famine and destructive fire — a condition caused largely by the unnec- 
essar}' provisions of the law before alluded to. The two new engines of 
5,000,000 capacity, contracted for under the previous law, Were finished 
in 1888. 

On March 16, 1891, a special water commission consisting of Ur. Albert 
Vander Veer, Hiram E. Sickels, Owen Golden and John G. Myers, report- 
ed the driven well project a failure, and that in anticipation of this con- 
tingency they had made investigation as to the possibility of adopting 
some other source of supply at reasonable cost. They reported that the 
feeling against the use of river water for drinking purposes had not abat- 
ed. One portion of the city, the eastern, where the supply was from the 
new reservoir, was comparatively free from typhoid and other diseases, 
which were then so prevalent as to amount to an epidemic in that part 
of the city south of Pearl street, which drew its supply from the river. 
This commission made careful examination of two sources of supply 
which alone seemed available; one, the streams and small lakes in 
Rensselaer county, east of the Hudson, and the other the Normanskill 
and its tributaries. On account of the great cost of adopting the first 
named source, the Normanskill was strongly recommended for adoption. 
The commission submitted an estimate of the cost of using this source, 
and further stated that the quality of the water compared favorably 
with that then being taken from the new reservoirs. 

On December 38, 1891, the same commission submitted a report on 
the Normanskill, giving its flow, degree of purity, and suggesting meth- 
ods for using it, adding, that by measurements and examinations made, 
" we are the more firmly convinced that the Normanskill will furnish a 
city supply amply sufficient and of good quality, and that a resort to it is 
the best, the most practical, if not the only practical, solution of the 
problem, how to give the city of Albany a better supply of water. 
Various expert opinions were secured as to the excellence of this water 
late in that year and early in 1892; but on January 16, 1892, the water 
committee of the council reported to that body that the project recom- 



mended by the special commission ought not to receive their sanction, 
and therefore reported adversely upon the project. 

The Board of Water Commissioners appointed in May, 1893, report- 
ed to the council December 5, 1892, that one promising source of water 
supply had been overlooked, which was Kinderhook Creek, which has its 
source in a number of streams rising in the mountainous district along 
the boundary of Massachusetts and New York. The commissioners 
submitted plans for the adoption of this source and estimates indicat- 
ing that it could be made available for the sum of $1,600,000. The 
water was examined by experts and pronounced superior. On Decem- 
18, 1893, Frederic P. Stearns, consulting engineer of Boston, reported 
to Hon. Elnathan Sweet, president of the water commissioners, that 
the Kinderhook Creek water was of excellent quality for all purposes, 
and that a supply from it would cost about $72,000 less annually than 
a supply from the Hudson, if properly filtered. 

Two of the pumps, before alluded to, and ordered from Milwaukee 
are at the present time in use, and all other plans for a better water 
supply were abandoned up to the present year, 1897, when there is a 
bill before the legislature authorizing the city to expend $500,000 for 
an elaborate filtration system for the present supply. In 1896 a new 
building for the water works on Montgomery street was erected. Will- 
iam H. Weaver is now president of the board and George I. Bailey, 
superintendent. 

FIRE DEPARTMENT. 

Something has already been written of the fact that Albany made 
some effort towards protection from fire as early as 1094-, through a 
body called Brant-masters, who used brantleere (fire ladders) and hooks. 
In December, 1706, the city had a primitive fire department, whose 
members were called " fyre-masters. " In that year the records show 
that William Hogan, Anthony Coster, William Jacobse, Joh'^ Claese, 
Jan Evertse, and Jacobus Schuyler were appointed to that position for 
one year; they were to examine chimneys, and " where they find chim- 
neys extraordinary foule, to fine ye owner in ye summe of three shil- 
lings." These fyre-masters were continued many years, and in 1726 cer- 
tain fines were imposed upon any person refusing to serve in that office. 
At a council meeting, November 24, 1730, it was ordered that "hooks 
and ladders be made with all speed and kept within convenient places 
within the city for avoiding the peril of fire." 




tLNATHAN SWEET. 



387 

No engine was owned in the city until February, 1733, when steps 
were taken resulting in purchasing "the Richard Newsham engine, 
fifth size, with six feet suction pipe and forty feet leather hose pipe." 
This engine was soon received in the city with great rejoicing and con- 
stituted the only means of extinguishing fires for many years. The 
engine was kept in a shed on what is now the corner of Beaver and 
South Pearl streets. The second engine (probably) was purchased in 
England by Harmse Gansevoort in 1703, for $397.50, and in 1792 another 
engine was in use in the city which was a superior machine for that 
period. At that time the engine house was at the northwest corner of 
the old English church on State street. On January 26, 1801, the Hand 
Barrow company was organized with the following officers: Garrett 
Bogart, superintendent; John Cuyler, sub-superintendent. 

The engine companies constituting the old fire department were or- 
ganized as follows: No. 1, Januarys, 1801; No. 2, January 15, 1801; 
No. 4, July 1, 1805; No. 5, February 1, 1807; No. 0, June 25, 1810; 
No. 7, November 11, 1811; No. 8, December 13, 1813; No. 9, October 
24, 1814; No. 10, March 13, 1815; No. 11, January 6, 1840; No. 12, 
May 22, 1843; No. 13, October 1, 1855; No. 15, April 16, 1866. ' 

Hose Company No. 1 was organized, October 1, 1838; Engine No. 1 
was reorganized into a hose company, November 13, 1854, known as 
Hos.e No. 2; Hose Company No. 3 was organized October 1, 1855; En- 
gine No. 4 was reorganized into Hose Company No. 4, November 13, 
1854. On July 9, 1810, men were detailed from other companies to 
serve as Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. On April 13, 1813, Hook 
and Ladder Company No. 1 was regularly organized, and on January 
28, 1813, Hook and Ladder Company No. 2 was organized. 

March 6, 1843, the council passed a law regulating the duties of chief 
engineer and fixed his salary at $600 per annum. On the 27th of No- 
vember, 1848, a law was passed which entirely reorganized the depart- 
ment. It was also ordered that no wooden building should thereafter 
be erected in any part of Albany east of Lark street. 

Hand engines only were used in the city until July 13, 1863, when 
the council authorized the purchase of a steam fire engine, to be locat- 
ed on Capitol Hill at the house of No. 4, the cost not to exceed $3,500. 
On the 4th of April, 1864, a company was organized for this engine, 
with thirty members, and J. C. Cuyler was made foreman, William Mix, 
jr., first assistant, William J. Shankland, second assistant, and Edward 
Leslie, clerk. During the fall of the same year two other steamers 



were purchased, the Putnam and the Thomas Kearney. The effective 
service rendered by these engines soon produced a change in public 
sentiment, and in 1807, on the application of the council, the Legislature 
passed a law authorizing the council to reorganize the department to 
use steam engines, and to make appointments based upon merit by 
which certain tenure of office was assured the appointees, thereby in- 
suring effective service. The council's action was taken March Kl, 
1867, and the law was passed by a vote of 13 in the affirmative to i 
negative. On April 15, 1867, the council appointed the following com- 
missioners under the law: George Cuyler, Lansing Pruyn, Thomas 
Kearney, M. V. B. Winne, J. C. Cuyler, the last named being appointed 
secretary. 

Section four of the law of 18G7 conferred upon the commissioners 
the entire control and management of the department, and immedi- 
ately upon their appointment they took the necessary steps to initiate 
the work of reorganization. The old department consisted of eighteen 
companies, with a complement of between seven hundred and fifty 
and eight hundred men, three steamers, seven hand engines, six hose 
carriages and two hook and ladder trucks. It was in a demoralized 
condition, and utterly inadequate for the purposes of its organization. 
The introduction of steamers in 1864 tended to impair the efficiency of 
the hand service, and the hand engines were virtually retired. Al- 
though the membership of the department numbered upwards of eight 
hundred, the attendance at fires seldom exceeded two hundred. The 
spirit of the old volunteer system, in former times so thorough and 
effective, was broken, and while there were some few who were prompt 
in the discharge of their duties as firemen, the majority absented them- 
selves from fires. The law reorganizing the department reduced the 
number of companies to seven, and the entire working force to one 
hundred and fifty officers and men. It provided for five steamers and 
two hook and ladder trucks. There were but three steamers in the 
department and none of them was in perfect working order. To re- 
duce the force under the circumstances would have been unwise, and 
have left the property of the citizens unprotected. The commissioners, 
therefore, immediately ordered a steamer from the Amoskeag works, 
which was delivered in June, 1867. It was at once put in service, in 
charge of a new company, to be known as Steamer Company No. 4, and 
on the 1st day of July, 1867, several of the old organizations were relieved 
from duty. The steamer Putnam was subsequently removed to Arbor 



Hill, to the house formerly occupied by Hose 9, and a new company or- 
ganized for it, and known as Steamer No. 2. The McQuade steamer was 
placed on Washington avenue, though it was temporarily located in a 
barn on Willett street near State street, until necessary alterations could 
be made to the house of Engine 5. A new company was also organized 
for it, known as Steamer No. 1. The Kearney steamer was allowed 
to remain in its old location, and was placed in charge of a new com- 
pany, known as Steamer No. 3. Subsequently the commissioners or- 
dered a second Amoskeag steamer, which was completed and deliv- 
ered in the city in August, 1867. As soon as it had been accepted, it 
was temporarily located in the house formerly occupied by Engine 8, on 
Madison avenue. A company was organized for it, known as Steamer 
No. 5. This steamer was afterwards removed to the house formerly 
occupied by Engine 11, on South Pearl street, when the necessary alter- 
ations were completed. Before the 1st day of September, 18G7, all 
of the old companies were relieved from duty, excepting Engine com- 
pany 13, the commissioners deeming it unwise to discharge them from 
service until another steamer could be procured, to be located in the 
house on the corner of Jefferson and Swan streets. To complete the 
equipment of the department, four substantial tenders were purchased. 
On the 2d day of September, 1867, the board of commis.sioners decided 
to locate a steamer in the house of Engine 13, and ordered another from 
the Amoskeag works. A new organization was formed for it, known 
as Steamer No. 0. The addition of this company increased the force 
to one hundred and sixty-nine officers and men. Truck 1 was located 
in the old house on Westerlo street; Truck 2 was located in the old 
house on Clinton avenue, near Chapel street, the horses being kept 
in the house of Hose 2 on Chapel street, which was temporarily fitted 
up as a stable. A new building was erected on Clinton avenue, west 
of Hawk street, for this truck, which was completed about January 1, 
18G8. Subsequently the commissioners ordered one more Amoskeag 
engine, which was received December 1, 1867, to take the place 
of the McOuade steamer. The Common Council directed the com- 
missioners to sell such apparatus, etc., not including real estate, be- 
longing to the old department, as in their judgment was not required 
for the uses and purposes of the new department. The commissioners 
advertised the sale by auction, which took place on the 30th day of Au- 
gust, 1867, and realized the sum of $5,358.55. vSome of the old appar- 
atus was retained and afterwards disposed of when an opportunity 
presented itself. 



390 

Duvin"- the 3-ear 1871 two more Amoskeag- engines were ordered to 
take the place of the Putnam for Steamer Company 2, and the Kearney 
for Steamer Company 3. The Putnam and Kearney were then held in 
reserve. 

A destructive fire on June 20, 1873, prompted the commissioners to 
add to the apparatus of the department, and two more steamers were 
purchased and two companies organized, as noted further on. On the 
29th day of January, 1883, the department was again reorganized, pur- 
suant to chapter 383 laws of 1882. In the reorganization the commis- 
sioners were compelled to drop from active service many faithful and 
efficient men, the total number under the new law being fixed at 102, 
which was seventy-six less than under the old law. With two or three 
exceptions, the appointments were all made from the ranks of the old 
department. The foremen, without exception were all reappointed, as 
were the four assistant engineers. 

The dates of organization of the various companies comprising the 
present department are as follows: Steamer 4, July 1, 1867; Truck 2, 
July 2, 1867; Steamers 1, 2, and 3, July 13, 1867; Steamer 6, Novem- 
ber 8, 1867; Steamer 7, September 22, 1873; Steamer 8, November 1, 
1873; Steamer 9, July 2, 1888; Steamer 10, November 1, 1802; Truck 
1, July 13, 1867; Truck 3, July 2, 1888. 

The Fire Alarm Telegraph was put in operation on the 3d of June, 
1S6S. The officials in charge of this branch of the service are as fol- 
lows: John M. Carroll, superintendent: George Stanwix and Terrance 
F. Hagan, operators; William H. Martin, lineman: William J. Toomey, 
battery man. 

F^ollowing is the official list from the organization in 1807 to the 
present time: 

Engineers— James McQiiade. chief, from April 20, 1867, to July 35, 1886, when he 
(lied. Joseph C. Griffin, assistant from June 7, 1867, to date. John C. Mull, assist- 
ant from June, 1867, to June 1, 188!), when he retired. George E. Mink, assistant 
from June 7, 1867, to April o, 1887, when he resigned. Arthur McShane, assistant 
from June 29, 1870. D. A. Ronan, assistant from July 1, 1870, to June 11, 1S71, 
when he resigned. Patrick M. Mulcahy, assistant from June 11, 1871, to March 12, 
1873, when he resigned. William K. Clute, assistant from March 18, 1873, to May 1, 
1887, when he resigned. M. E. Higgins, assistant from June 1, 1885, to August 3. 

1886, when he was promoted to chief, which position he now occupies. Matthew C. 
Clark, assistant from August 3, 1886, tu July, 1896, when he retired. Thomas S. 
Jones, assistant from April 5, 1887, to date. John J. Hughes, assistant from May 3, 

1887, to date. 

On February 10, 1890, by act of the Common Council, the depart- 



I 



391 

ment was again reorganized, and thirty-four call men were replaced by 
permanent men as follows: vSteamer No. 1, four men; No. 3, four 
men; No. 4, eight men; No. 5, four men; No, 6, four men; Truck 1, 
five men; Truck 2, five men. 

The present Board of Fire Commissioners is as follows: Hon. John 
Boyd Thacher (mayor), president ex officio. , James McCredie, Rich- 
ard \'. De Witt, Richard I^awrence, Henry Patton, and Lewis J. Miller, 
clerk of the board. 

/ 'aluation of Fire Department Property. 

Real estate -..- S163,-000 00 

Apparatus 61,490 00 

Furniture, fixtures, etc 33,000 00 

Fire-alarm telegraph apparatus, fixtures and supplies 67,000 00 

Horses, harness, etc 30,000 00 

Hose, fixtures, tools, etc. 31,000 00 

Repair shop and supply department.. 12,000 00 

Total §387,490 00 

Per III am- nt ami Call I'orces of t lie Fire Department with Compensation. 

Salary per 
Permanent. annum. 

1 Chief .§3,000 

1 Permanent Assistant Engineer 1,000 

1 Clerk - 1,500 

1 Supervising Engineer 1,500 

1 Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph 1,.500 

1 Assistant Superintendent Fire Alarm Telegraph ...1,340 

3 Operators Fire Alarm Telegraph, each 1,000 

1 Lineman Fire Alarm Telegraph 900 

1 Battery-man and Janitor Fire Alarm Telegraph 720 

1 Superintendent Hose and Supph- Depots 1,200 

1 Assistant Superintendent Hose and Supply Depots 720 

10 Engineers of Steamers, each 1,080 

10 Fireman of Steamers, each 720 

10 Drivers of Steamers, each 720 

24 Permanent Hosemen _ 720 

10 Permanent Laddermen 720 

3 Tillermen of Trucks, each 720 

3 Drivers of Trucks, each 720 

3 Permanent Laddermen of Trucks, each 720 

1 Relief Engineer 1 ,080 

1 Relief Fireman 720 

1 Relief Driver 720 

1 Relief Truckman. 720 



392 

Call. 

1 Secretary of Board .$1,000 

1 Veterinar)' Surgeon (including medicines) 600 

1 Department Physician 500 

3 Assistant Engineers, each - 400 

10 Foreman of Steamers, each 300 

8 Foreman of Trucks, each 300 

oH Hoseman of Steamers, each - _ - 200 

23 Call Laddermen of Trucks, each -.. 300 

187 Total 
The Albany Fire Department is now one of the most efficient in the 
State. This fact is shown by the very limited fire losses of the year 
from November, 18!)o, to November, 1896, the amount of which was 
only $40,000. 

POLICE. 

Prior to 1851 there was no police department, as the title is now un- 
derstood in Albany. For more than a century and a half good order 
was maintained by the constables appointed by the Common Council, 
though they were sometimes termed police constables. The charter of 
1()8() designated one high constable and three subordinates with the 
title of constable, one from each ward, to be appointed annually. This 
practice continued until 1737, when the number was increased to two 
from each ward. These officers also collected taxes, kept the public 
pound, and one or more were required to be on duty on Sundays. For 
many years it was not a salaried office, the small pay consisting of 
certain fees. Anthony Bries was high constable in 1696, the first one 
named in the records. He was followed by William Hogan and Jtj- 
hannes Harmesen. In the early part of the present century the title 
police constables began to be used for these officers, although their 
character had not been changed. In 1827 the constables asked the 
council for increased pay, as their duties then occupied nearly or quite 
their whole time. 

Under certain legislative acts of IS.^1 a police force was organized 
on substantially the same basis of the present organization. It then 
consisted of a chief, four captains, four assistant captains, forty police- 
men, four doormen, and six constables. John Morgan was the first 
chief of police. The cost of maintaining the department for the year 
1852 was $27,000. A reorganization of the force took place in 1856, 
under which some needed changes were made. In 1872 .still another 



393 

reorganization took place, under chapter 378 of the laws of that year, 
which provided that the mayor should be an ex officio member of the 
Board of Police Commissioners. Other features of the act provided 
for the removal of commissioners by the Common Council ; for filling- 
vacancies in the board; that certain court attendants be appointed from 
the patrolmen; and for the payment of traveling expenses in connec- 
tion with the department. At the present time the department is entirely 
under the control of a non-partisan board of police commissioners, four 
in number, in addition to the mayor, who is ex officio president. The 
city is divided into five precincts, and the police force has been grad- 
ually increased as necessity demanded until it now numbers: the chief, 
six captains, fifteen sergeants, 133 patrolmen, four detectives, five 
station house keepers, four court officers, a property clerk, a surgeon 
and a matron. The salary list of the force for 1894-5 amounted to 
$137,316.82, and the other expenses increased this sum to $150,000. 
The receipts were about $7,000, chiefly from the police office. 

In 1820 a resolution was offered in the Common Council intended to 
abolish the salary of the police justice, as it was claimed that the office 
was a sinecure. The resolution was lost and the board then chose 
Philip Phelps and Tennis Slingerland, police magistrates. Since then 
John Cole (father of Charles W. Cole, present superintendent of 

schools), Kane, Cicero Loveridge, Isaac N. Comstock, Sylvanus 

H. H. Parsons, John W. McNamara, William K. Clute, Martin B. 
Conway, now surrogate judge, John C. Nott, Myer Nusbaum, John 
Gutman, Peter a vStevens since 1890, and Daniel Adler, who succeeded 
John Gutman in the autumn (;f 1894, both now on the bench, have held 
the office. 



394 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

THE TOWN OF WATERVLIET (NOW COLONIE). WEST TROY (NOW 

WATERVLIET CITY), GREEN ISLAND AS TOWN AND 

VILLAGE, AND THE CITY OF COHOES.' 

The town of Watervliet (changed to the town of Colonic in 1896) is 
the mother of towns in Albany county. The Manor of Rensselaerwyck 
was divided into the east and west districts on March 5, 1779, the Hud- 
son River separating the two districts. The west district was defined as 
all that part of the manor lying north of an east and west line from 
Beeren (Baeren) Island north to Cumberland county, excepting the city 
of Albany. 

The town of Watervliet 2 was erected March 7, 178S, and included the 
territory of the west district of Rensselaerwyck, with certain govern- 
ment lands in its northeastern part which were transferred to purchasers 
direct from the English crown by deed. One of these old deeds is in 
possession of the Van Denbergh family, to one of whom it was given, 
as noticed further on ; it is written on parchment, bears the great wax 
seal of the crown, and is dated October 21, 1697. 

From this great town of Watervliet, with its somewhat indefinite 
boundaries, was set off Rensselaerville in 1790 (then embracing what is 
now Berne and a part of Westerlo) ; Coeymans in 1791 (then including 
a part of what is now Westerlo); Bethlehem in 1793 (then including 
what is now New Scotland) ; Guilderland in 1803, and Niskayuna in 
1809. Besides these territorial changes, the original town has under- 
gone several others of importance. That part of the city of Albany 
lying north of Patroon and Quackenbush streets was incorporated as 

' It will be observed that the town histories in this volume succeed each other as nearly as 
possible in chronological order as to the dates of the formation of the towns. This arrangement 
is believed to be preferable to placing them in alphabetical order for reasons that are apparent, 
and chiefly that historical continuity is thus preserved. 

» The name. Watervliet, is Dutch and derived from water and vlatke, the latter meaning level 
plains or flats; it was applied to the level lands along the river which are subject to overflow; 
hence "overflowed flats," or water-vlakte. The last syllable has been corrupted into "vliet." 



395 

the town of Colonic March 31, 1791, and reincorporated March 30, 
iSoi. On the 9th of April. 1804, this territory was incorporated as a 
village,' and on April 11, 1808, it was erected into a town by act of 
Legislature. Colonic existed as a town until F"ebruary 25, 18 15, when 
it was divided and a part annexed to Albany, and the remainder to the 
town of Watervliet. In 1870 a part of the town of Watervliet, which 
had been included in the old boundaries of Colonic, was annexed to 
Albany. The city of Cohoes was set off from the town of Watervliet 
in 1869. The other territorial changes which have been made within 
the past two years will be noticed further on. 

The surface of this town is chiefly upland and rises to a height of from 
200 to 300 feet above the Hudson River. The declivities of the uplands 
are broken by many gullies which have been worn out by the streams. 
The intervale extending along the river with a width of about half a 
mile, has a rich and fertile alluvial soil and is frequently overflowed by 
freshets. The soil of the uplands is a light and sandy loam. Quarries 
of the graywacke stone furnish excellent building and flagging material. 
Bog iron ore has been found in a few localities, and there are several mild 
sulphur and chalybeate springs within the town, the waters of which 
have been used to some extent. The principal streams in the town, 
aside from the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, are Patroon's Creek and its 
tributaries in the southern part, the Sandy Kill, Lisha's Kill, Town 
Branch, Schauline Creek, Donker Kill, Dry Branch, Ralger Kill, and 
Red Creek. 

At Cohoes the Mohawk flows over a rocky declivity seventy eight 
feet high, about half of which distance is nearly perpendicular. The 
banks above and below the falls are high and precipitous. Here an 
immense water power has been developed and applied to extensive 
manufacturing industries. 

' In reference to the village incorporation the following is quoted from the session laws of 
1.S04: "An act to vest certain powers in the freeholders and inhabitants of that part of the 
Town of Water Vliet, in the County of Albany, commonly called the Colonie, which was incorpo- 
rated, April 9. 1804, as follows: 'Lying on the west bank of Hudson's River, in the northeast 
bounds of the City of Albany, extending north about three-fourths of a mile to Mill Creek; 
thence west one mile up along said creek; thence southerly with a line parallel to the said river 
till it strikes the north bounds of said city; thence east to the place of beginning." " The village 
was to elect five persons as trustees, who were empowered to make by-laws, levy ta.Kes and per- 
form other duties; a treasurer, collector and five assessors were also to be elected by the free- 
holders. The first town meeting was held at the house of William Kane, in April, 1809, no records 
of which can be found. 



The Champlain Canal was opened southward to the village of Water- 
ford in November, 1822, and fully completed in September of the fol- 
lowing year. It extends from Lake Champlain to the Erie Canal at a 
point a little north of West Troy. The Erie Canal, finished in 1825, 
crosses the eastern part of this town in a northerly and southerly direc- 
tion, passing through Cohoes and West Troy. It rises from the Hudson 
through Cohoes by a series of eighteen locks to the most northerly 
portion of the town, 188 feet above tide. There it crosses the river 
into Saratoga county in a stone aqueduct 1, 137/4 ^e^t long, twenty- 
six feet high, which rests on twenty-six piers. 

The first settlements in the territory now included in the town of 
Watervliet, as well as in other parts of the great Manor of Rensselaer- 
wyck, the trading operations carried on by the pioneers in early years, 
and their relations with the Indians, have been quite fully treated in 
earlier chapters. The richness and beauty of the lands along the Hudson 
and Mohawk Rivers.and their proximity to Fort Orange, which gave them 
protection, early attracted settlers to this immediate region. The first 
of these located north of Albany along the river as far as the site of 
Fort Schuyler, which became a part of West Troy. A map of the Van 
Rensselaer Manor, made in 1767, shows that at that date there were 
only 148 families located west of the Hudson River. Within the terri- 
tory now embraced in the town of Watervliet the following names ap- 
pear on that map : Those along the Hudson from Albany to the mouth 
of the Mohawk were Jeremiah Schuyler, Peter Schuyler, Col. Philip 
Schuyler, Peter Cluet (to the westward of the Schuylers), Jonas Sharp, 
Guy Young, Hans Van Arnum, Jan Outhout, Henry BuUsing, Cornel- 
ius Van Denbergh, and Wirt Van Denbergh. Those along the Mohawk 
from its mouth northward were Jonas Outhout, Abram Van Denbergh, 

Cornelius Van Denbergh. Lansing, Henry Lansing, Cornelius On- 

derkerk, Douw Fonda, Franz Lansing, Dirk Hemstraet. At the Boght 
were Hans Lansing, William Liverse, Jan Douwve Fonda (with Fred- 
erick Clute and Wynans on colonial lands). Along the Mohawk 

west of the Boght were Daniel Van Olinda, Jacob Clute, Bastian Visher, 
Jacob Freltie, Diederick Scheffer, Martys Bovee, Fransway Bovie, Hans 

Heemstraet, Bastian Cregier, Duyvepagh, Simon Groet, Hans* 

Cluet, Robert Canier. In the northwest corner were Consaloe, 



397 

Hans Consaloe, Isaac Truax, The following lived over the Manor line: 

Cluet, John Schuyler, Nicholas Hallenbeck, and Glen Braat. On 

the sand road to Schenectady were John Richies, at the Knil ; Christie 
at the Sandbergh, and one family at the Verfbergh.i This list gives a 
clear idea of the early comers who leased lands of the Patroon and laid 
the foundation of homes. 

The old Schuyler mansion is still standing on the west bank of the 
Hudson River, near the southern boundary of West Troy. It was erected 
about 1768, and replaced and stands on the old foundation of the still 
earlier building that was burned. The first structure was erected 
probably before 1700. In 1672 Philip Schuyler, father of Col. Peter 
Schuyler, purchased a large tract of land of the Patroou, which included 
territory within the southern limits of what became West Troy and ex- 
tended over part of the flats still farther south. These flat lands were used 
for agricultural purposes as early as 1642, and were occupied from that 
date to 1660 by Arent Van Curler, and after him by Richard Van Reus- 
selaer. On September 14, 1691, Peter Schuyler, son of Philip, married 
Maria Van Rensselaer, sister of Killian Van Rensselaer, the Patroon, 
and in April, 1711, took up his residence in the mansion. At that 
time the main road from Albany ran between the residence and the 
river. For a time during Col. Schuyler's occupancy of the mansion 
public safety was greatly endangered by French and Indian hos- 
tility, but through Colonel Schuyler's friendship and influence with 
the latter, serious outbreak was averted or mitigated. This fact gave 
him a commanding position in the colony. Hence, when it was decided 
to send a delegation of Indian chiefs to England, to see the sovereign 
of that nation and thus gain their further alliance. Col. Schuyler was 
selected to accompany them. After considerable difficulty the chiefs 
consented to go, provided their friend, in whom they implicitly trusted, 
would be their escort. The expedition was in every way successful 
and the chiefs were much gratified with their reception by Queen Anne 
and her court. The English sovereign desired to confer knighthood 
upon Colonel Schuyler, an honor which he respectfully declined as out 
of keeping with his present habits and surroundings. In 1719 Philip 

'The reader will nntiee the spelling of many of these names, wliieh has materially ehanxed in 



Schuyler, eldest son of Colonel Peter, married Catalina Schuyler, his 
cousin, whose father had been for a number of years mayor of Albany. 
Upon the death of his father Philip Schuyler became owner of the lands 
and the mansion, and rose to prominence in public affairs; was a mem- 
ber of the Colonial Assembly, a colonel in the army and the first per- 
son to raise a body of soldiers in the interior of the province to join in 
the French and Indian war. Colonel Philip Schuyler died in February, 
1758, leaving a widow, but no children. The property was devised to 
the widow during her lifetime and thereafter to go to his nephew, Peter 
Schuyler, who was an orphan and who had lived with the Colonel. The 
old mansion has always remained in the Schuyler family and is still a 
landmark of great interest. 

With few exceptions the early settlers were Dutch, and in the fore- 
going list are found many of the names of families that have ever since 
been prominent in this vicinity and many whose descendants are still 
among the foremost men of Albany and Rensselaer counties. Of some 
of these it is proper to speak more in detail. 

The Lansing family is descended from Hendrick Lansing, of the town 
of Hasselt, Province of Overyssel. He had a son, Gerret,' who was an 
early settler at Beverwyck and died before October, 1679. This Gerret 
was father of Hendrick, Gerrit, and Johannes (sons), and Hilletie, who 
married Storm Van Derzee, son of Albert Andriesen Bradt ; Alltie, 
who married Gerrit Van Slichtenhorst ; Gysbertie, who married Hen- 
drick Janse Roseboom. From these children have originated the vari- 
ous Lansing families of the country. Hendrick Lansing, son of the 
first Gerret, was in Albany as early as 1666, and died in July, 1709. 
He had a son Jacob who married Hellina Piuyn ; Jacob died in 1792 
and his wife in 1827. Their son Hendrick J. married Lena Wynne in 
1769, and their other son, Benjamin, married Mary Tymerson. The 
children of the last named couple were Peter, who married Catharine 
Norris ; Helen, who married Lewis Morris; Henry B., who married 
Eliza Putnam and afterward Sarah Knight ; Cornelius T., who married 
Catharine Gillson and afterward Caroline Steers. This family settled 
at Lisha's Kill and constitute one branch of the Lansing family. 



Col. John V. A. Lansing came here in 1791 or 1792, married Harriet 
Verplank and settled on the farm occupied in recent years by his grand- 
son, Vischer Lansing. He had four sons and four daughters. The sons 
married four daughters of Cornelius Groat, and the daughters married 
respectively Richard J. Pearse (second, Garret L. Winne), Sebastian 
Pearse, Jacob Weaver, and Jacob C. Lansing. 

Gerret and Ryckert-CIaas Van Vranken, sons of Claas Van Vranken, 
early took up lands in Niskayuna and from them descended many fami- 
lies of that name. Pctrus Van Vranken, a great-grandson of Gerret 
Van Vranken, married a daughter of Dirk Groat, from which family 
came the Watervhet descendants of that name. 

Jacob Lansing, who had previously married Hellena Huyck, came from 
Holland about 1700. He had a son John who settled in the vicinity of 
the Boght, on the farm owned in recent years by Egbert Lansing. 
Gerret, son of Rutger Lansing, settled on the Mohawk River above the 
falls. There, in 1795, near the site of the Cohoes dam, Isaac D. F. 
Lansing, a descendant, erected a large two-story brick house, and made 
other improvements 

Isaac Fonda, born in Holland in 1715, came early to this country 
and in 1749 married Cornelia De Friest. He became the owner of 
landed interests, portions of which still remain in possession of his de- 
scendants. These are traced through his son, Isaac I., and his descend- 
ants, Isaac I., jr., Cornelius I., James V. V., Daniel D., and Charles 
Fonda. A part of the old Fonda house, built before the Revolution, is 
still attached to a dwelling on the homestead farm. In that small room 
Richard Kloet kept a tavern in Revolutionary times, and there is a 
tradition that General Washington was once a guest in the old house. 
Gerardus Kloet, Hendrick Rider, Jocob Lansing, and Dirk Bradt, occu- 
pied lands adjoining those of the pioneer, Isaac P'onda. Other Fonda 
families were those of Henry I , Isaac H., and Douw. The latter came 
with his wife from Holland, and the family is now represented by de- 
scendants of his sons, Abram and Douw. 

Daniel Van Olinda was another early resident of the town and ob- 
tained a tract of land from John De Puyster, which is described in a deed 
given to Isaac Fonda. 

The government lands alluded to on a preceding page, came into 



400 

possession of Peter P. and Garret Van Denbergh, sons of Peter Van 
IJenbergh. In 1805 Peter P. gave a partition deed to his sons, Douw, 
Peter G., Isaac G., and Cornelius G. Portions of this property have 
remained in possession of descendants of these families to the present 
time. 

Jacob Ciuet and his sons, Johannes J. and Jacob, were early settlers 
and owned a farm north of Town-House Corners. This property passed 
by deed from Stephen Van Rensselaer to Luykes Witbeck February 27, 
1769. The latter had three sons, Abram L., Gerrit, and John; from 
these have descended the families of that name. The homestead has 
been occupied in recent years by John L. Witbeck, grandson of John. 
The land deed before alluded to was witnessed by Lucas Van Vechten, 
Nicholas Cluet, and Cornelus Wendell. The names of many others 
of the early and later settlers in this town will appear as we proceed. 

A conspicuous element in the development of this town are the 
Shakers, who began their settlement in 1775, northwest of the center 
of the town, where they leased lands of the Patroon. The settlement 
was founded by Ann Lee. a native of Manchester, England, where she 
was born in 1726 ; she came to America with a few followers when she 
was thirty-eight years old, claiming to be directed hither by a special 
revelation. Her companions in immigration were her husband, Abra- 
ham Stanley, her brother William Lee, James VVhittaker, John Hock- 
nell, Richard Hocknell, James Shepherd, Mary Partington, and Nancy 
Lee. Arriving in this country, they sought temporary employment 
wherever they could find it, at the same time planning to establish a 
permanent home. For the latter purpose John Hocknell and William 
Lee came into this county and arranged for their land, while the others 
remained temporarily in Albany. Soon after their arrival Mother Ann 
Lee separated from her husband, Abraham Stanley, on account of his 
misdoings. John Hocknell returned from England with his family, 
December 25, 1775, and was met in New York by Mother Ann. They 
remained there until the following February and then came to their 
lands in Watervliet and spent the summer in clearing portions of it and 
establishing their home. They labored zealously and held their meetings 
there three and a half years, when they were ready to give their testi- 
mony to the world in the spring of 1780. In this year their member- 



401 

ship was increased and many came to tlieir meetings from a distance, 
particularly from New Lebanon. Remaining non-combatants in the 
then existing war, they were accused of being traitors and Mother Ann 
and a number of her followers were placed in prison in Albany. The 
result of this action was not what was anticipated, for it served to create 
sympathy for the unoffending Shakers. Regarded as fanatics and en- 
emies of the country, it was next sought to put an end to the sect by 
separating Mother Ann from her followers. About the middle of 
August, 1780, she was sent down the river, landed at Poughkeepsieand 
imprisoned. In the following December those who had been imprisoned 
at Albany were released without trial, and immediately visited Mother 
Ann. Through their prompt and persistent intercession she was re- 
leased about the last of December of that year, thus ending Shaker per- 
secution in this State. 

It was to be renewed, however, in another locality. In May, 1781, 
Mother Ann and part of her followers visited Harvard, in Massachu- 
setts. There the old charges were reiterated and new ones of living in 
debauchery and practicing witchcraft were brought against them. The 
consequences were not unlike those experienced in Albany; much 
sympathy was awakened for the Shakers, their testimony was extended 
and numbers joined the faith. In July, 1783, they returned westward, 
v'siting the other societies. In 1784 the society suffered a great loss, 
first in the death of Elder William Lee, in July, and later, on Septem- 
ber 8, in the death of Mother Ann Lee. Elder James Whittaker suc- 
ceeded her in the ministry and the society continued to prosper. In 
the fall of 1785 the first house of worship was erected, which is still 
standing. Father James (as he was called) died July 20, 1787, and was 
succeeded in the ministry by Joseph Meaciiam and Lucy Wright, the 
latter being the first appointed leader in the female line. Under their 
ministration the people were gathered into a united body and gradually 
assumed church relations with the New Lebanon Shakers, finally 
uniting all their interests, spiritual and temporal. 

The society now comprises four so-called families, known as the 
Church family, the North family, the West family, and the South family, 
numbering in all about 300 persons. The society owns about 3,000 acres 
of land, which is under excellent cultivation and well stocked. The dwell- 



402 

ings, offices, stores, shops and farm buildings are plain, substantial 
structures and well kept Water power and steam are used for manu- 
facturing purposes, and all Shaker products bear a high reputation in 
markets. 

Their belief may be substantially epitomized as follows ; They believe 
in the second coming of Christ ; that all will become heirs of Christ 
when fitted by self denial ; that Jesus became the Christ at his baptism ; 
in a life of consecrated celibacy; in non-interference in politics, non- 
resistance and non-combativeness in war. Their moral training is 
strict in every direction ; this with industry and sobriety has brought to 
them a high degree of prosperity. A post-office with the name, 
"Shakers," was established many years ago, and the settlement is a 
place of considerable resort in summer, over the Shaker road from 
Albany. 

With the close of the Revolutionary war the New England element 
came into the population of this town, as it did to some extent in other 
parts of the county, bringing the characteristics of enterprise, activity 
and thrift which have distinguished them wherever they have settled. 
Public improvements were rapidly inaugurated, schools and churches 
multiplied, manufactures were established and the never ceasing march 
of progress began. 

Although the territory of this town was not directly invaded by the 
British during the war of the Revolution, it will be correctly inferred 
that the inhabitants felt the most lively interest in the struggle, and 
many took an active part therein. The gallant career of General Schuyler 
is well known and has already been touched upon in these pages. 
Among others who participated in the war were Henry Ostrom, who 
was a captain of militia ; and Jacob and Gerret Lansing. So too in the 
war of 1812, Watervliet furnished the required quota of men, either by 
volunteer or draft. The names of the following men who took part in that 
war are recorded: Andrew Chadwick, Henry Runkle, Frederick Roff, 
John G. Lansing, John Van Aernum, Lansing Fonda, John Cory, David 
Turner, John Steenburgh and his brother, Timothy Hodgeman, Stephen 
Culver, Jeremiah and Gerret Clute, and Wynant Van Denbergh. In 
the late war of the Rebellion, also, the patriotism of the town was 



403 

clearly demonstrated in the promptness with which response was made 
to eacli of the calls of the government for volunteers, the conspicuous 
features of which period have been treated in an earlier chapter. 

The close of the war of the Revolution found the people of the country 
ready and willing to enter upon public improvements, as well as to labor 
with renewed energy for the founding of peaceful and happy homes. One 
of the earliest of the large undertakings which had a marked influence 
upon this immediate locality was the construction of the canal and locks 
of the Northern Inland Lock and Navigation Company, chartered in 
1792, which has already been described in these pages. It was a fore- 
runner of the Erie Canal. What was known as the old Cherry Val'ey 
Turnpike was placed in the control of a corporation through legislation 
in 1798, though the road extending from Albany to Cherry Valley, 
Utica and Rome, had been in use many years previous to that date. 
The first act was soon repealed and in 1799 a second one was passed 
chartering a corporation to improve the State road, as it was called, 
from the house of John Weaver in Watervliet to Cherry Valley. The 
incorporators were William North, John Taylor, Abram Ten Eyck, 
Charles R. Webster, Calvin Cheeseman, Zenas Penio, Ephraim Hudson, 
Joseph White, Elihu Phinney, and Thomas Machin. 

In the spring of 1802 a bill passed the Legislature constituting John 
Lansing, jr., Stephen Van Rensselaer, Stephen Lush, Dudley Walsh, 
Garret W. Van Schaick, Daniel Hall, John Taylor, Abraham Oadthout 
(Oothout) and Joseph C. Yeates, a corporation to construct a turnpike 
between the cities of Albany and Schenectady ; the capital stock was 
$200,000. This road was not to interfere with the old State road be- 
tween these cities. It was a costly turnpike and then the best highway 
in the country. For many years it was a source of profit, in face of the 
fact that it cost in all about $180,000; but the building of the Erie Canal 
lessened its importance and greatly curtailed the freighting by wagon. 
It is stated that in 1803 there were on the line of this road twenty-eight 
taverns of various kinds, to the open doors of which the old stages and 
the hundreds of wagons which traveled westward and return, drew up 
for refreshment. 

The Troy and Schenectady Turnpike Company was incorporated 



April 2, 1802, by George Tibbits, Ephraim Morgan, Abraham Oothoiit, 
and their associates. This turnpike was constructed and was largely 
used for travel and freight, until the canal and the railroads robbed it of 
much of its usefulness. 

An act incorporating the Watervliet Turnpike Company was passed 
March 31, 1828. Thomas Hillhouse, Jeremiah Schuyler, Robert Dun- 
lap and their associates were authorized to construct a road "from the 
north boundary line of the city line of Albany to the upper ferry oppo- 
site the city of Troy." This turnpike was constructed in first class 
manner and became a very popular drive. 

Among the plank roads of this town was that of the Watervliet 
Plank Road Company, which was incorporated and the road built in 
1850; it extended from Buffalo street north through Broad street (now 
Broadway) to Auburn street, where it crossed the canal and thence on 
to Cohoes. The road never paid dividends and was abandoned after ten 
years of use. 

The Albany and Mohawk Plank Road Company extended across a 
part of the town of Watervliet and was built previous to 1850. It was 
one of the last of those highways in the State to be abandoned, which 
took place April, 1 896. 

What is now Broadway in West Troy was originally a turnpike road 
and was called the Whitehall Turnpike, and also the Northern Turn- 
pike. It was an important thorougiifare and one of the early post 
routes. 

Manufacturing operations in this town, outside of those described in 
the history of West Troy (now Watervliet city), Green Island and 
Cohoes, have not been very important. In the early years of settle- 
ment saw mills were numerous and several small grist mills" were erect- 
ed. Many of these have passed away. The Shakers had a grist mill 
and a saw mill very early in the century. Caldwell, Frazier & Co. had 
a factory and a Mr. Muir a cloth works on Mill Creek as early as 1803. 
The Lansings had a saw mill on Lisha's Kill. Other grist and saw 
mills were built at an early period on Town Creek near its junction with 
the Mohawk. On the same stream, near Watervliet Center, a woolen 
factory was established and operated by the Waterburys. Truman G. 
Younglove built in 1866 a large brick straw board mill just below the 



405 

Cohoes Company's dam and near the city line. There were situated 
also lime and cement kilns and the Lansing grist mill. The lime 
and cement works were started in 1869 by the Capitol Lime and 
Cement Company, composed of Truman G. Younglove, George Stew- 
art, and David T. Lamb, of VVaterford, and Henry Dunsback, of 
Crescent. Tlie grist mill was originally owned by Gerrit Lansing and 
later by L D. F. Lansing. 

The oldest settled hamlet in this town is Boght (or Groesbeck's Cor- 
ners) in the northeastern corner in the bend of the Mohawk, from 
which it takes its Dutch name. This locality and the vicinity of the 
Aqueduct were settled by Van Den Bergh, Van De Mark, Fonda, 
Clute, Van Vranken and Lansing families in the early years, and later 
by William Groesbeck, the Simons, Godfrey, Roff, Dunsback and Runkel 
families. North of the Boght is the aqueduct, where a post office of 
that name is located, and farther north is the Dunsback Ferry across 
tlie Mohawk. John Van De Mark kept an early tavern here. There 
is little business at these points. 

Town House Corners (known in later years as Van Vranken's and 
still later and down to the present time as Latham's Corners) is a hamlet 
at the crossing of the Loudonville road and the Troy and Schenectady 
turnpike, six miles north of Albany. This neighborhood was early 
settled by Van Den Bergh, Witbeck, Van Olinda, Van Vranken. Oothout, 
and Markle families. Early taverns were kept by Joseph Yearsley and 
Myndert Van Denbergh. Dr. Jonas Wade settled here in 1806 and 
was a successful physician and useful citizen many years. 

Watervliet Center is a small hamlet, with post-office by that name, 
in the north central part of the town, on the Troy and Schenectady 
turnpike, two miles north of the Shaker settlement. There has for 
many years been a small mercantile business here and a few shops. 
The vicinity was early settled by the Witbeck, Orlop, Van Vranken, Groat, 
Fero, Fraley, Sickles, and Fort families, the latter at Fort's Ferry. 
Later comers were the Chamberlains, Gallagers, Weatherwa.x, Cragiers, 
and Lewis Morris; the latter came about 1835, built a hotel, a store 
and several shops of which he was proprietor. The woolen factory of 
Henry Waterbury, before mentioned, was near here on the Town Creek, 
and on the same stream near Fort's Ferry were the Shaker mills. 



Lisha's Kill is a post-office and hamlet in the northwestern corner of the 
town, on the Albany and Schenectady turnpike, nine miles from Albany. 
The first settler here was Jacob Lansing, from whom are descended 
many families of that name. Another settler here was John V. A. 
Lansing, who came in 1792, and has many descendants in this vicinity. 
Others were the Van Benthuysen, Ostrom, Van Zandt, Groat, Bulson, 
Campbell, and Stanford families. Charles Stanford kept a tavern 
on the turnpike as early as 1803, and was an enterprising and useful 
citizen, and father of Ex- Senator Stanford of California. The post-ofifice 
was established about 1 830, with Lewis Morris postmaster ; he also kept 
a store. Jacob Morris succeeded him and was followed in 1848 by 
Peter Lansing, who held the ofifice nearly forty years. Mr. Lansing 
was long a successful merchant. 

Nevvtonville is a post-office and hamlet on the Loudon road four 
miles north of Albany. The post-ofifice was established here in 1850 
and the place called Newton's Corners, in honor of John M. Newton, 
who settled here about 1 840, built a dwelling and afterwards a store 
in which he conducted a successful business. John Holmes was the 
first postmaster and held the office for more than thirty years. John 
H. Kemp was a later merchant, and here was established the wagon 
manufactory of James Brewster ; he settled first at Ireland's Corners, 
farther south, and removed to Newtonville in 1876, when the firm was 
James Brewster & Son. Later it was James Brewster's Sons (James C. 
and William H.) 

Passing south on the plank road one reaches the hamlet that was form- 
erly called Ireland's Corners, from Elias H. Ireland, who obtained lands 
in 1832 from Mr. Van Rensselaer. The name of this pretty village was 
changed to Loudonville in 1871, with post office of the same name, in 
honor of Lord Loudon. It is believed that this road was used prior to 
the Revolution. Jonathan Seeley Ireland, father of Elias H,, had settled 
in this vicinity prior to 1832 ; he was a Methodist preacher. Charles T. 
Ireland and John Ruby were also early settlers Dr. Peter B. Noxen 
located here soon after Elias H. Ireland and practiced during the re- 
mainder of his life. Mr. Ireland conducted a hotel and carried on a 
mercantile business in which he was successful. He died in 1870. The 
post office was established about 1850, with P^Iins H. Ireland, postmaster. 



Loudonville is now one of the most attractive suburbs of Albany and 
many fine residences have been built by persons whose business is in 
the city. 

What is now known as West Albany was formerly called Spencer- 
ville. It is a point of considerable manufacturing importance lying 
north of Patroon's Creek and just west of the city line. It has long 
been the site of extensive shops of the New York Central Railroad, and 
also of extensive stock yards. The stock business was commenced here 
about 1847 by William Wolford and a Mr. Gallup, on Washington avenue 
who transferred their business to the Troy road at the old Bull's Head. 
Later it v as removed to what is now the end of Central avenue and 
carried on by Hunter & Gallup. About i860 the business was removed 
to West Albany where extensive buildings and sheds were erected. 
Allerton, Dutcher & Moore were for some years proprietors of the 
yards, but in November, 1868, they transferred their business to East- 
man Brothers. The post-office here was established in September, 1862, 
with Joseph Mather, postmaster The business transacted here has 
decreased in recent years. 

Between Albany and Troy is the railroad station called Menand's, 
from Louis Menand, who established his present large horticultural gar- 
dens and green houses here in 1842. The Schuyler, Ten Eyck, Gor- 
way. Glen, Jermain and Hillhouse families were among the early settlers 
in this vicinity. The grounds originally intended for the State fair are 
situated at this point. It is now a thickly settled district, many fine 
residences having been erected. 

Churches in the Town of Watervliet {now Colonic.) — For many years 
in the early settlement in this town the Reformed Dutch church was the 
only organized religious body. In 1642 Rev. Johannes Megapolensis 
came to Albany and labored in this region. For seventy- five years 
this faith was the ruling one in this colony, and for 140 years services 
were conducted in the language of Holland. In 1716 the first Epis- 
copal church west of the Hudson River was established, which was fol- 
lowed by the fi'st Presbyterian church in 176 1 or 1762 The New 
York Charter of Liberties contained the following : "No person pro- 
fessing faith in God by Jesus Christ shall at any time be in any ways 
disquieted or questioned for any difference of opinion." There is the 



408 

very foundation stone of freedom of religious thought and belief. The 
Dutch company was bound to give churches local government ; officers 
were to be appointed by the directors and council and were invested 
with religious privileges, as shown by the following: " No other relig- 
ion was to be publicly tolerated, save that taught and exercised by the 
authority of the Reformed church in the United Provinces." Member- 
ship in the churches was largely controlled by ministers, and civil and 
religious obedience was exacted from all. The Dutch and the English 
colonists contended for religious liberty. Churches were slow to 
organize in districts at all remote from Albany, for reasons that are ap 
parent in the slow progress of settlement, and the poverty and ever 
present necessities of the pioneers, and the disturbed condition of the 
country through many long years. They met for worship, but gen- 
erally in private dwellings, and the interchange of religious experience 
and thought at such meetings had to suffice. 

The organization of the Reformed churches in Watervliet took place 
before it was constituted a town, and thpse of other denominations soon 
followed. The Boght Reformed Dutch church in the northeastern part 
of the town was organized at a very early period. A petition signed 
by forty-two persons was presented to the Classis of Albany Feb- 
ruary 22, 1784, and the organization was effected April 14 of that year. 
It is probable that the Niskayuna church was organized about 1760, 
but soon after the organization of the congregation at the Boght the 
two congregations were under one pastorate. The first Consistory 
of the Boght cliurch were David Fero and Isaac Fonda, elders ; Abram 
A. Fonda and Gerrit I. Lansing, deacons. Rev. E. Westerlo, of Al- 
bany, was in charge of this church for some time, and in 1790 Rev. 
John Demarest assumed the pastorate of the two churches. The rec- 
ords during his ministry are written in Dutch. He closed his labors in 
1803 at which time the connection between tlie two churches ceased. 
Changes in the pastorate were somewhat frequent after that. In 1806 
measures were adopted for the erection of a new church building, which 
was completed in the following year. It stood on the road which now 
forms the western boundary of Cohoes. This was used until 1847, 
when the present church was erected. The land on which the parson- 
age was built had been given to the church a hundred years earlier. 



t 



409 

Eight acres were donated to the society and the Patroon afterwards 
gave twenty-five acres on the south side of the manor hne ; this land 
was sold in later years. The building of the new church at the Boght 
caused disagreement over the site and as a consequence twenty-two 
members were dismissed ; they organized the Church of Rensselaer 
in the same year and built a house of worship at Van Vranken's Cor- 
ners. Anniversary exercises were held commemorating the centennial 
of tiie Boght church on April 12, 1884. The following list of the per- 
sons constituting the original church is appended for its value in show- 
ing who were residents of this locality at that early date: 

Francis Lansing, Gerrit, Evart, Mans, Wyuant, Peter, Petras, Cornelius C, Cor- 
nelius 3d and Nicholas C. Van Denbergli, Gerrit Wendell, Luycas Witbeck, Jacob 
Van Olinda, Johannes Lansing, Rutgers Lansing, Johannes Clute, Isaac Fonda, 
Isaac H. Fonda, Timothy Hutton, Henry Fero, Christian Fero, David Fero, Jacob 
I. Lansing, Dirck Heenistraat, Charles Heemstraat, Isaac Ouderkerk. Andrew On- 
derkcrk, Johannes Fonda, Gerrit Clute, Isaac J. Fonda, Francis Cramer, Heudrick 
Wendell, Abiam A. Fonda, Noah Gillet, Gerrit I. Lansing, Abraham H. Lansing, 
Jacob Lansing, Dirck Clute, Hendrick Fonda, Jacob D. Fonda, Abraham L. Wit- 
beck, Abraham Onderkerk. 

The first officers of the Rensselaer church, before named, were Mar- 
tin Van Olinda, E. J. Lansing and A. W. Van Denbergh, elders; 
Obadiah Van Denbergh, Nicholas V. V. Van Denbergh, and Henry 
Van Alstine, deacons. 

The people in the Lisha's Kill neighborhood in the northwestern part of 
the town attended the old Niskayuna church for many years and until 
about 1850. At that time the old church was sadly out of repair, and 
when the question arose of expending a considerable sum of money to 
place it again in good condition the inhabitants at Lisha's Kill disap- 
proved, and on November 16, 1852, application was made to the Classis 
of Schenectady by forty-eight members of the old church for the priv- 
ilege of forming the Reformed Dutch Church of Lisha's Kill. The 
organization was efifected December 5 of that year at the school house 
in district No. 8, and Abraham V. P. Lansing and Jeremiah Ketchum 
were chosen elders ; and Joseph Consaul and Cornelius Lansing, deacons. 
In the next year (1853) a brick church was erected, and in 1859 a 
parsonage was built. In 1868 an addition of fifteen feet was made to 
the length of the building. 



410 

The Baptist church at Newtonville resulted from missionary work 
performed by R. M. Pease just before i860. In that year John M. 
Newton, a generous citizen of Newtonville, donated a piece of land for 
the church and on it a brick edifice was built. The society went out of 
existence in 1869 and the property was sold. 

Records of the beginning of the Congregational Society and Church 
of Watervliet bear date of May, 1859. The first trustees were Van 
Huren Lockrow, John Frost, Peter Steers, James Cramer, Daniel P. 
Sigourney, and Henry Woolley ; Rev. James G. Cordell was the first 
pastor. A church was erected which was burned May 25, 1865, but 
immediately rebuilt. On December 20 of that year a resolution was 
adopted "that the society assume the name of the Presbyterian Society 
of Pine Grove." On February 5, 1867, the church was accepted by the 
Presbytery of Albany and named " The Pine Grove Presbyterian Church 
of Watervliet," and on March 29 it was thus organized by Rev. William 
H. Carr, who was its pastor for a time. The elders were Van Buren 
Lockrow and Daniel P. Sigourney. The church has at intervals been 
without a regular pastor. 

Intimately. associated with the religious institutions of this town is the 
Home for Aged Men, situated just north of the city line on the Van 
Rensselaer boulevard. The founding of this benevolent institution was 
due largely to early efforts by Mrs. Elizabeth McClure, Mrs. William B. 
Gourley.and Mrs. CorneliusTen Broeck, with William Sawyer's co-opera- 
tion. After interest in the matter was thoroughly awakened a meeting 
was held in November, 1875, at which a sermon appropriate to the subject 
was preached by Rev. Ebenezer Halley, D. D. , and the announcement was 
made that at a previous meeting an organization had been effected and 
officers elected. Subscriptions were persistently sought and by the 
autumn of 1876 the sum of $18,000 had been accumulated. On Octo- 
ber 6, 1876, the Home for Aged Men was incorporated, with the fol- 
lowing trustees: John Taylor Cooper, Maurice E. Viele, William Saw- 
yer, S. Visscher Talcott, Dudley Olcott, Ebenezer Halley, William Van 
Antwerp, Benjamin W. Arnold, James H. McClure, James B. Jermain, 
Jeremiah Waterman, and David A. Thompson. Of these John Taylor 
Cooper was elected president; James B. Jermain and Jeremiah Water- 
man, vice-presidents; Dudley Olcott, treasurer; David A. Thompson, 



secretary. On the 1 6th of November, 1876, the trustees purchased the 
present site of Mrs. Harriet Day Perry, paying $1 1,000 for the dwelling 
and about four acres of land ; this amount was increased to $20,000 by 
needed changes and improvements. The Home was dedicated March 
28, 1878, and has accommodations for about thirty inmates. 

At the time of the erection of the town of Watervliet there was no 
school system in existence. Facilities for acquiring education were lim- 
ited to scattering transient schools, usually miserably taught, with here 
and there a so-called private school, where some young man, oftentimes 
a preacher, who had received a little better education than his immediate 
associates, endeavored to eke out a slender income by teaching. 

In 1795, Albany county received from the State ;^i,590 for school 
purposes, which was properly divided among the several towns. This 
was the first efifective step towards founding the free school system and has 
has been described in Chapter XVI. In September, 181 3, this town 
was subdivided into twelve school districts. This number has been 
repeatedly changed, gradually increasing, except as it may have been 
decreased by reduction of the town area. In i860, for, example, there 
weretwenty-ninedistricts, whileat the present time there are only twenty- 
six having school houses. The towns of Watervliet, Knox, and Guilder- 
land now constitute the third school commissioner district of the county. 
The last report of the commissioner for the district states that many of 
the school buildings of the district had undergone repairs in the pre- 
ceding year, and he believed they compared favorably with those of 
any district in the State. 

WE.ST TROY— CITY OF WATERVLIET. 

What has been for many years known as the village of West Troy, 
but which has very recently been made the new city of Watervliet, is 
situated opposite Troy city, on the west bank of the Hudson River and 
extending northward to the southern " sprout " of the Mohawk, which 
there empties into the Hudson forming Green Island. West Troy was 
incorporated April 30, 1836, taking within its boundaries what had 
previously been known as the villages of Gibbonsville, Port Schuyler, 
and West Troy. Of these three only Gibbonsville was inco-porated. 



412 

Port Schuyler was that part of the present village (or city) lying south 
of the arsenal property, the land being a part of the farm of John 
Schuyler and Peter Schuyler, which was purchased in 1827 of them by 
Willard Earl, Jabez Burrows, Abijah Wheeler, David Wheeler, Enoch 
Burrows, Gilbert C. Bedell and Jonathan Hart. These purchasers 
formed the Port Schuyler Company, who, after the purchase, laid out 
the land in village lots. This settlement was known still earlier as the 
village of Washington, the settlement of which began at an early period, 
as the Reformed Dutch church was organized at a meeting held in the 
village of Washington in 1814. 

Gibbonsville was that part of West Troy lying between Port Schuyler 
on the south and Bufifalo street on the north, the land having been 
originally owned by James Gibbons, an Albany merchant, who laid it 
out in lots and gave it his name. The settlement grew and in 1824 
was incorporated. It was governed by the usual village officers until 
1836, when the act incorporating it was repealed by the act creating 
the village of West Troy. 

The trustees of Gibbonsville, elected each succeeding year, were as 
follows, the first named in each instance being chosen as president at 
the first meeting of the board: 

1827, Elijah Ranny, Edward Learned, Isaac Chapman, James T. Morrison, Moses 
Tyler; 1828, Amos Larcom, Moses Tyler, William G. Groesbeck, David Morrison, 
Isaac H. Williams; 1829, Daniel T. Wandell, Isaac Chapman, David Wheeler, Moses 
Tyler, Charles Learned; 1830, Jonathan H. Dyer, Hiram M. Hopkins, Levi Lincoln, 
Moses Tyler, James T. Morrison; ISiil, Isaac Chapman, Ephraim Baldwin, Hiram 
M. Hopkins. William P. Hall, David Wheeler; 1832, William G. Groesbeck, Moses 
Tyler, Smith Ballou. Jonathan H. Dyer, Zachariah Craver; 1833, Isaac Chapman, 
Henry Thalhimer, Zachariah Craver, John Tisdall, Leonard Hannum; 1834. Isaac 
Chapman, Charles Learned, John B. Chollar, Eben Jones Benjamin Brown; 183.'). 
Edward Learned. Martin Witbeck, John C. Green. Jonathan H. Dyer. 

Previous to its incorporation West Troy was that part of the present 
village lying north of Buffalo street and south of the northern boundary 
line established by the act of incorporation. This was the old line 
dividing the farms of John Bleeker ^ and Volkert Oothout. The West 
Troy site was originally the farm of John Bleeker and was purchased of 
him in 1823 by a number of capitalists associated as the West Troy 
Company. The deed transferred about 400 acres of land, with some 

1 In the old ix-cords Uiib name is spelled as here; in later times it has been spelled " Bleecker." 




MERLIN J. ZEH, M. D. 



413 

small reservations, to George Tibbetts, Nathan Warren and Richard 
Hart, of Troy, and Philip Schuyler, of Saratoga, as trustees; their 
associates were Esaias Warren, Stephen Warren, Jacob Merritt, George 
Vail, Samuel Gale, Ebenezer Wiswall, Elias Patlison, Philip Hart, jr., 
John D. Dickinson, John P. Cushman, John Paine, Theodore F. French, 
and William Hart. The consideration was $45,000. That part of the 
tract lying east of West street was laid out in village lots and streets, 
while the remainder was laid out in so-called farm lots of ten to twent)'- 
five acres each ; most of the latter lots have since been subdivided and 
built upon. At the date of the purchase there was no building on the 
tract of any account excepting a small two-story tavern ; this stood 
on the site of the Rath block of recent times, and may have been 
erected before the Revolution. The act incorporating West Troy di- 
vided the village into fi)ur wards and the first village election was or- 
dered to be held on the first Tuesday in May, 1836. It was so held 
and the following persons were elected president and trustees : Presi- 
dent, Edward Learned ; trustees, Thomas Evans, Jonathan Hart, First 
ward ; Isaac Chapman, Hiram M. Hopkins, Second ward ; Samuel II. 
Ford, Henry Kimberly, Third ward ; Abram Van Arnam, jr., Joseph 
Twist, Fourth ward. The number of votes polled at this election was 
476. The inspectors of election were Alva W. Rockwell, David D. 
Abrams, and Albert S. Blackman, First ward ; Isaac Chapman, Martin 
Witbeck and John C. Green, Second ward ; Samuel E. Ford, John T. 
Van Alstyne and Andrew Meneely, Third ward ; Abel W. Richardson, 
Abraham Van Arnam, jr., and Alexander S. Lobdell, Fourth ward. 
All of these early officials were then leading men in the community. 

For some years after its incorporation the village grew quite rapidly. 
The establishment in Gibbonsville of the United States Arsenal in 1813, 
the opening of the Erie Canal through the place and its enlargement, 
wliich was in progress in 1836, contributed to the prosperity of the new 
village. The first purchase of the United States from Mr. Gibbons 
comprised twelve acres; to this was added thirty acres more in 1828; 
the price of the first tract was $2,585, and of the second, $9,622. The 
deed of I 8 13 mentions Beaver street and Albany street, showing that 
some part of that village was laid out prior to that year ; but most of 
the survey of lots and streets was made in 1828. In what was the vil- 



414 

lage of Washington (afterwards Port Schuyler) a canal, known as the 
lower side cut, was constructed from the river to the Erie Canal. Later 
the proprietors of West Troy constructed a canal, beginning at tiie 
south side of the side-cut at Union street between Broadway and the 
F.rie Canal, and extending south to the north side of Genesee street, 
where it turned and ran into the Erie ; there a dry dock was built. This 
canal was ultimately filled up. The West Troy people also contem- 
plated another canal to begin at the west side of the Erie at Union street, 
extending through that street to West street, through West to the South 
side of Genesee, where it was to turn east and extend into Burlington 
street, thence through Burlington to Canal street (now Central avenue), 
and thence east through Canal street to the Erie. It was never built, 
but the intention is commemorated in the extra width of Union, Bur- 
lington and Canal streets. The first weigh lock for the Erie Canal was 
built in 1825 on the south side of Union street a little west of Broad- 
way, and the weighing was done by the measurement of water drawn 
from one reservoir to another, in one of which the boat was stationed. 
It did not prove reliable and was soon superseded by scales of a crude 
pattern; these were followed in 1853 by the present improved weigh- 
lock. The canal was so far completed in October, 1823, as to allow 
boats to run from Gibbonsville to Rochester. This is shown by the 
following from the Troy Sentinel of October 10, 1823 : 

The opening of the Erie Canal on Wednesday, October 8, 1823, was celebrated by 
the people of Troy in the following practical manner. When the procession of boats 
from the junction of the northern and western canals had passed on to Albany, 
according to the order of arrangements previously made, the Trojan Trader, a west- 
ern freight boat, came down to the bridge near the Gibbonsville basin, opposite this 
city, and took on board the first load of merchandise sent from the Hudson west on 
the Erie Canal. ... As the side cut into the river opposite to Troy was not yet 
done, and as the junction canal, though completed and filled with water, could not 
yet be opened, so as to permit the Trojan Trader to come around by Waterford, 
down the Hudson, to be loaded at the wharf, it became necessary to transport the 
goods on wheels across the river to the place of embarkation on the main trunk of 
the canal. Accordingly, in the morning, this necessity being intimated to the car- 
men of Troy, with an alacrity highly honorable to their public spirit, they volun- 
teered their services with one accord, to take the goods over. After loading their 
teams, they proceeded in two divisions to the two ferries, and being, through the 
liberality of Mr. Vanderheyden, the proprietor of the two ferries, taken across in his 
horse boats, toll free, they had the goods all on the bank of the canal by five o'clock. 
Several of our citizens lent their assistance to load the boat, and at two o'clock the 



415 

Trader, having on board upwards of twenty-five tons of merchandise, with her Hag 
flying, and amid the cheers of assembled Trojans, started for the west. The Trojan 
Trader is commanded by Captain Brace; she is bound for Rochester, and on her flag 
are painted the following words: "From Troy; the first western boat loaded at 
Hudson River." 

These three villages which formed West Troy in 1836 would have 
doubtless been more active through the influence of the canal, had it 
not been for the fact that as a rule all first- class passengers going to or 
from Albany did not pass through the village ; they took or left the 
boats, as the case might be, at Schenectady, between which place and 
Albany ran a regular line of coaches, which shortened the time required 
to make the trip on the canal. 

The side cut opposite to Troy, mentioned in the foregoing extract, 
was finished on Saturday, November 15, 1823. In the afternoon the 
locks were ready, the water was let in, and the packet Superior, with a 
large party of citizens on board, passed through and crossed the river 
to Troy ; two freight boats followed, one loaded with staves and the 
other with wheat. 

It has been incidentally stated that there were two ferries across the 
river when the canal was opened. One of these was at the foot of 
Ferry street, and was called the Gibbonsville ferry ; the other was at 
the foot of Canal street (now Central avenue), which was called the 
West Troy ferry. Both of these were undoubtedly owned at one 
period by Derrick Y. Van Derheyden. The West Troy Ferry was sub- 
sequently purchased by the West Troy Company. The date at which 
it was established is unknown, but Van Derheyden purchased the land 
on which the city of Troy stands in 1707, and the ferry may have been 
established soon afterward. In 1794 it was being operated by his son, 
Jacob D. Van Derheyden. It was over this ferry that the American 
troops crossed in 1777 to take part in the battle at Stillwater. 

In 1807 Daniel T. Wandell, of Troy, established what is known as 
the Middle Ferry, from a point near Buffalo street, to a point on the 
Troy side a little south of Division street. This ferry was sold in 18 10 
to Derrick Y. Van Derheyden, who thereupon discontinued it. For 
some time prior to 1834 Mr. Wandell was superintendent of the Gib- 
bonsville and the West Troy ferries. Some of the early ferry boats 
were operated by horse power, the horse being stationed on the boat 



410 

and supplying tlie power that turned the paddles. This kind of boat 
was the invention of a Mr. Langdon and was first used in 1819. The 
first steam ferry boat was run over the West Troy ferry by Mr Wandell 
about 1833 ; but it did not prove successful and was abandoned. Soon 
after the purchase of the Van Derheyden ferry by the West Troy Com- 
pany, they purchased also the Gibbonsville ferry and discontinued it, 
their intention being to force the line of travel farther up town. 

The three ferries now running are, the oldest at the foot of Cen- 
tral avenue, commonly known as the Mark Ferry; another from the 
southerly point of Green Island near the foot of Union street, owned 
by Thomas Rath, John Reiley and Joseph McLean ; and the third from 
a point a little north of North street, near the Arsenal ; this one is 
owned and operated by Clark W. Delano and Frederick T. Hathaway. 

The iron highway bridge at the foot of Genesee street to the foot of 
Congress street in Troy was built by the Troy and West Troy Bridge 
Company, incorporated April 23, 1872; the bridge was completed Oc- 
tober I, 1874, the entire cost being $350,000. 

West Troy was in early years a center of a large river business in 
both passenger and freight traffic on sailing vessels called either sloops, 
schooners or scows, according to their stj le of construction. Passenger 
traffic by sailing vessel was abandoned before the village incorporation 
in 1836; but from about 1830 to 1845 an immense trade was carried 
on in lumber, which came down the canal, was unloaded here and re- 
loaded on the sailing vessels for points further down the river. About 
130 of these vessels were engaged in this business at one time at this 
village. The docks were situated north of Genesee street and south of 
Buffalo street. Between those streets at that time the river front was 
not filled in. The following is a list of vessels of West Troy, with the 
names of their masters : 

.S/i'ii/>s.— American Banner, Capt. Thomas Rafferty ; Active, Capt. Butler Hubbard ; 
Burlington, Capt. Silas Betts; Samuel Brewster, Capt. Andrew Hitchcock; Belve- 
dere, Capt. Peter Hicks; Commodore Rogers, Capt. James Warford ; Clarissa, Capt. 
(ieorge Collins; Clinton, Capt. Robert Robinson; Currier, Capt. Thomas Anderson; 
Conveyance, Capt. Stephen Wa.shburn, sr. ; David U. Crane, Capt. Asahel W. Gil- 
bert; Don Ramone, Capt. Harlow Rhodes; Fox, Capt. Stephen Washburn, sr. ; 
Henry Gage, Capt. William Lobdell ; Highlander, Capt. William Crawford; James 
North, Capt. William Foot; Juno. Capt. John Silliman ; Kinderhook, Capt. James 
Warford; Leader, Capt. William Wood; Jane McCoy, Capt. Andrew Foster ; Martha 



417 

Ann, Capt. James Hardy; Minerva, Capt. John King; William Mayo, Capt. Meueely 
Hitchcoclc; Mecliauic, Capt. Isaac Hubbard; North America, Capt. Daniel Curtis; 
Miriam, Capt. Isaac R. Getty; Pilot, Capt. John Kmg; Ranger, Capt. David King; 
Peter Ritter, Capt. Charles Mead; Superior, Capt. I.saac R. Getty; Shepherdess, 
Capt. Patrick Lamb; Senator, Capt. Isaac Hitchcock; Pierre Van Cortlandt, Capt. 
Jacob Young; Robert Wiltsey, Capt. William Harvey; John Ward, Capt. Alfred 
Mosher. 

Sc/i00Hf>s. — Thomas H. Benton, Capt. John Garrahan; Ballston, Capt. William 
Wood; Cadmus, Capt. Andrew Hitchcock; Eleanor, Capt. John Evertsen; Isaac 
Merritt, Capt. James Wood; Mary Anna, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert; Meridan, Capt. 
Henry Evertsen; Miller, Capt. Medad Wood; Commodore Porter, Capt. Richard 
JlcLaughlin; Regulator, Capt. Henry Finch; Andrew Stewart, Capt. Asahel W. 
Gilbert; David Smith, Capt. James Farrell; Stranger, Capt. Edward Lane; Ann S. 
Salter, Capt. Asahel W. Gilbert; Caleb Wright, Capt. Jonathan Patridge. 

Siows. — Grampus, Capt. Washington Mowry ; Hercules, Capt. James Hitchcock; 
Ohio, Capt. Hiram Tin.slar; United States, Capt. Stephen Washburn, jr.; Globe, 
Capt. James Hillis. 

Of the captains above mentioned only a few now remain residents of 
this viUage, the greater number having died, while a few have removed. 
Among those now living and residing here may be mentioned Isaac 
R. Getty and Asahel W. Gilbert. 

Captain Getty was born at Lansingburgh, Rensselaer county, N Y , 
November 24, 1 807, and began his life upon the river when seventeen 
years of age, and came to West Troy to reside in 1838. He followed 
the river for fifty-five years, and is now the oldest river captain residing 
in this village. At ditlerent times during the period of fifty-five years 
during which he was upon the river he was master of seven different 
sailmg vessels and of eleven different steam vessels 

C;iptain Gilbert was born in Troy in 18 19, and followed the river 
from 1829 to 1870, coming to West Troy to reside in 1845. During 
the time he followed the river he was at different periods captain of ten 
different sailing vessels and five steam vessels. He also built and sold 
a number of sailing crafts. 

The village of West Troy was divided into four school districts, each 
ward constituting a district, the First ward being district No I ; the Sec- 
ond ward district No. 2 ; the Third ward district No. 20, and the Fourth 
ward district No. 9. This system was established in 18 13. The first school 
house in district No. i was in what became Port Schuyler ; that for district 
No. 2 in Gibbonsville ; that for district No. 9 was out in the countrj'. 
No. 20 was created some years later from No. 2. With the growth of 



418 

the village additional school buildings were erected and the West Troy 
Union School district was formed. There are now two school buildings 
at Port Schuyler; two in the Second ward ; one each in the Third and 
Fourth wards, and one leased at Port Schuyler and one in the First 
ward. 

The first fire department in West Troy consisted some thirty years 
ago of three hand engines and two hook and ladder companies, with 
names as follows : Rip Van Winkle Engine Company No. i, Protection 
Engine Company No. 2, and Conqueror Engine Company No. 3 ; 
Hercules Hook and Ladder Company No. i, and Spartan Hook and 
Ladder Company No. 2. The old hand engines long ago went out of 
service. From the date of the incorporation of the village down to 1881 
the fire department was under control of the trustees of the village. In 
that year a board of fire commissioners was created by act of the Leg- 
islature. There are at present in existence the Oswold Hose Company 
No. I, organized in 1859; the Michael Kelly Hose Company No. 2, 
organized in 1870; Thomas Mclntyre Hose Company No. 3, organized 
in 1873; Protection Hose Company No. 4, organized in 1878; S J. 
Gleason Hook and Ladder Company No. i, organized in 1872. The 
first steam fire engine was purchased by the village in 1864 and the 
company organized to take charge of it was called James Roy No. i. 
In 1867 a second steamer was purchased and James Duffy Company 
No. 2 organized to take charge of it. In 1873 the third and last steamer 
was purchased and Martin Tierney Company No. 3 organized. 

The West Troy Water Works Company was incorporated in 1876, 
the supply being taken from the Mohawk in the extreme northeast part 
of the town, whence it is pumped into a reservoir on the hill about a 
mile west of the Arsenal ; from that it flows by gravity through the vil- 
lage mains. The cost of the system was about $275,000, and the water 
is largely used. The first board of directors of the company were 
George R. Meneely, Alfred Riosher, George M. Wiswall, Jesse C. Day- 
ton, Lorenzo D. Collins, John Reiley, George Tweddle, William B. 
Williams, Richard S. Lobdell, and George B. Mosher. The company 
has recently been reorganized, with new officers, and is planning for 
large extension of the system. With the introduction of this water 



419 

supply the steam fire engines of the village were largely disused, though 
two of them are at the present time kept in commission on account of 
the weak pressure of the water in the mains. 

West Troy was without a regular organized police force until 1865, 
when the Capitol Police District was organized under legislative act, 
embracing Albany, Troy, Schenectady, West Troy, Green Island, Lans- 
ingburgh, Cohoes and Greenbush with certain parts of the towns of 
Watervliet and North Greenbush. This district was divided into the 
Troy Division and the Albany Division ; West Troy was included in 
the Troy Division, over which John M. Landon was the first deputy 
superintendent. The first officers and patrolmen were as follows: 
Captain, Lansing Clute ; sergeant, Abram E. Lansing; patrolmen, C. 
Spencer Loomis, Richard Crooks, Martin V. B. Jones, James Smith, 
Charles H. Cary, John W. Decker, and Patrick Rogers. By a legisla- 
tive act of 1S70 the Capitol Police District act was repealed as far it 
applied to this village and the West Troy police force was establislied. 
The village electors were authorized to elect four police commissioners, 
the first board being Ebenezer Scoville, John I. Winne, William C. 
Durant, and Isaac R. Getty. This board organized the force with James 
O. Wood, captain, and Sylvanus K. Jefferson, sergeant. The force now 
comprises twelve men. 

The building known as Corporation Hall was erected in 1864 at a 
cost of $20,000. It contains apartments for the fire department, the 
meeting room of the trustees, etc. 

The West Troy Gas Light Company was incorporated in January, 
1853, by Richard S. Lobdell, A. V. Barringer, IVIorgan L. Taylor, Al- 
bert Richards, and E, H, St. John, the capital stock being $100,000. In 
the previous year John Lockwood and A. V. Barringer, under the firm 
name of John Lockwod & Co , obtained from the village an exclusive 
franchise to lay gas mains in the streets and build gas works. In No- 
vember, 1853, this company assigned its rights to the West Troy Gas 
Light Company. In the same year the company obtained a franchise 
to lay gas mains in the streets of Green Island. In February, 1853, 
Albert Richards was elected president of the company; Morgan L. 
Taylor, secretary, and Richard S. Lobdell, treasurer. On April I, 1854, 
William L. Oswald was appointed superintendent of the company. The 



420 

company manufactured gas until 1876, when it discontinued and began 
buying its gas of the People's Gas Light Company of Albany. In De- 
cember, 1887, the Municipal Gas Company of Albany purchased the 
property of the West Troy Company, the People's Gas Light Com- 
pany having meanwhile become merged in the Municipal Company. 

The first newspaper printed in the village of which there is any rec- 
ord was the West Troy Advocate, founded in September, 1837, by 
William Hollands. He died in 1853, when his son, William Hollands, 
jr , continued the paper until July, 1864, when it was discontinued. In 
January, i860, Allen Corey began the publication of the Albany 
County Democrat, and continued it until July, 1884 In May, 1880, James 
Treanor started the Watervliet Journal. In July, 1884, he purchased 
the Albany County Democrat, consolidated the two papers under the 
name of the Journal and Democrat, and continued connected with the 
publication until his death in 1896. At this time the firm of Treanor 
& Hardin carry on the business. The paper is a well edited and pros- 
perous journal. 

A newspaper called the Palladium was published for a time about 
1832 by the Warren Brothers, who also conducted a book and sta- 
tionery store. 

The first bank in the village was incorporated in 1836, with the name 
of the Watervliet Bank, and the following officers: John C. Schuyler, 
jr., president; Edward Learned, vice-president; Egbert Olcott, cashier; 
Gerrit T. Witbeck, teller ; George M. Wheeler, clerk ; the capital stock 
was $100,000. This institution failed in 1841. The National Bank of 
West Troy was incorporated under the State laws in February, 1852, 
and began business on May i, of that year, with the name, Bank of 
West Troy. The capital stock was $200,000. The incorporators were 
John Knickerbacker, James Van Schoonhoven, James Roy, E. Thomp 
son Gale, John Cramer, Joseph M. Haswell, William Sands, George H. 
Cramer, and Ferdinand J. Suydam ; these men constituted the first 
board of directors and the following officers were chosen : Ferdi- 
nand J. Suydam, president; George H. Cramer, vice-president; Albert 
C. Gunnison, cashier. In 1853 Mr. Suydam was made cashier and 
held the position until 1858, when he resigned and was succeeded by 
G. B. Wilson, who held the place about nineteen years. He was sue- 



J 




JAMES BLUNN. 



421 

ceeded by Benjamin McE. Schafer, wlio held the position until his 
death in i8So, when the present cashier, Arthur T. Phelps, was ap- 
pointed. In 1853 Dillon Beebe was elected president and was suc- 
ceeded in 1856 b}- Joseph M. Haswell, who held the office until his 
death in 1871. James Roy was then chosen, and was succeeded in 

1876 by Thomas A. Knickerbacker, the present incumbent. The insti- 
tution was changed to a national bank in 1865 and the name changed 
to the National Bank of West Troy, with capital stock of $250,000. In 

1877 this was reduced to $150,000, and in 1893 to $ioo,000. 

West Troy has been and still is a manufacturing center of large im- 
portance. Fortunately situated for shipping purposes, and with a num- 
erous population near at hand from which to obtain employees, several 
large industries have been founded in the village and are still success- 
fully conducted. In the southern part of the village are the mills now 
operated by Roy & Co., for the manufacture of various kinds of woolen 
cloths and shawls. Of this company Benjamin Knower is president ; 
John F. Roy, treasurer, and F. B. Durant, secretary. The capital is 
$500,000. These mills were founded by James Roy about 1847 J he was 
of Scotch birth and came to America in 1835. Not long afterwards he 
formed a partnership with John Knower and began the manufacture of 
woolen shawls, for which a number of workmen were brought from Scot- 
land. Other kinds of goods were afterwards added to the products of the 
mills. The establishment now embraces three mills and employs about 
700 hands The firm of Roy & Co. was incorporated in 1S71, by James 
Roy, John Knower, and Peter Roy, for the manufacture of builders' 
hardware, and carried on a large business until 1895, when the works 
were closed up. James Roy was a man of prominence and public spirit 
and accomplished much for the welfare of the village. He died in 1878. 

The Meneely Bell Foundry, which has a reputation extending through- 
out the country, was established by Andrew Meneely in 1826. He 
had learned the trade of brass founder and began the manufacture of 
civil engineer's instruments in what was then Gibbonsville. He also 
made town clocks and finally church bells. His business increased and 
in 1835 he took Jonas V Oothout in partnership ; the latter withdrew 
in 1841 and in 1849 Mr, Meneely took as partner his son, Edwin A , the 



422 

firm name being Andrew Meneely & Son. The senior of the firm died in 
1 85 1, and the business was continued by Edwin A. and George R. 
Meneely. Soon after tlie death of the elder Meneely the whole atten- 
tion of the sons was given to the manufacture of bells. In 1874 George 
R. Meneely withdrew from the business, and Edwin A. has since died. 
The present firm comprises Mrs. E. A. Meneely and Andrew H. 
Meneely. 

George R. Meneely carries on a brass foundry, in company with his 
son, Charles D., who came into the business in 1888, for the manufac- 
ture of a patent journal bearing for cars, engines, etc. It has great 
merit and a large sale. 

The Covert Manufacturing Company was organized in Troy in 1873, 
the members being James C. Covert, Madison Covert, Henry Wakeman, 
and Scudder Wakeman. In 1879 the business was removed to West 
Troy, and soon afterward the Wakemans withdrew. In 1893 Madison 
Covert withdrew and James C. Covert is now sole proprietor. About 
eighty hands are employed in the manufacture of saddlery hardware 
and wrought iron chains 

In 1 83 I Sanford S. Perry established the pottery now situated on the 
corner of Washington and Schenectady streets, the factory at that time 
being situated on Champlain street fronting the Erie Canal In 1S45 
Nathan Porter and Robert H. Eraser purchased the pottery and removed 
it to its present location. About a year later Mr. Eraser died and was 
succeeded in the firm by his brother, George B. The firm continued a 
successful business for eighteen years, when it was dissolved and the 
establishment was sold to George H. Seymour. Erom him it passed to 
the present owners, Shepley & Smiths. 

The J. M. Jones' Sons horse car works were founded as a wagon 
manufactory in 1839 by Henry W. Witbeck and John M. Jones, under 
the style of Witbeck & Jones. The business continued until 1863, 
when Mr. Witbeck withdrew and George Lawrence took his place. 
The manufacture of horse cars was then begun and the making of wag- 
ons was soon abandoned. In 1864 Mr. Lawrence withdrew from the 
business and Mr. Jones associated his sons with himself In Eebruary, 
1882 John M. Jones died, and since that time his son, Walter A. has 
died, leaving John H. Jones in charge of the works, the firm name re- 
maining the same as before. 




JAMES C. COVERT. 



I 



433 

On the site of the Y. M. C. A. building a Mr. Kilgour built a saw and 
planing mill in 1852, and was succeeded in business by Uffoid & Latham, 
and they by James Kerslake in 1873. He continued in business until 
his death in July, 1892. The factory finally gave way to the present 
handsome Y. M. C. A. building which was erected in 1892. 

Lewis Rousseau, senior member of the later firm of Rousseau S: Har- 
rington, established a planing mill in 1834, and soon took as partner 
Mr. Easton, who continued as such for twenty-eight years. Arvin W. 
Harrington succeeded him as a member of the firm under the style of 
Rousseau & Harrington. Mr. Rousseau died July 2, 1884, after a long 
and active life. This mill was subsequently burned. A large planing 
mill and lumber business is now conducted by Harrington & Co., for 
whom A. W. Harrington and J. H. Harrington are managers. 

By the act of the Legislature of May 26, 1896, the city of Watervliet 
was erected, embracing the former village of West Troy, with the ex- 
ception of a small section at the southern end. This act provided that 
the village officers then in power should hold their places until January 
I, 1897 ; they are as follows : 

President, M. J. Day; trustees, First ward, S. V. Feary, one year, Charles M. An- 
gus, two years; Second ward, W. C. Baxter, one year, J. J. Bennett, two years; 
Third ward, James H. Foley, one year, J. P. Bridgman two years; Fourth ward, 
G. H. Mitchell one year, Robert Williams two years; William J. Shaughnessy, cham- 
berlain ; William Lynch, Henry Crall, William H. Cronkhite, assessors; Daniel 
Knower, Charles F. Polk, John D. Brown, William Fitzgerald, police commissioners; 
Stephen V. Sturtevant, E. A. Foley, George Witbeck, William Foley, fire commis- 
sioners; Charles H. Fort (president), Thomas Cavanaugh (secretary), Michael E. 
Gunneu, James D. Maloney, Thomas E. Coggins, Derwin Mitchell, Thomas F. Ma- 
har, board of health ; Dr. P. E. Fennelly, health officer. 

The presidents of the village elected in each succeeding year have 
been as follows : 

1S;J7, Martin Witbeck; 1838, Miron R. Peak; 1839 Andrew Meneely; 1840, Martin 
Witbeck; 1811, Samuel Wilgus; 1842, Miron R. Peak; 1843, Andrew Meneely; 1844, 
Albert T. Dunham; 1845, .\lbcrt Richards; 1846, Archibald A. Dunlop; 1847, Albert 
T. Dunham; 1848, Daniel l\ Suwarl; 1849, Hcraan Mather; ISfiO, Daniel C. Stew- 
art; 1851, Samuel Crawlunl, 1S52, M.ngan L. Taylor; 1853, Lorenzo D. Collins; 
1854, George B. Eraser; 1855-5(i, Martin Witbeck; 1857, Samuel H. Waterman; 
1858, James Roy; 1859, James Brady ; 1860, George R. Meneely; 1861, William Os- 
wald; 1862, Peter A. Rogers; 1803, James Duffy; 1864-65, Francis Beebe ; 1866-67, 



434 

James Hamil: 1808, William B. Williams; 1869,Terrence Cummings; 1R70-71. Perry 
Robinson; 1872, Joseph M. Lawrence; 1873, Terrence Cummings; 187-1-75, Sliehael 
Riley; 1876-77, Patrick Lane; 1878, Robert P. Tunnard; 1879-80, Joseph McLean; 
18SI, George B. Mosher; 1882, John H. Hulsapple; 1883, William E. Cox; 1884, 
Patrick Lane: 188"), Terrence Cummings. The term of office being for one year. 

The people of the villages of Wa.=hington and Gibbonsville early 
adopted measures to provide themselves with public religious instruc- 
tion. One result of this action was the organization in i8i4of the 
Reformed Protestant Dutch church of Washington and Gibbonsville by 
the Classis of Albany. Peter S. Schuyler was chairman and Volkert 
D. Oathout^ clerk of the organizing meeting, which was held in the 
school house in Washington village March 19, 1814. Mr. Schuyler 
and Mr. Oathout were elected elders, and Samuel Phillips and Stephen 
Conger, deacons. The Consistory of this church united with that of 
the Reformed Dutch church at the Boght in the town of Watervliet, 
and Rev. Robert Bronk preached alternately in the two places. Mr. 
Bronk labored in the two churches about twenty years, when he re- 
signed his charge at tlie Boght and devoted his whole time to the vil- 
lage church until 1834, when he resigned. The first church edifice was 
dedicated July 10, 1 8 16, more than a year having been devoted to its 
erection. The building stood on the west side of Broadway a little 
north of North street on ground donated by John Schuyler, jr. and 
James Gibbons. As time passed and it was seen that most of the con- 
gregation of this church resided north of the Arsenal, it was deter- 
mined to build a new house of worship in a more convenient locality. 
A lot was accordingly purchased on the cornerof Washington and Buffalo 
streets, and the corner stone of a new edifice was laid in August, 1839. 
The building was finished and dedicated in the following year, the cost 
being about $13,000. Services were held for a few years in the old 
church in the morning and in the new church in the afternoon and 
evening. The former was commonly called the South church and the 
latter the North church. The parish was divided in 1844 and soon 
the old church was sold on account of financial embarrassment, it 
being purchased by Clarkson V. Crosby. On the i8th of June, 1844, 
the "South Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the village of 



425 

West Troy" was organized with Philip S. Schuyler, Robert Dunlop 
and John C. Schuyler, elders, and David Moore and Stephen C. 
Dermott, deacons, and thirty-six members. This congregation pur- 
chased the old church of Mr. Crosby, and on July 25 called Rev. Theo- 
dore F. VVyckoff to the pastorate ; he remained about ten years. In 
187 1, the old church building having become entirely inadequate 
for the congregation, steps were taken to provide better accommoda- 
tions. At this time Hon. James B. Jermain sent to the Consistory a 
proposition to build a new church at his own expense under the fol- 
lowing, among other, conditions: ;. A change of site and the pur- 
chase of a lot by the congregation. 2. The furnishing of the building 
when completed, including organ, by the congregation. 3. The edifice 
to be a memorial building in memory of Sylvanus P. Jermain (father of 
James B.) and of his family. This proposition was promptly accepted, 
and the site on the corner of Groton and Middle streets was purchased. 
The present beautiful church was finished in November, 1874, and dedi- 
cated December 30, of that year. During the year 1874 the tower 
was added to the edifice, and in 1878 the chapel was added. It is the 
finest church propert)' in the city, the building having cost about 
$100 000. By a vote of a majority of its members this church in 1885 
severed its relations with the Reformed church and became connected 
with the Presbytery of Albany. 

In 1840 the "North Church," as it theretofore had been known, 
changed its corporate title to " The North Reformed Church of West 
Troy," Rev. Dr. O. H. Gregory remaining pastor, and continuing to 
act until 1870. In 1865 the chapel was erected. The society still has 
an active existence. 

Trinity Episcopal church was organized in 1834, mission services 
having been held for two years previous thereto by Rev. Dr. David 
Butler, of Troy, in a school house on the west side of Burlington street. 
The two families of Raymond Taylor and James Lobdell formed the 
nucleus of the congregation. The first vestry of the church were the 
rector, Rev. James Tappan ; wardens, James Lobdell and A. S. Black- 
man ; vestrymen, Raymond Taylor, John Mason, Glover Blackman, 
Edgar Botsford, Gilbert C. Bedell, Thomas Evans, John Worthington, 
and Jonathan Hart. A brick church edifice was built in 1837 o" the 
54 



426 

west side of Salem street, which was consecrated June 4. Owing to 
the inconvenience of reaching this church from the northern and central 
parts of the village, a new society was organized November 19, 1838, 
and called St. Luke's. Rev. Washington Van Zandt was called to serve 
this congregation, and a church was built later on the north side of what 
is now Central avenue. After a few changes in the pastorate, Rev. 
William H. H. Bissell was called to the rectorship of both Trinity and 
St. Luke's. In 1844 the Salem street church was sold and was sub- 
sequently burned. In September, 1845, Rev. Joshua Weaver became 
rector and on January 10, 1848, the present church then just completed, 
was consecrated. During the rectorship of Rev. Joseph S. Saunders, 
1863-67, the three story brick rectory north of the church was erected. 
In 1875 a mission chapel, in connection with the church, was erected 
on Groton street, and called St. Gabriel's chapel. In 1878 another 
mission chapel was built on Ford street, and named St. Andrew's. The 
church edifice was enlarged in 1865 by a wing on the south side. 
In 1877 it was further enlarged by an organ chamber. In 1882 a chapel 
was built on the rear of the church lot. 

St. Patrick's Catholic church was organized in 1839, and in the fol- 
lowing year a lot was purchased on the corner of Burlington and Union 
streets, whereon a church was erected in 1840. The congregation was 
organized and the building erected under the superintendence of Rev. 
John Shannahan, of St. Peter's church, Troy. The first priest in charge 
was Rev. James Quinn. In F'ebruary, 1850, Rev. Thomas A. Kyle, 
then in charge, organized St. Bridget's church. Rev. William F. Shee- 
han became priest of the church in October, 1868, and has faithfully 
ministered to the congregation up to the present time. The old church 
edifice having become unsuitable for the needs of the congregation, a 
site was purchased on Ontario street and in July, the corner stone of 
the present beautiful edifice was laid. 

St. Bridget's Catholic church was organized and built in 1850 under 
the supervision of Rev. Thomas Kyle, who was then in charge of St. 
Patrick's church. The church is situated on the corner of Salem and 
Mansion streets. Rev. William CuUinan was the first priest in charge 
of this parish, and was succeeded in May, 1883, by Rev. James A. 
Curtin, under whose direction extensive improvements were' made to 



427 

the church edifice. In the fall of 1883 the property, corner of Salem 
and Mansion streets, was purchased by this church, whereon a rectory 
was established in the dwelling with a school in adjoining buildings un- 
der charge of the Sisters. 

The Washington Street Methodist Episcopal church was organized 
in April, 1 83 1, with Daniel T. Wandell, William Tucker, William P. 
Hall, Amnion Hammond, and David I. Dutcher, trustees. These 
trustees were by resolution given the title of the "Trustees of the Gib- 
bonsville Station of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the Town of 
Watervliet." They purchased of Ebenezer Prescott a lot corner of 
Washington and Ferry streets and built a small one-story edifice. This 
was enlarged in 1840 and in the next year a vestry was erected on the 
same lot ; this was converted into a parsonage in 1857. ^" the spring 
of this year the old church was sold and removed and the present 
church built on the site ; the first service in the new church was held 
in January, 1858. The old structure was purchased by John M. Jones 
and became the machine shop connected with the Jones car works. In 
1883 a steeple, bell and clock were added to the new church, and the 
parsonage was extensively improved. In 1849 a number of the mem- 
bers of this society in the upper part of the village organized the Ohio 
Street Methodist Episcopal church ; after this the former title of the 
earlier church was dropped and the present one taken — the Washing- 
ton Street M. E. church. 

The Ohio Street Methodist Episcopal church, before mentioned, was 
organized in the spring of 1849 by Alexander S. Lobdell, Ashael Pot- 
ter, Edward Mallory, R. E. Gorton, and Otis Wood, an on June 5 of that 
year the church purchased the property on the southwest corner of 
Ohio and Ontario streets (commonly called the Bethel church). The 
small wooden church there standing was burned November 19, 1849, 
and in the following spring the corner stone of a two-story brick struc* 
ture was laid, while Rev. I. F. Yates, the first pastor, was in charge. In 
1 88 1 a brick parsonage was built, adjoining the church. In 1895 this 
church was greatly improved at a cost of about $10,000. 

The " First Particular Baptist Church and Society of GibbonsvilJe 
and West Troy," commonly called the First Baptist church, was organ- 
ized at a meeting held March 14, 1827, when the following trustees 



428 

were elected : Edward Learned, Thomas Shrimpton, Jonatlian Caulkins, 
Hiram M. Hopkins, and Cyrus Kenney. The society consisted at first 
of seventeen members. This church site comprises four village lots on 
the corner of Ohio street and Central avenue, which were a gift by Philip 
Schuyler and others as trustees of the West Troy Company. The first 
church edifice was built in 1829, and was a small wooden structure. 
This was used until 1842, when it was sold to a French Catholic congre- 
gation and removed. The second building erected was of brick and 
fronted on Canal street. This served its purpose until 1870, when it 
was demolished and the present edifice erected. A parsonage, erected 
in 1847, adjoins the church The first regular pastor, Rev. Ashley 
Vaughan, began his services in July, 1 830. In the summer of 1867 
the Sunday school of this church organized a mission Sunday school 
in the Port Schuyler part of the village, which continued actively until 
1875. In 1869 the school organized a mission school on Green Island 
which continued to 1873, when it was made an independent organiza- 
tion. 

The First Presbyterian church was organized February 12, 1834, 
when Hiram Hopkins, Horace L. Dann, and Henry Kiniberly were 
chosen trustees. On the 27th of that month the society organized as a 
Congregational church, which seemed a preferable form of government, 
and by September of that year a house of worship had been completed. 
This was of wood and stood on the southwest corner of Ohio and Ontario 
streets. In 1835 the church government was changed to the Presbyte- 
rian and the name altered to that given above. Two other changes of the 
same character were made, the first a few years after the one just mention- 
ed, by which the Congregational form was again assumed, and the second 
on August 26, 1839, when it again became Presbyterian and joined the 
New School Presbytery of Troy. Between 1845 and 1875 no regular 
pastor was employed. On June 5, 1849, the struggle to properly main- 
tain the church decided the trustees to sell their house and lots to the 
Ohio Street Methodist Society, as before stated. The society then re- 
mained dormant until about 1875 when the present brick edifice was 
erected on the porth side of Union street near P'ord. 

The Church of the Sacred Heart of Mary (French Catholic) was or- 
ganized by Rev. Eugene Rey, and the corner stone of the first church 



i 



439 

edifice, on the corner of Staftbrd and Buffalo streets, was laid September 
II, 1881. This church was burned April 2, 1885. The present building, 
was erected on the same site. 

GREEN ISLAND (VILLAGE AND TOWN.) 

Green Island originally constituted a part of Rensselaer Manor and 
with what was called Jan Gownson Island and land opposite thereto on 
the west bank of the sixth sprout of the Mohawk and extending back 
one-half an English mile, comprised the farm or " Bowery " called 
Turkee. This farm was sold by Killian Van Rensselaer to Col. Peter 
Schuyler on May 6, 1708, the consideration being one-tenth part of the 
annual crops of the farm. Maria Schuyler the colonel's wife, was a sister 
of the Patroon. On June 8, 1713, Schuyler sold the Turkee farm to 
Hendrick Oothout of Albany, a carpenter, for ^^850 New York money. 
Green Island remained the property of Oothout and his descendants 
until the early part of the present century, when George Tibbitts became 
the owner of 262 acres of the northern part, which is about two- thirds 
of the whole. 

In 1835 the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad Company built its 
bridge from the island to Troy and the first train of cars passed over it 
on October 8, of that year. A little later the company erected a wooden 
bridge connecting the island with West Troy, and opened the roadway 
across the island which became and now is Albany street; this was the 
first public street opened. Previous to these improvements the island 
had little importance. Until 1854 the cars were drawn by horses from 
the island terminus of the bridge to the Troy House in Troy ; in tliat 
year a second bridge was built adjoining the first and locomotives took 
the place of horses in crossing it, while the first bridge was repaired and 
given up to teams and pedestrians. On May 10, 1862, the eastern half 
of the old bridge was burned, but at once rebuilt with wood. In 1879 
the western half was rebuilt of iron and in 1884 the eastern end was 
likewise renewed. 

In 1823 the Sta^e constructed a dam across the Hudson River from 
Green Island to Troy, its completion being duly celebrated. This dam 
is 1,100 feet long and nine feet high. At its eastern end was built a 
sloop lock with a length of 114 feet, a width of thirty feet, height of 



430 

twenty- five feet and nine feet lift. In the year 1S49 work was begun 
by Daniel Hartnett, James Brady, and Ephraim Baldwin of West Troy, 
under State direction, on a dyke and pier, the first at the northern end 
and the second at the southern end of the island. The dyke was so 
located as to turn the water of this sprout of the Mohawk into the Hud- 
son, while the pier at the soutliern end acts as a dam and raises the 
water in the large basin thus formed several feet. At the southern end 
of the pier a lock was built through which boats pass from the basin to 
the Hudson. This work was finished in 1852. In carrying out these 
improvements the former bluff, eight to ten feet high, along the east 
side of the island, was cut away to obtain dirt. Human bones and 
other evidences of early occupation were found while making this 
excavation. Prior to 1850 that part of the island south of Albany av- 
enue was in a wild state and was used for picnic grounds. Thither the 
remnant of the St. Francis Indians came in the summer months to camp 
and sell their baskets and other goods. In 1840 was begun the con- 
struction of the Troy and Schenectady Railroad, which crosses the 
island, the first trains on which ran about November i, 1842. At this 
time there were only six dwellings on the island, a small school house, 
a saw mill at the State dam, and a few shops. 

After these various imiirovements Green Island was rapidly settled 
and eventually a village was built up and called by the name of the 
island itself This village was incorporated April 5, 1853, and on the 
1 8th of June of that year the first election was held and the following 
officers elected : Trustees, Stephen Viele, Jacob Yates, Robert Bo- 
gardus, Warner Groat and Alexander Morrison, the latter being chosen 
president of the board. Other officers elected were two assessors, a 
collector, treasurer, clerk, street commissioner, poundmaster, and two 
fire wardens. On May 12, 1869, a new village charter was granted by 
the Legislature, which more fully met the needs of the people. Fol- 
lowing is a list of the presidents of tiie village from its incorporation to 
the present time : 

18.53, Alexander Morrison; 1854, James Remington; 1855, Stephen Viele; 1856, 
James Remington ; 1857, Charles M. Parker; 1858. James Torrance; 1859-61, Thomas 
Stantial: 1862, Jonas Clute; 1863-4, William M Strong; 1865, John Miller; 186G-7, 
James Glass; 1868, William E. Gilbert; 18U9-70, Henry S. Marcy; 1871-73, James 
Glass; 1874, Edgar Gardner; 1875-77, Benjamin F. Manier; 1878, William M. Tor- 



i 



i 



431 

ranee; 1879, William E. Keating; 1880, William Bliss; 1881, Thomas H. Richardson; 
1882, James Torrance; 1883-87, Joseph Hines; 1888, George A. Van Bergen ; 1889-90, 
Joseph Hines; 1891-93, Thomas H. Richardson; 1893-6, Carroll Coon; 1897-8, E. J. 
Gilbert. 

Green Island was originally school district No. 23 of the town of 
Watervliet. On November 17, 1854, the inhabitants met and voted 
that it be made a union free school district, and a board of education 
was elected consisting of Joseph D. Eaton, Stephen Viele, James Glass, 
William C. Rodgers, and Edmund J. Gilbert. As the population in- 
creased new school buildings were erected, the first on Hudson avenue 
in 1865, of brick, and the second at the corner of West and Arch 
streets, built in 1879. In connection with the latter is a circulating 
library containing 1,625 volumes. 

The public peace of Green Island ^village was originally maintained 
by the Capital Police before mentioned, and the village with Cohoes 
constituted a precinct or division. The Green Island police was organ- 
ized in June, 1871, the trustees having received legislative authority 
therefor. The force now comprises a captain and two patrolmen. 

A newspaper called the Green Island Review was started in January, 
1879, by Henr)' L. Gilbert, and continued to September, 1884, when he 
sold out to W. A. Cole and L. H Weeks ; they changed the name of 
the paper to the Albany County Herald and continued it for a time, 
but finally discontinued publication. 

In early years the village depended on the Troy Fire Department to 
extinguish its fires, the village paying a stipulated annual sum therefor. 
After the establishment of the West Troy Water Works, that company 
extended its system into this village and supplied water until the spring 
of 1884. In the spring of 1878 the village fire department was organ- 
ized, comprising the William E. Gilbert Hose Company (organized in 
1873) and the John McGowan Hose Company. When the village 
ceased using the West Troy water, as stated, a steam fire engine was 
purchased and a company organized under the name of Gilbert Steamer 
Company No. I. For the use of this engine several cisterns were con- 
structed at convenient points, and docks and piers were built on the 
river bank upon which the engine could be placed and take its supply 
from the stream. 

The Troy and Cohoes Horse Railroad Company was organized in 



February, 1862, its line extending through George street in this village. 
Cars began running from the eastern approach to the railroad bridge 
to the Champlain Canal, on October 10, 1863. Like almost all other 
street railways this road is now equipped with electric cars and the 
island is thus connected with Troy, West Troy, Cohoes, and Albany. 

After the opening of the first railroad and the gathering on the island 
of a considerable population, it became a manufacturing point of im- 
portance. The great car shops of Eaton & Gilbert, citizens of Troy, 
were built here in 1853, for many years, and until recently, employing 
a large number of hands. The works have been in the hands of a 
receiver for some time past. 

The Torrance Iron Company, George L. French, president ; C. A. 
McLeod, vice-president, and N. H. Squires, secretary and treasurer, is 
successor to the Green Island Malleable Iron Works, founded in 1852 
by William Torrance. In the company later were associated John O. 
Merriani, J. W. Lawrence, and William M. Torrance. Malleable and 
grey iron castings of all kinds are made. 

The Franklin Iron Works were established in 1865 by Thomas S. 
Sutherland, who successfully carried on the business and later took 
his son into partnership. About 120 hands are employed in the 
manufacture of almost everything in which boiler plate and sheet iron 
is used. 

The Pinkerton Iron Works were established by Robert Pinkerton in 
1879, for the manufacture of steam boilers, bleachers, tanks, etc. The 
company is now composed of Robert Pinkerton and Abram Mull. 

The manufacture of blinds and doors was established on a large 
scale by Crampton & Belden in 1867, and still continues, employing 
upwards of 200 hands. 

The Trojan Car Coupler Company was organized in 1891, with a 
capital of $300,000. Howard H. Burden, president ; Palmer C. Rick- 
etts, vice-president ; Alfred H. Renshaw, treasurer and general man- 
ager ; Eugene Seitz, secretary. The company is successfully engaged 
in the manufacture of a patent car coupler. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of Green Island was organized in 
1853, meetings being held for some time in the school house. The 



433 

present church edifice was completed in the spring of 1854. The first 
pastor was Rev. J. L. Cook, and the first class leaders were Hinkley 
Uavis and Josliua Coleburn. The parsonage was built in 1863. In 
1875 the church was enlarged by increasing its length at the front. The 
society still leads a prosperous existence. 

The First Presbyterian church was organized April 18, 1853, follow- 
ing the adoption of resolutions by the session of the Troy Presbyterian 
church recommending such action. The site on the west side of Hud- 
son avenue was purchased and a small wooden church erected, which 
was dedicated February 28, 1 854. The society was organized on the 
same day with seventeen members, and James Remington, George 
Beach and Stephen Viele were elected elders. On March 16 following 
James Torrance, William F. Adams, William H. Lansing, Fred Kean, 
and Joseph D. Hardin were chosen trustees. The old church was 
used until 1866, when it was removed and the present church edifice 
erected. 

St.. Joseph's Catholic church was organized in 1869, and a house of 
worship was erected at a cost of ^5,000. A little later the parsonage 
and grounds were provided at a further cost of $9,000. The first priest 
in charge was Rev. J. McManemy, who was succeeded by Rev. Thomas 
Connelly. Within the past five years a new church has been erected at 
a cost of about $40,000. 

St. Mark's Episcopal church was formed in November, 1865, chiefly 
through the efforts of Rev. Edgar T. Chapman, then assistant rector of 
St. Paul's church, Troy, who became rector of St. Mark's as soon as 
organization was perfected. The erection of a church was at once be- 
gun on the east side of Hudson avenue, the cost of the church and chapel 
being $17,000. In 1880 the chapel was enlarged and in 1884 a rectory 
was built for the society by Uri Gilbert at a cost of $6,000. 

When the town of Colonie was erected June 7, 1895, as before de- 
scribed. Green Island and West Troy were left in e.xistence as the town 
of Watervliet. This was a condition of affairs that could not long con- 
tinue. The inhabitants of Green Island, with their own village govern- 
niert to support, and with a limited area, felt that they were unjustly 
burdened with taxation for the benefit of those living in West Troy. 



This led to the passage of an act of the Legislature, under date of May 
21, 1896, creating the town of Green Island, embracing in its limits the 
whole island, and leaving the former village corporation in existence. 
An election was held on June 9, 1895. and the following town officers 
cliosen : 

Supervisor, Carroll Coon ; clerk, William F. Miller; assessors, William J. Morrison, 
lohn Rouhow, Edward Heffern ; overseer of the poor, E. J. Gilbert; collector, George 
W. Wilcox ; justices of the peace, John Conway, four years, Luther G. Philo, three 
years, John P. Hayner, two years, William C. Harter, one year. 

COHOES.' 

Many years before the turbulent waters of the Cohoes falls turned a 
wheel, the locality finds historical mention. Rev. Johannes Megapo- 
lensis, who settled in Albany in 1642, wrote as follows to his friends in 
Holland : 

Through this land runs an excellent river, about live hundred or six hundred paces 
wide. This river comes out of the Mahakas country about four miles north of us. 
There it flows between two high rocky banks, and falls, from a height equal to that 
of a church, with such a noise that we can sometimes hear it with us. 

A little later, in 1656, Adrian Van Der Donck was here, and the 
account of his visit thus alludes to these falls : 

The other arm of the North river runs by four sprouts, as we have related, to the 
great falls of the Magnas Kill (Mohawk river), which the Indians name the Chahoos, 
and our nation the Great Falls, above which the river is again several hundred yards 
wide, and the falls we estimate to be one hundred and fifty or two hundred feet 
high. The precipice of firm blue rock. . . The Indians, when they travel by 
water and come to trade, usually come in canoes made of the bark of trees, which 
they know how to construct. When they come near the falls, they land, and carry 
their boats and lading some distance below the falls, and proceed on their voyage; 
otherwise they would proceed over the falls and be destroyed. 

The Irish poet, Thomas Moore, visited this spot in 1804, and followed 
his usual course by celebrating the event in a poem. It closes as 
follows: 

Oh, may ray falls be bright as thine! 

May heaven's forgiving rainbow shine 

Upon the mist that circles me, 

As soft as now it hangs o'er thee ! 

'"" ' ■ 'US ways, such as Chahoos, Cahoos, Cahlirxis, KahcH.s, 

n name of unknown significance, and speculation upon 



1 Th 


is na 


me 1 


lias been spelled 


Chohos, 


, Coh< 


lez, 


and Cohos. 


n 


is 


its real 


mean 


ing 


is useless. 








JAMES B. MCKEE. 



435 

The territory now covered by the city of Cohoes formed part of the 
Van Rensselaer Manor and part of the lands belonging to Mrs. Illetie 
Van Slyck Van Olinde, a half-breed, and wife of Pieter Danielse Van 
Olinde. Her land was given to her by the Mohawks in 1667, the 
southern line of her possession being the Manor avenue road of the pres- 
ent time, which extends west from the falls to the Boght.i To the 
south of this road were the lands of the Patroon. It will be seen that 
most of the original village was on the Van Rensselaer land. On the 
north side of the Mohawk was the Halve Maan (Half Moon) patent. 
The islands at the mouth of the Mohawk came early into possession of 
Capt. Goosen Gerritse Van Schaick, who died in 1676. Subsequent 
occupants of that part of the present city were Guert Hendrickse Van 
Schoonhoven, Harmon Lieverse, and Roeloff Gerritse Van Der Werken. 
Beginning at the north line of the Van Rensselaer Manor (Manor 
avenue), the colonists under the Patroon were the Heamstreet, Onder- 
kirk, Lansing, Fonda, and Clute families, some of whom have already 
been alluded to. The Patroon prudently reserved from settlement a 
strip of land below the falls on the west side of the river, which subse- 
quently became of great value as a site for factories. 

A part of the Van Olinde estate, north of Manor avenue, has been 
sold in city lots, a considerable part passed into the possession of 
James Morrison in recent years, and part went into the estate of the 
late Isaac D. F. Lansing. In the deed of the lands next north of Manor 
avenue from Daniel Van Olinde, who was next in succession to the 
original owner, to Walran Clute, there was granted a privilege to build 
one or more saw mills and "a grind mill." This was the inception of 
the great manufacturing interests of Cohoes. 

As a village Cohoes was of little importance until after 1S30. In 
that year it contained only about twenty houses. In 1740 the Lansing 
family owned a saw mill near the site of the Cohoes Company's dam. 
A grist mill was built just south of the saw mill at a later date and the 
two were operated for some years by Gerret Clute and Rutger Lansing 
as partners. A grist mill was at an early period erected on the Clute farm, 
a short distance above the falls. Another grist mill, subsequently trans- 
formed into a carding mill, was situated on the Heamstreet farm, opposite 

I BuLjlit is the Dutch fur "bend," referring here to the bend in the Mohawk River. 



436 

Simmons Island. In iSii the Cohoes Manufacturing Company pur- 
chased sixty acres of land extending from the bridge south to a point 
below the site of the Episcopal church and between Mohawk street 
and the river. A wing dam was built to supply water power and a 
screw factory was established. Most of the employees came from New 
York, and several tenetnents were built for them. Regarding these 
early operations SpafTord's Gazetteer of this State has the following: 

About three miles north of Gibbonsville [West TroyJ there is a bridge across the 
Mohawk, a short distance below the Cohoes falls. Since the above was written ;i 
manufactory of screws of iron for wood work, erected on the lower sprout of tlic- 
Mohawk near the Cohoes bridge, has got into successful operation. Works arc- 
about to be added for drawing the wire from which the screws are formed, when the 
iron will be taken in the bar and manufactured into screws, now- made of foreign 
wire. The machinery is all driven by water, and is said to be very ingenious, the 
invention of a self-taught artist, Mr. William C. Penniman. Some samples of the 
screws which I have seen appear to be well formed, and they are cut with great dis- 
patch. These works arc owned by an incorporated company with a sufficient capi- 
tal, and are situated directly opposite Lansingburgh, and about ten miles below 
Waterford. 

This screw factory was burned in 1827, the corporation failed in 1829, 
and the property passed to the Cohoes Company by sale. While this 
screw factory was in operation the manufacture of writing paper was 
begun here in Gerret Clute's mill. That building had previously been 
used as a grist mill and afterwards for the manufacture of flannel. The 
proprietor of the paper mill was Elisha Sheldon. A small cotton fac- 
tory was also established previous to the organization of the Cohoes 
Company, by the De Milt Brothers, of New York ; they also made 
shovels and other implements, the establishment being managed by 
Collins & Jones. 

The real prosperity of Cohoes began with the existence of the Cohoes 
Company, described a little further on, and was greatly enhanced by 
the organization of the Harmony Manufacturing Company in 1836. 
So rapid was the growth of the place between that year and 1848, that 
in the latter year measures were adopted for incorporation. At a pub- 
lic meeting a resolution was adopted favoring such action, and a com- 
mittee of five was appointed to carry out the plans. The committee 
was composed of Egbert Egberts, William N. Chadwick, John Van 
Santvoord, Jeremiah Clute, and Henry D. Fuller. Charles A. Olmsted 



437 

was afterwards added to the committee. The vote of the electors for 
and against the measure resulted in 346 in favor of incorporation and 
26 against. The first election was held June 12, 1848, and the follow- 
ing officers elected : 

Trustees, Alfred Phelps Joshua R. Clarke, George Abbott, Henry D. Fuller, 
William Burton, 1 Joshua R. Clarke being chosen president of the board; asses- 
sors, Henry En Earl, John P. Steenberg, William H. Hollister; treasurer, 
Charles A. Olmsted ; collector, John B. Harrison ; clerk, John Van Santvoord ; pound- 
master, Isaac F. Fletcher; fire wardens, Jacob Upham, Henry Van Auken, John 
McGill, William Osterhout, and Abram Ostrom. 

The successive presidents of the village were Henry D. Fuller, W^illiam F. Carter. 
N. W. En Earl. William N. Chadvvick, Henry L. Landon, .Sidney Alden, George H. 
Wager, Murray Hubbard, Augustus Ellmaker. 

At this time the population of the village was about 4.000 and there 
were evidences of future growth on every hand. The post office was 
established in 1832. Schools were in successful operation, the first one 
in this locality having been opened at the Roght in 1 8 1 3 ; while the first 
in the city limits was opened later on the corner of Oneida and Mohawk- 
streets and taught by one O'Neil. A second was soon built on the site 
of the school afterwards known as the slate-yard school house. In 1828 
a new school was located in a building in which a boarding house had 
beenkept, on Oneida street, near the site of the old freight house. The 
next one was a brick building built in 1847 on the corner of Canvass 
and Oneida streets. 

A fire department had been established through the purchase of a 
hand engine by subscription in 1835, wli'ch was named Excelsior No. i. 
A larger hand engine was bought of the Albany department in 1847, 
and in 1848, the year of incorporation, the village purchased a good 
hand engine, hose cart and hose at a cost of $675. Two fire companies 
were formed named respectively Parmelee Engine Company and Cat- 
aract Engine Company, and Luke Bemis was made chief engineer. The 
first engine house was also built in 1848, and has been occupied in 
recent years by the Campbell Hose Company. Mohawk Engine Com- 

' William Burton was born in Schenectady March 29, 1809, learned the carpenter's trade, and 
after various iiLcupations, settled in Cohoes in ItMO, when its population was only about 1,800. He 
became c<.nv|,;. i, ,ii^ i, ] \:! lii affairs as well as in business circles and did much for the develop- 
ment of tli, V He joined John M. Tremain in the manufacture of veneers and 
afterwards! ' ' i-Miess alone. He held various local offices and was prominently con- 



438 

pany was formed in 1S51, and occupied an engine house just south of 
the Miller house. 

Other public improveinents followed rapidly, while business enter- 
prise especially in the direction of manufactures, here found a remark- 
ably profitable field. By i860 the population had reached a little more 
than 6,000, and city incorporation began to be discussed. Finally on 
the 15th of April, 1869, an act of incorporation passed the Assembly 
and on May 19 became a law. The first election under the city 
charter was held April 12, 1870, resulting in the election of Charles H. 
Adams, mayor, and the following aldermen : David J. Johnston, Egbert 
Lansing, George Campbell, Moses S. Younglove, Bartholomew Mulcahy, 
Walter Witbeck, Charles F. North, and Charles Hay. School commis- 
sioners chosen were Frank Reavey, Daniel Simpson, William Burton, 

E. N. Page, A. M. Harmon, Jonathan Hiller, William Travis, William 
S. Crane. The new administration appointed the following officials: 

Superintendent of streets, Norris North; Chamberlain, Leonard Gary; excise 
commissioners, Henry D. Fuller, Edwin Hitchcock, George H. Wager; water com- 
missioners, Henry Brockway, John Clute, Abial M. Harmon ; city physician, C. E. 
Witbeck, M. D. ; superintendent of cemetery, D. F. Manning; pound master, Alex- 
ander Brown ; sealer of weights and measures, Charles Egan ; fire wardens, William 
Clough, William Doty, E. S. Gregory, Richard Shannon. 

The following have held the ofhce of mayor: Charles H. Adams. 1870; David J. 
Johnston, 1872; Henry S. Bogue, 1874; David J. Johnston, 1876; William E. Thorn, 
1878, 1880; Alfred Le Roy, 1883, 1884; Mr. Le Roy died while in office and Charles 

F. Doyle filled the unexpired term; John Garside, l586-92; Henry A. Strong, to 
1896, and James H. Mitchell, elected and present incumbent. 

With the inauguration of the city government and the founding of 
many great industries, progress was rapid. Educational advantages 
were increased through the election under the act of 1850 of the follow- 
ing school trustees: S. H. Foster, Jacob Travis, William Burton, 
George W. Miller, Abram Lansing, and William Binns Besides the 
early schools already mentioned, there was one kept for a time in the 
basement of the Reformed church, and in 1855 there was a school on 
the East Harmony, one on the West Harmony, and one on Columbia 
street ; large school buildings have since been erected in these locali- 
ties. The White school house was built in 1870, and in 1873 the Pleas- 
ure Ground school house, corner of Bowery and Elm streets was 
erected. The Lincoln avenue school house was built in 1875 and the 



439 

one on Van Schaick's Island was bnilt in 18S2; this building was 
enlarged in 1893-94, and in 1895 a new building was erected on the. 
island. In this year also a new school house was erected on Gainer 
street. 

The Egberts High School was founded through the munificence of 
Egbert Egberts, by a trust placed in control of the Protestant pastors 
of the city. He presented them a large building on White street which 
had been used for a boarding house and also gave them the first and 
second tenement houses on Remsen street north of Egberts Hall, the 
rent from which was to be devoted to supporting the school. The in- 
stitution was named the Egberts Institute. The income proving in- 
suflicient, the trustees rented the Institute to the Board of Education in 
August, 1868, the board agreeing to maintain a school of the same 
grade as the Institute, and being given the privilege of using the 
lower stories of the building for young scholars. Thus was established 
what became the Egberts High School and which has ever since been 
conducted upon a high plane. In 1893-4 the school was remodeled 
and enlarged, physical and chemical laboratories were added and the 
courses of study improved. The teachers of the former Institute were 
Rev. Alexander B. Bullions, 1864-5; Charles P. Evans, 1865-6; Rev. 
A. J. Bingham, 1866-8. The principals of the High School have been 
VV. H Nellis, Robert Hardie, E H. Torrey, Oliver P.,Steves, A. J. Robb, 
George E. Di.xon, and George M. Strout. The chairmen of the Board 
of Education have been Truman G. Younglove, elected in 1856 and 
re-elected in 1858; George H. Wager, James H. Hasten, Samuel H. 
Foster, Murray Hubbard, Isaac Hiller, Murray Hubbard again, William 
Stanton, Henry Aird, and Harry G Calkins. 

Night schools are maintained by the Board of Education and are 
largely attended by those scholars who must labor through the day. 
A kindergarten was established a few years since and the attendance 
has been most encouraging. 

In extending the fire department to meet the wants of the growing 
city, the first steam fire engine was purchased in 1867 and presented to 
the authorities by Charles H. Adams. A company was formed to take 
charge of it and an engine house was built on Oneida street east of 
Canvass. In the same year the Harmony Company purchased a 



440 

steamer vvhicli is now known as Johnston Steamer Co. No. 2. John 
McCreary Steamer No. 3 was the latest organized. Since the final 
completion of the water works and the placing of numerous hydrants 
throughout the city, the necessity for fire engines has greatly diminished. 
What was formerly the George H. Wager Hook and Ladder Company 
is now the J. H. Mitchell Company; it was originally formed in 1865. 
The Edwin Hitchcock Hose Company, formed in 1869, is now the 
J. D. Leversee Company No. i ; the former Eagle Hose Company No. 
3 is still in existence as No. 2, while the Cascade Hose Company No. 3, 
is located on the island. There have been many minor changes in 
the different companies, which cannot be followed here. Since 1879 
the fire department has been controlled by a board of fire commis- 
sioners. 

The Cohoes Water Works Company was incorporated in 1855, with 
the following commissioners: Charles M. Jenkins, Hugh White, 
Alfred Wild, Egbert Egberts, James Brown, Joshua Bailey, William N. 
Chadwick, William Burton, Henry D. Fuller, Andrew D. Lansing, Jenks 
Brown, and Truman G. Younglove. The capital stock was $50,000. 
Nothing was accomplished under this incorporation, and in the follow- 
ing year an act was passed, " to provide for a supply of water in the 
village of Coho2s." The commissioners named were Alfred Wild, 
Charles H. Adams, Henry D. Fuller, William F. Carter, Joshua Bailey, 
and Truman G. Younglove. The village was empowered to issue bonds 
to the amount of $60,000. A reservoir was constructed on Prospect 
Hill with capacity of 3,000,000 gallons, into which water was pumped 
from the Cohoes Company's Canal No. i. Five miles of sheet iron and 
cement pipe were laid in the streets. This supply suflSced until 1869, 
when an enlargement of the system was made by building a new reser- 
voir with a capacity of 8,000,000 gallons. This reservoir is 190 feet 
above the central part of the city, giving ample pressure. New pumps 
were provided and the pipe system extended. In 1883, S.ooo feet of 
iron pipe was laid in Mohawk, Remsen, and Main streets, and new and 
more powerful pumps were placed in the pump house, the cost of these 
and the other improvements then made being $60,000. The works are 
under control of a board of water commissioners 

In July, 1865. the Capital Police Law, before referred to, went into 




FRANK BROWN. 



441 

effect, creating two police districts called the Albany and the Troy dis- 
tricts. Cohoes was included in the latter district. Previous to that 
time the peace of the village had been maintained by constables. Under 
tile new arrangement a station house was established in Hayward's 
building and William Buchanan and John McDermott were chosen the 
first sergeants. On the 6th of May, 1870, a law was passed providing 
for a separate police force for the city. A larger force was appointed 
and has since been controlled by a chief and a board of police commis- 
sioners. 

On February 21, 1894, an act passed the Legislature providing for 
the erection of a new city hall in Cohoes. Under this act the mayor 
was authorized to appoint six persons as a board of commissioners, with 
power to purchase a site and build and furnish a city hall, in which 
should be located all the public offices, a station house and jail. The 
bonds of the city were to be issued to the amount of $100,000, 
payable within forty years, beginning fifteen years from date of issue ; 
not less than $4,000 to be paid annually on the principal after 1909. 
The commissioners appointed were B. F. Clarke, George Campbell, 
James H. Mitchell, H. C. Fruchting, Murray Hubbard, and Hugh 
Graham. The board organized May i, 1894, H. C. Fruchting being 
elected chairman. A site was purchased in September of the Suarez 
estate, .for which $24,700 was paid. Contracts were let to different 
persons for parts of the structure, aggregating $63,744 54, and the work- 
was promptly begun. The building was finished in 1896, and is an 
honor to the city. 

The extensive manufacturing establishments of Cohoes are due 
largely to the splendid water power and to the Cohoes Company for 
their great work in making the power available. This association 
was incorporated as a hydraulic manufacturing company March 28, 
1826. The original capital was $250,000, and the trustees were Peter 
Remsen, Charles E. Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer, jr., Francis Olm- 
stead, Canvass White, Henry J. Wyckoff, and David Wilkinson. It is 
probable that Mr. White was the originator of the idea of forming tliis 
company; he had served as engineer in the construction of the Erie 
Canal and must have appreciated the value of the falls for manufactur- 
ing purposes. He was chosen the first president of the company ; Mr. 



Van Rensselaer, vice-president, and Mr. Wyckoff, secretary. The com- 
pany purchased a tract of land of I. D. F. Lansing, for $12,495, 
Mr. Lansing reserving sufficient water from the mill privilege for four 
run of stone. Other lands also were purchased below the falls on 
the south side of the river, and both above and below on the Water- 
ford side. The company now owns the entire water power of the river 
from half a mile above the falls to a mile below, with a total fall of 
120 feet. The first dam built by the company was of wood and sit- 
uated above the falls; it was erected in 1831, but was carried away by 
ice on January 10, 1832. Another was immediately built below the 
site of the first, but was also partially destroyed by ice in 1839 and re- 
built in the same year. The existing stone dam was built in 1865 and 
is one of the most costly and most substantial structures of its kind. 
The gate house was finished in the following year ; it is of brick, 
218 feet long, with front tower thirty-one feet high and a main 
tower forty-three feet high. The dam is 1,443 feet in length and was 
build directly below and connected with the old dam, thus giving it 
additional strength. The cost of the dam and appurtenances was 
$180,000. The engineer of this great work was William E. Worthen, 
of New York city, assisted by D. H. Van Auken. engineer for the com- 
pany. John Bridgford, of Albany, had the contract for its construc- 
tion. By means of this dam the entire flow of the Mohawk can be 
diverted from its channel to do the bidding of the manufacturers. The 
water passes through, and is used from, five different canals, the first of 
which was constructed in 1834, is three-quarters of a mile long and 
has a fall of eighteen feet. The second canal, finished in 1843, is one- 
third of a mile long, with a fall of twenty-five feet. The third is half 
a mile long, with a fall of twenty-three feet and was partly constructed 
in 1843, the remainder being taken from the old Erie Canal and brought 
into use in the same year. The fourth and fifth canals are each half a 
mile long, with twenty feet fall, and were finished in 1880. It will be seen 
that these canals, each having a different level and all being connected, 
make it practicable to use the water six different times. The available 
power thus created is estimated at 10,000 horse power, and it is sold to 
manufacturers at $20 per horse power per annum, including a quantity 
of land proportioned to the amount of power taken. The officers of 



443 

the Colioes Company are Charles C. Birdseye, president ; William E. 
Thorn, treasurer ; David H. Van Auken, secretary. 

The Harmony Mills Company is only second in importance to the 
Cohoes Company itself. This company was incorporated in 1836 under 
the name of the Harmony Manufacturing Company, the name being 
given in honor of Peter Harmony, the first president and the founder 
of the company. Associated with him were Henry Plunkett, Peter 
Remsen, Francis Olmstead, H. J. Wyckoff, P. H. Schenck & Co., James 
Stevenson, Joseph D. Constant, William Sinclair, Van Wyck Wickes, 
Eliphalet Wickes, Le Bron & Ives, Teunis Van Vechten, John Hough- 
ton, Charles O. Handy, Francis Griffin, Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Ellis 
Winne, jr., Hugh White, Henry Dudley, Stephen Van Rensselaer, jr., 
and Benjamin Knower. Many of these were among the leading busi- 
ness men of that time. The company purchased a tract of land a 
quarter of a mile south of the falls and in 1837 erected a brick build- 
ing 165 by 50 feet, four stories high, equipped with water wheels, etc., 
at a cost of $72,000 ; three brick blocks of tenements were built at the 
same time. The mill was supplied with cotton machinery and the 
manufacture of cotton cloth began. For causes that cannot be ex- 
plained here the business was not profitable for a number of years 
after its establishment. Changes took place in the ownership and at in- 
tervals determined efforts were made to change the condition of affairs. 
Finally in 1850 a compulsory sale of the mills was made and the prop- 
erty was purchased by Garner & Co., of New York, and Alfred Wild, 
of Kinderhook. At that time the annual product of the mill was 
1,500,000 yards of print cloth and 2i;o hands were employed. The 
new proprietors placed the entire management of the mill in the hands 
of Robert Johnston, a man of thorough practical knowledge of the 
business, executive ability of a high order, great industry, and entire 
devotion to the interests of his employers.' He very soon inaugurated 
an era of prosperity and eventually made the Harmony Mills the 
largest and most complete cotton factory in America. He early as- 

' Robert Johnston was born in Dalston, England, February 1, ISO". He began working in L-ot- 
ton mills when a mere child and became an expert spinner. He came to this country in 1830 and 
worked in Providence mills until 18:i4, when he went to Valatie, Columbia county, N. Y., and for 
si.xteen years had charge of a mill. He there made the first muslin-de-laine produced in this 
country. In 1858 he removed to Cohoes. 



sociated with himself his son, D. J. Johnston, who entered the com- 
pany's office at the age of sixteen years and became one of the pro- 
prietors in 1866. 

In 1853 an addition was buih on the old mill 340 feet long, 70 wide 
and four stories high, with a capacity of 30,000 spindles. This, with the 
old mill is designated as Mill No. i. In 1857 Mill No. 2 was erected about 
half the size of the original plan; it ran for five years with 20,000 spindles, 
and was then extended to 48,000 and employed 800 hands In 1844 
the Cohoes Company built a cotton mill near the south end of their 
canal 200 feet long, four stories high, and in 1846 they erected another 
similar structure sixty feet north and parallel with the first; these 
two mills were afterwards connected by a central tower 60 by 70 feet, 
six stories in height, making a building 500 feet long with capacity of 
32,000 spindles. This mill, now known as the Ogden, or No. 4, passed 
through various hands and in i860 was purchased by the Harmony 
Company, who overhauled it and increased its capacity. The Strong Mill, 
or No. 5, was built at the intersection of Mohawk street and Canal No. 3 ; 
the original structure was erected in 1849 by William N. Chadwick, who 
operated it for about ten years. The Harmony Company purchased it in 
1865, remodeled and enlarged it until eventually it had a capacity of 
13,000 spindles. The north wing of the Mastodon, or No. 3, mill was 
built in 1866-67. The name "Mastodon " was given it from the find- 
ing of an almost perfect skeleton of a mastodon in a deep pot hole 
opened while excavating for the foundations of the mill, sixty feet be- 
low the surface. The bones were presented to the State. The south 
wing of this mill was built in 1872, and the whole comprises a continu- 
ous building 1,185 feet long, 76 wide, with five stories and a mansard 
roof. The central tower is eight stories high and terminates in four 
smaller towers 128 feet high ; four smaller towers also stand equidistant 
on the wings. The machinery is driven by five turbine wheels aggre- 
gating 2,106 horse power. The mill is supplied with the latest and best 
cotton machinery in the world, comprising 2,700 looms, 351 warp spin- 
ning frames, and other requisite machinery. It has 130,000 spindles, 
produces 100,000 yards of cloth every sixty hours and is in every way 
the most complete cotton mill in the world. 

In 1872 the company purchased the paper mill just south of No. 2 



445 

which liad been operated by the Van Benthuysens for many years. It 
was enlarged, a mansard roof put on, and a tower built at the south end, 
making a building 250 feet long, 60 feet wide, and four stories high. 
This mill was supplied with machinery and used in the manufacture of 
seamless cotton bags. The company also operated for a number of years 
and up to 1872 a small mill at the head of Remsen street, on Canal No. 4, 
which was called the Egberts mill. In 1872 the machinery was removed 
to the Strong mill. The mills of this company are supplied with auto- 
matic fire extinguishers at a cost of over $30,000. Repair shops for 
machinery, carpenter shops, etc., give employment to a large number 
of hands. Two large storehouses with a capacity of 6,000 bales of cot- 
ton stand near the railroads, and the cotton used annually by the si.x 
mills aggregates 25,000 bales, from which are made 8,000,000 yards of 
cloth. 

Thomas Garner, the real founder of these mills, died in October, 
1867. He was born in England in 1805; his son, William T. Garner, 
succeeded him in the presidency of the company. William T. Garner's 
career was brought to an untimely end on June 20, 1876, by the cap- 
sizing of his yacht. In 1867 Alfred Wild retired from the company and 
was succeeded as agent by William E. Thorn, of New York, who be- 
came also one of the proprietors and removed to Cohoes. After the 
death of William T. Garner, his brother in-law, Samuel W. Johnson, 
then one of the firm, was elected to the presidency. While he was 
hunting on December 9, 1881, on Long Island, his gun was prema- 
turely discharged, wounding him so severely that he died four days 
later. In May, 1882, John Lawrence, of New York, was elected presi- 
dent. Upon the death of Mr. Lawrence William E. Thorn was elected 
president and treasurer of tlie company. John E. Priest is superin- 
tendent. 

This great company has ever shown an appreciative wisdom in the 
treatment accorded their employees. During 1866-68 nearly $300,000 
were expended in building tenement houses, grading streets, planting 
trees, making sidewalks, etc., which transformed the locality from open 
fields to thickly settled streets. There are more than 700 tenements 
with from four to ten rooms each, which are rented at a much lower 
rate than they would command in other hands ; they are rented to none 



446 

but employees of the company. Over the company's office is a com- 
modious hall, 40 by lOO feet, where the Harmony Union Sunday school 
meets every Sabbath ; this school was established nearly forty years 
acTO and has always been numerously attended. As a consequence of 
its beneficent policy with its employees the company has had little of 
the often prevalent labor trouble. In April, 1882, in consequence of 
trade conditions then existing, two weeks notice was given of a ten per 
cent, reduction in wages. On April 26, when the bells were rung no 
one appeared to go to work. For the next eighteen weeks the great 
mills were idle, with little exception, at the end of which time hands re- 
sumed work on the company's terms. Six months later every loom 
and spindle was in operation, many of the old hands who had sought to 
better themselves elsewhere having returned ready to work. In Feb- 
ruary, 1891, in consequence of the refusal of the company to grant ten 
per cent, advance in pay and one hour for dinner, a strike was inaug- 
urated ; it ended ten days later, the company granting fifty minutes for 
dinner and the advance asked. 

The manufacture of knit goods is one of the most important industries 
of Cohoes though conducted under depressing trade conditions at the 
present time. Egbert Egberts is given credit for the founding of this 
line of manufactures in this country. He began experimenting on a 
power machine for making knit goods at Albany in 1831, and called to 
his aid Tmiothy Bailey, a young mechanic. The knitting machine had 
already been invented, and one was purchased in Philadelphia by Mr. 
Bailey and brought to Albany; his contrivance was applied to it and a 
fabric made by turning a crank. Removing now to Cohoes, Joshua 
Bailey became interested in the invention and water power was applied 
to the machine, eight of which were built by Timothy Baiky and put 
in operation. Carding and spinning yarn soon followed and thus the 
foundation of the great industry was laid. Secresy was maintained for 
some time, the doors being fastened with spring locks. liven Gen. 
George S. Bradford, who operated the factory on contract, was com- 
pelled to bind himself not to enter the knitting room. This first mill 
stood on the ditch just north of the site of the later Erie mill ; it was 
afterwards removed to a building near the site of the Troy Manufactur- 
ing Company. The second mill was built by Mr. Egberts in 1850, on 



#■ 




JOSIAH G. ROOT. 



447 

the corner of Remsen and Factory streets. In 1852 Thomas Fowler 
placed knitting machinery in a building previously occupied by Timothy 
]?ailey, and in the same year Mr. Egberts transferred his mill to Charles 
H. Adams. About this time Mr. Bailey organized a knitting company, 
making three separate establishments in 1853, which were employing 
750 hands and producing 45,000 dozen goods annually. Mr. Adams 
occupied the Watervliet Mill until 1862, when he leased the building to 
Alden, Frink & Weston and built on Ontario street. This industry in- 
creased in magnitude and importance at a rapid rate, and while some 
few did not not meet with anticipated success, the majority prospered. 
An account of the mills in operation at the present time will necessarily 
embrace a history of the business of the past to a great extent. The 
Egberts mill was operated by Charles H. Adams until 1870, from which 
time it was conducted by John Wakeman until 1881, Mr. Adams still 
owning the property. Wakeman was succeeded by Neil & McDowell 
for a short time. It is now operated by a company of whom J. D. 
Lawrence is president, and John Donahue, secretary. The company 
was organized in 1893, with $50,000 capital, and now employs 150 
hands. 

What is now the Victor Knitting Mill Company operates a mill which 
was conducted from i860 to 1880 by Henry Brockway. The present 
company succeeded, with J. A. Brooks, president and treasurer ; George 
P. Gray, secretary ; P. H. Kane, superintendent. 

The Tivoli Hosiery Mills were established in 1855 by Josiah G. Root. 
In 1863 the firm became J. G. Root & Sons, and from 186910 1874 the 
style was J. G. Root's Sons, when the present organization, the Root 
Manufacturing Company, began its existence. Andrew J. Root is pres- 
ident and trustee; Charles Douglas, secretary; Thomas Kennedy, sup- 
erintendent. About 500 hands are employed. 

The Globe Mill began operations, with Le Roy & Lamb, proprietors, 
in 1872, and has continued to the present time. Mr. Lamb died in 
Jan-uary, 1885, and in 1890 a partnership was formed by Amelia White, 
W. B. Le Roy, M. A. Becker, and R. N. Vandervoort. A second mill 
was built soon afterwards; 325 employees. 

The Star Knitting Company has been in existence many years. On 
January 14, 1895, the capital was increased from $50,000 to $2CO,ooo. 



448 

Andrew M. Church, president ; A. I. Whitehouse, secretary ; George 
H. Morrison, treasurer; David M. Ranken, superintendent; 175 em- 
ployees. 

The Ontario Mill, before mentioned as having been established by 
Chadwick & Co., was operated until 1888, when the Cohoes Knitting 
Company was organized, with a capital of $25,000. M. T. O'Brien, 
president and treasurer; Thomas Kilduft' secretary. About 125 
employees. 

The Kensington Mills, formerly operated by Root & Waterman, were 
taken by the Hope Knitting Company, which was organized in Janu- 
ary, 1S91, with a capital of $100,000. James O'Neil, president; J. H. 
Shine, treasurer; Peter McCarty, treasurer; 175 hands. 

The Ranken Knitting Company, established by Henry S. Ranken, 
was one of those that were not successful. After its failure the plant 
was purchased by the Halcyon Knitting Mill Company, which was 
organized in 1895 by William Nuttall. About 150 hands are em- 
ployed. 

J, H. Parsons & Co., were among the large manufacturers of many 
years ago. In December, 1884, the Parsons Manufacturing Company 
was organized, with J. H. Parsons, president, who still holds the office. 
In January, 1895, William A. Nuttall, then vice-president, retired from 
the company, as also did Charles H. Disbrow, then secretary. Samuel 
Parsons, son of J. H. Parsons, succeeded to the office of secretary. 
About 200 hands are employed. 

The Erie Mill was operated for many years under M. E. Moore & 
Co., the original proprietors. They were succeeded by William Moore, 
and he by Moore & Tierney on September i, 1895 ; 140 employees. 

What is known as the Granite Mill is now operated by the William 
Moore Knitting Company, and employs about 150 hands 

What is now the Mohawk River Mill was formerly operated by W. 
H. & D. Aiken and by W. H. Aiken & Co. The firm of Aiken 
& Davitt was organized in January, 1896, and employs about 125 
hands. 

The Riverside Mill, operated some years after 1867 by H. S. Bogue, 
is now in possession of H. Bochlowitz, wlio took it in 1886, and employs 
more than 200 hands. 



440 

The Paris Mill was formerly the Clifton, operated by George E. 
Brockway. It was taken by John H. Murphy in the fall of 1891, and on 
January i, 1896, the firm of John H. Murphy & Co. was formed. They 
employ 135 hands. 

The Pearl Knitting Mill has been operated for about ten years by 
John ¥. Ouhin, but did not take its present name uiUil five years ago. 
About 175 hands are employed. 

The Pacific Hosiery Mills are operated by Clark & Molsapple, in the 
manufacture of merino shirts and drawers. 

J. A, Nuttall conducts the Empire Mill, employing 125 hands, and 
Horrocks & Van Benthuysen are proprietors of the Atlantic Mill, which 
employs 120 hands. 

Among the large number of mills that have from one or another cause 
been closed are the Standard Hosiery Mill, by Newman & Adams ; the 
Elk Mill, by A. Paul ; the American Hosiery Mill, by Gregory & 
Hiller ; the Crown Ivnitting Mill, by Thompson & Lefferts; the Anchor 
Hosiery Mill, by C F. North & Doyle; the Eclipse Mill, by Wood, 
Pierce & Co ; the Enterprise Mill, by John Scott & Son, which is now 
being closed up. 

Besides the two leading industries which have just been described, 
Cohoes has not been deficient in other lines of manufacture. It is only 
a comparatively few years since the manufacture of axes and other edged 
tools was an important industry. Daniel Simmons was the pioneer in 
this business, beginning it about sixty years ago; he had been a black- 
smith in Albany, where he made a few axes by crude methods. When 
the discovery was made in 1825 that cast steel could be used for such 
purposes with refined borax as a flux he promptly adopted the dis- 
covery in making axes and soon acquired an extended reputation. In 
1826 he removed to Berne, Albany county, obtained water power and 
erected a small plant, with trip hammers and other machinery. When 
these facilities became inadequate he removed to Cohoes, where he 
founded the early establishment that became known throughout the 
world for the excellence of its product. In 1843 White, Olmsted & Co. 
started a second edged tool factory, which continued to 1857. A third 
factory was established in 1863 by Alden, Frink & Weston, under the 
firm name of W. J. Ten Eyck & Co.; this was on the site of the rolling 



450 

mill. The business failed in 1866 and a new company, the Ten Eyck 
Manufacturing Company was organized, with David Cowee, president; 
George R. Seymour, treasurer ; R. H. Thompson, secretary, and W. J. 
Ten Eyck, superintendent. This firm closed up their business in 1872, 
and the factory, after being taken and operated for a short time by Will- 
iams, Ryan & Jones, and then by Sheehan, Jones & Ryan, was burned 
in January, 1873. Sheehan, Jones & Ryan moved into the pipe factory 
building on Saratoga street, and continued several years longer, with 
various changes in the constitution of the firm. The business was finally 
closed up. A new Ten Eyck Manufacturing Company was formed in 
February, 1876, by Abram, Albert, and Jonas Ten Eyck, D. H. Clute, 
and George Carrigan. Their works were near the south bounds of the 
city and continued in operation until October, 1877. ^" March, 1880, 
the Cohoes Axe Manufacturing Company was formed by George Camp- 
bell, John Clute, J. H. Parsons, William S. Gilbert, and Ethan Rogers. 
This was a successful establishment for a number of years, when the 
business was closed up. No edged tools are now made in Cohoes. 

In 1856 the Cohoes rolling mill was built, originally to produce steel 
and iron for the Simmons axe factory. In 1863 Jonas Simmons and 
E. N. Page in partnership built a puddling furnace and a heating 
furnace. The capacity was soon doubled to twelve tons of iron in 
twenty-four hours. On March 1 1 James Morrison purchased the Sim- 
mons interest and the firm of Morrison, Colwell & Page was formed. 
Under this management the business rapidly increased, and at the time 
of the fire of January 5, 1883, they had ten double puddling furnaces, 
one scrap furnace and four heating furnaces in operation ; also six axe 
poll machines the cost of which with the royalty was $65,000. The 
entire works were rebuilt in substantially their present form immediately 
after the fire, and with a capacity of 25,000 to 30,000 tons of finished 
iron annually, of a very superior quality. Mr. Page, the superintendent, 
is eminently qualified for his position and much of the success of the 
mill must be attributed to him. The present firm consists of the Mor- 
rison estate, Thomas Colwell, and E. Page. 

The copartnership existing under the name of the Empire Tube 
Works was formed in January, 1872, by B. T. Benton and James More- 
head, of Brooklyn, A. B. Wood, of New York, and James Morrison and 



451 

Thomas Colwell, of Troy. In that year they built the mill on North 
Saratoga street and began the manufacture of wrought iron pipe in the 
winter of 1873. Mr. Benton died soon afterward and the mill was 
rented to Albert Smith and James Morehead, who formed a partner- 
ship as Albert Smith & Co.; this partnership was dissolved May i, 
1874, Mr. Morehead retiring. A. G. Curtis, of Troy, purchased an in- 
terest and took charge of the manufacturing. The business was success- 
ful until 1876, at which time a pipe combination was formed which 
leased the mill from the firm for the purpose of closing it. Thereupon 
Albert Smith & Co. sought a new location and in July of that year Mr. 
Curtis bought the ground formerly occupied by the old Ten Eyck axe 
factory and the firm began the erection of a new rolling mill. Three 
months later the new plant was in operation with greater capacity than 
the old one. From that time until 1880 the business continued with 
moderate success, all branches of the iron business being in a depressed 
condition. At this time James Morrison bought Albert Smith's inter- 
est and the firm name was changed to A. G. Curtis & Co. New life 
was infused into the concern, prosperity returned to the iron trade, the 
plant was enlarged, new machinery was added and an era of pronounced 
success began. On January 25, 1883, Mr. Curtis died in Florida, and 
the firm was organized as Curtis & Co., consisting of HCnry Aird, Mary 
M. Curtis and John Donn. Mr. Aird became associated with the firm 
January I, 1878, as foreman, and soon mastered every detail of the 
business; in recent years the establishment has been practically under 
under his direction. The value of the annual product is more than 
$500,000. 

The works of the Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Company were 
commenced by William T. Horrobin in 1868 where they are still situ- 
ated. In 1877 the business passed to Robert Johnston, and from him 
to his son, David J. Johnston. He died in October, 1894, and the busi- 
ness Is now in his estate. Jerome Garland is general manager. F"rom 
sixty to ninety hands are employed in the manufacture of cotton ma- 
chinery and several kinds of special machines. 

Campbell & Clute Machine Shop. — The firm of Campbell & Clute 
was formed January i, 1863, by George Campbell and John Clute, 
both practical mechanics. They are still in business on the same spot 



452 

whereon they began, making a specialty of knitting machinery. Mr. 
Clute has perfected a machine for knitting silk, and another for knitting 
a peculiar worsted fabric. From thirty to sixty hands are employed. 

Tubbs & Severson started a machine shop in 1873. Mr. Severson 
retired in 1878 and Mr. Tubbs continued the business. After several 
other changes the firm of Harrobin & Vincent was formed and took 
the shop, but recently failed. The firm is now Tubbs & Hall. The 
building occupied by them was built by Harris Brothers in 1868. Gen- 
eral machine work is carried on. 

What is known as the old Lansing mill is now occupied by the Tioy 
and Cohoes Shirt Company, of which George E. Gardner is president ; 
Joseph A. Leggett, vice-president ; James A. McPherson, jr, secretary; 
George H. Morrison, treasurer. The company has been only recently 
formed and manufactures the Cycle and T. & C. brands of shirts, col- 
lars and cutis. 

The Cohoes Furniture Company, C. R. Trost, proprietor, was estab- 
lished in 1879, and soon became an important industry. A large busi- 
ness has been done in the manufacture of desks, as well as in furniture 
for household use. 

Besides these various important industries a considerable business is 
done in the manufacture of paper boxes, sash, doors and blinds, knit- 
ting needles, cotton batts, etc. On the island are located the Rensse- 
laer Scale Works, the Cascade Knitting Mills (operated by G. H. Mc- 
Dowell & Co.), the Continental Knitting Company, the Wilson Box 
Company, and some other minor establishments, all of which contribute 
to the wealth of the city. The island was formerly in the Fourth ward 
of the city, but in 1895 was made the Sixth ward by itself 

Cohoes was without banking facilities until 1859, when what is now 
the National Bank of Cohoes was organized with capital stock of $100,- 
000. The first officers were Egbert Egberts, president ; James M. Sill, 
cashier; l^gbert Egberts, Daniel Simmons, T. G. Younglove, William 
Orelup, jr., William G. Caw, W. F. Carter, J. G. Root, John Sill and 
C. H. Adams, directors. The institution was made a national bank 
May 31, 1865. Its capital was increased from $100,000 to $250,000 in 
August, 1872. In March, 1862, Murray Hubbard was chosen cashier 



.'^Sa^m^., 




JOHN C. SANFORD. 



453 

in place of Mr. Sill. In March, 1869, Mr. Adams was made president, 
Mr. Egberts having died. In 1893 Mr. Adams was succeeded by D. J. 
Johnston, and the latter was followed January 12, 1895, by John L. 
Newman. Murray Hubbard was succeeded as cashier December, 1895, 
by George R. Wilsdon. This bank now has a surplus of about $100,000 
and profits of over $60,000. 

The Cohoes Savings Institution was incorporated in April, 1851, by 
Charles A. Olmstead, Truman G. Younglove, Egbert Egberts, Hugh 
White, Daniel Simmons, I. D. F. Lansing, H. D. Fuller, VV. F. Carter, 
Abram Lansing, Joshua Bailey, William N. Chadwick, Tennis Van 
Vechten, Andrew D. Lansing, Harmon Pumpelly, Edward E. Kendrick, 
William Burton, Joshua R. Clark, Jeremiah Clute, and Miles White. 
The institution began business August 15, 1853. Egbert Egberts was 
chosen president; T. G. Younglove, treasurer, and Edward W. Fuller, 
assistant treasurer. The bank has now on deposit about $1,740,000. 
The president is William T. Dodge, who succeeded William Burton ; 
and Charles R. Ford, treasurer. 

The Manufacturers' Bank of Cohoes was organized March 21, 1S72, 
with a capital of $ioo,ooo, and the following officers: President, Will- 
iam E. Thorn ; vice-president, J. V. S. Lansing ; cashier, N. W. Frost ; 
directors, William E. Thorn, J. V. S. Lansing, D. H Van Auken, George 
Campbell, J. W. Himes, Jacob Travis, D. J. Johnston, N. J. Clute, Will- 
iam Moore, Alfred Le Roy, P. R. Chadwick. Business began July 8, 
1872 Mr. Thorn was succeeded in the office of president by J. V. S. 
Lansing, and the latter was followed by George Campbell, the present 
incumbent. William Moore is vice-president, and Le Roy Vermilyea, 
cashier. This bank has undivided profits of nearly $100,000. 

The Mechanics' Savings Bank was incorporated in March, 1873, and 
opened for business soon after in the rooms of the Manufacturers' Bank. 
The first officers were as follows: President, Robert Johnston ; first vice- 
president, John Clute ; second vice-president, William Stanton ; secre- 
tary, William S. Smith; treasurer, Abner J. Griffin; assistant treasu- 
rer, Leonard J. GroesbTck. The institution has had a career of pros- 
perity. John Clute succeeded Mr. Johnston as president, and William 
Stanton succeeded Mr. Clute as first vice president; Rodney Miller 
succeeded Mr. Stanton as second vice-president. Le Roy Vermilyea 



454 

succeeded William S. Smith as secretary, and James S. Ciute succeeded 
Mr. Goesbeck as assistant treasurer. Mr. Griffin still holds the office of 
treasurer. 

The first newspaper in Cohoes was the Cohoes Advertiser, a Whig 
organ, which was started February 9, 1847, by Alexis Ayres and Will- 
iam H. S. Winans ; Mr. Ayres was the editor. One year later the lat- 
ter retired and Isaac D. Ayres took his place. The Cohoes Journal and 
Advertiser succeeded the Advertiser in F"ebruary, 1848, with Ayres & 
Winans, publishers, Mr. Winans, editor. On January i, 1849, this 
paper was succeeded by The Cohoes Cataract, a Republican paper, pub- 
lished by Stow, Silliman & Miller (Chauncey Stow, Horace B. Silliman, 
Stephen C. Miller); the two latter acting as editors. In March, 1849, 
Mr. Stow retired and Silliman & Miller continued until September, 
185 I, when they sold out to J. H. Masten, who continued the publication 
until July 15, 1 87 1, with the exception of two years and five months 
when it was under control of A. F. Onderdonk and A. S. Baker. On 
the date last named Mr. Masten sold out to William Bean, who with 
A. E. Stone, were the proprietors until the paper suspended publica- 
tion December 31, 1881. Its publication was resumed October 20, 

1883, by William Seaport, who continued until August, 1884, when it 
finally suspended. The Daily Dispatch was started by Mr. Seaport in 

1884, as an independent paper, and continued it until September, 1885, 
when J. & M. Wallace, the present proprietors, purchased the estab- 
lishment. 

The Cohoes Daily News was started September 22, 1873, by Edward 
Monk. On June i, 1874, he took as partner Samuel Sault, but July 
22, 1879, J. H. Masten purchased Mr. Sault's interest. Mr. Monk retired 
April 2, 1 88 1, and Mr. Masten continued the publication until October, 
1884, when he .sold out to W. K. Mansfield. On June 1, 1896, a stock 
company was formed with a capital of $5,000, and J. D. Leversee, 
president ; W. K. Mansfield, secretary ; W. S. Clark, treasurer. The 
News supports the Republican party, is ably conducted and has a large 
circulation. 

The Cohoes Republican was started July 15, 1892, by the Republican 
Publishing Company. This is a daily Republican organ and is ably 
edited by John Spence. 



455 

The Sunday Regulator was established Maich 2, 1S79, with Williams 
& Webb, proprietors, and John Spence, editor. On August 14, follow- 
ing, Samuel Sault purchased Mr. Williams's interest and Mr. Spence 
gave up the editorship. Samuel Sault left the office in November, 
1880, and William Webb continued the publication until his death in 
the fall of 1 88 1. Alexis Wager then took his place as publisher and 
on January I, 1882, purchased the establishment. He continued until 
December, 1894, when he sold out to the present publisher, Mitchell 
Rosenthall. The Regulator is Republican in its politics. 

There is a large French element in the population of Cohoes and 
there have been several newspapers printed in their native tongue. 
Among these have been the Journaldes Dames, a literary paper edited 
by Virginie Authier, which existed for about six months in 1875-6 ; the 
L'Avenir National, a Democratic organ, started in Troy and removed 
to Cohoes October 15, 1875, under management of Louis G. Le Boeuf, 
and discontinued August 11, 1876; the La Patrie Nouvelle, a Repub- 
lican paper, started February 16 1876, by the Authier Brothers, and 
and the Journal de Cohoes, started January 3, 1877, by Pierre Lucas 
with Arthur E. Valois, editor, which was suspended a few months 
later. The existing French paper is the L'Independent, which was 
started December 22, 1894, by L. H. Bourgengnon. It is a Republican 
organ and is successful. 

Cohoes has had the usual number of more or less ephemeral publica- 
tions to which only a brief reference is necessary. The Cohoes Weekly 
Democrat was published for four months from January 27, 1866, by 
Michael Monahan. A second paper with this name was started Sep- 
tember 17, 1870, by D. Cady and John H. Atkinson ; James F. Kelly 
bought Cady's interest in the following November, and in August, 
1873, Mr. Atkinson retired, Mr. Kelly continuing until February 21, 
1879, when the establishment was burned and the paper suspended. 
The Cohoes Independent was published for six months from July 4, 
1872, by Robeit Johnston and Charles S. Pease. The Cohoes Daily 
Bulletin, the second daily in the city, began June i, 1875; 't was 
Democratic and was conducted by J. H. Atkinson and J. Barlow 
Luddy ; the paper suspended December 13, 1875. The Cohoes Daily 
Eagle succeeded the Daily Bulletin on January 22, 1876, with David 



Williams, proprietor, and J. Barlow Luddy, editor; it was discontinued 
May 26, 1876. The Northern Herald, a Sunday paper, was first issued 
by Williams & Egan, September 3, 1876, and suspended April 30, 
1877. The first number of the Cohoes Daily Courier, a Democratic 
organ, appeared July 10, 1877, under the management of William 
Keeden, who was succeeded by James F. Kelly in the following Oc- 
tober, who published it in connection with the Weekly Democrat, be- 
fore mentioned. He sold the paper to William Webb and John Spence 
April I, 1878, but it passed back again into his hands February 15, 
1879 On the 2 1 St of that month the plant was partially burned and 
a removal was made to what became theTubbs machine shop and there 
tiie paper was published until May 17, 1879. The Cohoes Daily 
Times, Democratic, was first issued from the Democrat office, August 
4, 1879, with James F. Kelly, Dr. O. H. Clark, and John Scott, pro- 
prietors. Dr. Clark and Lucius Maynard were editors; the paper sus- 
pended the following November. The Daily Eagle, independent, was 
started by Lucius Maynard September 12, 1879, and sold at a penny; 
it lived only a few months. The Cohoes Leader (Sunday) commenced 
publication September 14, 1879, with Spence & Aitkin, proprietors, 
John Spence, editor ; it suspended in June, 1880. The first issue of 
the Weekly Register, Democratic, was published November 29, 1879, 
by Clark & McNiven, Dr. Clark, editor. It suspended in March, 1S80. 
The Weekly News made its first appearance April 10, 1880. and was 
published for one year by Monk & Masten. The Daily Regulator was 
published for six months in connection with the Sunday Regulator, be- 
ginning April 19, 1880, by Webb & Sault. The Cohoes Sunday Re- 
publican, A. Craig and A. K. Miller, proprietors, Mr. Miller being 
editor, was published from June 27, 1880, to November of the same 
year. The Cohoes Sunday Globe, independent, Patrick White, pub- 
lisher, was issued for six weeks from August 21, 1881. The Cohoes 
Daily Herald, independent, appeared May 20, 1 882, with Monk & 
Duffy, proprietors and editors, but suspended January 27, 1883. 

S/. Johiis Episcopal Church. — This parish was organized May 2, 1 83 1 
David Wilkinson and Hugh White were chosen wardens, and Hezekiah 
Howe, Otis Sprague, Albert S. Wilkinson, James Faulkner, John Van- 



457 

derwerken, Matthias Williams, Samuel H. Baldwin, and Luther M. 
Tracy, vestrymen The first church edifice (it was also the first one in 
Cohoes), was consecrated on May 12, of the same year. It stood on 
the south side of Oneida street, between Mohawk and Remsen streets, 
the land being donated by the Cohoes Company. During the first ten 
years the pulpit was filled by clergymen from Waterford, after which 
time Rev. David I. Burger became its first rector. In April, 1863, 
steps were taken toward the erection of a new church, the corner stone 
of which was laid June 9, 1870, on a site at the intersection of Can- 
vass and Mohawk streets The building was of gray stone, the entire 
cost being $60,000. This beautiful structure was burned September 
6, 1894, and on June 3, 1895, the corner stone was laid for a new 
stone edifice on the same site, which building is now in process of 
erection. 

Reformed Church. — The Reformed Dutch church of Cohoes was or- 
ganized on the first Wednesday of November, 1837, with twelve mem- 
bers. On the 19th of that month the Consistory was constituted by 
the ordination of John Vanderwerken, Abram Weidman, and Daniel 
Simmons, elders, and William Renwick and James Safely, deacons. In 
May, 1838, Rev. William Lockhead was called as pastor of this church 
and the Waterford church. The first church edifice was completed in 
1839, and in January, 1840, Rev. John Van Buren was called to the 
pulpit. In April, 1859, the first house of worship was demolished and 
a new structure was erected on the site and dedicated April 1 1, i860, 
the cost of which was $30,000. Rev. Charles N. Waldron, who began 
his pastorate in 1849, served the church for thirty years. This society 
is now strong and has a large membership. 

First M. E. Church. — This society was organized in May, 1839, un- 
der Rev. Elias Crawford, pastor, and Rev. Charles Sherman, presiding 
elder of the district. Meetings were held for a year in a school house 
and in dwelling houses, and in 1840 the first house of worship was built 
where the Clifton mill was afterwards located. This was a small wooden 
building and sufficed for the congregation until 1848, when a new brick 
church on Remsen street was erected at a cost of $12,000, the site 
having been donated by the Cohoes Company. This church was used for 
about ten years, when the growth of the society demanded a more com- 



458 

modious building. In May, 1859, it was voted to tear down the church 
and erect a new one on the site. This was completed and dedicated 
February 22, i860. 

First Baptist Church — Baptist meetings were held in Cohoes as early 
as 1S38, and in January, 1S39, John Duncan, a licentiate of the Still- 
water church, was secured as regular preacher. His labors were suc- 
cessful and on April 29th of that year a call for a church organization 
was issued. At a council held May 25, 1839, such an organization was 
approved, including the ordination of John Duncan as pastor. For 
the greater part of the year services were held in the dining room of the 
Harmony boarding house, after which a meeting place was found in a 
building on Mohawk street. In January, 1840, land was obtained of the 
Company and a small church erected. This was used for ten years, 
when a second church was built on land of the Company on Mohawk- 
street facing White street, for which a perpetual lease was granted ; 
this church was of brick, and determined effort was necessary to pay for 
it. It was finally completed and dedicated April 28, 1852. In 1846 a 
brick parsonage was erected. The society now began to grow rapidly 
and by 1872 a larger church became a necessity. About $10,000 was 
accordingly expended in rebuilding to meet the requirements. The 
church is now in a prosperous condition. 

The Presbyterian Church. — The First Presbyterian church of Cohoes 
was organized August 10, 1839, by a committee from the Presbytery 
of Troy. Fourteen persons assented to the faith, and Levi Silliman 
and Timothy Bailey were chosen elders, and Maltby Howell, deacon. 
Services were held in Mr. Silliman's dwelling and afterwards in their 
church edifice on the corner of Remsen and Factory streets. The ed- 
ifice which formerly stood on the site of the new church was built in 
1849, and enlarged in 1869. A lecture room was erected in 1865 and 
enlarged by a two story addition in front in 1877 ; this was a gift by 
H. B Silliman. The parsonage adjoining the church was erected in 
1865. A splendid new stone edifice is now in course of erection, to 
which Mr. Silliman has contributed about $60,000, and the society has 
raised $25,000 for a chapel and church house for social purposes. The 
corner stone was laid in June, 1896, and the edifice will be completed 
in 1897. The congregation is large and the society active. 



459 

St Jaine!, M. E. Church. — What was known as the Park Avenue 
M. E. church was organized in 1876 with twenty-nine members. Dur- 
ing the pastorate of Rev. A. C. Rose, on March 29, 1881, the society 
disbanded and on April 6 of that year a new church was organized 
with the name of St. James. A new edifice was built on the corner of 
McElwaine avenue and Walnut street. 

St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Chinch. — The first pastor of this 
church came to Cohoes in 1847, ''"d under him the Catholics began 
public worship in a dilapidated dwelling. On November 18, 1847, the 
corner stone of a church was laid on land given by the Harmony Com- 
pany. The church was completed under the ministration of Rev. Ber- 
nard Van Reath, who remained here six years. He was succeeded by 
Rev. Thomas Daily, and he in 1855 by Rev. Thomas Keveny, who 
continued until the time of his death in 1882. Soon after his arrival the 
lots west of the church were purchased for$i,200 and a pastoral residence 
erected. Three other lots were soon afterward added to the property. 
The land for the Catholic Cemetery was purchased in 1857 and improve- 
ments begun. In 1859 Sisters from the Mother House of St. Joseph, 
in Carondelet, Mo , came here and established schools in connection 
with the parish. A residence was purchased for them on Mohawk 
street. When the time came that a larger church was needed, land 
was purchased opposite the old edifice and there on August 15, 1863, 
the corner stone of the present church was laid. The old church was 
remodeled into a school building, with a hall above for the Young 
Men's Literary Association. To better accommodate the schools and 
the Sisters, the house occupied by the pastor was improved and the 
Sisters transferred thither, while in the rear of the Sisters' house an 
academy was built for young ladies of the congregation, and in rear 
of the new church a fine house was erected for the clergy. On Febru- 
ary 2, 1876, a fierce gale of wind struck the city and among other dam- 
age done by it was the destruction of the steeple of this church and 
eight of the nine bells in the chime. R}' vigorous effort a new 
steeple higher and more beautiful than the first was completed in the 
following year. This church ccst about $100,000. 

St. Joseph's French Church. — On August 23, 1868, Rev. L. H. San- 
gon was sent to Cohoes by Bishop Conroy to establish a French church. 



460 

He was successful and on October 9 the corner stone of a house of 
worship was laid. The building was dedicated December 12, 1869, 
with the above name. A pastoral dwelling was built in 1871. The 
church was not substantially built and in June, 1874, it was demolished 
and on August 23 of the same year the corner stone of a new edifice 
was laid. The building is of stone and brick. When Rev. L. M. Dugast 
assumed the pastorate in 1879 he found about sixty children of French 
parentage attending a school with a single lay teacher. At his request 
the Sisters of St. Ann's, of Lachine, near Montreal, established them- 
selves in this parish, and in November a fine brick convent was opened 
for them, which cost $17,000. The attendance is very large. Soon 
afterward a school for boys was opened in a brick edifice erected for 
the purpose. Several other societies have been established in connec- 
tion with the church, all of which contribute to the general welfare of 
the French population. 

Church of St. Agnes, Roman Catholic. — A temporary house of wor- 
ship was erected for this church and opened in November, 1878, and 
Rev. John F. Lowrey was sent to take charge of the congregation in 
September of that year. A parochial residence was built soon after- 
ward, and the lots opposite were purchased as a site for the permanent 
church. The old church was subsequently burned and the present 
edifice erected. A farm was purchased for a cemetery and dedicated 
September 26, 1883. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

THE TOWN OF RENSSELAERVILLE. ■ 

This town derived its name from the first Patroon, Stephen Van 
Rensselaer, to whom a charter or grant of land, known as Rensselaer- 
wyck, embracing, with other lands, tiie county of Albany, was made 
in the year 1630. 

The first settler in Rensselaerville was Apollos Moore, a veteran of 
the Revolutionary war, who immigrated from Pittsfield, Mass., and 
settled upon a piece of land about two miles east of the site of the 
present village of Rensselaerville. He came on foot, while his wife rode 
a horse (which cost five dollars) and carried all their goods. Mr. Moore 
became a leading citizen, was a justice of the peace, supervisor, and 
finally a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Albany county, which 
last office he held until he was seventy years old. He was a man of 
marked character, of much learning, and made an able judge. 

In 1787 Josepli Lincoln, John Rensier and several brothers named 
Hatch settled in the northern part of the town, and soon afterwards 
one of the Hatch brothers built there the house which was known for 
many years thereafter as the " Hatch house," while a little way south 
of where the village of Rensselaerville now stands was erected the 
store-dwelling house and small tannery of Peckham and Griggs. This 
was at that time known as " Peckham's Hollow," and was on the farm 
afterwards owned by a Mr. Lester (now Joseph Pullman's). It was 
here the Hon. Rufus W. Peckham, the elder, the noted lawyer and 
judge, was reared and spent his boyhood days while teaching school. 

The first settler in what grew to be the village of Rensselaerville 
was Samuel Jenkins, who came there P'ebruary 22, 1788, and in the 
following April erected the first dwelling house and a little later the 
first grist mill. 

1 By Norman W. Faulk, esq. 



Another pioneer, vvlio came to the southwestern portion of tiie town in 
1790, settling near the village of Preston Hollow, was Capt. Daniel Shay, 
at that time a well known personage, being no other than the leader of 
the famous " Shay's Rebellion " in Massachusetts. His son, Daniel 
Shay, was later a merchant and justice of the peace at that village. 

Major John Edwards, a Revolutionary soldier, at the close of the 
war settled at Preston Hollow, where he spent the remainder of his 
days. 

In the southwestern part of the town, near Potter Hollow, Gerardus 
Drake, a prominent member of the Society of Friends, settled in 1803. 
This society increased in number and soon a church was founded at 
Potter Hollow. John Drake, himsell an influential Quaker, came to 
the same place in 1808, and lived near Gerardus, while Abrara and 
Jeremiah Young and Aaron VVinne settled in the same vicinity in 
1790. 

Michael Brand, a German, came during the Revolution from Scho- 
harie county and settled in this town on land in lot No 225, which is 
now the farm of William Chapman. About 1783, at which time there 
was but one dwelling in the village of Rensselaerville, John Coons, from 
Columbia county, squatted on lot No. i 18, and Silas Sweet came from 
West Stockbridge, Mass.. and settled abcut one mile from Rensselaer- 
ville village. 

In 1770 Derrick Vandyke settled upon a piece of land upon the flats 
just above the village of Preston Hollow, now occupied by John Hess, 
and was the first settler in the southwestern part of the town. Tradi- 
tion has it that during the Revolution he was a Tory. At this time 
there were five footpaths or trails used by the Schoharie Indians, the 
main path beginning at Catskill and following the creek of that name 
up to its source at the vlaie, and running thence to Middleburg, pass- 
ing through the site of Preston Hollow. Over this route now runs the 
Schoharie turnpike. This path was traversed by the Indians of the 
Stockbridge and Schoharie tribes, the former tribe being in the habit 
of camping for weeks on what is now Coon's meadow in Preston Hol- 
low, during their fishing season in the Catskill Creek. 

The most prominent stream of Rensselaerville is Catskill Creek, which 
rises in Schoharie county and runs southerly through the southwestern 



I 



463 

portion of the town, emptjing into the Hudson at Catskill. The re- 
maining streams are Eight and Ten Mile Creeks, both in the eastern 
part of the town and which join just south of Medusa. 

There are four villages in the town, and two hamlets. 

Preston Hollow, the largest village, is situated in the Catskill valley 
near the mountains of that name, in the southwestern part of the town, 
on Catskill Creek, its population being about 600. The first settlers 
here were Andries Huyck, on lot No 84, and Sebastian Smith, on lot 
No. 66. The founder of the village was Dr. Samuel Preston, who 
in 1798 erected the first frame dwelling in the village. Ofv the many 
prominent early citizens and business men in the village were Micah 
Humphrey, the Shays — Daniel and Daniel, jr., Alvin Devereux, father 
of Hon. Horace T. Devereux, James G. Clock, David Davenport, Eben 
and Benjamin White, Phineas Holmes, Robert W. Murphy, the Ricker- 
sons. Dr. Bela Brewster, Lawrence Faulk, Nathaniel Rider, Melancthon 
Smith, David Faulk and Samuel Coon, who are long since deceased. 
Lawrence Faulk was a learned and successful attorney and counselor at 
the Albany bar. His successor was his son, Norman W. Faulk, who is 
still engaged in practice in this village. Preston Hollow contains two 
fine churches — a Baptist and a Methodist Episcopal — and a large hotel, 
the Park Hotel, of which Mr. Murphy is proprietor, a flourishing school 
and a classical institute. 

Medusa is a village in the southeastern corner of the town on 
Ten Mile Creek, and was settled by Uriah Hall and his son Joshua 
about 1783, whence the name it bore for many years of Hall's Mills. 
Uriah Hall and his son took a lease from the Patroon of many lots cov- 
ering the site of the village and vicinity, and erected the first grist mill 
and dwelling here. Joshua Hall continued in business here until 1806, 
when he was accidentally killed by a tree falling upon him, while he 
was chopping wood on one of his farms. 

In 1785 Joseph Hall settled upon the farm afterwards owned by 
VVillett Mackey and now occupied by his son, Alex. W. Mackey, at the 
east end of the village. Job Tanner was an early settler, as were Will- 
iam R. Tanner, who was far many years a leading citizen, a justice of 
the peace and supervisor, and Daniel Doolittle. 

The village numbers about 150 inhabitants, has two churches — 
Methodist and Christian, a hotel and store. 



4G4 

Rensselaerville is a village in the northeastern part of the town, and 
was founded February 22, 1788, by Samuel Jenkins, who erected at 
that time the first grist mill and soon thereafter the first frame dwelling 
house. He was the father of Jonathan Jenkins, who became a practic- 
ing lawyer there, and grandfather of Hon. Charles M. Jenkins, a 
wealthy and retired lawyer of Albany. Daniel and Josiah Conkling 
were early settlers, Daniel carrying on tanning and a boot and shoe 
manufactory. Asa and Philo Culver, Wheeler Watson, whose son, 
Malbone Watson, became an eminent lawyer at Catskill and rose to be 
county judge and Supreme Court justice, and Rufus Watson also settled 
here at an early period. Other residents of the village who were prom- 
inent in this locality were Arnold B. Watson, a son of Josiah Watson, 
was president and main stockholder of the Unadilla Bank, Rev. Samuel 
Fuller, the first pastor of the Presbyterian church here, who lived on 
the farm where the late Hon. William Aley lived and died and Henry 
Stone, an able lawyer and poet, was the successor to Jenkins. Still 
others were Dr. Plait Wickes who studied medicine with Dr. Hyde and 
became his successor dying a few years ago at a ripe old age, a man of 
sterling character ; Charles L. Mulford, successor to the Daytons, and 
John S. Huyck, men who became wealthy and were honored by their 
fellow citizens ; Eli Hutchinson, the merchant, and Franklin Frisbie, who 
died a number of years ago. Judge John Niles, who moved from Coey- 
mans, and O. H. Chittenden both lawyers here, the former becoming 
a county judge and the latter surrogate of Albany county, and later 
Dr. Gilbert Titus, who for many years was justice of the peace. The 
Episcopal church here was organized February 20, 181 1, by Rev. Sam- 
uel Fuller; the Baptist in 1797 and the Presbyterian in 1793. 

In the cemetery of the village stands a monument to the memory of 
the many brave soldiers from this town who lost their lives in fighting 
for their country, at the dedication ceremonies of which Hon. Lyman 
Tremain, of Albany, delivered a masterly oration. 

Potter Hollow, which was settled in 1806, is a small village of about 
one hundred residents, lying in the extreme southwestern part of the 
town. It has a post-ofl^ce, store, union church, and a hotel. The 
founders and earliest business men were the Potters — Timothy R. and 
Samuel. Potter Palmer, the well-known Chicagoan, was born and 



i 



465 

grew to manhood here, his father, Benjamin Pahner, being a farmer 
and a highly respected citizen, who served many years as justice of the 
peace. 

Cooksburg is a hamlet having a grist mill, hotel and two drug stores, 
and lies south of Preston Hollow and north of Potter Hollow, being 
one mile from each. 

The town organization of Reusselaerville dates back to 1791. Berne 
was taken from it in 1795, and a part of Westerlo in 1815, leaving 
Rensselaerville to occupy the southwest corner of what was known as 
the Manor of Rensselaerwyck. The town was surveyed in 1786 and 
divided into square lots of 160 acres each. It is eight and a half miles 
on the south and east lines, and six on the north. The west line is 
irregular and about nine miles in length. The general slope of the 
land, though broken by high rid es, is south and east, the northwest 
corner of the town being about the highest land between the Hudson 
on the east, the Mohawk on the north and the Schoharie on the west. 

A military road from Athens (then Lunenburg), Greene county, 
passed through the southern part of the town, and was crossed by a 
road from Beaverdam, now Berne, a little east of Andrew Asher's 
house on lot 225. Another road, originally an Indian trail but used 
for transporting military stores, crossed the town farther north, being 
now known as the " Basic Path." These roads were, in the early days, 
so covered by underbrush as to be passable only for ox teams. 

The first settlers found on Ten Mile Creek what had been a Tory 
camp, built of logs in wigwam style, and another on the ground now 
covered b)' the Rensselaerville Pond. These settlers appear to have 
built their houses on the highest point of their land, and to have traced 
their paths from cabin to cabin by means of blazed trees, which tree- 
marked paths were the beginning of our present roads from hilltop to 
hilltop With the country now cleared of its forests these roads, with 
an elevation of 1,400 or 1,500 feet above the Hudson River, give fine 
views of the surrounding country. 

A map of the manor of Rensselaerwyck, made for the proprietor by 
J. R. Bleecker in 1767, shows no inhabitants, dwellings nor roads with- 
in the limits of the present town. Bleecker says that the south line of 
the manor was located by a line of marked trees, according to a survey 



466 

made by Edward Collins in 1735. From the map and field notes of 
William Cockburn, who divided the southwestern part of the manor 
into lots in 1786-7, it appears that at that time about sixty- seven emi- 
grants had commenced improvements, and about fifty nine dwellings 
had been erected, all prob"ably in the prevailing styles of log architec- 
ture, within the limits of the present town. These were located chiefly 
aioncr and near the roads designated as the Old and New roads from 
Freehold to Schoharie. The Old road entered the town on lot 17, the 
southeast corner of the town, and passed northwesterly through the 
town. The New road entered on lot 1 1 and by a northerly course 
joined the Old road on lot 224, then partly improved by Andrew Asher. 
Over these roads the settlers seem to have come in from the south and 
progressed mainly to the north and west. 

We give below the number of lots upon which some improvements 
had been made, from the map made by Cockburn in 1786, with the 
names of the men, then called squatters, who led the attack upon the 
dense forests of this wild region : 

Lots5 and 6, Jeremiah Young; 7, Peter Plank; 8, Peter West; 9, Charles Edwards 
11, Gershoni Stevens; 24, Hendrick Young; 25, Peter Shoemaker; 26, Peter Becker 
37, William Showerman ; 43, Peter Emerick; 45, Peter Basson ; 47 and 07, John Ellis 
50, Peter Miller; 60, Bastian Smith; 70, Samuel Howe; 84 and 85, Andrus Houck 
88 and 89, Curtis Cleveland andjesse Pierce; 90, Abel Mudge; 92 and 102, Smith and 
Johannes Hagadorn and Peter Houck; 103 and 104, Derrick Vandyke; 108, John 
Pierce; 109, Sylvester Pierce; 125, Abner Tremaine; 127, Caleb Prince; 128 and 148, 
Daniel Mudge; 131, Daniel Cooper ; 145, Thomas Farrington; 147, Samuel Martin 
and Josiah Skinner; 149, George Van Beuren; 167, Levi Green; 168 and 187, John 
Coon; 169 and 170, Jonathan Skinner; 185 and 186, Neal McFalls; 186, Thomas 
Brown; 186, Adam Coon; 188 and 189, 208 and 209, Reuben Bumpis, Philemon Lee 
and Hezekiah Dibble; 204, Kendrick Rhoda and Samuel Nichols; 200, Gamaliel 
Palmer; 307, John Nichols; 209, Cook; 210. I'.ul.i (wok. -'T.;, Jonathan Edmonds; 
224, Alanson Saxton and log meeting house ; 22."., .\[i.li us Asher and Michael Bryant ; 
235, 245 and 246, Ashbel Culver; 236, 345and240, John Resegue; 237, Nathan Hatch; 
327, Jonathan Crocker; 243 and 244, Widow Becker; 247, Daniel Cooper; 263, James 
Borthwick; 207, Joseph Lincoln; 267, John Rancear; 261 and 381, James Broyce; 
282, John Herren; 283, 303 and 304. John Hunter; 302 and 303, Samuel Ramsey; 
350, George Ramsey; 351, John Connell. 

The improvemants indicated on this map are small clearings, trees 
enough being cut down to put up a log house. 

There was some dread of Indians among the early settlers and events 
showed that the fear was not unfounded. Two lads, sons of Mr. Prie, 



I 



467 

who lived in the northern part of the town, were taken prisoners by 
the Indians about the time of the massacre of the Deitz family in Berne. 
They had set out to go to Berne, when they were seized, marched back- 
by the Basic path in sight of their father's house, and carried away and 
kept prisoners by the Indians for many years. These Indians, under 
Brant at this time, came down past the site of Preston Hollow and 
camped on the site of Cooksburg, and thence passed on over the hills 
to Blenheim and thence to Schoharie. They were followed by armed 
men, who, however, were unable to overtake them. 

The first town meeting of which we have any record was held in 1795 ; 
Peter West was chosen supervisor, David Crocker town clerk, Benja- 
min Frisbie and Peter West overseers of the poor, Ariel Murdock, Mel- 
etiah Hatch and Ansel Ford commissioners of highways, L. Nathan 
Spaulding, Elijah Murdock, Josiah Skinner and Apollos Moore asses- 
sors, David Brown, Alexander Mackey, Noah Ellis and Joshua Doane, 
constables, Alexander Mackey, David Brown, Noah Ellis and Joshua 
Doane, collectors, Asa Hudson and Meletiah Hatch fence viewers, Da- 
vid Crocker pound-master. In the following year there were nineteen 
licenses recognized in town. 

The first religious organization in Rensselaerville was that of the 
Baptists in Preston Hollow, whose organization dated 1790. Elder 
Winans was the first pastor. 

The first Presbyterian organization in the town was in 1793, formed 
by Benjamin Frisbie, Alanson Saxton and Nehemiah Lord, their place 
of worship being a log house on what is known as Mount Pisgah, near 
the village of Rensselaerville. The Rev. Samuel Fuller was their first 
pastor, a Connecticut man of high education and a graduate of Dart- 
mouth College. A meeting house was built about 1795 by a Dutch Re- 
formed society in the southern part of the town on a ridge of land known 
as Oak Hill ; among the early pastors of which were the Rev. Mr. Van 
Zandt and Rev. Mr. Ostrander. This church stood near the present 
residence of Mrs, Julia Hall, being on lot 9. The Baptist society com- 
posed of those living about Rensselaerville village built their meeting 
house in that part of the original town which was set off to Berne, so 
that, although most of the early settlers around this village were Bap- 
tists, they had no meeting house in the village until 1830. The Revs. 
Beman and Crocker were among their first pastors. 



468 

The present meeting house of the Methodists was built in Rensselaer- 
ville in 1839 They also have a church in Preston Hollow and one in 
Medusa. The Quakers, who were very numerous in early times, have 
nearly disappeared from the town; they formerly had three meeting 
houses in or near the town, of which the one located at Potter Hollow 
has been reconstructed as a union church. 

In 1802 the Schoharie Turnpike Company was incorporated, whose 
road passed through the village of Preston Hollow in the southern part 
of the town, while in 1805 the Albany and Delaware Turnpike Com- 
pany was incorporated to build a road from Albany to Brink's Mills 
which runs through Rensselaerville village. 

Supervisors oi the town of Rensselaerville have been : 1795, Peter West; 1818, 
Asa Calvard; 1819-21, Eli Hutchinson; 1822-23, 1833-33, Nathaniel Rider; 1824, 
IsaacGardner; 1835, Joshua Gardner; 1836-37, Wheeler Watson; 1838-29, 1840, Joseph 
Connor; 1830-31, John Niles; 1833-35, Charles L. Mulford; 1830, James Reid ; 1837, 
SamuelNiles; 1838-39, Lewis M. Dayton; 1841-43, Benjamin E. Mackej'; 1843, 
James G. Clark; 1844, Shadrach R. Potter; 1845-46. Valentine Treadwell ; 1847-48, 
Stephen M. Hallenbeck; 1849-50, 1853, 1854, William Aley; 1851, Daniel A. Mackey; 
1853, Benjamin F. Sayre; 1855-57, Norman A. Ford; 1858-59, Andrew Felter; 
1800-61, James E. Mackey; 1802-67, George H. Laraway; 1868-70, William Mc- 
Givney; 1871-72, William R. Tanner; 1873^75, Horace T. Devereux; 1876-80, Albert 
T.Moore; 1881-83, H. Sayre; 1884-87, 1893, Jacob B. Norwood; 1888-93, Lewis 
Kenyon; 1894-95, G. M. Hallenbeck; 1890, Abram S. Coon, term two years. 

Of the many who have or are now worthily representing their native 
town, we may record the names of Mortimer M. Jackson, judge of the 
Supreme Court of Wisconsin ; Addison C. Niles, judge of the .Su- 
preme Court of California ; Rufus W. Peckham, judge of the Court of 
Appeals, New York ; Malbonc Watson, judge of the Supreme Court ; 
James Lamoreux, Robert W. Murphy, judges of Albany county; Mar- 
cellus Weston, judge of Montgomery county ; Hiram Gardner, judge of 
Niagara county; Horace T Devereux, Valentine Treadwell, Stephen 
M. Hallenbeck, Almeron S. Cornell, William Aley, Robert B. Watson, 
Henry Jenkins, J. W. and L. H. Babcock, members of the New York 
Assembly. In addition to the above we should add Judge Joseph J. 
Bradley of the Supreme Court of the United States, who was born in 
that part of the original town which was set ofif as Berne ; Judge A. 
Melvin Osborne of the Supreme Court of New York; and Judge 
Lyman Tremain, attorney-general of New York, who was born just over 



469 

the town line in Durham. Mr. Potter Palmer, of Chicago, and Arnold 
R. Watson, of Unadilla, now deceased, were natives of this town. 
Norman W. Faulk, of Preston Hollow, a lawyer, who read law in tlie 
office of Daniel S Dickinson and with Peckham & Co. at Albany, was 
admitted to practice in 1852, and went to Hastings, Mich., where he 
practiced his profession and became a leader at the bar, and being for 
a number of years judge of the Recorder's Court. He was born at 
Preston Hollow, where he now resides, enjoying a practice in this ami 
adjoining counties. 

The following list of occupants and actual first tenants in the town 
under Van Rensselaer, the Patroon, with lots and leases, are of interest. 
The names in italics indicates those who were occupants before the 
manorial survey and allotments were made. It will be noticed that 
the oldest leases were of lots 54, 94 and 134, made September 10, 1787, 
but the date of the lease does not in every case indicate when the oc- 
cupancy commenced, as this, in most cases, was many years before the 
lease was taken. 

Lot No. 1 , which is the southwesL corner of Albany county, was occupied by Elisha 
Bates; no lease found; 3, Josiah Morris, July 12, 1796; 3, Nathan Smith, June, 1788; 
4, Stephen Bolles, July 6, 1791; 5, Jeremiah Young and John Wafen, July 18, 1803; 
6, Jeremiah Voting and Peter Plavk, July 14, 1788; 7, Peter Plank (grist mill), 
March, 1793; 8, Peter West, August 29, 1794; 9, Charles £'</7£/rt/-;/j (meeting house), 
June 23, 1795; 10, Charles Edwards, July 18. 1803; 11, Gershom Stevens (saw mill), 
October 2, 1787; 12, Joseph Dickson, October 2, 1787; 13, Jonathan Pratt, October 2, 
1787; 14, Peabody Pratt^ May 29. 1789; 15, Samuel Rider and Elihu Gifford, Feb- 
ruary 15, 1799; 16, John Lautman, March 10, 1788; 17, Henry Spickerman, Decem- 
ber 26, 1794; 21, Benjamin Brand, July 12, 1796; 23, Henry Young and Aaron 
Winne, June 6. 1796; 34, Henry lo«;/^ and John Walker, July 2, .1796; 2.5, Peter 
Sehoonmak-er, March 13, 1788; 26, Peter Becker. January 26, 1796; 27, Joseph 
Andrews and Hendrick Plank, jr., November 4, 1797; 28, Johannis Row, July 9, 
1788; 29, Martinias Hommel, October 30, 1801; 30, Edward Taylor and Joshua 
Thomas, June21. 1791; 31, Levi Tracey and Thomas Shadbolt, May 19, 1806; 32, Elonzo 
Jennings and Reuben Treadwell, July 13, 1796; 33, William A. Tanner, Februarv 

26, 1805; 34, Joseph Hall, July 4, 1807; 35, Jonathan Bedford, January 30, 1808; 
36, George Ben, March 10, 1788; 37, John Gardner, April 17, 1795; 41, Abraham 
Young (east part), July 12, 1796, (west part), Reuben Hill, September 29 1795; 42, 
Wilhelmus Wolf and Peter Emerick. December 8, 1795, 43, Peter Emerzck, January 

27, 1796; 44, Michael Schoonmaker, January 17, 1789; 45, Peter Basson (saw mill), 
April 20, 1793; 46, Philip Scholder, February 14, 1792; 47, John Ellis, July 22, 1788 
(new lease to Daniel Tuttle December 5, 1835); 48, Barent Burhans, November 9, 
1801; 49, Ezekiel Hull March 2, 1789; 50, Amos Mosher and Benjamin Worth, 



470 

August 23. 1805; 51, Saiiford Tracey, August 24, 1805; 52, James Mackey, February 
21. 1805; 53, (grist mill and saw mill). Fitch Lamphere. September 30, 1797; 54, John 
H. Garrison, September 10, 1787; 55, Jacob and Wessels Strope, June 7, 1803; 56, 
Alexander Campbell, August 13, 1800; 61. Hendrick Moore, July 12, 1796; 62, Hen- 
drick Bewe, January 30, 1796; 03, Joseph Row, June 16, 1788; 64, John Wolf, jr.. 
Tune 17, 1795; 65, Sebastian Schmit, November 7, 1792; 66, Martinus Shuldis, June 
30. 1792; 07, Charles Morat, October 24, 1789; 68. Charles Morat, December 13, 
1789; 69, Henry Person, October 2, 1787; 70, Samiie/ Now and Samuel Cleveland, 
October 2, 1787; 71, William and Solomon Mackey, Augusts, 1791; 72, Jeremiah 
Parce, July 13, 1796; 73, John Cox, April 25, 1788; 74, Samuel Combe, jr., February 
23, 1797; 75, Andrew Spickerman, February 10, 1803; 76, William Campbell, March 
3, 1813; 81, Abram Hallenbeck, jr. (west part), November 21, 1788: 81, (east part), 
Michael I. Hallenbeck, February 24, 1789; 82, Samuel Potter, July 9, 1792; 83, 
Wilhemus Wolf, August 13, 1791 ; 84, Samuel Preston and Micah Humphrey (saw 
mill), May 8, 1804; 85, Samuel Burgess and Samuel Preston, April 10, 1794; 86, 
Timothy and John Boardman, jr., January 20, 1801; 87, Jonas Kelsey, July 13, 1796; 
88, Alexander Mackey and Jonas Kelsey, February 9, 1796; 89, Johannes, Conradt 
and Benjamin Briggs, April 25, 1795; 90, Enoch and Silas Sayre, April 5, 1793; 91, 
Barent and Abraham Dubois, September 1, 1792; 92, Johannes Hagadorn, July 
14, 1788; 93, Samuel Combe, jr.. February 23, 1797; 94, Conradt Showerman, Sep- 
tember 10, 1787; 95, John Dunham, July 13, 1796; 101, John Hallenbake, February 
3, 1796; 102, Noah Russell and Samuel Potter, January 7, 1804; 103, Hfnry I'lVt 
Dyke and Thiel Rockefeller, January 25, 1797; 104, Henry and Jo/in Van Dy/:e. 
January 25, 1797; 106, John G. Spencer and Thomas Farrington, January 11, 1793; 
106, Jesse Nichols, July 23, 1800; 107, John Winans and Muritie Eamon, January 
23, 1795; 108, Lawrence Faulk (west part), September 6, 1793; 108, Jonas Kelsey, s. 
one-half. March 3, 1789; 109, Josiah F. Dean, April 25, 1795; 110, Titus Palraerand 
Lawrence Dubois, June 18, 1804; 111, William Connolly and George Wright, Decem- 
ber 18, 1795; 112, Nathan and Sylvanus Lounsbury, July 13, 1796; 113, Peter 
Rivenberg, May 12, 1804; 114 and 115, Jeremiah Snyder, May 12, 1817; 121, 
Russell Humphrey (west part), August 26, 1794; 121, Henry Kontshman (east 
part). December 16, 1793; 123, Christian Brand and John Badgers, January !l, 
1794; 123, Peter Bradt and James Gleason, July 9, 1793; 124, Page Harri- 
man, December 23, 1788; 135, Robert Goff and Saunders Haynes, January 3, 
1805; 126, Joshua Gardner and John Hand, February 31, 1805; 137, Elijah Hicks, 
March 4, 1795; 128, Jacob Copland, June 15, 1799; 139, A aron an<\ ]areA Mudge, 
October 2, 1787; 130,'john P. Knickerbocker, June 16, 1795; 131, Allen Durant, Feb- 
ruary 26, 1799; 139, George Dipple (saw mill), September 18, 1787; 133, Benjamin 
B. Durkie, December 18, 1794; 134, Hendrick H. Garrison, September 10, 17S7; 
141, Joseph Birchard, February 28, 1800; 143, David Alger, February 19, 1793; 143, 
David Alger and Josiah Marshall, October 20, 1796; 144. Lora Lomis and John F. 
Enita, April 13, 1793; 145, Thomas Farrington, April 28, 1789; 146, John Lennon 
and Obadiah Wilde, February 30, 1796; 147, Elisha and William Sheldon. January 
26, 1795; 53, lease for grist mill and saw mill to Fitch Lamphere in 1797, who sold 
January 2, 1798, to Uriah Hall; 148, Jesse Sammus, vSeptember 3, 1795; 149, Hezekiah 
Jopping, May 15, 1795; 1.50, David Crocker, jr. (west half). December 17, 1789; 150 



471 

(east half), Uriah St. John, September 24, 1793; 151, Joseph Lee, November 13, 
1787; 152, Peleg Peckham, February 17, 1799; 153, Henry Campbell, part, Decem- 
ber 31, 1811; 154, Timothy and John Boardman, jr., February 13, 1807; 161, ApoUos 
Moore, west part. May 29, 1798; lOl, east part, Warner Barnes; 162, Hezekiah 
Beach and Amos Alger, Januarv '^7, isoi ; k;:!. Ikni\- Hopping, July 7, 1788; 164, 
David Reddington and Jeremiah llaii.l, ( iclobii 11, rr'.il ; Hi."). Johannis Felter, Jan- 
uary 21, 1199; 166, William J[ui<l.>ck, April 'M. 17115; Ui7, Daniel Tanner, Aprill9. 
1797; 168, 169, 170, Johannes Coons, July 15, 1788; 171. Apollos Moore, March 5, 
1805; 172, Uriah Chapman and Dyck Marcraback (a colored fiddler), July 15, 1796; 
173, Sunderland Pattison and Jonathan Pearce, April 17, 1795; 181, Beta Phelps, 
and Thomas Pears, east part, November 19, 1787; 121, Peter H. Smith and Michael 
Harder, west part, November 10, 1794; 182, Asa Phelps, October 2, 1787; 183, David 
Allworth and Cornelius Van Aken, January 9, 1831 ; 184, Samuel Greenleaf, and 
Abraham Bernett, May 23, 1803; 185, S Callender and B. Hall, February 11, 1795; 
186, Adam Coons, Elisha Murdock and Thomas Brown, February 11, 1795; 187, 
Adam Coons, July 15. 1788; 188, Philemon Lee, November 10, 1787; 189, Reuben 
Bumpus, October 2, 1788; 190, Aaron Hunt, September 28, 1S03; 191, Henry Spann, 
February 9, 1797; 191, Charles Mead and Wheeler Watson, December 26, 1795; 201, 
George Rivenbergh and J. Hallenbeck, February 22, 1803; 202, Abel Ford, Septem- 
ber 30, 1793; 203, Jacob Charlier, September 8, 1797; 204, Elias Ames and Gad Hall, 
March 20, 1794; 205, John Owen and Philo Camp, August 18, 1788; 206, Thomas 
Brown and Alanson Saxton, July 15, 1788; 207, Gamaliel Palmer and Henry Lewis, 
October 10, 1800; 208, Joseph Woodford and William Hatch, January 28, 
1795; 209, James White and Daniel Lindley, January 13, 1799; 210, David Bailey, 
211, William Wightman and Thomas Lee, December 3, 1788; 212, Jonathan Fish, 
March 5, 1801; 221, David Hess, June 28, 1806; Joseph Woodworth, January 30. 
1806. and David Newcomb, September 16, 1796; 222, Ariel Murdock, Novem- 
ber 15. 1787; 223, Amos Beecher, July 20, 1803; 224, Congregational church; 325, 
east part, John Frisbie, July 22, 1801. and west part, Michael Brant, May 2. 1797; 
226, Ashbel Culver, February 1 , 1798 ; 227, Samuel Fuller, Melatiah Hatch and Josiah 
Watson, May 11, 1797; 228, Asa Woodford and Melatiah Hatch, March 4, 1795; 239, 
Samuel Jenkins, William Kin^ and Wlu-Ller and Thomas Watson, February 20, 1799; 
230, Elijah and Eber Sweet, June (i, Kss; -i;',!, Apollos Moore, January 1798; 241, 
Enoch and Sylvanus Cooper, ^lay 0, 17!i4; 242, Samuel Nichols and John Owens, 
February 7, 1798; 243, Christian Bc\ker, January 31, 1794; 244, Joseph Lincoln; 
245, Daniel Conklin, jr., west half, March 39, 1812, Amaziah Palmer and Samuel 
Nichols, March 4, 1796; 247, John Couse, February 23, 1797; 348, sold to Jonathan 
Jenkins, west part, and to Charles Pierson east part, and others, pond, etc. ; 249, 
Hans Winegar, April 35, 1788, and second lease March 12, 1803; 250, Henry and 
Josiah Conkling, May 28, 1798; 351, Josiah Havermau, January 24. 1796; 261, Heze- 
kiah Watson and Job Sisson, west part, January 15, 1800, east part, to Jabez Sisson 
and Christopher Shreve, May 7, 1795; 262, Dating Day and William Borthwick, 
December 22, 1806; 363, /amcs Borthwich, January 28, 1796; 264, Daniel Lamoree, 
January 9. 1795; 265, Reuben King, May 19' 1795; 266, Nicholas Cornell, June 9, 
1785; 367, Rufus Watson, August 38, 1822; 268, Jonathan Crocker, jr., March loj 
1795; 269, Daniel Conkling, jr.. May 28, 1798; 370, Daniel Conkling, May 28, 1798; 



472 

281, George Bell and George Cogshall, January 22, 1800; 282, Isaac Cowles, May 9, 
1788; 283, William and Charles West, March 22, 1792; 284, Benjamin Frisbie and 
Elislia West, October 31, 1794; 2S5, Thomas and Benjamin Frisbie, jr., February 25, 
1796; 286, Thomas Watson, February 22, 1792; 287. Joseph Sisson, February 13, 
1795; 288, Salmon Sandford and Weston, April 25, 1795; 289. Asa and Barnabas 
Rice, March 8, 1796; 290, Michael Boomhover and Valentine Gasman, December 23, 
1799^ 301; Joseph Rollo. April 11, 1791; 302, John H. Bushnell, March 29, 1798; 303, 
Daniel Sears. January 20, 1806; 304, John Sisson, June 6, 1796; 305, Alfred Hislop, 
April 18, 1788; 306, John Raymond and George Sisson, December 14, 1796; 307, 
Shubel Bouton and Shubel Bouton, jr., July 25, 1803; 308, Martin Campbell, June 6, 
1788; 309, John Abel and Caleb Sanford, February 24, 1796; 310, Samuel Frink and 
ane Solomon Sanford, December 4, 1804; 311, Steadman Fo.x, Februarys, 1810; 349, 
Edmund Watkins and Solomon Seaman, May 29, 1793; 350, Peter Frisbie, November 
11, 1824; 351, George Sanford, September 27, 1797; 352, Christopher Almy, January 
30, 1809; 353, Joseph Hopkins, May 7. 1802; 354, Reuben Crosby, May 18, 1789; 355, 
Salter Pullman, February 19, 1788; 356, Nathan and Seth Young, March 14, 1805; 
357, Pardon Kelsey, June 4, 1790; 358, Elisha and Philander Goodrich and Caleb 
Sanford, September 7, 1796; 3.59. Jonathan Crocker, January 14, 179G; 360, Ephraim 
and Samuel Lir.dsley, February 25, 1795. in the northeast corner of the present limits 
of the town. 



CHAPTER XX. 

THE TdWN OF COEYiMANS. ' 

The town of Coeymans is situated in the southeast corner of Albany 
county, and includes within its boundaries Baeren (Barren) Island and 
about one-half of Shad Island. It was erected from the mother town 
of Watervliet March i8, 1791, and was the second town formed in the 
county. When the town of Westerlo was erected in 1815, a small sec- 
tion of Coeymans was set off to it. Coeymans has an area of 32,570 
acre?, and received its name from Barent Pieterse Coeymans, the pat- 
entee. The surface of the town consists of an upland rising 200 to 400 
feet above the river, which is broken by hills and ridges rising 100 to 
400 feet higher. The soil on the levels is alluvial in character, mi.xed 
with sand and clay and very productive. In the western part of the 
town its consists of gravel and clay. As a whole the town is well 

1 This name is found spelled in various ways— Kcieymans, Koymans, Koevemans, and the cus- 
tomary way, in Holland it was probably Kojiemans. 



473 

"adapted to the growing of tlie usual farm products and the common 
fruits. Geologically there is little of importance in this town. A stra- 
tum of marble or limestone extends across it from north to south three 
to four miles from the river, and this has been quarried for building 
purposes. Some blue stone is found and a quarry was formerly worked 
at Mossy flill. The principal streams are Coeymans Creek, which en- 
ters the town from Bethlehem in the eastern part and empties into the 
Hudson at Coeymans Landing. The Hannakrois flows in from West- 
erlo and crosses this town in a southeasterly direction, passing through 
Indian Fields, Stephensville, and Coeymans Hollow, and supplying 
excellent water power. It enters Greene county near Achquetuck ; 
and then making a long bend again enters Coeymans near the south- 
east corner of the town and empties into the Hudson a little below Coey- 
mans Landing. These streams flow thraugh narrow valleys which are 
bordered by steep hills through which they have cut gorges in some 
places. These two streams have numerous small tributaries, and Coey- 
mans Creek makes two falls at Coeymans village aggregating seventy- 
five feet in height, which supply a water power that has been utilized 
for years past. Some of the small streams in the northern part of the 
town disappear into sink holes and again come to the surface after flow- 
ing some distance through subterranean channels. Moulding sand has 
been found in some parts of Coeymans and was formerly shipped in 
large quantities. 

The first permanent occupation of land in this town by white men 
took place more than 125 years before its civil organization in 1791. 
Among the Dutch immigrants who came over to secure the advantages 
offered by the Patroon, was Barent Pieterse Coeymans, who arrived in 
1636 and immediately entered the service of Mr Van Ren.sselaer at 
a yearly salary of thirty guilders. Coeymans was accompanied by his 
three brothers, David, Jacob, and A rent. Barent Coeymans worked in 
the Patroon's grist mill until 1645. when he took charge of the saw mills 
belonging to Mr. Van Rensselaer, which were in the northern part of 
the present city on Patroon's Creek. In this work he was assisted by 
Jan Gerritsen, and each received a yearly salary of 150 guilders and in 
addition three stivers for every plank sawed by them. Coeymans re- 
mained thus employed until 1647. Previous to 1650 Coeymans lived 



474 

south of Patroon's Creek, but in 1655 he took a ninteen year lease of a 
farm of "maize land" at twenty four guilders a year. In 1657 he 
secured a lease of the Patroon's mills for nineteen years, at the expira- 
tion of which he leased the mills on the Norman's Kill for thirteen 
years. 

With the expiration of this lease in 1673 Mr. Coeymans purchased 
from the Indians a large tract of land, extending eight to ten miles on 
the river and twelve miles back into the country. For this tract, which 
embraced what became the town of Coeymans, he obtained a patent 
from Governor Lovelace. It was a valuable purchase at that time, 
especially as it carried with it excellent water power, and on the creek 
north of Coeyman's Cryn Cornelissen and Hans Jansen had already, as 
early as 165 1 built a saw mill. Of course this tract fell within the 
boundaries of the Van Rensselaer Manor and the Patroon sought to 
establish his title at law. After protracted litigation the matter was 
finally arranged in 1706, by an agreement on the part of Coeymans to 
receive title from the Patroon and pay a small annual quit rent. This 
title was confirmed by patent from Queen Anne August 6, 17 14. 

The following extracts from the Patent and from a conveyance of 
one of the islands in the river, possess peculiar interest in this con- 
nection, the cession of the patent being defined in part as follows : 

From "a certain creek or kill lying and being on the west side of Hudson's river 
to the north of a place of the Indians called Kax-hax-ki, stretching in length to the 
highest place where Jacob Flodden did used to roll down timber, named by tlie na- 
tives Scen-tha tin, to the island belonging to John Byers, and into the woods as far 
as the Indian Sachem's right goes." 

Yielding and paying therefor, yearly and every year, unto the same Kilian Van 
Rensselaer, his heirs and assigns, the yearly rent or sum of nine shillings, current 
money of New York, at upon the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, in lieu of all 
other rents, dues, duties and services, for or in respect of all premises or any part 
or parcel therefore, as by the said indenture relation to them being had more fully 
and at large appear. 

Following is the conveyance alluded to: 

On the t6th of Apiil, l(i72, Volkert Janes conveys all his rights and ownership to 
Barent Pieterse (Coeymans) in tlie island named Schutters. lying below Beeren 
Island, and included in Coeymans' ])atent, dated August 14, 1071. 

Barent Pieterse Coeymans married a daughter of Andries De Vos 
and was the father of five children — Andries, Samuel, Peter, Arriantje 



475 

and Jannetje. The first named was born in Albany and married a 
daughter of Dr. Samuel Staats, and later became a resident of New 
Jersey, where descendants of the family are still found. Samuel, also 
born in Albany, August 3, 1670, married Katrina Van Schaack, and 
resided many years in the great Coeymans stone house which still 
stands at the Landing; he had no children. Arriantje was born in 
Albany October 19, 1672, and remained single until she was fifty-one 
years old, living with her brother Samuel. She finally married David 
Verplank, who was then only twenty-eight years old ; they had no 
children, and the mother died April 4, 1743. Verplank inherited a 
portion of her estate, and was twice married after her death and became 
the father of David, Johannes, Arriantje, and Isaac D. Peter Coey- 
mans was born in Albany and married Elizabeth Graveret (or Greve- 
raad), by whom he had two children — Menjae, who became the wife of 
Andreas Whitbeck, and Elizabeth, who married Jacobus Van Allen. 
Peter's first wife died and he married, second, Charlotta Amelia Daw- 
yer, who was mother of three children — Garritje (married John Bar- 
clay) ; Ann Margaret (married Andries Ten Eyck), and Charlotte 
Amelia (married John Jonas Bronk). Peter Coeymans resided in the 
old stone house until his death on April 30, 1736, when he was buried 
on Baereii Island. Many descendants of Peter through his five daugh- 
ters, lived in this vicinity, but none of the name of Coeymans are left. 
Barent, the patentee, is believed to have been buried on land now 
owned by Peter Whitbeck, the belief being chiefly founded on the 
fact that in a partition deed a part of this land is reserved for burial 
purposes. The old Coeymans stone house is now owned by Dr. 
Johnson. 

The Coeymans Creek, before mentioned, is the same stream that 
bears the Indian name, Onisquethau, described in the history of New 
Scotland, both names attaching to it in these later years. The creek 
has the two falls mentioned, before it empties into a small bay leading 
to the Hudson At the bottom of the lower fall is an old mill, long 
idle, and a building known as the old stone house, wliich is constructed 
of field stones, with brick gables. Two other buildings similarly con- 
structed still stand at the Landing, all three being probably more than 
a hundred years old. 



476 

The level lands west of the village were in early years called 
Achquetuck, and here the early settlers were Andreas and Lendert 
Witbeck, whose families have been prominent in the town and county 
for many years. Daniel Traver and Balthus Keefer settled to the north 
of Indian Fields near what became known as Keefer's Corners, and 
nearby A. Searls and John and T. Witbeck built homesteads at an 
early date. The names of many other pioneers will appear as we pro- 
ceed, and the list of prominent families and their biographies is greatly 
extended in Part III of this volume. The town records go back only 
to i8ii,which leaves the proceedings for twenty years unaccounted 
for. John T. Van Dalston was the first supervisor of whom there is 
record and Archibald Stevens the next, being chosen in 1818. His 
successors to the present time have been as follows : 

1819-21, John N. Huyck; 1822-25, Israel Shear; 1826-28, Abraham Verplanck; 
1829-31, Andrew Witbeck; 1832-34, Henry Niles; 1835-37, Cornelius Vanderzee; 
1838-40, Jonas Shear; 1841-43, Garret Whitbeck; 1844-45, John Mead; 1846-47. 
Elwell Blodget; 1848-49, John Vanderzee; 1850-51, Nathaniel Niles; 1852-53, Willet 
Serls; 1854-57, Garrit Whitbeck; 1858-59, John B. Shear; 1860-61, David A. Whit- 
beck; 1862-63, Jonas Shear; 1864-65, Peter Keefer; 1866-71, John B. Shear; 1873- 
73, Cornelius Vanderzee ; 1874-75, Nelson Schermerhorn ; 1876-77, John H. Powell; 
1878-80, John A. Hunt; 1881-82, Estes H. Strevell; 1883, Lansing Shear; 1884, 
Horace Blodgett; 188.5-86, Richard S. Blodgett; 1887-88, Alton ^'an Derzee; 1889- 
90, Estes H. Strevell; 1891, Richard S. Blodgett; 1892-93, Alton Van Derzee; 1894- 
95, Noble H. Bronk. 

The first Coeymans dwelling, the so-called Castle, was torn down 
about 1833. It stood on the corner of Westerlo and First streets, hav- 
ing walls of great thickness which were pierced with loop holes. The 
building faced the Hudson River and was erected very soon after Coej'- 
mans made his purchase from the Indians. Down to the time of its 
removal it contained many relics and keepsakes of the old family, among 
them being an old picture of the property, made probably 150 years 
ago or more. It shows the present stone house, a small mill back of 
the site of the late grist mill, a plaster mill to the northward over an 
artificial rock-cut which served as a water-way, another saw mill on the 
crown of the rocks, and another grist mill on the opposite side of the 
creek. The last named mill stood until 1830. The old stone house 
and the other property passed to the Ten Eyck family through Peter 
Coeymans. 



477 

The history of this town is a simple record of gradual progress and 
improvement in agriculture, the advancement of educational interests, 
the promotion of religious institutions, and the establishment of such 
mercantile stores as were needed for the community. In common with 
all communities dwelling on or near a great river, the inhabitants were 
intensely interested in the progress and final determination of the war 
of 1812, but there is no record of how many of them fought in its bat- 
tles. Many of the roads through this town were opened and consider- 
ably improved previous to the beginning of the present century. As 
population increased the number of road districts was augmented, turn- 
pike companies were organized, and stage and post routes were estab- 
lished. The Hudson River has, of course, always been a much-traveled 
highway northward and southward, supplying an easy and economical 
means of reaching the principal local market at Albany. It was about 
1820 when the stage routes were established the stage companies having 
contracts for carrying the mails. Previous to that time the mails had 
been commonly carried by post riders. A turnpike company was early 
incorporated in this town for the construction and maintenance of a 
highway from Coeymans through Coeymans Hollow, Indian Fields, and 
thence through Dormansville and Chesterville in the town of Westerlo, 
and on to the old Delaware turnpike, a distance of about eighteen miles. 
The first division, about eight miles, was incorporated in 1850 as the 
Coeymans and Westerlo Plank Road Company, the charter extending 
thirty years. In i860 the roadway of plank was taken up and broken 
stone substituted, since which time the stone road bed has been farther 
extended and it is now one of the best highways in the county. The 
charter of the company was renewed in 1880 for thirty years. 

The school districts of Coeymans at the present time are fourteen in 
number with a school house in each, the whole together with Bethle- 
hem and New Scotland constituting the first school commissioner's dis- 
trict of Albany county. There is no graded school, high school or 
academy in existence at the present time. The Coeymans Academy, 
established in 1858 by Fletcher Blaisdell, Theophilus Civil and Peter 
Seabridge, and having for its first teachers Misses C. B. and Emma 
Brace, was not successful and like many other similar institutions was 
abandoned with the great improvement of recent years in the district 



478 

scliools. Previous to 1880 Acton Civill made an effort to found an 
academy at Coeymans village. In the western part of the place, on the 
high ground he erected a massive brick and stone structure in ample 
grounds, and in 1882 added a building which was to be used as a board- 
inCT house. His own ill health and other causes led to the abandon- 
ment of all his plans before a school was opened. The buildings are 
still standing and un-jccupied. 

In the war of the rebellion Coeymans furnished her various quotas 
of volunteers for the armies of the Union, but the law providing for 
the preservation of a complete list of those who went out from the 
town has been unheeded. 

The town of Coeymans was without a railroad until 1883, when the 
New York, West Shore and Buffalo line was completed, and though 
the mercantile interests of small villages and hamlets are generally 
much affected by the building of railroads, and are frequently totally 
or in part destroyed ; it cannot be said that those of this town have 
suffered very much in this respect. The trade of Coeymans Landing is 
retained partly on account of its water front and its connection with 
Albany by the river, while at Ravena Junction, which is one mile from 
the Landing, an enterprising village has sprung into existence almost 
wholly on account of the railroad and furnishes an excellent point for 
marketing the surplus products of the country. The necessity for a rail 
connection with Albany by the West Shore road led to the building of 
the line from this point, direct to the city, while the main line passes a 
little to the northwest of the city through Bethlehem, New Scotland, 
and Guilderland. 

The Coeymans Mutual Insurance Company was incorporated August 
16, 1859, and has done a large local business, to the great advantage of 
its members and policy holders. 

The Grove Cemetery Association at Coeymans was incorporated in 
1848, through the efforts of Acton Civill. 

The Indian Fields Cemetery was incorporated in January, 1872. The 
following were the first officers: President, William S Cole; vice-presi- 
dent, Andrew H. Witbeck; treasurer, Joslin Nodine ; secretary, John 
N. Verplank ; Judson Lamoreaux, Abram Witbeck, William J. Lamo- 
reaux, and George C. Lamoreaux. The cemetery contains about five 
acres. 



479 

Among the physicians who have practiced in this town are Drs. Ely, 
Smith, Spaulding, Hand, Van Alstyne, Van Allen, Herrick, Holmes, 
Blodgett, and Clement ; Dr. Benjamin B. Fredenburg settled here in 
1826 and passed a long and active life in the town ; Dr. Andrew Huyck, 
settled at the Hollow in 1838 ; Wesley Blaisdell, and Andrew Van Ant- 
werp also practiced medicine here; Dr. F. C. Mosher, located at the 
Landing about 1848, and Dr. H. N. Johnson, settled at the same place 
about 1881, practiced his profession and also conducted a drug busi- 
ness ; Dr. C. C. Willis, is well known locally as a dentist ; Dr. G. E. El- 
mendorf settled at Stephensville in 1876, while Dr. F. A. Rivets, located 
at Indian Fields in 1880. 

The village of Coeymans Landing (Coeymans post-office) retains 
perhaps more of its ancient appearance and spirit than any other vil- 
lage in Albany county. There is an air of antiquity and quaintness 
about some of its streets and buildings that lends a charm to the place 
and makes it a much sought resort. These are in strong contrast with 
the modern business establishments of J. N. Briggs and other enter- 
prising men. Many of the streets are crooked, and along and among 
them are placed dwellings and shops with little regard to the order fol- 
lowed in villages founded in recent years. The western part of the 
place, situated upon the higher ground, is more modern in its charac- 
teristics and here are many beautiful residences, surrounded by at- 
tractive grounds. Among the first settlers at the Landing were Andreas 
and Lendert Witbeck, and the Ten Eyck, Van Allen, Verplank, Bronk, 
Barclay, Hotaling. and Van Daalston families. A little later came the 
Waldron and the Huyck families; one McMichael, a very early mer- 
chant; James Teft, who kept a public house; Oliver Lawton, John 
Fanning, Palmer Utter, Joseph Hazelton, Levi Blaisdell, and others, 
whose descendants have been foremost in promoting the best interests 
of the village. Some of the early mills built at this point to utilize 
the valuable water power have been mentioned. They have all passed 
away and given place to other and later industries. What were known 
as the Cedar Point Mills were built by Conrad Ten Eyck many years 
ago, and connected with them was a plaster mill and carding factory 
which long ago disappeared. A flouring mill owned or operated at 
different periods by Isiael Lawton, Briggs & Colvin, A. Willis, is now 



480 

the property of Henry Johnson. It has been idle a number of years. 
A large mill is operated at the present time by John N. Briggs, as part 
of the large business interests controlled by him on the river. No man 
has done more in recent years for the up building of this place than he. 
He is a heavy dealer in coal and ice and is the lessee of Barren Island, 
to which he has given the name Baerman Park. Here he has made an 
ideal pleasure ground which is visited by hundreds of excursion parties 
every season from Albany and elsewhere. 

Among past and present business men of the village are William B. 
Hull & Co., general merchants, a business now conducted by Andrew 
Van Derzee & Son ; Baumes & Brother, former dealers in groceries, 
crockery, etc.; W. W. Snyder, former boot and shoe dealer ; W. H. 
Keller, former grocer; Powell & Johnson, present dealers in drugs and 
medicines; Alfred A. Sherman, fancy goods and stationery; J. B. 
Holmes, tin shop and hardware ; A. Vandyck, harnessmaker ; L. E. 
Gould and Charles Zcigler, meat dealers; Henry Slingerland, forward- 
ing and commission business; H. Long & Son, grocers; C. B. Clow, 
furnishing goods. Among the attorneys who have practiced here in 
the past were S. Springsted and J. M. Harris, and Charles Thompson. 
C. M. Tompkins is in practice at the present time. 

The Hotaling Hotel has long been owned and conducted by Richard 
S. Hotaling The Gedney House, formerly the Union, has been kept 
for many years by Samuel Gedney. The Tobiii House, formerly the 
VVhitbeck House, kept by Verplank Whitbeck, is now run by George 
Tobin. The American House is kept by Gilbert Cronk. 

The first newspaper in Coeymans was established in 1863 by Gilbert 
C. Vincent under the name of the Coeymans Gazette, who sold out in 
the fall of 1864 to Willard Pond. It soon after passed into the hands 
of Henry Bronk, and subsequently to McKee & Springsted. In De- 
cember, 1869, Mr. Springsted sold his interest to his partner, Thomas 
McKee, who continued the publication until 1871. In that year Mil- 
ler & Sherman established the Coeymans Herald. Mr. Miller soon sold 
his interest to his partner, who a little later sold out entirely to S. H. 
& E. J Sherman, who have continued the publication ever since. 

Ravena, (formerly Coeymans Junction). — The junction of the two 
branches of the West Shore railroad was made about a mile west of 




JOHN N. BRIGGS. 



481 

Coeymans Landing, on the stone road before described. The place of- 
fered a beautiful site for a village and prompted energetic men who 
foresaw the importance of the point, to invest money liberally in im- 
provements Of these men one of the first and most active was 
Peter Pulver. As soon as the railroad station and necessary build- 
ings were erected in 1883, he built a hotel and restaurant and three 
dwellings. This was the nucleus of the village. Other dwellings soon 
followed and in 1884 he erected the large three story brick block for 
stores and hotel, which is now called the Pulver House, the present pro- 
prietor of which is C. E, Gage, who took it in December, 1895. Mr. 
Pulver also built another brick block near the hotel, for a store, with a 
public hall above. The village grew very rapidly within the succeed- 
ing five years. Stephen Vincent built what was the Temperance Hotel 
but which is now called the Vincent House, kept by E. Slater since 
May, 1895. General stores have been established by Willis Bentley, 
Elias Sweet, and Almeron Roberts. Truman Carhart deals in boots 
and shoes; A. M Strevell, also Mr. Allen, in hardware, and William 
Melton in fancy goods. A large amount of cider and vinegar are made 
here by the Albany County Produce Company. An excellent school 
is conducted in the village, which is included in district No. 3, and three 
teachers are employed. The postmaster of the village is Elias Sweet. 

The name of Coeymans Junction was never satisfactory to the inhab- 
itants of the village, and in 1893, through the efiforts of C. M. Barlow 
and the Rev. R G. Fenton, the name was changed by the post-office 
department to Ravena. The village now contains about one thousand 
inhabitants and is fast growing in population and improvements. A 
franchise is about to be granted for a better supply of water for fire and 
sanitary purposes. 

Ache-que-tuck is a hamlet locally known as Peacock's Corners, hav- 
ing a post uflice, situated about two miles west of the railroad station of 
Ravena. Here is located the old stone house of the Ten Eyck family, 
built long before the Revolutionary war, and the old brick residences of 
the Verplancks and the Witbecks, all of which families settled at an 
early date in this immediate vicinity. Other pioneers here were the 
Van Derzee, Shear, Wiltsie and Schoonmaker families. In past years 
there were grist and saw mills, a tannery and a flax mill, on the Haana- 



482 

krois Creek, which were the property of Isaac D. Verplanck. An ex- 
cellent farming district extends from this point to the eastern extremity 
of Coeymans Hollow described in old deeds as Hagh-a-tuck, which is 
the Indian name, and far to the northward. A general store is now 
kept here by Charles Corts, and a hotel by David Baumes. 

Coeymans Hollow is a hamlet about in the center of the town, with 
a post-ofifice of the same name opened in 1840 with John B. Shear as 
postmaster. The Hollow extends a distance of about two miles along 
the Haanakrois Creek, and was settled almost contemporaneously with 
Coeymans settlement farther east. The Verplanck and Witbeck fam- 
ilies, John Blodgett, Josiah Hinckley, Gerrit Witbeck, Jonas Shear, 
Jedediah Davis, and John Colvin were among the pioneers in the Hollow. 
There was in early years considerable manufacturing done here, the 
power supplied by the creek being utilized. Francis DeLong, Gerrit 
Witbeck and a Mr. Oberman manufactured hats here many years ago. 
A grist mill and saw mill, and a cloth works were owned and operated 
by John Blodgett and a Mr. Leslie. At the upper end of the village 
Verplanck had a grist mill and saw mill, which were destroyed by a 
freshet, after which the dam and raceway were utilized in recent years 
by Andrew Carey to drive machinery for turning hubs and spokes, but 
this industry has also dissapeared. About 1860-62 several flax mills 
were established on the creek, but were soon abandoned. All manu- 
facturing operations have disappeared, and little business of any kind is 
carried on. 

Alcove (formerly called Stephensville) is a hamlet next to the west- 
ward of Coeymans Hollow and practically a continuation of it though 
having a post-office with the name of Alcove, and takes its name from 
Archibald Stephens, a former owner of mills here. One of the 
pioneers at this place was Casparus Ackerman who came in 1790 and 
soon afterward erected the first mills, which in course of time passed 
into possession of Mr. Stephens. The present mill is a large stone 
structure and is owned by Bennett T. Briggs. The Valley Paper 
Mills and the saw mill of Amos D. Briggs are situated here near the 
stone road. These were burned about 1890 and not rebuilt. About 
1844 Ephraim Andrews erected a carding and cloth mill here which 
was enlarged a few years later by John E. Andrews and converted 



483 

into a wrapping paper mill. In 1854 Mr. Andrews and W. S. Briggs 
introduced steam and other modern improvements and machinery. In 
1 87 1 the firm of W. S. Briggs & Sons (Newton S., Ralph B., and Amos 
D.) was formed and existed three years, when the property was trans- 
ferred to Amos D. Briggs, who in 1883 made extensive improvements 
and enlargements. Three-fourths of a mile south of these mills is the 
post-office and the residence of W. S. Briggs, owner of the stone mill 
before mentioned. Just above the Valley Mills, over eighty years ago, 
was a saw mill and near by was the tannery of Daniel Tompkins. The 
only mercantile business is a general store conducted by Green Brothers. 

Indian Fields is a hamlet with a post-office of the same name in the 
western part of the town. Among the early settlers here were John 
and Thomas Witbeck, W. Searles, George Lamoreaux, Jedediah Davis, 
Daniel Green, Daniel Wickham, Gideon Schofiel, Josiah Hinckley, and 
the Huyck, Tompkins, and Robins families. In early years Isaac Ver- 
planck built a saw mill and afterward carding mills were started. At a 
later date Houck & Trenchard operated a cloth works and a saw mill. 
These were converted into a foundry by Huyck & Norris, who sold out 
to Caleb Snyder. A foundry and wood working shop is now con- 
ducted by Norris Brothers. Stores are kept by Odelon Adriance and 
Vincent Snyder, and a hotel by Frank Ingalls. 

Keefer's Corners is a small cluster of dwellings in the northwest cor- 
ner of the town, which received its name from Balthus Keefer, who set- 
tled here in 1791, but two other families having preceded him to this 
point. Other early settlers were Daniel Traver, Jacob Schermerhorn, 
Dampa Mead, Stephen Hanes, George Lamoreaux, and the Lanson and 
Hogan families. The post-office was established in 1842, with Peter 
Keefer postmaster. The office was abandoned some years ago. There 
is no business of any account here at the present time. 

The early Dutch and Huguenot immigrants who constituted so large 
a portion of the early settlers, not alone of this town, but of the whole 
of Albany county, were eminently religious in their character and 
habits. Indeed, this fact was one of the incentives that prompted them 
to seek new homes in a far-off country ; they longed for a land where 
religious intolerance and opposition could not reach them. It is clear 
that these people worshipped their creator both in private and in public 



484 

when they had estabh'shed their homes, and long before any church 
organization could be perfected, at least nearer than Albany. This 
condition continued probably until after the close of the Revolutionary 
war. With the advent of peace and its blessings, new elements were 
added to the population from New England, whose religious beliefs and 
habits, while perhaps not less ardent and active than those of their Dutch 
predecessors, were widely different in other respects. Methodists, with 
their intense religious zeal came in and stirred to their depths the more 
lethargic temperaments of the Dutch and organized some of the earliest 
churches of which records remain in this town. 

The first Methodist Society, organized by Rev. John Crawford, be- 
gan its existence in 1788 or 1789, there being twelve members in the 
class with Freeborn Garretson as presiding elder. The first house of 
worship, a stone structure, was built in 1791-92, two and a half miles 
west of Coeymans village, and is believed by many to have been the 
first Methodist church on the west side of the Hudson River. The 
congregation during many years included members from Bethlehem, 
Coeymans, New Baltimore, and adjoining towns. The first trustees 
were James Waldron, Lewis Civil, WilhoUamas Row, Jacob Spring- 
sted, Isaac C. Huyck, Ephraim Holbrook, Peter Hogan, Nathan Will- 
iams and James Selkirk. Levi Blaisdell was the first clerk and Lewis 
Civil the first sexton. Among the earliest members were Hugh Jolly, 
Samuel Jolly, John Ten Eyck and his wife, Levi Blaisdell and his wife, 
Hugh Crumb, James Selkirk, Dr. Clement, and Jacob Springsted. 
These were among the pioneers of Revolutionary times and the men 
and women who labored to lay the foundation of the community in 
morality and good citizenship. From this early church others branched 
off as more central situations were needed. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at Coeymans Landing was founded 
by the same society that worshipped in the old stone church. The edifice 
in use at the present lime was built in 1835-36, but has been improved 
since its erection. The property is valued at more than $15,000 

The Methodist Episcopal church at Coeymans Hollow was founded 
as early as 1794, when Bishop Asbury preached in a barn and formed 
a society with John Blodgett and his wife, William Green and his wife, 
Elizabeth Wickham, Charlotte Garritt, and a Mr. Gedney as members. 



485 

Tliese devoted people met in dwellings or barns, and later in the school 
houses until 1832, when they erected the present church. The society 
has always been active and progressive. 

A Methodist Episcopal church was early organized at Reefer's Cor- 
ners, an offshoot of the Manhattan Hook Society at Copeland Hill. 
James Laird and Ebenezer Osborn were early preachers on this circuit. 
A house of worship was erected which continued in use until 1845, 
when it was taken down and the material used in erecting the present 
edifice for which land was donated by Francis Osterhout. 

The Reformed Protestant Dutch church of Coeymans was organized 
M.iich 5, 1793, giving the believers in that faith in this town a religious 
home of their own. The first church was erected in 1797, about a mile 
west of Coeymans Landing proper, of which Rev. Jacob Sickles was 
the first pastor, serving from 1797 to 1 80 1, when he was succeeded by 
Peter Overbagh. Other pastors have been Revs. Ralph Westervelt, 
Samuel Kissam, Staats Van Santvoord, Abram Fort, Thomas A. Amer- 
man, Thomas Edwards, James Murphy. James A. H. Cornell, Philip 
Peltz, William P. Davies, Hugh B. Gardiner, Isaac Collier, Louis H. 
Bahler, Elias Mead and others of recent years. The first church was 
demolished some twenty years ago and the present one erected on 
Church street in Coeymans village. 

The First Baptist Church of Indian Fields was organized in 1872 
with the following trustees: Marcus R. Griffin, Albert Powell, Joslin 
Nodine, Franklin Tompkins, Jared Griffin, Judson Lamoreaux, and Jas- 
per Witbeck, jr., who were prominent citizens of that vicinity. The 
church has languished in recent years and has had no regular pastor. 

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic church is situated on Church street, 
Coeymans Landing, the congregation having been organized in 1852 
by Francis Hurley. The church property consists of the substantial 
cluuch, a parsonage, and cemetery of about five acres. The congrega- 
tion has been connected with the churches at Co.xsackie and Athens. 

The Christian church of Ravena was organized and held services for 
about a year previous to 1890-91, when they erected their present neat 
church edifice. The Methodist Episcopal church of Ravena was or- 
ganized in 1894, and erected its frame church building in the same 
year. The German Lutheran church of Ravena was organized in 1895 



and erected a house of woisliip at the same time. These three recently 
formed societies are actively engaged in good and effective work in this 
enterprising village. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

THE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM. 

The reader has been made familiar with the history of the voyage of 
Henry Hudson up the river that forms the eastern boundary of Albany 
county in 1609. The history of this town begins with that event, for 
the English navigator halted on the bank of the river within the borders 
of the present Bethlehem. On an island off the bluffs of the stream now 
called Normanskill (by the IndiansTawasentha) some of Hudson's crew 
camped through a night, and were there visited by a number of the 
natives on the following morning, whose friendly demeanor both sur- 
prised and pleased the Europeans After interchanging some articles 
of trade, and a little friendly intercourse, Hudson and his crew sailed 
away homeward. The account of the early operations of the United 
Netherlands Company, the building of Fort Nassau on Castle (now Van 
Rensselaer) island ir 1614, its partial destruction by high water and the 
erection of another on the mainland near the Normanskill, need not be 
repeated here. Nearly or quite all of the temporary settlements made 
by the Dutch traders prior to 1623, in which year Fort Orange was 
built on the site of Albany, were made on Bethlehem territory. Per- 
manent settlement began here in 1630, the year following the issue of 
the charter to the Patroon, Kilian Van Rensselaer, when Albert Andri- 
essen Bradt located at the mouth of Tawasentha. He was father of 
eight children. Soon after his arrival he leased the mill privileges on 
the Normanskill and built mills. His son, Albertsen, succeeded him 
in possession of this lease, for which he paid an equivalent of about $150 
a year. Later, in 1673, he was succeeded as lessee of the farm which 
the father had occupied by his brother, Slingerlandt. To this family 
must be accorded the honor of being the first settlers west of Albany. 



487 

Members of the family and their descendants soon penetrated the neigh- 
boring wilderness, took up and improved farms, built houses, and have 
ever since been well known among the residents of Albany county. 

A few other permanent settlers located in what is now Bethlehem 
prior to 1700. Among them were the families of Garret and Jan Van 
Wie, William Van Allen, Adam Winne. the Ten Eycks, Slingerlands, 
Francis Winne, Philip Schuyler, the Vroomans, and Van Derzees. These 
and a (ew others settled along the Hudson River and the Normanskill. 

On the map made for the Patroon appear the following names, most 
or all of whom probably became settlers between 1700 and 1750; 
Rensselaer Nicoll, Bett)^ Van Ostrand, Janes Taylor, Gerret Van Der 
Berg, Cooper, William Van Bergen, Abram Slingerland, Pliilip Schuy- 
ler, Wouter Slingerland, Koenrad Louck, John Van Dusen, Adrian 
Bradt, Staats Seger, Jacob Louck, John Rosebooms, Gerret Van Allen, 
Hans Slingerland, Tunis Slingerland, Lawrence Wormer, Gerret Seger, 
jr , Jacob Coper, Jan, Storm, and David Bradt, Dirk Vanderwilliger, 
Konradt Koen, Isaac, Omie, and Christian La Grange, Tunis Hough- 
tali ngj 

From 1750 to I Soo conditions of trade, agriculture and social sur- 
roundings underwent great changes, gave a great impetus to settlement, 
and brought in a more mixed class of immigrants. The accession to 
power of the English, and later the tremendous changes wrought by 
the Revolution all tended to bring into Albany county people of other and 
very different nationalities. The names of settlers alone are sufficient 
indication of this fact. Irish, Scotch and English elements became con- 
spicuous in the populating of the region. Thus during the period just 
mentioned came Hugh Waters, Archibald and William McCormick, 
Andrew Cunning, Nicholas See, Christian Bender, I. Bussing, Jacob 
Kimmey, Peter McHarg, John Soop, Patrick Callanan aud Solomon 
Luke, with the families named Patterson, Ramsay, Becker, Haswell, 
Babcock, Wiltsie, Mosher and Aarnout. It is possible a few of these 
settled outside of the present boundaries of this town, and in what is 
now New Scotland, but nearly all of them were resident in Bethlehem 
after the close of the Revolutionary war. 

Meanwhile, on March 12, 1763, the town of Bethlehem was erected 

' The spelling of these names is according to the map. 



488 

from the original town of Watervliet, and included all of what is now 
New Scotland, and a part of Albany, the latter having been set off in 
1870, leaving this town with an area of 31,583 acres. The surface of 
the town comprises a narrow fiat along the Hudson River, backed in 
the main with steep blufifs rising from fifty to 150 feet, with here and 
there an elevation rising from 200 to 400 feet. The declivities are 
broken by deep and rugged channels, the most conspicuous of which 
is that of the Normanskill, along which in places the series of under- 
lying rocks are laid bare and nearly upright. In these rocks are seen 
the sandstones, limestones and graywackes that are familiar in that lo- 
cality. Back of the blufifs stretches a rolling upland, with sandy ridges 
and rounded knolls. Near the mouth of the Normanskill was the Indian 
burial place of Tawasentha. This curious natural mound is connected 
with the diluvial formation by a narrow rock or peninsula, and, accord- 
ing to excellent authority, was a spot sacred to sepulture from the 
earliest time, and gave the natives their name of the stream. 

Other principal streams besides the Normanskill are Coeyman's creek, 
and the Vlamanskill, both of which have afforded considerable water 
power, which in early years was utilized for mills and a few other in- 
dustries. 

The soil of Bethlehem is a sandy and clayey loam, mixed with gravel. 
Along the river lowlands and on the islands it is a rich alluvium. The 
mixed farming of earlier times has been superseded to a large extent in 
parts of the town by gardening to supply the wants of residents of the 
city. Fruit culture has also received attention, small fruits having been 
made quite profitable on account of the nearness to a good market. A 
large number of farmers have also become milk producers for the city 
market. A few have given particular attention to improvement of stock 
in recent years, some of whom have had fine herds. Erastus Corning was 
a large breeder of Hereford and Jersey cattle, in which he is succeeded 
by his son; the late John S. Perry bred Guernseys; Abraham Fitch, 
C. C. La Grange, George H. Treadwell and others engaged successfully 
in this business. 

Castle Island took its name from the fact that the stockade fort was 
built upon it in 1614, as a protection to the Dutch traders. The island 
was leased to Martin Gerritsen in 1668. In more recent years it was 



489 

given the approjiriate name of Van Rensselaer, and upon it were located 
the extensive plants of the Albany City Iron Works and the Jagger 
Iron Works, both of which are now idle. Other parts of the island 
have been cultivated in gardens. 

Some of the roads that pass into or through the town of Bethlehem 
bear a close relation to the early history of the region surrounding Al- 
bany cit)-. What has always been known as the Albany and Bethle- 
hem Turnpike Road, was incorporated April 9, 1804, under that title, 
with a capital of $34,800, which was a large sum for such an under- 
taking at that time. The road is a continuation of Pearl street, Albany, 
passes through Kenwood and across the Normanskill ; thence south to 
just below the Abbey hotel, and by a fork to Bethlehem Center, a dis- 
tance in all of about five miles. It has one toll gate, and the modern 
road bed is of broken stone. It constitutes a pleasant and picturesque 
drive. 

This old turnpike connects at Bethlehem Center with the South Beth- 
lehem Plank Road, which extends tlirough Becker's Corners and thence 
southwest to South Bethlehem, six miles. The road was incorporated in 
July, 185 I, with a capital of $12,000, with John B. Vanderzee, Barent S. 
Winne, Phillip Kimmey, James Schoonmaker, and John A. Sickles, 
directors: John Soop, secretary and treasurer. On February 28, 1881, 
the board of supervisors renewed the charter of the company for thirty 
years. The plank of which this road was constructed during the plank 
road era that prevailed throughout the State have been superseded by 
broken stone. 

The Albany and Delaware Turnpike Company was chartered March 
2, 1805, to construct a road from Albany to Otego, in Otsego county. 
The road crossed the town of Bethlehem, passing through the Upper 
Hollow, and thence to Adamsville (now Delmar), and on across the 
town of New Scotland, the southeast corner of Berne and the northwest 
corner of Westerlo. The first directors were Samuel Lansing, Abraham 
Hun, Isaac Needer, Hollis More, Asa Starkweather, Hugh Orr, and 
Stephen Judd. This road was extensively traveled many years, but 
was abandoned as a turnpike in 1863. 

The Albany, Rensselaerville and Schoharie Plank Road Company 
was granted a charter March 25, 1859, with a capital of $100,000. The 



original directors were Franklin Frisbee, Lansing Pruyn, David H. 
Casey, Bradford R. Wood, Jacob Settle, John I. Slingerland, Joseph 
Hilton, Reuben Wyngar, Charles B. Gordon. The use of plank on a 
large part of this road was abandoned some years ago. The road 
passed from Albany northwest to Hurstville, thence southwest to Sling- 
erlands, and on across this town and New Scotland. 

The Albany and Susquehanna railroad extends across the northern 
part of this town, commencing at the Kenwood bridge, with stations at 
Adams Station (now Delmar), and Slingerlands, and thence into the 
town of New Scotland. It was opened for travel in 1863. The West 
Shore railroad passes across the western part of Bethlehem by two 
tracks. The Athens and Saratoga road, which passed across the south- 
west corner and was opened in 1865, now constitutes in part the main 
line of the West shore road, a branch track of which extends from 
Coeymans Junction (Ravena) along the river to Albany. 

The proximity of the territory of this town to Albany and its lack of 
water power, prevented the development of extensive manufacturing 
interests; but a few industries of importance were established some 
years ago on Van Rensselaer Island. Of these the Corning Iron Com- 
pany was incorporated May 12, 1870, with the following officers: Ira 
Jagger, president; Albion Ransom, vice-president and treasurer; 
Charles E. Sackett, superintendent ; Erastus Corning, jr., A. P. Palmer, 
Charles B. Lansing, Charles Van Benthuysen. A very extensive and 
costlyplant was erected and the first iron produced in 1871. In July, 
1873, the name of the organization was changed to the Jagger Iron 
Company. Ore was brought mostly from Essex and Oneida counties, 
and Connecticut, and about 40,000 tons were used annually. 

Near the above described works and on the northern end of the 
island were established the works of the Albany City Iron Company, 
which was organized in 1878. Two blast furnaces were erected with 
a capacity of 30,000 tons of pig iron annually. This plant was operated 
only a few years. 

Some minor manufactures liave existed in the past at Kenwood, 
which are noticed further on. 

At about the time of the closing of the late war, and on November 
3, 1865. the Bethlehem Cemetery Association was organized with the 



491 

following officers: John Van Allen. M. D., president; Jacob Hotaling, 
vice-president; Rev. J, Lansing Pearse, secretary; John H. Booth, 
treasurer; George C Adams, superintendent; Robert Frasier, A. 
Crocker, George M. Bender, John M. Hotaling, directors. The grounds 
of this cemetery comprise about thirty acres situated four miles west 
from Albany, and have been tastefully laid out and improved for its 
purpose. 

Elm wood Cemetery is controlled by an association which was organ- 
ized in September, i86r ; the grounds contain ten acres and are situat- 
ed on the Bethlehem plank road near the First Reformed church. 
Mount Pleasant Cemetery is situated at South Bethlehem, and was es- 
tablished in connection with the Methodist church in 1863. The land 
was a gift from John Callanan and comprises nine acres. The first offi- 
cers were Jehoichim Spaun, president ; L. C. Tuttle, treasurer ; Fred- 
erick Schaupp, secretary. Besides these cemeteries, the cemetery of 
the congregation Bethel is situated a mile south of the city on the river 
and has been in existence since 1838 ; Calvary Cemetery of St. John's 
Catholic church of Albany is situated at Bethlehem Center, containing 
seventeen acres ; the German Catholic Cemetery of the Church of the 
Holy Cross of Albany is near Bethlehem Center, and the Evangelical 
Protestant Cemetery of the church of that name at Albany, is at 
Hurstville, and was incorporated in 1853. 

There are no large villages in this town, although there are ten post- 
offices, as follows : Bethlehem Center, South Bethlehem, Slingerland's, 
Selkirk, Cedar Hill, Decker's Corners, Delmar (formerly Adam's Sta- 
tion), Normansville, Glenmont, and Hurstville. Most of these are 
mere hamlets which have gathered about the post-office, or an early 
mill, or a store and a few shops. Besides these post-offices there is a 
small village of Kenwood (formerly known as Lower Hollow), which is 
practically a suburb of Albany and is connected with it by trolley cars. 
So thickly placed throughout the town are these numerous hamlets 
that their description substantially constitutes the modern history of the 
locality. 

Bethlehem Center is situated four miles south of Albany on the old 
Albany and Betiilehem Turnpike. Some of the first settlers here were 
Joshua Babcock, from whom the locality was early known as Babcock's 



492 

Corners, James Gibbons, Job Gardner, and the Davis family. Minor 
business interests and institutions have existed here many years and at 
the present time consist of a hotel kept by Charles Seeley ; the post- 
office, school house, blacksmith shop, and a Bellingerite church now 
seldom used. 

South Bethlehem (formerly Janes's Corners) is ten miles from Albany 
on the Bethlehem turnpike before mentioned, and now a station on the 
West Shore Railroad. Early settlers here were William Janes, John 
and Henry Callanan, Ambrose Wiltsie, and the Kimmey, Mosher and 
Coffin families. A tavern was opened here in early years by Elishama 
Janes. The well known Callanan, saw, grist and cider mills were sit- 
uated here, but just over the town line in Coeymans ; they originally 
belonged to Philip Kimmey and were an important industry, but are 
no longer operated. In early times a tannery was in operation here 
which was built about 1825 on the farm of John and Isaac Coffin ; it 
was operated many years by Robert Carhart, afterwards by Cornelius 
Waggoner, and still later by Frederick Schaupp; it was burned in 
1883. The post-office was opened in 1874, and William McGee is the 
present postmaster. The late Henry and Peter Callanan owned here, 
just over the Coeymans line, a large quarry and sione-crushing plant, 
from which a large product is now taken out by the Callanan Road Im- 
provement Company. Two stores here are kept by E. C. Palmerand Peter 
Ginder respectively. A few shops complete the industries of the place. 
The old Methodist church, one of the oldest in the county, was recently 
remodeled into a more modern structure. 

Slingerlands is a prettj' village, which in recent years has been chosen 
as a place of residence in the summer seasons by a considerable num- 
ber of families from the city, from which it is distant seven miles on the 
Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. The Albany and New Scotland 
road passes tiirough the village. The name of the post-office here was 
formerly Normanskill, was established in 1852 by W. H. Slingerland, 
who was postmaster many years, and the name changed in 1870 in 
honor of the Slingerland family, which was the most prominent in this 
section of the town. John I. Slingerland was long a leading citizen ; 
he was actively engaged in business and held several local offices. He 
had a son John, who was also prominently identified with the interests 




JOHN 1. SLINGERLAND. 



493 

of this section, and was father of C. H. Siingerland, who now carries 
on a large printing business in the place. W. H. Siingerland, ex- mem- 
ber of assembly and a prominent civil engineer, is also a resident. 
The name applied t^^ the railroad station was in recognition of his 
valuable services for the company. Albert I. Siingerland, another 
member of the family, who died in the summer of 1896, owned a large 
amount of real estate, built the Methodist church and a large part 
of the dwellings in the village. There is a pleasant hotel in the 
village, with the name Home Lawn Hotel, which was formerly the resi- 
dence of J. VV. Mattice ; it is now kept by Rufus Zeeley A store is 
kept by S. Dickson, who began business here in 1885. B. F. Allen & 
Co. were merchants and succeeded in 1895 by Archer La Grange, who 
has been postmaster twelve years. Jacob Brate formerly kept a store 
in the village. Charles P". Dietz operates a saw mill and cider mill 
three-fourths of a mile from the village, towards Delmar. There are 
the usual small shops here, and a Methodist church. 

Four miles from Albany, on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, 
is Delmar, formerly Adamsville, or Adams Station. The nucleus of 
the village was a large hotel built in 1836 by Nathaniel Adams, from 
whom the place received its early name. He also made other perma- 
nent improvements. The Flagler, Waters, Erwin and Bussing families 
were early settlers here. A post-office was opened in 1840, and Mr. 
Adams was appointed the first postmaster. A small mercantile inter- 
est has existed since that time and is now represented by two stores, 
one kept by M. J. Blanchard, and the other by Paddock & Patterson. 
There are two churches in the place. Within a few recent years this 
pretty suburban village has become the place of residence of numerous 
families from Albany and elsewhere. This feature of its growth prom- 
ises further advancement. Through the influence of these new-comers 
the name of the place was changed a few years ago to Delmar. 

Normansville is a hamlet where a post-office of that name has been 
established in recent years, which was formerly called Upper Hollow, 
in distinction from Lower Hollow, or Kenwood. The hamlet is situ- 
ated on both sides of the Normanskill, and through the water power 
supplied by that stream considerable manufacturing came into existence 
here in early years, some of which survived to later times. The Nor- 



manskill at this point has cut a deep ravine through the soil and down 
to the rock, over which it flows with a gradual descent. At the time 
of the construction of the Albany and Delaware turnpike it passed 
across this ravine on a wooden bridge ; this was carried away by a 
freshet in 1868, and the town erected an iron one in the next year, the 
turnpike company having given up the toll road. The construction of 
that road and the opening of a toll house at the west end of the bridge 
led Isaac Stiles to open a tavern for the accommodation of travelers on 
the turnpike. Soon afterward and about 1820 he erected a saw mill, 
into a portion of which was placed machinery for carding wool and 
dressing cloth, and for cutting dye-woods. S. Congdon and A. B. 
Sweet were later owners of these mills, which were nearly destroyed by 
a freshet while in possession of the latter. He rebuilt and engaged in 
manufacturing straw paper. At a later date the property passed to F. 
Hinckle, who began manufacturing potato starch. This business was 
finally abandoned. 

On the west side of the creek, below the bridge, James McCormick 
built a grist mill about 1 820. Nathaniel Sawyer was a later owner, 
and put in carding and dye-wood machinery. The property subse- 
quently passed to Henry Arnold, and was ultimately burned. Mr. 
Arnold rebuilt and sold to other persons, the mill finally becoming the 
property of Heman Hardy, who put in wrapping paper machinery and 
has since carried on that business, excepting at intervals. A hotel is 
conducted at Ncrmansville by Charles Smith. 

Kenwood, or Lower Hollow, is a suburban village built up below the 
falls of the Normanskill and near where it enters the Hudson. Settle- 
ment at this point was coincident with that of Albany, beginning with 
that of Andriesen Bradt, who built a mill here in 1630 which remained 
in possession of members of the faniil)- until 1678. After the close of 
the Revolution the Van Rensselaers built mills here for grinding, saw- 
ing lumber, wool carding, cloth dressing, etc. These mills passed under 
ownership of many persons and eventually were abandoned or burned. 
A large knitting mill was operated for a time in more recent years, which 
was burned and a factory for the manufacture of felt cloth and blankets 
established, which was also destroyed by fire a few years ago. The fac- 
tory has not been rebuilt. A large flouring mill was erected about 1884 



495 

south of the bridge, which is now a part 6f the estate of Mrs. Sarah R. 
Townsend and is operated by Frank Chamberlain who took possession 
in 1892. A store is kept here by Thomas and John Cook, and a hotel 
by P. J. McManus. 

What is known as the old Cherry Hill mansion was formerlj' the res- 
idence of Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer. That family owned most of 
the lands in this immediate vicinity in early years. Mount Hope, a 
commanding elevation rising to the west of the Hudson, was long the 
property of Ezra P. Prentiss, who made many improvements on his 
farm and its appurtenances. Joel Rathbone was long a resident of Ken- 
wood, and gave it its romantic name. The village is connected with 
Albany by electric cars. 

Hurstville, formerly called Log Tavern, is a mere hamlet two miles 
northwest of Albany on the Albany and New Scotland road. It was 
given its former name from the fact that a log tavern was kept by one 
of the first settlers, named Hagadorn. Later it took the name of Hurst- 
ville from William Hurst, who settled here in 1861. Urban Van Hart 
and William Gilbert were early settlers here. A hotel is kept by Will- 
iam Hurst; there is no other business. 

Selkirk is a post-office and hamlet, and a station on the West Shore 
Railroad in the southeastern part of the town, and takes its name from 
two or three Selkirk families who settled there The post-office was 
opened in 1883. and a store is kept by M. E. Skinner. Many Albanians 
have summer residences here. 

Becker's Corners is a post-office seven and a half miles from Albany 
on the Albany and South Bethlehem road, and takes its name from the 
Becker family, of which Albertus W. Becker, long the postmaster, is a 
member. A hotel, blacksmith shop, and toll gate with a dozen resi- 
dences make up the hamlet. 

Cedar Hill is a post office and hamlet eight miles below Albany on 
the river road and three fourths of a mile from the landing. The NicoU, 
Winne, Van Wie, Sill and Cooper families settled here early. The place 
takes its name from the cedar trees that once grew in the vicinity. 
Quite extensive docks have been constructed at the river, where ice is 
shipped in large quantities, and produce is bought and shipped. Barent 
Winne is engaged in this business Winne & Riker and the Kimmeys 
followed the same business earlier. 



■49G 

Glenmont is a station and post-office on the West Shore Railroad 
about a mile below Albany. Considerable moulding sand is shipped 
from here. There are no stores or other business interests in the place. 

The early school houses in this town, like those in neighboring com- 
munities, were built in almost every instance of logs, and the teaching, 
as well as the accommodations, was primitive and unsatisfactory. One 
of the first of the log school houses in Bethlehem was situated on the 
Nicolls farm, at Cedar Hill. It was in existence almost or quite at the 
beginning of the century, and it is a tradition that the scholars were 
permitted to go out of doors to witness the first passing of Fulton's 
steamboat up the Hudson in 1807. That was then the only school 
house between the Coeymans line and Albany, and the district was so 
large that five have since been organized from it. Among the names 
of early teachers of Bethlehem are found those of Wallace, McCracken, 
Van Huysen, Goodhue, Talmage, Davis, Bennett, Smith, Nelson, Jacob 
K. Marshall, Hezekiah Burhans, Daniel Haynes, and others. Bethle- 
hem, with Coeymans and New Scotland, now constitute the first school 
commissioner district of the county and contains, as it has for many 
years past, fourteen districts, with a school house in each. In recent 
years the school buildings have been greatly improved, some being 
built of brick, and all are comfortable and convenient. 

The church organizations of Bethlehem date frem the last century, 
the earliest one being the First Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, 
which later became the First Reformed Church, which was organized in 
1793. In the next year Solomon Van Rensselaer gave this society 100 
acres of land, which has been known as the parsonage farm. Christian 
Bork was the first pastor of whom there is record. It is not known just 
when the first church building was erected, and the present one has 
been in use many years. In 1841 a Reformed church was erected at 
Adamsville (or Adams Station) At that time many members of the 
Union Reformed Church, at Unionville, who lived at considerable dis- 
tance from their church, proposed the erection of a chapel at Adams- 
ville. Nathaniel Adams generously donated an acre of land for a 
church site and the chapel was erected. Preaching was maintained as 
a branch of the Unionville society. In 1847, forty four members of 
the Unionville society petitioned for the organization of a church at 



497 

Adams Station. On January lo, 1848, the Consistory of the Union- 
vilie society resolved to grant the request of the petitioners, to deed to 
the Adamsville people the church property there, and also to appoint 
two commissioners to report their proceedings to the Classis. The or- 
ganization of the new society was then perfected. Elders Leonard G. 
Ten Eyck, and Peter Hilton, and Deacons William H. Slingerland and 
Joel Van Allen, of Union church, were constituted a distinct consistory 
for the new church, and on February 3, 1848, they certified to the title 
of the organization as The Second Reformed Dutch Church in the town 
of Bethlehem. In March, 1848, a call was extended to Rev. John A. 
Lansing, who came and served the society twelve years. During his 
pastorate and in 1851 the parsonage was built on land adjoining the 
church edifice. The church itself was enlarged and improved in 1859, 
and again in 1879. In 1884 an addition was built for the use of the 
Sabbath school and social purposes. 

In the year 1822 a number of churches seceeded from the Reformed 
Dutch Church through differences in doctrine, and organized them- 
selves into the Classis of Union, with the title of True Reformed Dutch 
Church. About 1827 a society of this organization was formed in 
Bethlehem. The church edifice was erected near Bethlehem Center in 
1854. The first pastor was Henry Bellinger and he remained with the 
church fifty years. The first church officers were Peter Kimmey, Storm 
Vanderzee, and David Kimmey. The Classis of Union is composed of 
six churches, one in each of the counties of Albany, Fulton, Mont- 
gomery, Rensselaer, Rockland, and Schoharie. 

The First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem was organized Novem- 
ber 3,183s, by Rev. John H.Campbell, D D.,^nd Rev. William P. Davis, 
with fifty- three members. The first pastor was Rev. William P. Davis, 
who was ordained in December, 1835. The first house of worship was 
erected in the same year; it was enlarged and refitted in 1869 at a cost 
of $4,000. A parsonage belongs to the church. The property is situ- 
ated about one and a half miles west of Hurstville. The first elders of 
the society were Jonathan E. Walley, John R. Bullock, Volkert V. 
Bullock. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at Adams Station was organized 
about 1830, and a house of worship was erected in 1833. Rev. Henry 



498 

Williams was the first pastor. Among the early members were Helmes 
Hotaling, Daniel Clark, John Oliver and his wife, Benjamin Holmes 
and his wife, William Coughtry and his wife, James Sigsbee and a Miss 
Patterson. In 1850 a second church was built east of the school house ; 
it was taken down in 1871 by a portion of the congregation causing a 
division in the church. This resulted in the building of another Metho- 
dist church at Adamsville in 1873. The first pastor of the new organ- 
ization was Rev. Peter B. Harrower. When the division just referred 
to was made, or soon afterward, the part of the congregation that did 
not leave the old society erected a church at Slingerlands. The edifice 
is of brick, with Sabbath school and lecture room, and cost $9,000 
The first officers of this society were David Couse, John Wademan, 
Robert Frasier, Hezekiah Van Buren, David Winne, John Ostrander, 
and William Simmons. Rev. D. B. McKenzie was the first pastor. 

The Methodist Episcopal church at South Bethlehem, is the out- 
growth of the first society of this faith organized in the town. In No- 
vember, 1823, was dedicated the first church edifice, which stood a 
short distance east of Becker's Corners. In 1824 the following trustees 
were chosen : Robert D. Carhart, president ; Isaac S. Wright, treas- 
urer; Joel Squires, secretary; John Ten Eyck, Hugh Jolly, William 
Cooper, Joshua Poor. Bradley H. Glick was the first preacher. In 
1845 this building was taken down and the materials in part used in 
the erection of another church at South Bethlehem, which was dedi- 
cated in 1846. The first trustees of this society were Hugh Jolly, Jehoi- 
chim Spawn, Hercules Baddo, Charles Chapman. Cornelius Waggo- 
ner was secretary and treasurer, and the first pastor was Reuben H. 
Bloomer. 

A Free chapel was erected in 1877 near Cedar Hill, which was used 
by Christians of any denomination. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

THE TOWN OP'^ BERNE. 

The town of Berne lies upon the Helderberg Mountains on the west- 
ern border of the county, and is the central one of the three western 
towns. Along the northern part is a ridge that rises abruptly from the 
Foxenkill in three spurs which bear the local names of Grippy, Irish 
Hill, and Uhai ; the first of these names has an unknown origin ; the 
second is from the number of Scotch-Irish settlers in that vicinity, and 
the third signifies high garden, from the Indian language. The south- 
ern and western parts of the town are hilly, with rocky ravines among 
the highlands, in the beds of which flow small streams. The principal 
streams are the P'oxenkill and the Switzkill ; the first rises in the 
eastern part of the town and flows westerly, partly underground, to- 
wards Warner's Lake, and thence into Schoharie Creek. The Switzkill 
rises in Westerlo, flows northward and empties into the Foxenkill. On 
these streams have been built extensive saw mills and grist mills neces- 
sary for the community. Along the banks of the creeks the soil is very 
fertile; on the hillsides is found excellent grain land, while among the 
mountains it is in many places light and suitable only for meagre 
pasturage. 

The Beaverdam, so called, divided into the upper and lower, extends 
from the East Berne to the West Berne hamlet. The dam itself was 
on the Foxenkill, at a point near the residence of George Schell, and 
early gave its name to the Dutch church in that vicinity and to the 
villages along the valley. 

Warner's Lake covers about one hundred acres and is situated a mile 
north of the hamlet of East Berne; it took its name from Johannes and 
Christopher Warner, who early settled on its banks and the descendants 
of whom still live in the vicinity. Thompson's Lake, which received its 
name from John and William Thompson, is about one hundred acres 



in extent and lies in the extreme northeast part of the town, extending 
over into the town of Knox. This lake has in recent years become 
quite a popular resort. 

Mineral springs of considerable importance exist in Berne, two of 
which are mentioned in an early geological report. These are on land 
owned in recent years by Jacob Hochstrasser. The water is strongly 
sulphurous. Other springs of similar character are in the valley of the 
Switzkill and there is also one on the farm of Thomas J. Wood. At 
Riedsville is a spring.impregnated with carbonate of iron and sulphureted 
hydrogen. 

The town of Berne was apportioned from Rensselaerville March 17, 
1795, and included the territory of the town of Knox, which was set off 
from Berne February 28, 1822. The territory of Berne was a part of 
the Van Rensselaer Manor and now contains 38,942 acres of land. 

In the strife between the Tories and Indians and the patriotic colo- 
nists, at least two stockades were built within the limits of what is now 
Berne; one of these was near the Petrus Weidman house in Berne vil- 
lage, and another on the Adam I. Deitz farm in the Switzkill valley. 
This town was the scene of a bloody deed during the Revolutionary 
war that distinguishes it in that respect from all the other towns of 
Albany county. Johannes Deitz, the pioneer, was an ardent patriot 
in the cause of independence ; his family were his wife, his son and his 
son's wife, with four young children, and with them was a man servant 
and a boy named John Brice. This family were massacred by Indians 
and tories in 1780. The grist mill of Jacob Weidman was then the only 
one at all near and was about five miles from the scene of the massacre. 
The Brice family, then living at Rensselaerville, sent their young son Robert 
to this mill with a grist; with him were several other lads on a similar 
errand. Evening approached before the grinding was finished and all 
the boys excepting young Brice decided to remain with the miller all 
night. The farm of Johannes Deitz was situated midway between the 
mill and the Brice home, and when the lad reached that point he con- 
cluded to remain all night and enjoy the company of his brother John. 
As the boy reached the gate of the lane leading to the Deitz house an 
Indian sprang out of his concealment, seized the horse's bridle and led 
the animal directly towards the house. As they passed the barn the 



501 

lad began to realize wliat had taken place, for he saw the dead body of 
Mr. Deitz prostrate and covered with blood, while between the barn 
and the house lay the bodies of Mrs Deitz. the son's wife, four children 
and a servant girl. About fifteen Indians were busy in their work of 
plundering the house. Capt. William Deitz, son of Johannes, and the 
boy John Brice, were tied to a near-by apple tree. 

Finishing their terrible work, the Indians set fire to the building and 
then started with their prisoners and horses along the path towards 
Rensselaerville. The first night they camped within a mile of the Brice 
residence, and on the morning of the second day continued on to 
Potter's Hollow, Oak Hill, Middleburgh, Breakabeen, Harpersfield, 
through the Susquehanna valley, and eventually reached Canada. 
When news of the massacre reached the Schoharie garrison, scouting 
parties were at once sent out and in the pursuit, when near Middle- 
burgh, the Indians were so closely pressed that several were wounded 
by the scouts and their horses and plunder were abandoned. The 
sufferings of the prisoners on their long journey were almost indescriba- 
ble. To his physical torture was added the mental horror to Captain 
Deitz of seeing the scalps of his family dangling before his eyes. The 
trials of this journey and his losses and sorrow so broke him down that 
he died at Niagara while in confinement. The two Brice boys returned 
home after an absence of three years. The bodies of the massacred 
family were buried in one grave by Lieut. Johan Jost Deitz, a relative, 
sent from the lower fort for the purpose, on the eastern side of the line 
wall of the Pine Grove cemetery. 

Settlement was begun in this town by eight families named Weidman, 
Zeh, Ball, Deitz, Knieskern, Shultes, Bassler, and Hochstrasser. Jacob 
Weidman is believed to have been the pioneer of party ; he came from 
Berne, Switzerland (from which fact the town received its name), with 
his wife and four sons and settled here as early as 1750. The party 
were guided to their destination along the trail leading towards Scho- 
harie by an Indian. They finally reached the site of Knox village, 
where a difference of opinion arose as to who should be recognized as 
the leader; from this incident came the name " Fechtberg," or fighting 
hill, applied to that locality. There is good authority for believing that 
this dispute led to a division of the party, some going on to Schoharie and 



502 

the remainder settling in Berne. This presumption does not conflict 
with the common belief "that this town was settled from Schoharie, as 
it is known that some of the families who located in that county returned 
to Berne. 

Jacob Weidman took up lands on the banks of the Foxenkill, on the 
site of Berne village, a tract of several hundred acres. He was a practical 
miller and selected his location with a view to establishing saw and 
grist mills, which he did as soon as practicable. Weidman's Mills 
were known as early as 1787, and were a great convenience to the 
pioneers. The mill property consisted of thirty acres of land and was 
leased to Mr. Weidman, in 1790, for sixteen years at a rental of £^ ; at 
the end of that term it was again leased for ten years at a rental of i;'30. 
Mr. Weidman was a prominent citizen and one of the founders of the 
Reformed church. 

Frederick Bassler, the pioneer, was from Basle, Switzerland, and was 
one of the Palatinates who left his country to escape religious intoler- 
ance. The family in this country continued to represent the high char- 
acter and influence that distinguished them across the ocean. 

Of the other pioneers, the Deitz family settled for the most part in 
the valley of the Switzkill and they and their descendants were reputa- 
ble in the community. Hendrick Ball, the head of the family of that 
name, settled on the farm occupied in recent years by Stephen Ball. 
Hendrick Knieskern settled where Jacob Knieskern lived. The Zeh 
family located mostly along the Foxenkill from what is known as the 
Boarding House to the village of East Berne. 

Matthias Shultes, the head of that line in this region, took up over 
400 acres of land along the northeast side of the West Mountain on the 
road passing the John and Allen Shultes farm. 

Jacob Hochstrasser was a man of superior intellect and energy and 
exercised a strong influence on the community in early days. He was 
the first supervisor and the first justice of the peace of his town, and 
owned a large tract of land where the White Sulphur Springs House 
stands. 

Following these pioneers, whose coming heralded civilization and 
the peace and prosperity of later days, came other elements of citizen- 
ship. In 1 790 three Sooth- Irish families named Hay,^ Young and Curran 

Kov- - 



503 

settled a large tract of land on Irish Hill, the beginning of a useful part 
of the community. The Filkins and Conger families came a little later, 
the latter occupying land in and near Reidsville. 

After the close of the Revolutionary war the New England element 
came into the town with the advent of the Gallup, Whipple, Crary, 
Brown, and Williams families. Samuel Gallup came from Groton, 
Conn., in 1786 and purchased a large farm near the Whipple Cemetery 
in what is now the town of Knox. His son Nathaniel became one of 
the most conspicuous citizens of the town ; was town clerk fourteen 
years, a justice nineteen years, and the ancestor of numerous descend- 
ants who have been prominent in the community. 

Malachi Whipple came from Stonington, Conn., about 1793, and 
passed a useful life on what was long known as the Whipple farm. 
This was long considered the model farm of Albany county and took 
several premiums at fairs. In 1825 Mr. Whipple removed to Berne 
village, where he purchased the grist mill property and other real 
estate, and together with William H. Ball and Lyman Dwight built a 
carding and fulling mill. Mr. Whipple held many positions of trust. 

Miner Walden came from Vermont in 1797 and became a useful citi- 
zen of Berne. He established what was probably the first carding 
machine, and also carried on a mercantile business. He was many 
years a justice of the peace and was universally respected. 

Moses Patten was from Londonderry, N. H., and came to this town 
in 1820. He was a graduate of Union College and had studied law. 
He served as town clerk, justice of the peace, supervisor, school com- 
missioner, and vv^as for many years a merchant at Berne village. Being 
elected surrogate of the county Mr. Patten moved to Albany, where he 
died in 1867, after a busy life. James Patten, brother of Moses, was a 
graduate of Bowdoin College, studied law, and settled in Berne in 
1829. He held various town offices, and with his brother formed the 
mercantile firm that was so long successful. Later in life he gave his 
attention to the management of a fine farm. He died at his home in 
Berne in 1886. 

Col. Jesse Wood was the first of this family to settle near Berne vil- 
lage. He was from Long Island and very early in the century settled 
in the eastern part of this town, where he afterwards became a prom- 



504 

inent citizen. He rose to the ranl< of colonel in the war of 1812, and 
lield the offices of supervisor and member of assembly. In 1S37 he 
sold his homestead and moved to a farm near the village of Berne. 
John M. Wood was his nephew and was adopted by him. The latter was 
father of Thomas J. Wood, one of the leading citizens of the town. 

Jacob Settle was engaged in mercantile business in Berne from 18 12 
to 1864, in which he was uncommonly successful. He was prominent 
in public affairs, held the offices of justice, supervisor, member of as- 
sembly, and was for thirty five years postmaster. It was largely through 
his influence that the plank road was constructed through this town 
from Schoharie, and connected with the Albany road. He was in 
every way a public spirited and valuable citizen. 

These pioneers and their associates laid well the foundations of the 
later prosperity of the town, established its industries and founded its 
simple government. Of the dwellings built in the early years, succeed- 
ing the first log houses, there are some still remaining that are worthy 
of mention. The house in which Thomas J. Wood now resides bears 
the date of 1795, with initials, P. F. The dwelling once occupied by 
Frederick Zeh was erected about the same time, and so was that of 
Nathaniel Gallup. The house formerly owned by the Widow Fairlee 
and now owned by the Mattice brothers, in the village of Berne, was 
built as a tavern in 1809, and was used as a recruiting station in the 
war of 18 1 2. The largest and finest of the early residences stood on 
the site of the Jacob P. Warner dwelling, and was built about 1800 by 
Petrus Weidman ; it contained ten fire places, five rooms in the cellar 
and large halls. 

Of the business industries of the town tlie store of Johannes Fischer 
was probably the first, and was conducted in the building occupied in 
recent years by Thomas J. Wood. Stephen Willes, one of the Connec- 
ticut pioneers, established a store in town as early as 1800; he is re- 
membered as a shrewd and successful merchant, and his place of busi- 
ness was on the site of the Hiram Warner residence, a mile from the 
village of East Berne, where he built a large dwelling in the New Eng- 
land style ; his business increased rapidly and he soon erected a store 
across the road. Near by was an ashery and a tannery. On the north 
side of the creek he established a whisky distillery, a very necessary 



505 

institution in those times, and saddle, harness and shoe shops. In 1825 
he opened a second store in the village of East Berne, to compete 
with Albert and Benjamin Gallup. Major Willes held several town 
offices and was member of the assembly. 

In 1803 Dr. Almeric Hubbell, who was son in law of Petrus Weid- 
man, began conducting a store on the site of the Edward Settle resi- 
dence. Miner Walden, who has been mentioned, began his mercantile 
life in the basement of a house tiiat is now a part of the E. V. Filkins 
estate, johan Deitz kept a store on the site of the Peter Bassler resi- 
dence in 1812, andin 1 3 16 took Jacob Settle into partnership ; they did 
a large business, and it is said that fourteen barrels of potash sold by 
them that year in New York netted over $600. 

The first mill in town, that of Jacob VVeidman, was situated near the 
site of the later grist mill of Francis Becker. Mr. VVeidman also had 
a saw mill near by. Another mill was built soon after the first by Johannes 
and Christopher Warner, near the site of the East Berne school house, 
being built probably as early as 1765. About 1790 Jacob Post, one of 
the pioneers, erected a mill near the site of West Berne village, and Asa 
Culver (or Culvard) had a cloth mill at about the same time at what is 
now South Berne. Other factories for the carding of wool and manu- 
facture of cloth in early days were those of Miner Walden and William 
H. Ball. Around these various early industries sprang up the hamlets 
and villages which became the centers of such trade as was required by 
the people. 

Francis Becker's mill, before mentioned, is still in operation in Berne 
village, having been built by Malachi Whipple in 1832, and does a large 
grinding business. The mill of Moses A. Gallup, at East Berne, is the 
largest in the county outside of Albany. It was planned and built by 
Clark, Decker & Gardner in 1858, for Truman Lobdell ; it is five stories 
high, has four run of stones, an immense overshot wheel and all the 
appurtenances of a modern grist mill. Mr. Gallup has also a saw mill 
and a shingle mill. 

The mill of Jacob Miner Hochstrasser is on the site originally occu- 
pied by a building erected previous to the beginning of the century, in 
which was first a carding machine, then a shoe peg factory, and later a 
plant for grinding and finishing axes; still later it was a furniture 



506 

factory and at last about fifteen years ago was transformed into a grist 
mill, which was operated by both steam and horse power. It was 
burned down but soon rebuilt and passed from the ownership of Truman 
Lawton to Leslie Allen, and from him to Mr. Hochstrasser. 

A mill was built at South Berne in 1855 and rebuilt by Elias Zeh in 
1884; it was burned in 1895. The foundry conducted in former years 
by Henry Engle was afterwards used for a tannery in which John 
Rossiter, Jacob D. Settle and Oscar Tyler carried on business. It was 
next used as a furniture factory and finally as a saw mill, and is now 
owned by Watson Chesebro. It is located at Heme village. 

In the history of the town of Watervliet and Cohoes is found an ac- 
count of the axe facory of Daniel Simmons after it was removed from 
Berne. Mr. Simmons settled in Berne as a blacksmith in 1831, com- 
ing from Bethlehem. He began business in the shop of Henry Engle, 
but soon turned his attention to the making of axes on his anvil, ham- 
mering them out by hand. He made them so superior to others then 
obtainable that he soon acquired an extended reputation. He gained 
the confidence of responsible men, among whom were Jacob Settle, 
Malachi Whipple, Jacob Weidman, Moses Patten, Johan Jost Deitz and 
William Schnell, who supplied him with capital to establish a large concern. 
A large building was erected in 1825 on the north side of the creek, a 
trip hammer put in and a prosperous business started. A second build- 
ing for a tempering shop extended across the stream, and a third, which 
ultimately became the lower grist mill, was the place where the grinding 
and polishing was done. A fourth structure, one hundred feet long was 
erected in 1830, which contained a triphammer, forges, etc. Twenty- 
one forges were at one time in operation, and two hundred men were 
employed. Large quantities of charcoal were used, giving employment 
and a source of income to many of the inhabitants. In the height of 
his business here Mr. Simmons purchased the Fischer farm and occu- 
pied it, with his brothers, Baltus and Jonas. He also erected the build- 
ing once used by E. M. Shultes as a tavern. The Simmons axes found 
ready sale over a wide extent of territory, some of them being shipped 
as far away as Africa and Asia. But the transportation problem was 
a serious one, and the larger the business grew, the more onerou.s was 
the burden ; the firm became heavily involved and in 1833 made an 



assignment to Moses Patten, and Simmons soon moved to Colioes, where 
he died in 1881. Many of the best men of the village were left almost 
penniless by the failure. The firm of Coates & Smith, merchants, 
abandoned their store after the failure. 

The character of agriculture in this town has not materially changed 
from early times. Mi.xed farming is the rule. About twenty years ago 
there was some effort made to establish dairying and especially cheese- 
making, on a more extensive basis. A cheese factory was built in 
1878 on the farm of Thomas J. Wood, near Berne village. The busi- 
ness was promoted by James W. Hart, who had followed it in Madison 
county. This factory was successful and is still in operation. A 
second factory was built at East Berne in 1884, for the manufacture of 
both cheese and butter and was for some time in charge of Mr. Hart ; 
but it was abandoned. 

The village of Berne is situated on the old Weidman mill property, 
which consisted of thirty acres in the northern part of the town, and 
was known as Beaverdam for some years after the first settlement. In 
18 17 Henry Engle opened a tavern here west of tlie site of the Walter 
Whipple residence. This house was called Corporation Inn and was 
long a popular resort. The village was also known for a time as Cor- 
poration. The name Berne was given when the post-office was estab- 
lished in 1825 Jacob Settle established a store here in 18 17, and the 
business descended to Theodore Settle, who still conducts it. Charles 
E. Deitz's store was started by Moses Patten in 1828, and for many 
years was conducted by Moses and James Patten and came into the 
hands of the present owner in 1859. The store of Shultes & Adams 
was built for a hotel by Daniel Simmons in 1824, and was kept in 
recent years by E. M. Shultes, who took it in 1859; the property is 
owned by Mrs. Ira Fairlee. The store now occupied by J. W. Hart & 
Son was built for a grocery by Oscar Tyler in 1840. He was succeed 
ed by Samuel H. Davis, who continued in trade until his death in 1874. 
The property was soon leased to Rhinehart & Hochstrasser, who were 
followed by the present proprietors On the site occupied by a fur 
hat factory in early years, conducted by Conrad Truax, a tailor shop 
was later established with which a mercantile business was afterwards 
connected. William Ball carried on the business in recent years, but it 



was finally closed up. Rhinehart & Shultes's store was erected in 
1872 by Joseph Wilsey, who had a saloon there and was succeeded by 
N. H. Dayton and Edwin Wilsey in the grocery trade. The present 
proprietors bought the property and in 1878 began trade in boots and 
shoes, clothing, and watches and jewelry. The store of George Hallen- 
beck was built by Daniel Wright in 1838, who had a furniture store and 
did undertaking. Isaac Hallenbeck continued the business from 1852 to 
1872; the building was burned down but rebuilt by the present pro- 
prietor. Ira Witter is the sole hotel keeper of Berne. There is another 
hotel, which is now empty, that was built by Z. A. Dyer, whose son, 
James B , was its last proprietor, running it down to 1895. 

Other business men of this village were : blacksmiths, Uriah G. Davis, 
1865-85; Sylvanus Weidman, 1S82-85 ; and Anthony Carey from 
1885. John Hochstrasser, stoves and tin ware, 1865-85 ; saddlery and 
harness, Esli Whipple and his son, Walter, from 1840; ¥..V. P'ilkins 
attorney, 1851-55; John D. White, from 1881 ; physicians, Isaac S. 
Becker, 1857; Wallace E. Deitz, from 1883. 

The hamlet of West Berne is situated on the Lower Beaverdam in 
the northwestern part of the town and near the site of Post's mill It was 
formerly called Mechanicsville, about 1830-35, from the numerous me- 
chanics residing there. It then took the name of Peoria, given it by 
Paul Settle, the miller, who owned property in Peoria, 111. When the 
post office was established it was given the name of West Berne. The 
oldest residence in the place is that of John D. Haverly, which was built 
by William Shultes about 1800. Levi Ewings manufactured hats here in 
1850, on the site of the present harness shop. The grocery of William 
Posson was established in 1824 by Peter Settle, and that of the Wool- 
ford Brothers by Paul I. Cannaday in 1854. Charles Blade kept a 
store here for some years. Taverns are kept by Joseph Lee and G. W. 
Steiner. Albert Becker keeps a grocery and is postmaster. 

The village of East Berne is situated on the F"oxenkill, a little 
northeast of the center of the town. It first bore the name of Warner's 
Mills and took its present name when the post office was opened 
in 1825. Locally it has been called Philley, a name given it by 
Elnathan Stafford who kept a tavern in 1820 and sent to Philadel- 
phia for his liquors. Nathaniel, Albert and Benjamin Gallup began a 



509 

mercantile business here in 1825, and in opposition Stephen Willes be- 
gan trading on the opposite side of the street. Albert Gallup bought 
out Willes soon afterward and formed the firm of Seabury & Gallup, 
who continued trade until 1842, when they were succeeded by Adam J. 
Warner, who kept a store and hotel together. This business is still fol- 
lowed and has been for many years in the Willsey hotel, kept by E. B. 
Willsey. The business of Nathaniel and Benjamin Gallup passed 
through several changes in ownership and finally to Z. A. Dyer in 1857; 
from him it passed to his son-in-law, Frank Strevell, in 1871. The lat- 
ter still keeps a store, as also does Justin Dyer, who is postmaster. Z. A. 
Dyer was in the practice of law here many years from 1854. 

South Berne is a small hamlet in the southern part of the town on the 
site of the old mill property of Asa Culver. These mill buildings were 
burned a few years ago. This place was called Centreville previous to 
1825, and also has the local name of Mud Hollow, from the swampy 
nature of the soil in that vicinity. John P. Snyder began a grocery 
business here in 1817, and Daniel Lounsberry carried on a tannery. In 
1882 Alexander McKinley, previously a wagon maker, opened a tavern. 
A little later Zebulon Holdridge opened a blacksmith shop and Ebene- 
zer Denison had a grocery and an ashery. Henry H. Lawson began 
trade here in 1828 and James ISabcock in the next year. Moses Barber 
built a carding mill in company with James Parish, in 1830, and manu- 
factured satinet cloth. The store conducted in recent }'ears by North- 
rop & Ball was built in 1866 by Joseph Deitz for a wheelwright shop. 
The store conducted by J. Swarthout was built in 1835. There is very 
little present business here ; George Sellick and Elias Zeli have small 
stores. 

The hamlet of Reidsville is situated in the extreme southeastern part 
of the town, and took its name from Alexander Reid, who settled there 
in 1828, and opened the first tavern. About the same time Frederick 
Ward and James Anderson established a store, the firm afterwards be- 
coming Ward & Conger. Alfred Hungerford kept a store in later 
years. 

In common with other towns in this county the records of early 
schools are of the most meagre description. It is known, of course, that 
there were early schools of primitive character taught in various parts 



510 

of the town, generally in log buildings for a number of years, when the 
first frame school buildings took their place. One of the old log school 
houses stood near the site of the old Lutheran church. Another was 
remembered by old residents as being built of unpeeled hemlock logs 
with a roof slanting only one way and made of bark. The changes 
in the character of school ofificers in early years has been described in an 
earlier chapter. In i8i2 a resolution was adopted in this town that 
" there shall be five hundred dollars raised in the town of Berne for the 
use of common schools in said town, to be appropriated to regular men's 
schools that will bear the inspection of a school committee." This was 
very liberal and progressive action for that early period. Changes 
were made as needed in the number of school districts ; but for many 
years it has remained practically stationary. There were twenty one 
districts in 1813 and the number was the same in i860; at the pres- 
ent time there are twenty with school houses. In 18 13 only $300 were 
appropriated for the town schools, and in 18 16, when there were thirty 
districts, only $494 were appropriated. This amount has gradually 
increased to about $2,000. The record embraces, of course, Berne 
and Knox until the latter was erected as a town. 

The establishment of the great Simmons axe factory led the inhabit- 
ants to look for a bright future for their town, one of the results of which 
was the founding of an academy in 1833 ; but the failure of the factory 
led to the abandonment of the plans after the timber for the building 
was on the ground. A select school was organized in 1882 which was 
placed under control of the following trustees: E. V. Filkins, president ; 
Thomas J. Wood, George H. Reinhart, Charles E. Deitz, Peter S. Ball, 
and Edwin M. Shultes. A room for the school was fitted up over the 
store of Theodore Settle an J it was placed in successful operation undtr 
Elmer G. Story, principal. 

The first religious organization in this town was the Reformed church 
of Beaverdam, which was formed in 1763, under the ministry of Rev. 
Johannes Schuyler, who was then in charge of the Schoharie church. 
The first consistory were : Adam Deitz, Jacob Ball, Jacob Weidman, 
and Caspar Stiner, elders; Johannes Deitz, Caspar Stiner, Hendrick 
Ball, and Roedolph Gasman, deacons. A small log church was built 
in 1765, on the site of Pine Grove cemetery, which stood until 1786, 



511 

when it was superseded by a frame structure. This was used until 1 830, 
when it was taken down and the material divided between the two con- 
gregationsat Berne and Beaverdam. This was wholly missionary ground 
until 1821. Rev. Mr. Schuyler occupied it forthirteen years until 1779, 
after whom came Rev. George W. Schneyder, who continued until 1790. 
Other missionaries followed until 1 82 1, when Rev, Cornelius Bogardus, 
the first regular pastor, was called. During his ministry the church 
farm was greatly improved. During the pastorate of Rev. J. H. Van 
Wagenen, 1 826-1 831, two churches were erected, and not long after- 
ward the two congregations, Beaverdam and Berne village, were sep- 
arated and with two consistories held the farm in common. Pastors fol- 
lowing Rev. Mr. Van Wagenen were Abram H. Myers, R. D. Van 
Kleek, William Demarest, Edwin Vedder, John C. Van Liew, Edward 
Miller, during the pastorate of the latter of whom the Beaverdam church 
was repaired at a cost of over $1,000. On January i, 1857, the parson- 
age in Berne was purchased, the church there paying $1,200, and that 
at Beaverdam, $300. The membership of the united churches is 250. 

The Lutheran church was organized about ^790, and a house of 
worship was soon afterward built on a farm midway between East 
Berne and Berne villages ; this farm was deeded to the congregation by 
the Patroon in 1797. The original trustees of the church property 
were Christian Zeh, Frederick Wormer, and Christian Zandt. The 
services and the records were in German until 1802, when English was 
adopted. The first missionary pastor was Rev. August Frederick 
Meier. Other missionaries succeeded until 1828, when this church and 
one in Guilderland were united and a call was given to Rev. Adam 
Crounse ; he accepted and served the congregation for nineteen years. 
Under his ministry the present brick church was built. During the 
pastorate of Rev. S. Curtis, 1836-1850, the parsonage was purchased. 
During the ministry of Rev. James Lefler, 1868-1876, a separate house 
of worship was erected in East Berne and dedicated in 1872. Two 
other churches have grown from this one — St. John's at P^ast Berne, 
and the Lutheran church at Gallupville in Schoharie county. 

The Second Reformed church at Berne was organized March 15, 
1826, by a committee appointed by the Albany Classis. Twenty- three 
members were then received by certificate from the church at New 



512 

Salem, and the following officers were ordained : Elders, Jacobus Van 
Deusen and John Shafer ; deacons, Cornelius Secor and Peter B. Winne. 
Until 1838 the church was served wholly by missionaries; in that year 
Rev. Hart E. Waring was called, and under him forty- one were re- 
ceived into fellowship. At a meeting held about this time a resolution 
was adopted uniting the two churches, the Second Berne and the Onis- 
quethau, and the combined congregations called Rev. Staats Van Sant- 
voord. The connection between the two societies was broken in 1841, 
and a union formed between the Berne church and the Presbyterian so- 
ciety at Knox. A joint call was then made upon Rev. Joseph Knies- 
kern, who served four years. This society is locally called the Secor 
church from its having been organized in the dwelling of Daniel Secor, 
and from the number of families of that name in the vicinity. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of South Berne was organized about 
1812, as the result of camp meeting revivals. Rev. Mr. Stead was the 
first pastor and supplied this church and one at Rensselaerville. The 
first house of worship was built a little south of Zeh's grist mill 
and was in use until IS/O, when a new building was erected, which is 
the one used at the present time. 

There was a Methodist church at Reidsville which was organized in 
1830 and had a feeble existence. The Methodist church at Berne 
village was organized July 11, 1845, and the house of worship erected 
soon afterward. The first trustees were Thomas Miller, Datus E. 
Tyler, Oscar Tyler, George Possing, Franklin Smith and Abram Ball. 
The society was actively promoted in its early years by Dr. H. K.Willard 
and Abram Ball, who acted alternately as president and secretary of 
the society until 1862. After that the church was maintained largely 
through the work of George E Shultes. The society has not been in 
active existence for some years. 

The First Christian church of this town is situated in Reidsville and 
was organized December 26, 1821, with fifteen members, In 1823 
through a revival there were forty- nine members added. After a period 
of decline the congregation was again enlarged with thirty seven mem- 
bers through a revival in 1832. In the following year the present church 
was built. About 1840, under the pastorate of Elder James Conkling, 
jr., another revival added sixty-four to the membership. In 1841 a 



513 

new confession of faith was signed by 156 members, taking the title, 
" Christian" as their only name and the Holy Scriptures as their only 
written rule of faith and practice. The society has ever since main- 
tained an active existence and now numbers nearly one hundred 
members. 

The Second Christian church was organized September 13, 1836, 
through the eftbrts of Elder A. L. Taylor. Meetings were held in school 
houses until the present church edifice was built ; it was dedicated Oc- 
tober 15, 1836, and has since been extensively remodeled and im- 
proved. The church is situated in the extreme southwest part of the 
town, owns a parsonage and has more than one hundred members. 

The Christian church of South Berne was organized in the Friends 
meeting house, east of the village, February 16, 1854, with twenty-four 
members, under the ministry of Elder Calvin Southwick. In the 
following year the old store north of the James Cornell building was 
purchased by four of the church members and services were there held 
until the completion of the present church edifice in 1864. Under the 
ministry of Elder D. P. Warner, 1856-1869, the society prospered, but 
in the past ten years it has declined. 

The supervisors of this town from its organization to the present time 
have been as follows : 

Jacob Hochstrasser, 1795, 1799; Amos Jones, 1796; Johan Jost Deitz, 1797, 1798, 
1801-1807, 1813, 1813, 1818; Benjamin Fowler, 1800; Abel Hinckley, 1808, 1809; 
Joshua Gallup, 1810, 1811; Malichi Whipple, 1814-1817, 1831, 1831, 1833; Gideon 
Taber, 1819, 1820; Jesse Wood, 1823, 1833; Stephen Willes, 1834 ; James D. Gard- 
ner, 1835, 1836, 1835; Chester Willes, 1837; Henry H. Lavvson, 1838, 1830; Albert 
Gallup, 1839; Daniel .Simmons, 1833; Lawrence Van Deusen, 1834; Moses Patten. 
1836-1838; John Warner, 1839; Jacob Settle. 1840, 1841; Henry I. Devoe, 1843. 1813, 
1860, 1861; Oscar Tyler, 1844, 1845; Samuel H. Davis, 1846, 1847, 1856, 1857; John 
I. Bogardus, 1848; Daniel G. Fisher, 1849; Henry A. Van Wie, 1850, 1851; Jackson 
King, 1853, 1853; Silas Wright. 1854, 1855; Z. A. Dyer, 1858, 1859; David Conger, 
1863, 1864, 1866; WilHam D. Strevell, 1863; David S. Dyer, 1865; Adam J. Warner, 
1867; James A. Reamer, 1868; Alfred Hungeford, 1869, 1870; William Zeh, 1871- 
1873; George H. Reinhart, 1874, 1875; Frederick W. Conger, 1877-1881; Thomas J. 
Wood, 1876, 1882-1887; Isaac White, 1888, 1889; Thomas J. Wood, 1890, 1891, 1892; 
Calvin S. Dyer. 1893-95; Wallace A. Peasley, 1896-present time. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

THE TOWN OF GUILDERLAND. 

Guilderland is the central of the three northern border towns of Albany 
county, and was formed from the town of Watervliet on February 26, 
1803, and contains about 33,000 acres, nearly 30,000 of which are im- 
proved. The surface of this town is greatly diversified. In the west- 
ern part the Helderbergs rise to a height of eight hundred feet above 
the valley levels, their walls in places being very precipitous. In the 
central part the surface is undulating, while in the eastern part there 
are the sand ridges that characterize all that region. The principal 
streams are the Norman's Kill and its branches, the Bozen Kill (a name 
derived from " Boos," angry, because of its rapids and falls). Black 
Creek, Wildehause Kill, and Hunger Kill. The lower course of the 
Norman's Kill in this town is through a narrow ravine, with steep clay 
banks. The soil of the town is light and sandy in the eastern part, and 
gravelly loam mixed with clay in the western part. 

In accordance with the law erecting the town the first town meeting 
was held on April 5, 1803, at the house of Henry Apple, and the fol 
lowing ofificers were elected : 

.Supervisor, Nicholas V. Mynderse; town clerk, Peter C. Veeder; assessors, Isaac 
Van Aernam. Abraham Veeder, Peter Relyea ; commissioners of highways, David 
Ogsbury, Frederick Crounce, Charles Shaver; overseers of the poor, Jacob Van 
Aernam, Simeon Relyea; collector, Henry Ostrander; constables, Frederick Seger, 
Asa Hutchinson, Peter Tarpennmg. Jasper Hilton ; poundmaster, Volkert Jacobson ; 
fence viewers, Nicholas Van Patten, Asa Hutchinson, Peter Traber, Robert Grey; 
overseers of highways, Jacob La Grange, Peter La Grange, Thomas Mesick, Nicho- 
las Van Patten, John Groat, Peter Traber, Amos Goodfellow, James M. La Grange, 
Isaac Van Aernam, Benjamin Wilbore, James Piatt, John Murray, Walter Vrooman, 
Adam Hilton, Matthias Hallenbeck, Peter Bowman, George Brown, Abraham Veeder, 
Ezra Spalding. 

The usual regulations were adopted at that meeting for the simple 
town government. Fence viewers were voted $1.25 per day, and $30 



bounty was voted for killing wolves. The election of senators and 
assemblymen in the town took place on April 26-28 of that year; the 
records show that for senator 72 votes were given for John Tayler ; 67 
for John Woodworth ; 6^ for Simon Veeder ; 67 for Edward Savage; 
6y for Thomas Treadwell ; 46 for Stephen Lusk ; 47 for Moses Vail ; 
47 for Daniel Paris; 47 for Ebenezer Clark; 44 for William Bailey. 

In the vote for assemblymen (^Q were given for James Emmott; 66 
for M. Schermerhorn ; 66 for John Beekman, jr.; 66 for John Jost 
Deitz ; 66 for Peter S. Schuyler ; 66 for Moses Smith ; i for Nathan 
Stanton; 3 for John Jackson ; 96 for Peter Gansevoort, jr.; 97 for Henry 
Quackenbush ; 96 for Nathan Dayton ; 94 for John Jackson, jr.; 96 for 
Nathaniel Gallup ; 97 for Isaac D. Ver Plank ; i for Nathan Gallup, and 
1 for Peter Gansevoort. 

Settlement in this town was considerably advanced previous to the 
Revolutionary war, at which time there had come in families named 
Crounce, Van Wormer, Severson, Van Aernam, Fredericks, Van Pat- 
ten, Groat, Livingston, Winne, Becker, Ogsbury, Truax, Van Alstine, 
Van Valkenburg, Henderson, Hart, Barckley, Hilton, Fryer, and 
others. Many of these names are familiar ones in the town at the 
present time. By the beginning of the present century the territory 
in this section was well populated and mills and stores, schools and 
churches, and the clustering hamlets that later became villages had 
been established. As will be seen by the character of the names of 
early residents, most of the settlers were Dutch, from whom came the 
great majority of the pioneers of the county. The following list gives 
the names of all residents of this town in 1803 who were qualified to 
serve as jurors, and of course includes almost or quite all of the male 
mature residents, of whom all those not otherwise designated were 
farmers : 

Job Earls, Abraham Bartlett, Abraham Van Wie, Simon Relyea, Leva Relyea, 
I.saac W. Fryer, David Relyea, jr., George Brown, Peter Veeder, Christian Truax, 
jr. (innkeeper), Lawrence Van Kleeck, Abraham Turk, John Banker, John Joice, 
James La Grange, John Van Schaick, Jonas Smith, Petrus Van Patten, Abraham 
Kelder, Jelles Truax, Albert Van Heusen, Abraham Spoor. Andrew Murray, Ezra 
Spalding, Frederick Mynderse, Robert Dollar, James Irwin, Reuben Earls, Peter La 
Grange, John Devoe, David Bogardus (carpenter), Jacob C. Truax, John Beebe, 
William Davis, Peter Wurmer, John Fryer, Aaron Wurmer, Isaac A. Wurmer, 
Amos Goodfellow, Michael Van Schaick, Peter McDougall, Christopher Batternian 



516 

(innkeeper), Peter Becker, Henry Shaver, Nicholson Severson, John Shoiuly (black- 
smith), George Van Arnum, Henry Van Arnum, Frederick Crounce, Conrad 
Crounce, John Crounce, Martin Blessing, Matthias Hallenbeck, Nicholas Winne, 
John Mann, Garret Long (carpenter), Nicholas V. Mynderse (merchant), Henry 
Jacobson, Peter I. Livingston, Michael S. Frederick, Matthias Frederick, Jacob Rel- 
yea, John Bloemendall, Jacob La Grange, Samuel Covenhoven, Peter Van Aucken, 
Cornelius Van Valkenburgh, BarentVan Waggoner, David Ogsbury, Henry Apple, 
Peter Traber. Charles Traber, Henry Shoudy, Volkert Jacobson, Adam A. Vrooman, 
Nicholas A. Sixby, Thomas Beebe, John Weaver, jr., Philip Schell, Henry Van 
Schoonhoven, John N. Clute James Platto, Jacob N. Clute, Evert Van Arnum, 
George Scrapper, Andrew Spaarbeck, William Snyder, James Ray Charles Shaver, 
Martin Spearbeck, Isaac J. Van Arnum, Jacob Sitterly, Benjamin Wilbore, David 
Wilbore. James Shaw, Robert Grey, John Douglas. Simeon Lanehart, Henry Lane- 
hart, Thomas Van Arnum, John Jacob Van Arnum, John Lanehart, Obediah Cooper, 
Jacob M. De Forest, Garret O. Lansing. John M. Van Der Pool, Henry Van Auken, 
Levy Van Auken, John Howard, Adam Hilton, George Severson. John Hilton, Daniel 
Wolford, Henry 1. Schoonmaker, Henry Van Beuren, Charles H. Huner, Peter N. 
Van Patten (merchant), Michael Barclay, James McKee, Nicholas Beyer (innkeeper), 
William Hilton (carpenter), Philip Fetterly, John Whetsell, Benjamin Walker, 
Thomas Beaver, Vincent Springer. Benjamin Howe, Benjamin Howe, jr., John F. 
Quackenbush, Abraham P. Truax, John Ramsay, Frederick Ramsay, Philip Ram- 
say. Richard Ward, Christian Caley, jr., Bartholomew Sharp, John Sharp, John 
Waggoner, John Vine, Nathan Fitch, Thomas Mezeck, John Schell, William Von 
Arnum, Isaac Hallenbeck, Jacob Totten, John Ward, Silas Hotan, Peter Relyea, 
George Van Nest and Stephen Pankburn. 

A similar list, compiled in 1824, included the following names: 
George Batierman, Jonathan Brown, Simon Brodt, Thomas T. Beebe, Abijah 
Beebe, William S. Beebe, Martin Blessing, Adam Blessing, Peter Bloomindall, Adam 
Bloomindall, Abram Bartlett, jr., John Beebe, Jacob Bensen, Jonathan Becker, 
Thomas W. Beebe, James Cassidy. HenryCram, Philip Crounce, jr., Nicholas Crounce, 
Conrad Crounce, John Crounce, Jacob N. Clute, John N. Clute, William Clute, Chris- 
tian Caly, Adraham Cass, John Chase, Wilhelmus Devoe, Henry Frederick, Matthias 
M. Frederick, John I. Fryer, Jacob Fryer, William Fisher, Henry R. Furbeck, Abra- 
ham Fryer, Cornelius Goodfellow, Simon Grote, Jellis Gray, Peter Hilton, Jr., 
Gershom Hungerford, Isaac Hallenbeck, Jacob Hallenbeck, David Hart. James 
Hilton, Robert H. Howard, William Humphrey, James Houghton, Henry Jacobson, 
Jonathan Johnson, Frederick Kunholtz, Christopher Kunholtz, Jacob I. La Grange, 
Aaron Livingston, James M. La Grange, Peter I. Livingston, Peter Livingston, 
John I. Livingston, Andrew La Grange, Peter D. La Grange, Simeon Lanehart, 
Michael Lanehart, John F. Mynderse, John McKown, Jonathan Mynderse, Myndert 
Mynderse, John Mann, Cornelius Mann, John Merrick, Thomas Ostrander, John D. 
Ogsbury, David Ogsbury, jr., Peter Ogsbury, Andrew Ostrander, Barent Ostrander, 
Samuel Ostrander, Christian Ostrander, Stephen Pangburn, William Pangburn. jr., 
David Pratt, Isaac Quackenbush, John F. Quackenbush, Jacob Quackenbush, Myn- 
dert Relyea, Jacob D. Relyea, David Relyea, David L. Relyea, Levi Relyea, Giles 



517 

Higgles. David P. Relyea, Adam Relyea, Peter D. Relyea, John Shoudy, Martin 1. 
Siver, Jonas Smith, Jacob Spoor, Joseph Spoor, WilHam Spoor, John Shoudy, Jr., 
Nicholas Severson, Frederick Severson, George Severson, Adam Scrafford, Henry 
C. Shover, Christian Scrafford, Jacob Sitterly, Peter Shaver, John Shaip, Tunis 
Slingerland, Andrew Sharp, John H. Shaver, Jacob Schell, Abram Sitterly, Nicholas 
Snyder, Charles Scrafford, Charles Traber, F. Van Valkenburgh, Albert Van Heusen, 
John Van Husen, John Van Valkenburgh. Volkert Veeder, Simeon Veeder, Myndert 
Veeder, Nicholas P. Van Patten, Thomas Van Aernara, George Van Aernam, Henry 
Van Valkenburgh, Nicholas Van Valkenburgh, Nicholas A. Van Patten, Henry Van 
Aernam, John I. Van Patten, Simon Van Auken, John Van Waggoner, Richard 
Van Cleeok, Gershom Van Valkenburgh, Henry I. Vine, Aaron A. Van Wormer. 
Jeremiah Van Auken, Jacob Van Auken. Abraham Vanderpool, Cornehus Wormer, 
Peter Wormer, Noah S. Wood, JohnWeitzel, Cornelius H. Waldron, Peter Walker, 
Jes.se White, Peter Waggoner, John Westfall, John Ward, John W. Ward, Andrew 
I. Ward, Richard Walker, Jacob Weaver, John I. Weaver, Andrew Wilkins, James 
Wormer, Frederick Waggoner. 

One of the prominent early industries of Albany county was estab- 
lished in this town in 1792. A company was formed and a factory 
built at the site of Guilderland hamlet for the manufacture of window 
glass. It appears that the proprietors soon found themselves without 
sufficient capital, and application was made to the State for a loan. In 
1793 this was granted to the amount of ;£'3,ooo for eight years, during 
three of which no interest was to be paid, and after that five per cent. 
The company prospered and made plans for tlie founding of a large 
manufacturing center. In 1796 the land around and near the factory 
was laid out in streets and lots and the name of Hamilton given to the 
place, from the great statesman, Alexander Hamilton. Spaffbrd's Gaz- 
etteer of 1813, says : 

Guilderland contains a factory where are made 500,000 feet of window glass 
annually. 

Ikit it requires fuel to make glass, and as the wood was cleared away 
from that vicinity, heavy expense was incurred in drawing it from a 
distance, so that the business became unprofitable and the factory closed 
in 1815 

As roads were gradually laid out and improved, post routes and 
stage lines were established, and the old taverns were opened on the 
roadsides at frequent intervals. Jacob Aker, kept one of the early inns 
at the site of French's Mills in 1800. At that point, also, Peter French 
built a factory at the beginning of the century and cloth works were 
established in 1795 by Peter K. Broeck. 



518 

The excise record for the first year of the existence of the town as a 
civil organization, possesses interest of its own. The Hcenses were then 
granted under authority of a resoUition "That licenses and permits for 
retaiHng strong and spirituous liquors be granted to the following per- 
sons at the following rates of excise : " 

Christopher Batterman, on the Schoharie road, s().5(l. 

John Weaver on the State road, §7.50. 

Philip Scheie on the State road, §7. 

George Severson, on the Schoharie road, $7.50. 

Nicholas Beyer, on the Schoharie road, §5.50. 

John Danker, on the Schoharie road, §6. 

Peter Bowman, on the State road. §5.50. 

Frederick Seger, on the Schoharie road, §5. 

Peter Traber, on the road to Schenectady, §5. 

Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, (permit.) 

Nicholas V. Mynderse, (permit.) 

Isaac Vrooman, on the Schoharie road, §5. 

Simeon Relyea, (permit.) 

John F. Ouackenbush, on the State road, .S5. 

Jacob Totten, on the State road. §5. 

Henry Apple, on the Schoharie road, 89. 

Frederick Friedendall, on the Schoharie road, .§(3. 

James D. La Grange, on the Schoharie road, §6. .50. 

Abraham P. Truax, on the State road, §(!, 

At the meeting at which these licenses were granted, Nicholas V. 
Mynderse was present as supervisor of the town, and Volkert Veeder, 
Peter C. Veeder, James Henderson, and Lawrence Schoolcraft, justices 
of the peace. Other persons to whom licenses were granted only a 
little later were Peter Van Patten, Wait Barrett, Benjamin Home, Fred- 
erick Ramsaj', Ezra Spaulding. Christian Truax. and Gerrit G. Van 
Zandt. This may appear like a large number of licenses for one new 
town, but it is accounted for by the numerous early taverns on the prin- 
cipal roads, the general habit of drinking liquor in families at that period, 
and the fact that most groceries, as well as taverns, sold liquor in those 
days. 

Besides the glass and cloth factories tiiat have been mentioned, the 
principal industries of the town in early years, and almost the only ones 
aside from farming, were the operation of saw mills and grist mills. 
Lumber was needed just as soon as it was possible to supplant the first 
log houses with frame structures, and that was long before the begin- 



ning of tlie present century. The Spafford Gazeetteer of 1813 states 
that at that time there were one hundred looms working in this 
town, making 25,000 yards of cloth annually. All of these long ago 
disappeared with the centralization of manufactures in large cities. The 
Batterman family had a woolen factory at Sloan's in early years, which 
subsequently became- a hat factory, then a cotton batting factory, and 
lastly a foundry. The grist mills known as Becker's and Veeder's were 
patronized by many even from a considerable distance in early times. 
The number of saw mills in this town was limited in comparison with 
the other towns, for the reason that timber was scarcer and not of much 
value for lumber; but there were several built in very early years, 
which long ago fell into decay. 

The records of the schools of Guilderland previous to about 1813 are 
of the most meagre description. All that can be said of them is that 
they were established as early as possible after the first settlements 
were made, were generally inferior in facilities, and often taught by 
ministers of the gospel, in dwellings or rude log houses. 

Tiie first school officers chosen in the town were the following, elect- 
ed at a town meeling held in 1813: John Schoolcraft, Samuel R. 
Campbell and John Weaver, jr., commissioners of schools ; Andrew 
Ostrander, Henry Heath, and Cornelius M. Watson, inspectors of 
schools.' Among the early teachers in Guilderland were Joseph Bell, 
John Rawle, Abijah Beebe, William Gardner, Hubert Pratt and Henry 
Switcher. In 18 13 the town was divided into eight school districts. 
Tills number was gradually increased as population became more 
numerous, until in i860 there were twelve districts, and at the present 
time there are fourteen that have each one school house. Guilderland 
with Knox and Watervliet constitute the third commissioner's district 
of Albany county. 

The oldest settled hamlet in this town gathered around the " Glass 
House," as it was termed, from the glass factory there, until the name 
of Hamilton was substituted in 1796. In later years it took the name 
of Sloan's from the family of that name, who lived there a-nd did much 



520 

for the advancement of tlic place, but the village is now called Guilder- 
land, and the post-office bears that name. It is situated east of the 
center of the town, on the " Great Western Turnpike," eight miles 
from Albany. A conspicuous element in this community was the Hat- 
terman family. Of this family John, a man of good ability, energy 
and industry, long manufactured and repaired wagons and farming im- 
plements. Christopher Batterman, also a man of high character and 
good business ability, enga£;ed in mercantile business in which he was 
markedly successful. He was a general in the State militia, and held 
the office of sheriff of this county. George Batterman was a man of 
uncommon physique and strong mental capacity He managed two 
farms successfully, kept the hotel afterwards so well known as Sloan's, 
operated a flouring mill and satinet factory, in all of which operations 
he was successful. His hotel frequently had as many as fifty transient 
guests for manj' successive days. His arduous tasks at last overtaxed 
his strength and he died from paralysis, after having accumulated a 
fortune. Henry Sloan married Mr. Batterman's daughter and came 
into possession of the hotel property, which was, however, soon after- 
ward burned, but was promptly rebuilt by Mr. Sloan, substantially as 
it now exists, and under his management it became even more popular 
and widely known than while owned by its former landlord. It sub- 
sequently passed under the management of George B Sloan, son of 
Henry, and is now kept by Mr. Van Tyle. The foundry at this ])lacc, 
which has been alluded to, was first owned by William Fonda, passed 
into the hands of Newbury & Chapman, and is now operated by Jay 
Newbury. The grist mill that was for so long a time in operation is 
now out of use. Frank J. Spur formerly kept a store, which is now 
conducted by De Graff & Voorhees. Dr. Abram Ue Graff is post- 
master and also a successful physician. 

The village and post-ofiice of Guilderland Center is situated on Black 
Creek near the center of the town. It was formerly locally known as 
Bangall, a name said to have been given it from the somewhat rude 
character of a part of the inhabitants, but if this is true the appellation 
has long been undeserved. A branch of what is now the West Shore 
Railroad, passes through the place, and its opening gave an impetus to 
the business interests of the village. The village practically includes 



521 

the site of the old French's Mills, which are still a part of the French 
estate but are not now running. The old woolen factory is also aban- 
doned, having last been operated by E. Spawn & Co., of which firm 
Mr. Spawn is still living at an advanced age. The manufacture of 
cider and vinegar formerly conducted by A. V. Mynderse, is still con- 
tinued by his son, William B. William D. Frederick also has a vinegar 
factory which was formerly operated by his father, Michael H. Fred- 
erick. Peter Tygert carries on the manufacture of sash and doors and 
has a planing mill, which were previously owned by his father, A. J. 
Tygert. F. Tygert, a former merchant, was succeeded by Ogsbury & 
Martin, and the same business is now carried on by Elva Young in a new 
location, the former store having been burned. P. Petinger conducts a 
general store, and William A. Petinger is a maker of and dealer in boots 
and shoes. George W. Livingstone has a harness shop, Charles Brust, 
son of William, is a carriage manufacturer, Hugh Livingston, tailor, 
William Young, shoemaker and postmaster. G. A. Hallenbeck & Co. 
have a large cigar factory here, John P. Bloomingdale, who is still living 
at an advanced age, should not be forgotten as one who has accom- 
plished much in past years for the building up of this village. 

There are two hotels here, one of which has been kept by Samuel S. 
F^owler for eleven years past, and which was owned by him long pre- 
vious to that. The other, the Center House, was formerly owned by 
Michael Frederick and is now conducted by his son, William D. 

The largest and most prosperous village in Guilderland and one of 
the most active in Albany county is Altamont (formerly Knowersville), 
which is situated to the westward of the center of the town and on the 
Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. It is beautifully located at the 
foot of the Helderbergs, amid picturesque scenery, and has in recent 
years attracted to the near by mountain sides numerous wealthj' citizens 
of Albany who have built beautiful summer homes. The name of 
Knowersville came from the Knower family who were early settlers 
here and identified with the early business interests of the place. Their 
homestead was somewhat remote from the present business center and 
that portion of the town is distinguished from the newer part by the 
name of Old Knowersville. It was there that Jacob Aker kept a 
tavern in Revolutionary times, and a woolen factory was in operation in 



5^2 

l8oo. The place had little importance until the building of the railroad, 
the first passenger train of which from Albany to Central Bridge in 
Schoharie county passed through this place on September 16, 1863. 
At that time there were only two farm dwellings on the lands that now 
constitute by far the larger part of the site of Altamont In the spring 
of 1864 a store was erected by Becker & Hilton. This has since been 
conducted by Albert Ward, Crounse & Hilton, Mynderse & Pangburn, 
who occupied it in April, 1883, and is now conducted by F. & W. S. 
Pitts. Several residences and the railroad station were built before the 
close of 1864. In 1868 another store was erected and opened by Ira 
Witter, who soon sold out to Joseph W. Wright, who in turn leased 
it to Abram A. Tygert, and this is now kept by J. Snyder. A little 
later a third store was built, which was managed for a time by Crowe, 
Davenport & Crowe, Davenport & Fredericks, and is now conducted by 
A. A. Tygert. Rev. N. Klock built a store some years ago and ran it 
for a time. A tin and stove store was opened by W. H. Lay, who was 
succeeded by Osborn & Taber, who in turn were followed by the pres- 
ent proprietor, Ira Secor. A furniture store and undertaking business 
was started in 1877 by John Thierolf, which was transferred in 1885 to 
Ogsbury & Vanderpool, who were succeeded by M. F. Hallenbeck, the 
present proprietor. 

In 1867 the Union Hotel was built and for a time was under manage- 
ment of George Severson. Andrew Warner next had it for about a 
year and was succeeded in 1869 by John StatTord, who kept it many 
years. It is now called the Commercial, and is managed by Mrs. Eggle- 
ston. The former Knowersville House was built in 1876 by James 
Ogsbury, who occupied it a short time, when it was sold to Adam 
Wetherwax. It is now called the Altamont House and is conducted by 
James O. Stitt, the recent Democratic nominee for county treasurer. 

In 1874 Henry Lockwood built a carriage factory which was occupied 
by Van Benschoten Brothers up to 1880, and then by Van Benschoten 
& Warner. It was burned down but was rebuilt by Mrs. V^an Ben- 
schoten and is now occupied by Warner & Van Benschoten. William 
H. Van Benschoten established a harness shop in 1870, and was suc- 
ceeded by Frank Decker; the present harness shop is kept by Charles 
Beebe. Nathaniel Sturges is a well established jeweler, having been in 
the trade for twenty years past. 



523 

Adam Sand was formerly a prominent business man of this village 
and was succeeded by his sons, who formed the firm of Sand Brothers. 
The saw and planing mill established by Philley, Elsass & Warner, also 
came into the hands of Sand & Son, who added a grist mill, but this is 
now operated by J. C. Ottman. 

Altamont has become an extensive hay market, and is also a shipping 
point for other products from a wide extent of territory. Many firms 
have been, and several are now, large buyers of hay in this place, 
among whom are Ira Fairlee, Isaac Reamer, Edwin Clute. Sand 
Brothers, and Crannell Brothers are extensive dealers in coal, lumber, 
stone, building materials, etc. 

Among the physicians who have practiced at different points in Guild- 
erland have been Dr. James S. Low, who came in 1820; Dr. Frederick 
Crounse, 1833; Dr. Jonathan Johnson, an early practitioner ; Dr. An- 
drew Wilson, who was for twenty-four years in practice in this town; 
Dr. Barrows (at Sloan's) and Dr. Abram De Graff; Dr. Thomas Helme, 
long in practice at McKownsville ; Dr. Jesse Crounse, Dr. R. F. Barton, 
Dr. Andrew C. Crounse, and Dr. I. S. Becker, in Altamont. 

Hiram Griggs became a resident of Knowersville in 1862, and has 
pursued the practice of law ever since. He is a leading and public 
spirited citizen, and has been called to several important positions. He 
was supervisor for ten years, has been president of Altamont village 
since December, 1890, and was member of assembly for three years. 
Atchison Miller has also practiced law successfully in this village. 

About the year 1877 Rev. N. Klock began publishing the Golden 
Era in Knowersville, which he removed to Mechanicsville five years 
later. In July, 1884, David H. Crowe established the Knowersville 
Enterprise. Soon afterwards the Enterprise Company, consisting of 
John D. Ogsbury and Junius D. Ogsbury, acquired the establishment 
and have continued the publication since. The name of this village was 
changed to Altamont, from the high mountain peak near by, on October 
I, 1887, at which time the name of the Enterprise newspaper was 
changed to correspond. 

The visitor to this pretty village is struck by the general air of pros- 
perity everywhere seen. Nearly all of the streets are bordered with 
stone sidewalks ; a waterworks system was established in the fall of 



524 

1892, at a cost of nearly $20,000, bringing pure spring water to all the 
principal streets; new dwellings abound, good schools are maintained, 
and the community as a whole is intelligent, progressive, and well gov- 
erned. Mr. Merrill, of Albanj', resides in what was formerly the Ku- 
shaqua Hotel on the mountain side above the village. Others who 
reside here during the summer are Judge R. W. Peckham, Mayor 
Thacher, James D. Wasson, Charles L. Pruyn, Mrs. Cassidy, Edward 
R. Cassidy, J B. Groot, and Col. Henry C. Cushman. 
The officers of Altamont village for 1896 are as follows: 

Hiram Griggs, president; trustees, James Keenholtz, Lewis E. Fouler, George W. 
Davenport ; clerk, I. Knower Stafford ; treasurer, John Johnson ; commissioner, 
Robert Hurst ; water commissioners, Montford A. Sand, Dr. I. S. Becker, Henry A. 
Wilber, Joseph Snyder, Nathaniel Sturges, Junius Ogsbury; health commissioners, 
Adam Sitterlee, Michael F. Crowe, Matthe^: Tice; health officer. Dr. Rufus S. 
Barton. 

A hose company is maintained with thirty members, of which J. L. 
Smith is foreman, and M. A. Sand, assistant. 

The Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association was organized in 
1893 and held their first fair in that year, which was a gratifying suc- 
cess. The association is incorporated and belongs to the Central New 
York Fair Circuit, comprising Albany, Fulton, Montgomery, Coble- 
skill (town), and Schoharie counties. The officers of the association are 
as follows : 

I. H. Reamer, president; C. M. Frederick, vice-president; J. O. Stitt, treasurer; 
Silas Hilton, secretary; Edwin Clute. superintendent. Directors: I. H. Reamer, 
L. E. Fowler, James Keenholts, M. A. Sand, C. M. Frederick, H. S. Gilbert, Edwin 
Clute, Charles B. Warner, M. F. Hellenbeck, Edward Becker, J. O. Stitt, \V. E. 
Deitz, Henry Bin.s. 

The association has a fine park containing all necessary buildings witli 
a track just outside of the village of Altamont. 

Dunnsville is a hamlet and post office in the northern part of this 
town, which took its name ftom Christopher Dunn, who was the origi- 
nal owner of lands here. A small business has always been conducted 
in the place. A hotel formerly conducted by Samuel Robinson is now 
kept by William Wagner. Frederick Joos is a blacksmith, and a store 
is kept by William Blessing. 

Fuller's Station is situated to the north of the center of the town on 



535 

the West Shore Railroad, and has attained such growth as it has largely 
on account of the railroad and through the efforts of Hon. Aaron Fuller, 
from whom it takes its name. Of the two hotels built here by Sanford 
S. Ford, one was kept by him and subsequently burned. The other is 
now kept by John Friday. Samuel Van Allen long kept the store 
which is now in the hands of his son Richard The firm of Tygert & 
Martin, hay dealers and commission merchants, was succeeded by 
Thomas Tygert. 

McKownsville is a post-office and small settlement in the southern 
part of the town, and takes its name from the McKown family who set- 
tled there at an early period and became prominent in town affairs. A 
hotel is kept by William Witbeck. 

Guilderland Station is a small hamlet, without post-office, where Will- 
iam Schoolcraft has a store. 

Meadow Dale is a post-office and small hamlet in the extreme south- 
ern part of the town. 

Closely following the opening of settlement in the various localities went 
the missionary preachers, patiently doing their duty, and gathering the 
believers together in meetings held in dwellings, barns, or in the open air, 
and establishing the enduring foundations of the later churches. Many 
of these were of the Lutheran faith, and one of the earliest ministers of 
that denomination to labor in Guilderland was Rev. Peter N. Sommers 
who began his work in 1743. He passed his whole life in the field, preach 
ing throughout a wide extent of territory, and being beloved wherever h< 
went. No regular organization was effected in this town until October 13 
1787, when St. John's Evangelical I^utheran church came into exist 
ence, with Rev. Heinrich Moeller as the first pastor. At the first com- 
munion service, August 11, 1788, there were present fifty-eight com 
municants. After a short term of service by a Rev. Mr. Mayers Rev 
Adam Crounse was called in 182S. He preached to this congregation 
and to the one in Berne for thirty- five years, and made this church one 
of the strongest in the Synod. As a result of the great revival of 1832, 
100 new members joined the church. Other revivals of little less impor- 
tance followed in later years under the energetic and effective labors of 
Mr. Crounse. He died while with this chnrch on May 13, 1864. Mr. 
Crounse was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Lake, and he by David Swope in 



526 

1869. By this time the old church building which stood about midway 
between Guilderland Center and Knowersville, neither of which villages 
had a church of its own, was in great need of repair. After much dis- 
cussion it was determined to abandon the old site and erect a house of 
worship in each village, with separate congregations. John Mann 
donated a church lot in Guilderland Center, and Conrad Crounse gave 
one in Knowersville. The two churches were built simultaneously 
at a gross cost of $20,000, the one at the Center being consecrated in 
F'ebruary, 1872, and the other in the following month. After the 
division of the congregation the Knowersville church took the name of 
St. James, and the church at the Center the name of St. Mark's. Roth 
have maintained an active existence ever since. While the question of 
building new churches was being agitated, the Methodists purchased a 
lot at Knowersville and arranged to erect a house of worship, but the 
successful outcome of the plans of the Lutherans caused them to aban- 
don their plans 

Of the Reformed church in this town there is no record earlier than the 
pastorate of Rev. Thomas Van Heusen, who was called here in 1795, and 
remained for thirty years, but it is known that there were services held 
here in this faith many years earlier. Mr. Van Heusen established 
the church upon a solid foundation, but left it shortly before his 
death. He is buried at New Scotland. He was succeeded by Rev. 
Dr. Hardenburgh, who remained only a few months, and was followed 
by Rev. Robert Blair, who also left after a short time, and after two or 
three other short pastorates. Rev. William P. Davis was called. He 
was well known here from his assistance at several revivals, and from his 
successful labors at the Glass House. In 1834 the old Red Church, as it 
was termed, gave place to a more modern aiul commodious house of 
worship, which was built by subscription in 1867. Meanwhile, in 1856, 
the parsonage on the church farm of fifty acres which had been given by 
the Patroon, was enlarged at an expense of $1,600. Rev. Mr. Davis was 
succeeded in 1869 by Rev. S. L. Gamble, whose pastorate was a long 
and successful one. The society was subsequently divided and new 
church edifices were erected, one at Altamont and one at Guilderland 
Center. 

The Hamilton Union church of Guilderland was organized in the 



527 

Presbyterian faith, and so remains, but is now in use by that sect and 
the Reformed sect in the vicinity of Sloan's (or Guilderiand) in the east- 
ern part of the town. The organization was effected IVIarch 25, 1824, 
by a committee from the Albany Presbytery, with seventeen members. 
The first pastor was Rev. Judson Buck, who was installed October 19, 
1825. Tlie church was erected in 1833, and dedicated January 30, 
1834. 

Methodist preacliing began almost at the commencement of the cen- 
tury in Guilderiand, meetings being held in dwellings, and later for 
a long period in the school house near Fuller's Station. About 1852 
a spirited revival began and the need of a church was felt. It was 
finally decided that a house of worship should be built at the Glass House 
(Guilderiand village) in the eastern part of the town. Land was do- 
nated by George C. Batterman and an edifice was erected thereon at a 
cost of about $2,000, which was dedicated in the autumn of 1852. On 
the i8th of April, 1853, a church organization was effected, with the 
following trustees: Henry Spawn, John Arnold, Giles Reagles, Isaac 
Pearl, Robert D. Carhart, Elijah Chesebro, William Powell, William 
Chesebio, and I\I. Y. Cheesebrough. In May of the next year the par- 
sonage was purchased. In 1866 the church building was improved by 
raising it and making a basement chapel beneath, and a gallery was 
built across the end of the audience room. Again in 1874 further 
improvements were made in the structure. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of McKownsville is situated about 
a mile west of the Albany city line, where a church edifice was erected 
in 1866, an acre of land having been presented for the purpose by John 
McKown. This society has been under the same pastoral charge as the 
Guilderiand church. 

Tiie State Road Methodist church was organized in 1864 by Rev. 
E, E. Taylor, with a membership of thirty, and in the following year a 
house of worship was erected at a cost of $4 000. Its first pastor was 
Rev. John N. Short since whose day the society has had a prosperous 
existence. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of Guilderiand from its organiza- 
tion to the present time, with the years of their election : 

1804-1805, James Henderson; 1806-1«08, Peter Van Patten; 1809, Robert Gray; 
1810-1811, David Bogardus ; 1812, Aaron Grote; 181:3-24, William McKown; 1825- 



528 

30, George Batterman : lS31-:i2, Aaron Livingston; lS'.!;!-39, Christopher Batternian; 
1840-41, Henry Sloan; 1842^5, Peter Shaver; 1846-47, John Fnller; 1848-49, Jacob 
I. Fryer; 1850-51, Elijah Spawn ; 1852-53, W. Vine; 1854-.56, George Y. Johnson; 
1857-59, Henry Hilton; 1860, Leonard Wilkins; 1861-66, Stephen V. Frederick; 
1867-76, Hiram Griggs; 1877-80, John C. Grant; 1881-84, Aaron Fnller; 1885-87, 
Benjamin Crounse; 1888-89, David Relyea; 1890-92, Howard P. Foster; 1893-97, 
Peter Walker. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 
THE TOWN OF WESTERLO. 

Westerlo is situated upon the soutliern border of the county, near the 
center of that line, liaving the towns of Coeymans and Rensselaerville 
respectively on its eastern and western boundaries. It was formed 
from these two towns, March i6, 1815, being the seventh town erected 
in the county. It was named in honor of Rev. Eilardus Westerlo, wlio 
came from Holland in 1760 and was pastor of the Reformed Dutch 
church at Albany. 

The civil history of Westerlo dates from April 4, 181 5, when the first 
town meeting was held at the house of William Beardsiey, at which 
Johu Gibbons was chosen moderator and other town officers were 
elected. 

The surface of the town is broken and hilly and generally inclines 
toward the south, the banks of the streams being steep and irregular and 
the valleys mere narrow ravines. The soil is a sandy and gravelly 
loam, interspersed with clay and underlaid with "hardpan." The town 
contains no very high land, the highest point, which is in the northern 
part of the town, being eight hundred feet above tide. 

The streams are the Hannakrois Creek, flowing through the northeast- 
ern corner ; the Basic • Creek, rising in the extreme northern part of the 
town and flowing south through Chesterville and South Westerlo, with 
Fly and Wolf Creeks, and other small streams as tributaries ; and Eight- 
mile Creek, flowing south through the western part of the town into 



529 

Rcnsselaerville and emptying into Ten-mile Creek. There is a small 
lake near Van Leuven's Corners, the outlet of which is the source of the 
Switzkill. 

In the very early days the asheries were a prominent industry and 
served as an incentive for clearing much of the dense wilderness. Trees 
were felled, burned and the ashes gathered and taken to the ashery and 
sold or exchanged for family supplies. 

Some manufacturing is done in and near the village of Westerlo, but 
for the most part the inhabitants are engaged in the pursuit of agricul- 
ture. 

The first mills were those erected by Lobdell and Baker in 1795, and 
were situated a short distance south of the site of Chesterville on Basic 
Creek, on lots 328 and 200 of Van Rensselaer's patent, across the stream 
from the spot where now are the mills of Orville Lobdell. 

At South Westerlo were formerly a tannery and asheries belonging 
to the Smiths, who afterward erected a grist mill. This mill passed 
through the hands of several owners, and is now operated by D. M. 
Wooster. W D. Calder's mills for the manufacture of flannels, cassi- 
meres, satinets and yarns are also located here on Basic Creek. At this 
place, also, are a fruit evaporator owned and run by Cunningham Bros., 
and the factor}- of the South Westerlo Elgin Creamery Company, 
makers of butter. The grist and saw mills of William A. Dickson & 
Son are on the Hannakrois Creek near Dormansville. Saw mills are 
numerous ; Darius Lockwood on Wolf Creek ; Samuel Snyder on Eight- 
mile Creek ; and Henry A. Ford on Basic Creek, the latter mill having 
been built in 1 870. 

About 1812 a Mr. Jenks had a carding mill on Basic Creek below 
Chesterville, which was destroyed by fire. Another was built in its 
place by George Wiltsey and operated by Drum & Possom, who later 
converted it into a turning shop and finally into a grist mill, remains of 
which yet exist. 

A. S. Green owns and operates a fruit eva[)orator at Chesterville. 
Here, also, are quarries of graywacke, which furnish an excellent flag- 
ging and building stone. Another important industry in this village 
is bee culture. 

The principal crops are hay, rye, corn, oats and buckwheat, while 



dairy farming and sheep raising are profitably followed by many, though 
the latter industry lias greatly diminished in late years. A great deal 
of fruit has always been raised since the early days, and of late years its 
cultivation has been stimulated by the erection of evaporators. 

It is impossible to ascertain who were the first settlers within the 
present limits of Westerlo, or when they came, but it was certainly some 
time before the Revolution that men pushed into the wilderness and 
commenced making homes for themselves here. 

Jacob Ford came from the Hillsdale district in Columbia county in 
1795, and settled on lot 369, and later on lot 318, now in possession of 
Henry A. Ford. 

Adam St. John, of Scottish origin, came from Old Paltz to Westerlo 
in 1790 and settled at Lamb's Corners, having originally come with the 
Huguenots from Holland. He and four of his brothers were soldiers in 
the Revolutionary war, and were at Yorktown at the surrender of Corn- 
wallis. Many of their descendants still reside in the town. 

Jehial Lamb came from Massachusetts and settled in the southwestern 
part of the town about 1793, and Jacob Ingalls moved herefrom Rhode 
Island about the same time. Descendants of these two families live 
near Lamb's Corners. 

Isaac Winston settled near Chesterville, and while serving in the war 
for independence was taken prisoner and held for eighteen months. 

Stephen and Solomon Mabey came from Rhode Island soon after the 
Revolution and settled at South Westerlo. Samuel Mabey was born 
here October 20, 1792, and died August 14, 1870, on the same farm. 
His son, S. E. Mabey, lives near South Westerlo. 

Dr. Jonathan Prosser came from Dutchess county in 1788 and settled 
on the farm now occupied by Henry Simpkins. Lodowick and Jacob 
Hanes, Germans, settled at an early day on Basic Creek near Dormans- 
ville. Josiah Hinckley, another Revolutionary soldier, took up in 1783 
the farm now owned by his grandson. At this time there were but 
eight families in the town. 

John Gibbons, born 1766, lived at New London, Conn., and during 
the Revolutionary war drove an ox team and helped to remove the 
military stores during the night from New London to a place of safety. 
He removed to Rensselaer county after the war, and in 1795 came 



531 

to Dormansville. His son, Ransom H. Gibbons, was born in 1802 
and located at Dormansville as physician in 1826, after studying with 
Dr. Zina Lay and Dr. Hyde and attending a course of lectures at Fair- 
field and having been licensed by the censors of Herkimer county. He 
died in 1890, leaving one son and one daughter who is now the wife 
of Rev. Luther Peck, of Scranton, Pa.; the son, Edward, is still living 
at Dormansville. Isaac Rundell settled at South Westerlo in 1780 on 
the farm now owned by his grandson, Darius Rundell. 

Nathaniel Gale, with his father, Thomas, and his grandfather, John, 
moved to Westerlo from Tarrytown, Westchester county, in 1800, and 
took up their abode in a log house. Nathaniel's son, John W., is still 
living on the old place near Dormansville. 

The early physicians of Westerlo were Drs. Zina W. and Josiah Lay, 
Jonathan Prosser, Erastus Hamilton, who became an assistant surgeon 
in the war of 1812, Peleg Peckham, P. S. Brigham, Willis A. Alston, 
Hiram Barber and George Holmes. 

Among other early settlers were William Haverland, William Bird, 
James Arnold, Abram Becker, Rev. Reuben Stanton, who was a sur- 
veyor and received for his services one hundred acres of land, Jared 
Reynold, Daniel Lockwood and William Wheaton. 

Chesterville (Westerlo post office), one of the hamlets of the town, 
is situated about one mile north of the center of the township, on Basic 
Creek, fifteen miles from Coeymans Landing and twenty miles from 
Albany. It was named after Rev. John Chester, who was formerly pas- 
tor of the Second Presbyterian church of Albany. The post-office, one 
of the first in the town, was established about 1827. Previous to this 
letters and papers were delivered by post-riders once a week, by Squire 
Brown and a man named Peck, who are still remembered by a few of 
the inhabitants. Now the mails are received daily, the present post- 
master being George J. Graham. Chesterville is the earliest settlement 
in the town. It was here that Philip Myers located before the Revolu- 
tionary war, while Grant and Eadie had an ashery and kept a store in 
1798. Moses Smith followed as a merchant, tavern-keeper and manu- 
facturer of potash. Nicholas Lapaugh and Henry Puree were also 
tavern-keepers, and Jeremiah Green operated a tannery. The hamlet 
now contains fifty dwellings and two hundred and twenty-five inhab- 



532 

itants. There are two churches — Reformed and Baptist — a school house, 
one hotel of which Charles Ilaverly is the proprietor, and four stores — 
A. S. Green & Son, general merchandise ; Perry Swartout, sundry mer- 
chandise ; Hiram K. Jones, dry goods and groceries ; Gilbert Ander- 
son, hardware and tin ; two blacksmiths and two wheelwright shops, 
one general undertaker, two shoe shops, paint shop, and a millinery and 
dressmaking shop. The legal profession is represented by A. D. War- 
ner, attorney and counselor at law, while the doctors are John N. Brad- 
ley and Arthur A. Vibbard. A Masonic lodge was established here 
about 1820, with the following persons as members: James Sackett, 
Sylvester Ford, George Prindle and Nicholas Lapaugh. The Good 
Templars instituted a lodge here in 1878, which has been abandoned. 

South Westerlo (post-office) is situated in the south central part of 
the township, between Basic and Wolf Creeks. It was first called 
Smith's Mills, after David Smith. The name was changed in 1827, 
when the post-office was established with Thomas Saxton as post- 
master, who held it thereafter for twenty- nine years. He came here 
when fourteen years old, served as clerk for his uncle, Thomas Smith, 
and continued in business until 1859. Among the early settlers and 
business men were Thomas Smith, general merchant, distiller and manu- 
facturer of potash ; and Messrs. Bemet, Wheaton, Cross, Storer, Stan- 
ton, Reynolds, Lockwood, Slauson and Trowbridge. South Westerlo 
now has some twenty-seven dwellings and one hundred and thirty resi- 
dents, and contains a Christian church, school house, wheelwright and 
blacksmith shop. D. J. Bishop is the postmaster, while stores are kept 
by L. S. Lockwood and Stuart & Robbins. Here is also the Cottage 
Hotel, of which A. M. Kipp is the proprietor. 

Dormansville (post-office) is in the east central part of the town, and 
was named in honor of Daniel Dorman, who was the first postmaster in 
1832. Among its first settlers were W. Tomkins, William Ward and 
Lewis Husted, who kept a public house. Here is still standing what is 
left of the first square frame school house built in the town. Formerly 
Hiram and Erastus Gibbons were proprietors of the Dormansville Hotel 
and dealers in dry goods, groceries and general merchandise. The 
hotel business has been abandoned, but the other branches are con- 
tinued. Dell Powell is the present postmaster. Dormansville contains 



533 

some fifteen dwellings, a Methodist church, school house, two stores, 
a paint shop, and wheelwright and blacksmith shop run by W. S. Ward. 
Van Leuven's Corners, named after Isaac Van Leuven, an early set- 
tler, is a small hamlet on the Delaware turnpike in the northern part 
of the town. It formerly had a tavern, mills, tannery and other enter- 
prises, but these are all abandoned now. William Beardsley, John 
Preston and James Sackett were tavern-keepers. Here John Preston 
had a tannery and currying shop which was continued by Luther Pres- 
ton until his death, but is now abandoned. Mr. Preston was also a school 
teacher, and the author of " Every Man His Own Teacher." James 
Sackett, a colonel in the war of i8i2, was a prominent business man 
and a Mason. Van Leuven's Corners was first called Sackett's Cor- 
ners, after him, and later Preston's Corners. William Beardsley at 
one time kept a tavern here, and after moving to Albany was elected 
sherift'. Gideon Wood made spinning wheels here many years ago in 
the house where Peter Van Leuven now lives. Among other early set- 
tlers were Josiah Jones, who came to this neighborhood from Claverack 
at the age of fourteen years, when there was but little cleared land. 

Lamb's Corners, a small neighborhood in the southern part of the 
town, was settled by Jehial Lamb, Adam St. John, Jacob Ingalls, Hez- 
ekiah Boardman and Thomas Jencks, who came from New England 
about 1790. Descendants of the first three of these families are quite 
numerous. Here are a Methodist church, school house and blacksmith 
shop. 

VV'esterlo Center, or Thayer's Corners, is a small hamlet containing a 
blacksmith shop run by Charles Hempstead. A store and tavern were 
formerly kept by a Mr. Thayer. The chief families of the neighbor- 
hood are the Winegards, Atkins, Hanes, Wiltseys, Lockwoods, Stan- 
tons and Reynolds. 

The early settlers who came from New England and the adjoining 
counties on the river were filled with religious zeal and ardor and were 
not long in organizing religious societies. The first society was formed 
as early as 1793 in the township of Rensselaerville, and in 1796 the 
first church was built. In 1826 the Methodist Episcopal church at 
Dormansville was organized, and in 1 840-41 the present church edifice 
was dedicated by Rev. M. Hedstrom. The building was remodeled in 



534 

1895 at a cost of $1,700. Among its pastors have been the Rev. 
Messrs. S. Wright and Turner. There is at Lamb's Corners a Metho- 
dist church called " Olin Chapel " in honor of Dr. Stephen Olin. A 
class was formed here eighty years ago, led by Thomas Smith and Al- 
exander Lamb, at whose hou.se, now occupied by his son, Asbury 
Lamb, meetings were held. Meetings were held in the school house 
previous to the erection of the present frame church in 1853, when 
Alexander Lamb, Amos Fish and Ludlow St. John were elected 
trustees. 

The society of the First Baptist Church of Westerlo was formed at 
the house of Isaac Winston, May 26, 1800, in what was then the town 
of Rensselaerville. The original members were Roswell Reckwith, 
Aaron Baker, Isaac Winston, Isaac Lobdell, Thomas Martin, Benjamin 
Martin, James Slade, Sarah Winston, Miriam Lobdell, Cynthia Baker, 
Lois Slade, Judith Stanton, Eleanor Martyn, Mary Spaulding and 
Lydia Mollison. Four candidates were received and baptized into its 
fellowship on the day after its organization. 

The First Baptist society of the township of Westerlo met at the 
school house neai Zina W. Lay's on January 11, 1820, for the purpose 
of electing officers and to incorporate as " The First Baptist Society " 
of the town of Westerlo. Deacon William Bentley and James Slade 
were chosen presiding officers and Sylvester Ford, James Jaycox, Will- 
iam Bentley, James Slade, Isaac Lobdell, jr., and Knight Bennett were 
elected trustees. The site for their first church was obtained from 
George Pinney, being part of lot 238 and covering thirty-five one- 
hundredths of an acre, at an annual rental of fifty dollars to him and a 
further payment to the Patroon, proprietor of the Manor of Rensselaer- 
wyck. The society sold this piece of ground March 28, 1853. and pur- 
chased the present site of Archibald S. Green. The church has had 
altogether nineteen different pastors. 

The Reformed church located at Westerlo was organized in 1793. 

A Baptist society was organized at South Westerlo and a church 
edifice erected between 1808 and i8iO, and among the early elders 
were Josiah Baker and William Stuart. Rev. Reed Burritt came to 
this church about 1820 and ministered for more than ten years. In 
the mean time the Old and New School societies had a controversy 



535 

over the control of the affairs of the church whicli resulted in the suc- 
cess of the New School, which had the society incorporated. Messrs. 
Crocker, Mudge and Stanton are among those who have served this 
church as ministers. The membership gradually decreased until the 
society finally disbanded and sold its church building in 1847, at whicli 
time the old church was moved out of the village. 

The Christian church of South Westerlo was organized in 1820 by 
the Christian churches of Rensselaerville, Coeymans, Berne, Baltimore 
and F"reehold. In the year 1824 the society erected a church building 
which was used as a house of worship until sold to O. L. Hannay, 
when it was converted into a public hall where the society of Good 
Templars used to meet. In 1833 Anthony Hanes, Nathaniel Holmes 
and Cyrus VVheaton were trustees ; Joshua Nelson, moderator, and 
Thomas Saxton, clerk ; Abraham Hagen, Robert P. Derbool and 
Anthony Hanes, deacons. In 1872 the society purchased the old 
tavern property of William Showers and erected the present house of 
worship and parsonage at a cost of $13,000. 

There is also an Episcopal church in the northern part of the town 
which was organized in 1 875. This is something of a union church, 
however, as all Protestant denominations are at liberty to hold services 
there at their pleasure. 

There are three corporate cemeteries in the town. The Westerlo 
Rural Cemetery Association was organized in October, 1871, with 
William V. L Lapaugh, president, George E. Disbrow, vice-president, 
Charles Lapaugh, secretary and treasurer, Lewis C. Lockwood, John 
Sherwood and Joseph Babcock, trustees. The cemetery is located one 
mile north of the village and contains two and three-fourths acres of 
land. The Hannakrois Rural Cemetery was organized in 1879 with the 
following officers : Edward Gibbons, president; William Applebee, vice- 
president ; Minor Gibbons, secretary and treasurer ; Henry Simpkins, 
John G. Ward and Allen Kniffen, trustees. The cemetery contains 
two acres of land and is located one mile east of Dormansville. The 
Westerlo Central Cemetery Association was incorporated January 12, 
1S82, with these officers: Robert L. Simpkins, president: L. L. Lock- 
wood, secretary; Darius Rundell, treasurer. There are other burial 
grounds in the town, notably the one at Van Leuven's Corners, where 
Col. James Sackett is buried. 



536 

Westerlo and Rensselaerville of Albany county and Greenville and 
Durham of Greene county constitute the " Farmers' Fire Insurance 
Associatior>, " which was incorporated under a special act of the Legis- 
lature, April, 1857, and of which Darius Rundell is director and agent. 

Schools were established in the town at an early date, and one passing 
through the town cannot but notice the fine school buildings of the pres- 
ent day. Apollos Moore and Robert O. K. Bemet were teachers before 
the township was organized, and John Mott, a Quaker, taught a select 
school many years ago on the farm of R. Cartwright, for the education 
of the Quaker sect, which was then quite numerous, though he did not 
exclude other sects. After Mott died Henry Lawson taught the 
school, and after him John Preston for a time. Gideon St. John taught 
school for twenty-seven years, and Truman Ingalls for many years, 
holding also an evening grammar school. Heman Crocker, Solomon 
Trowbridge, C. Stewart, Moses Scott, Levi Holmes, Miss Bush and 
Miss Ann Lawson were among the teachers of years gone by. 

There are two physicians in the town — John N. Bradley, a graduate 
of the Albany Medical College, 1875, and Arthur A. Vibbard, who 
was graduated from the New York Homeopathic Hospital in 1894. 

Many men from this section did gallant service in the war of the 
Revolution, but inasmuch as the township was not formed until after 
the war, it is not possible to obtain a record of their names. Some 
who fought in the war of 18 12 were Joseph Babcock, T. Witbeck, James 
Sackett, Col. Elliot St. John, William and Alexander Mackey, Walter 
Huyck, John W. Prosser, Nathan Clark, Abram Hageman, James and 
Abram Hawley, Benjamin Stanton, Caleb Tompkins, Carpenter Bishop, 
and Martin Lambert. 

There is no record of the soldiers of the Rebellion. 



CHAPTER XXV. 
THE TOWN OF KNOX. 

This town is situated in the northwestern corner of Albany county, 
is the smallest in area in the county, containing a little more than 
26,000 acres, and with one exception (New Scotland) was the latest one 
formed. It was erected from Berne on February 28, 1822, and re- 
ceived its name from the celebrated Colonel Knox, of Revolutionary 
fame. The eastern part of the town constitutes a part of the Helder- 
berg region, while the town as a whole consists of a high plateau, 
broken by a few hills, and with a northern and western inclination. 
The Bozen Kill forms the northeast boundary of the town, and this, 
together with Beaver Dam Creek in the southern part, with their trib- 
utaries, are the principal streams. A part of Thompson's Lake ex- 
tends into the town in the southeastern part. (See history of Berne.) 
The soil is principally gravel and clay, over "hardpan," and in many 
parts is fertile and well adapted to mixed farming. Hay is produced 
in large quantities and marketed at Altamont. The surface of the 
town was originally covered with a heavy growth of timber, principally 
pine, hemlock, birch, maple, ash, oak, and basswood, but this has, for 
most part, been cut off. 

The town records of Knox were burned in 1850, rendering it im- 
possible to give the proceedings of the first town meeting or the names 
of officers previous to that year. The names of the supervisors from 
that time to the present are given on a later page. The first of these 
was Malachi Whipple, an early settler and prominent citizen. At the 
annual town meeting of 1850 Michael Lee, Daniel Gallup, Abraham 
Hatcher and Stephen Merselis, jr., were present as justices of the peace, 
and Ephraim N. Bogardus acted as clerk. For that year the following 
oflicers were elected : 

Lyman Witter, supervisor; Juliu G. Crary, lowii clerk; Samuel O. Sehnoninaker, 



538 

justice of the peace; John H. Tand, superintendent of schools; Anson Tols, collec- 
tor; Gurdon Gallup and Conrad Batcher, overseers of the poor; John Posson, asses- 
sor; Jacob P. Hane, commissioner of highways; Peter Schoonmaker, Alexander 
Crounse and John Allen, jr., inspectors of election, district No. 1; John Finch, 
Bemsby Williamson and Jacob Aucherapaugh, inspectors of election, district No. 2; 
Gilbert Gage, Joel Gage, John C. Cannady and Elisha White, constables. 

At that time the house of Henry Barclay was called the Town 
House, and the place for holding the next town meeting. Knox was 
then divided into fifty-six road districts, with the following overseers of 
highways : 

John Posson, Jacob Crounse, Hiram Thousand, Evert M. Barckley, David W. 
Sturges, Archibald Scott, Peter Swan, 2d, James Finch, Rodney Wilder, Philip 
Gifford, Jacob Truax, Henry Dutcher, William Davenport, Benjamin Lee, Matthias 
Barckley, Jehiel White, John F. Sternburgh, Conrad Batcher, John Bassler, Fred- 
erick Clyckman, John Oliver, Orange Beeman, Henry W. Williams, Thomas Staf- 
ford, John V. Schoonmaker, Robert Hurst, S. Flansburgh, Stephen Hungerford, 
Ebenezer Gallup, Alexander Crounse, Amos Crary, William Williamson, Eldridge 
Chesbro, George W. Stephens, John G. Gallup, Isaac N. Crary, Frederick Zeh, John 
T. Beebe, James Armstrong, Henry Tarpenny, David Van Auken, Cornelius Wool- 
ford, Adam Snyder, Henry F. Orelup, Joseph A. Haswell, Azor Gallup, Abraham 
H. Onderdonk, Edward Settle, Jacob Bronk, Jacob Kipp, Elias R. Williams,. Sylves- 
ter Allen, Israel Walker, John H. Sand, and Frederick Orelup. 

Some of these names, as well as other lists which will appear, indi- 
cate the Dutch element in the populatian, through descendants of some 
of the earliest families of the towns. Details of the Dutch settlement, 
prior to the Revolution are almost entirely wanting. It is known that 
many of the pioneers espoused the royal cause during the Revolution 
and removed to Canada after the success of the American colonists, but 
Capt. Jacob Van Aernden's name has come down as one of the loyal 
Whigs of that time. The improvements made in this section prior to 
the Revolution consisted almost wholly of clearing part of the land for 
tillage and the establishment of a few mills, churches and schools. A 
Lutheran church was organized about 1750, and settlement had pro- 
gressed considerably by that time, but the names of most of the Dutch 
pioneers are lost in the past. 

After the Revolutionary war settlers began to come in from New 
England, among the very first of these being Samuel Abbott and An- 
drew Brown, from Connecticut, who were soon followed by from twenty 
to thirty others from the same State. The more prominent of the fani- 



539 

ilies that came prior to the town organization in 1822 were the Brown, 
Todd, WiUiams, Denison, Crary, Chesebrough, Gallup, Frink, Taber, 
Coates, Gage, Weitzel, Pinckney, Williamson, Bassler, Saddlemire, 
Haverly, Zimmer, Engle, Schoonmaker, Swart, Sand, Clickman, Keen- 
holtz, and Batcher families. All through the early history of the town, 
as far as it is accessible, many of these names appear and some of them 
have been represented by descendants down to recent times. These 
New England settlers brought with them the habits of industry and the 
religious tenets of their forefathers and early established a Presbyterian 
cliurch, as described further on. Amos Crary, Hiram Gage, Egbert 
Schoonmaker and Nathaniel Swan were operating saw mills prior to 
1825, and a little later Malachi Whipple, Daniel Crary, and a Mr. Van- 
decar had mills, but most of these long ago passed out of existence. A 
small grist mill was early in operation on a little stream in the northern 
part of the town, but that also has disappeared, and the inhabitants now 
take their grain to Berne and Altamont, In quite recent years Swart 
& Saddlemire, Frederick Bassler, and Bemsley Williamson were operat- 
ing saw mills, the mill of the latter being now in possession of his son, 
George J. Williamson. In 1831 Alexander Crounse moved into Knox 
from an adjoining town and erected a tannery on the main road through 
the town west of Knoxville, and for many years did a large business in 
manufacturing harness and upper leather. The great changes in the 
leather trade and the centralization of the industry elsewhere finally re- 
duced the income of this tannery, and Mr. Crounse transferred it to his 
son, Eugene G. Crounse, who erected an addition for a feed mill in 1884. 
Still later he abandoned tanning and built a steam saw mill which went 
into operation in 1893. 

Gideon Taber was a pioneer and one of the first shoemakers in the 
town. He was a native of New London, Conn., and a son of Quaker 
parents. On account of his non-combatant belief he went to Canada 
during the Revolution and for a time had command of a vessel on Lake 
Cliamplain. Upon the return of peace he came back to Knox and went 
about among the families as an itinerant shoemaker, according to the 
custom in early times. He was thrifty and subsequently established a 
small tannery, where he made leather for his own trade and for harness 
making. He was elected justice of the peace and in 18 18-20 served his 



540 

constituents in the Assembly. The old Taber homestead ultimately 
passed into the possession of his grandson, Charles Chite. 

Nathan Crary began the manufacture of wooden pill boxes in Knox 
early in the century, supplying some of the largest pill makers in the 
country. The business finally passed to his son, John G. Crary, and 
was also taken up by others. At the present time John M. Quay and 
Sanford Quay are conducting the business. 

Among the more prominent families who came into the town or were 
already settled here between about 1825 and 1850, were those of Mal- 
achi Whipple, Dr. Erastus Williams, Egbert Schoonmaker, P'rederick 
Bassler, Potter Gage, Alexander Crounse, Charles Chesebro, David Van 
Auken, Perez Prink, Henry Denison, P. Witter, Isaac Barber, Daniel 
Chesebro, John Gallup, Wright Skinner, Dow Van Derker, Henry 
Williams, Cyrus Chapman, Henry Dane, Daniel Gallup, Joseph Gallup, 
Samuel Russell, Gurdon Gallup, and the Seaburys. Descendants of 
many of these are still prominent in the town. 

Among the leading citizens of later days are Henry Barckley, Elisha 
White, John C. Cannady, Joel and Gilbert Gage, Jacob Auchampaugh, 
Bemsley Williamson, John Finch, John Allen, jr., Peter Schoonmaker, 
Alexander Crounse, John G. Crary, Charles G. Frink, Denison Crary, 
Jacob P. Hane, John Posson, Conrad Batcher, Gurdon Gallup, 
Anson Tols, John H. Hand, Samuel O. Schoonmaker, Lyman Witter, 
Frederick Orelup, John H. Sand, Israel Walker, Sylvester Allen, 
Pllias K. Williams, Jacob Kip, Jacob Bronk, Edward Settle, Abram 
H. Onderdonk, Azer Gallup, Joseph A. Haswell, Henry F. Orelup, 
Adam Snyder, Cornelius Woolford, James Armstrong, Henry Tar- 
panny, John T. Beebe, Frederick Zeh, Isaac N. Crary, John G. 
Gallup, George W. Stephens, William Williamson, Eldridge Chesebro, 
Amos Crary, Ebenezer Gallup, Stephen Hungerford, Robert Hurst, 
S. Flansburgh, Thomas Stafford, John V. Schoonmaker, Henry W. 
Williams, Orange Beeman, John Bassler, Frederick Clyckman, Matthias 
Brackley, Jehial White. Conrad Batcher, John F. Sternburgh, John 
Posson, Jacob Crounse, Evert M. Barckley, Hiram Thousand, James 
Finch, Peter Swan, 2d, Archibald Scott, David W. Sturges, Rodney 
Wilder, Philip Gififord, Benjamin Lee, Henry Dutcher, Jacob Truax 
and William Davenport. 



541 

The com]-)aratively modern history of Knox contauis very little of 
impoitance in incident or progress aside from the peaceful advance in 
agricultural methods, improvement in schools, roads, bridges, etc. In 
the war of the Rebellion, from her somewhat remote situation, the town 
responded patriotically to the calls of the government for volunteers. 
As early as September, 1862, the electors authorized their supervisor 
to borrow $1,800 to be paid in a bounty of $100 to each volunteer of 
the quota of the town under one of the early calls for troops. This 
action was succeeded later by equally prompt and generous proceed- 
ings. Seventy seven volunteers went from the town to fight in the 
battles of tiie Union, many of them members of the most prominent 
families, and of these man)- never came back to receive the honors that 
awaited them. 

It is a tradition thjit previous to the beginning of the present century 
there were two primitive schools taught in log school houses in Knox. 
One of these probably stood on the site of Knoxville, and the other 
near West Township. It is possible that there were others of which all 
traces are lost. The town was divided into districts long before it was 
separated from Berne, the number of these being twelve in i860, thir- 
teen in 18S0 and at the present time again twelve with a school house 
in each. Knox, Guilderland, Colonic and Green Island form the third 
school commissioner district of the county. 

The Knoxville Academy was organized under the State laws about 
1830, by Gurdon, Gardiner, and John Gallup, Dr. Elisha Williams, 
Jesse Tyler, and perhaps others. A suitable building was erected and 
in common with many other similar institutions that were founded in 
early years in small villages, enjoyed for many years a large patronage. 
Its teachers were as good as could be obtained and many of its students 
went out to occupy distinguished positions in life. While this academy 
lias kept up its corporate existente down to the present time, it has not 
been in active operation since soon after 1880. The opinion has been 
entertained that the success of this old institution for a long period acted 
to the disadvantage of the district schools, retarding their advance- 



542 

Several professional men of considerable prominence have had their 
residence in Knox. Dr. Erastns Williams, long a leading citizen, was 
the first resident physician and had a large practice during the first 
third of the century. Dr. Moses Brownell was his contemporary and 
successor, and Drs. John Van Allen, Zeh, Sigsby, Johnson, and others 
came in later years. Azor Tabor, born in 1799, and who died in 1858, 
was the only lawyer who ever practiced in this town. 

Kno.xville, with post-office named Knox, is a hamlet in the central 
part of the town, where in past years a small mercantile business has 
been conducted, and the few shops necessary for the convenience of the 
inhabitants are kept. I. W. Chesebrough was a former merchant here, 
who sold out some eight years ago to Elam Williams, who is still in 
business and is now also postmaster. Henry Barckley was a merchant 
from about 1848, and was succeeded by his son, E. L. Barckley, now 
county treasurer. There is no hotel in the place or in the town. 

West Township is a post-office and small hamlet in the eastern part 
of the town, where a grocery is kept by Willis W. Witter. James 
Finch is postmaster, but besides this there is no other business of any 
account. There is a station with the name of the town in the extreme 
north part on the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad. 

The first church organization in this town was of the Lutheran faith and 
was organized before 1750, in which year the first church and school 
house «-as built. Rev. Nicholas Sommer, the enthusiastic pioneer in 
this region, had already preached to congregations for about five years, 
after having taken up under the church patent law a farm of forty-two 
acres. The first building was about twenty feet square and served its 
purpose many years. In August, 18 10, another lot was purchased, 
and in the succeeding fall the old building was moved upon it and re- 
modeled. In the spring of 1828 the old church was demolished and a 
new frame structure erected and partly enclosed, but the church officers, 
some of whom were Lutheran and some Reformed in belief becoming 
involved in a dispute, resigned and the society was broken up. In 
December, 1829, a number of the former members, with others, met 
and reorganized and chartered the Zion's Lutheran and Reformed church 
of the Helderberg and the church building was soon completed. In 
1839 dissentions again arose and the Reformed members withdrew and 



543 

built the church at Secor's. On October 13, 1839, Rev. Adam Crounse, 
more fully organized Zion's Lutheran church at Knox, with fifty-one 
members. In 1850 the present church was erected, while the parson- 
age was built about 1868. Rev. Henry Moeller preached to the old 
congregation from 1790 to 1800, and Rev. Adam Crounse, who per- 
formed so much successful and unselfish pastoral work in this section, 
was preacher from 1 830 to 1844, in connection with Berne and Guilder- 
land. 

The Reformed church of Knox had its origin in the Presbyterian 
church which was formed in 1825. Services had been irregularly held 
for some years previous, under the auspices of the settlers from New 
England. In 1825 Rev. J. Judson Buck was called and was soon in- 
stalled over the congregation here and also Hamilton Union congrega- 
tion. At that time there were fifty-five members in this congregation. 
The elders were Erastus Williams, Isaac Barber, P. Witter, and Henry 
Denison. Mr. Buck remained steadily with the church about three 
years and for two years after that probably acted with the congregation 
in church affairs. No regular pastor was employed as his successor, 
but several preached occasionally, and the society languished. The 
Dutch Reformed settlement was increasing in the town and the subject 
of reorganizing under that faith was freely discussed. This was finally 
done and the church was received into the Classis of Albany September 
20, 1842, with the name of the First Reformed Dutch church of Knox, 
Thirty-one members of the former congregation were dismissed to form 
the new one, and the following consistory were chosen : Daniel Chese- 
bro, Joseph Gallup, Gurdon Gallup, Henry Williams, jr., John Van 
Allen, Michael P. Cavart, Charles Clute and John Possom. Henry 
Williams was chosen treasurer and John Van Allen, clerk. This re- 
organization was affected under the ministry of Rev. Joseph Kneiskern. 
The original house of worship was a plain wooden building, and stood 
a little below the present church, which was built forty years ago. 

There are three Methodist Episcopal churches in Knox, but their 
records are so incomplete that little of their history is known. It is 
probable that Rev. William Brown was the first Methodist preacher in 
the town. He is buried in the little plot formerly used, and the record 
on the headstone says he was born in October 24, 1758, and died April 



544 

25, 1 834- His wife was Mary Chesebro. In early days the church at 
Knox village was connected with those of Berne, Reidsville, Middle- 
burgh (Schoharie county) and Schoharie, to form the Berne circuit. 
Among the first members of this town were Joseph Hunting, F. Dom- 
inic, Levi Van Auken, and Christopher Chesebro. The first house of 
worship stood about a mile east of Knox village, and was taken down 
when the present one in the village was erected in 1851. Another 
church was built at about the same time at West Township. The third 
one was erected in 1841 in the eastern part of the town. 

A Baptist church known as the Church of Berne previous to 1825 
was organized early in the century. In 18 12, when Rev. N. H. Ripley 
was pastor, it had a membership of 105. Soon after this date the con- 
gregation was without a regular preacher for twelve years, when Rev. 
Samuel Hare was called and preached eight years, up to 1832. During 
the pastorate of Rev. S. G. Tower, which began in 1850, a frame 
church was built at West Township. The society was fairly prosperous 
until about 187S, when it began to decline and was soon reduced to 
very few members. It finally became extinct as far as holding services 
is concerned. 

Following is a list of the supervisors of Knox from 1850 to the 
present time, with the years of their election : 

1851, Lyman Witter; 18.52-.53, .Stephen Merseli.s, jr.; 18r)4-.').5, Henry Barckley; 
18.')6-.57, John Keenholtz; 1858-5ii, Samuel Gallup; 1800-63, Samuel Warm; 1863, 
John Keenholtz; 1864-65, Ira Van Auken; 1866-72, Peter Schooumaker; 1873- 
74, Hiram Gage; 1875-77, J. M. Chesebro; 1878, William J. Haverly; 1879-81, 
I. W. Chesebro; 1883, William J. Haverly; 1883-85, Charles G. Frink ; 1885-87, Ed- 
ward L. Barckley, 1888-90, Sanford Quay; 1891-93, William J. Haverly; 1893-95, 
Sanford Quay. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

THE TOWN OF NEW SCOTLAND. 

This is the Central town of Albany county, and the latest one erect- 
ed, having been taken from the town of Bethlehem by act of the Legis- 
lature April 25, 1832, and containing about 27,000 acres of land. The 
act erecting the town gives the following description of its eastern 
boundary: 

From and after the passage of this act, all that part of the town of Bethlehem, in 
the county of Albany, lying west of a line beginning at a point six miles west of the 
Hudson river, in the south bounds of the town of Guilderland ; thence on a southerly 
course, parallel with the Hudson river, to a point in the north bounds of the town of 
Coeymans, si.x miles west from the said Hudson river, and all lying west of saidlme, 
shall be a separate town, to be known by the name of New Scotland. 

The surface of this town is widely diversified. The Helderberg moun- 
tains rise along the western border in picturesque beauty, while the 
eastern parts are high, rolling and broken by ridges and hills. The 
.soil is clay and gravelly loam, and fertile and productive farms are 
found in many localities. The principal streams are the Normans Kill, 
which crosses the northeastern corner only ; Vly Creek, a tributary of 
the Normans Kill in the northern part ; Vlaaman (or Flaman's) Creek, 
in the eastern part ; and Onisquethau Creek, which flows across the 
southern part from west to east. Black Creek touches the northwestern 
corner. Lawson's Lake is on the Coeyman's line in the southwest 
part, a small sheet of water, the outlet of which falls into a deep cavity 
and flows onward through a subterranean passage to a cavern, the 
natural features of which possess a great deal of beauty. Near Cope- 
land Hill in the same locality are some remarkable sink holes, five to 
eight feet in diameter and extending down through the soil and the 
lime rock to a depth of ten to twenty feet, and being connected by sub- 
terranean streams. Near Clarksville are two caves which extend respec- 
tively an eighth and a half mile underground, with streamsflowing through 



o4<) 

them. In the southwestern part of tlie town is situated a sulphur 
spring. The highest point of land in New Scotland is in the western 
part, in the Helderbergs, where it rises i ,823 feet above tide. Here form ■ 
erly was located a station of the United States Coast Survey. From the 
summits of these mountains and hills views of great beauty, extending 
over a wide area, are obtained. 

Hay is the principal crop in New Scotland and has been for some 
years, while the cereals, potatoes and fruits are grown extensively. In 
recent years many hop yards have been planted. The farmers of the 
town are fully abreast with modern methods and are rewarded with 
adequate returns for their toil. 

The territory now embraced within the boundaries of New Scotland 
is a part of the Van Rensselaer Manor, and a portion of it was included 
in the Jan Hendrickse Van Baal purchase of the Mohawk Indians, de- 
scribed in an earlier chapter. Van Baal made his purchase in 1660, 
and soon afterwards sold half of his tract of about 69,000 acres to Jan 
Hendrickse Vroman, who in 1686 sold the same to Omie de La Grange 
for one hundred beaver skins. In 1 7 16 Omie de La Grange and Johannes 
Simonse Vedder purchased the remainder of the patent from the heirs 
for .^250. The first settlements were made in this section on the Nor- 
mans Kill about 1700 by the La Granges and Koenradt Koens Sev- 
eral families in the vicinity of New Scotland took their leases from these 
families as early as 17 16. Against these settlers the Patroon began 
legal proceedings to invalidate their title ; the litigation was tedious and 
prolonged, but was ultimately, on July 6, 1776, decided in favor of the 
Patroon ; the families of Simon J. Vedder, Arie (or Aurie) La Grange, 
and Volkert Veeder, with sixty- three others, now found themselves de- 
prived of their estates, after having been in peaceable po.ssession ninety 
years. 1 

The first settler on the Onisquethau flats in this town was Teunis 
Slingerland, who came from Holland and purchased nearly 10,000 
acres of land. The date of his arrival is not definitely known, but was 
about 1660. The deed of his land is said to have been signed by three 
Indian chiefs. Teunis Slingerland married Engeltje, daughter of Albert 
Andriesen Bradt, built a dwelling and soon afterward established mills. 

1 Historical sermon by Kev. James G. K. McClurc, pastor of New Scotland Presbyterian church. 



547 

His selection of lands was wisely made and the tract embraced what 
subsequently became excellent farms, portions of which remained in 
possession of descendants of the pioneer until recent years. 

In 1685 a deed was given to Teunis Slingerland and his son-in law, 
Johannes Apple, by three Mohawk chiefs, of the Wolf, Bear and Turtle 
clans, for certain lands ; this deed is interesting as the following extract 
shows : 

Sa go-a-di och-qui-sax, To-ho-daa-\ve, Ro-jen-Jre, Tap-ib-dan-e-go, Ro-jon-jovv, 
So-ha-ayn-tow-anne, being empowered by all the sachems of the three races of the 
Maqiiaes, and by On-i-gho-cen da, one of the principal owners, for and in considera- 
tion of the following goods, to wit, one piece of shrift, three casks of rum, three 
kettles, three shirts, hundred and fifty hands white wampum, and one bag of pow- 
der, sell, transport, convey, &c. , &c., to Teunis Slingerland and William Apple, his 
son-in-law, their heirs, &c., a certain tract of land lying on the north side of a cer- 
tain creek called O-nits-quat-haa, to the westward of Albany, lying behind Norman's 
Creek, about sixteen miles into the woods, and marked on the east and west end by 
a Wolf, Bear and Turtle, &c. 

Barent Pieterse Coeymans set up the claim that this land lay within 
his patent purchased of the Mohawks at Catskill in April, 1673 ; the 
Mohawks disputed this and Coeymans subsequently relinquished his 
claim. The tract probably contained about 10,000 acres. Slinger- 
land's deed was signed in presence of Peter Schuyler, Garret Bauchry, 
and William Teller, and is on record in the Albany county clerk's 
office. 

Between 1700 and 1750 a considerable number of settlers came into 
what is now New Scotland, bringing with them the customs of the old 
world and the industrious hardihood of the race they represented. 
Storm and Jan Bradt, and a family of Segers were in the town contem- 
poraneously with Mr. Slingerland, and their descendants have been 
conspicuous in the history of the community. Among others who 
arrived during this period were Francis Moak, Jacob Hellenbeck, An- 
dries Houck, David Belong, Jonathan Hoogtaling, Isaac Pryce, Adam 
and John Long, W. Van Atten, John Mead, Hallers Thompsons, Al- 
bert Bradt, Conradt Hoogtaling, William Van Allen, and Albert Sling- 
erland. 

Down to 1755 most of the .settlers on the lands of the Patroon were 
occupying their farms without leases ; they were little more than squat- 
ters, and had made slow progress in improvements, probably by reason 



548 

of their somewhat uncertain tenure. About this time the Slingerlands, 
who had made more extensive improvements than others of their neigh- 
bors, estabhshed the mills at Clarksville. During the period from 1750 
to 1775 there was a large influx of settlers from Scotland, Ireland and 
England, introducing new and varied characteristics and customs. 
Among the pioneers of that period were Hendrick Bouse, Johannes 
Seger, Derk Terwilger, Nicholas Sigsbee, Henrick Albright, John Wade- 
man, Samuel Taylor, George Reid, George Swan, Ebenezer and John 
Wands, William and Charles McCulloch, David and William Allen, 

Fuller, William Pangburn, John Patterson, Samuel Ramsey and 

his sons, James McMullin, William Kirkland, Anthony Wayne, Samuel 
Erwin, Antone Slingerland, and families of McBride, Moak, Jackson, 
McCoughtry, Bruce, Valk, Lenox, Conger, Ingraham, and Lamphere. 
Most of these names in themselves indicate the change in the nation- 
ality from their predecessors. 

Immigration, which had practically ceased during the Revolutionary 
period, began again after the close of the war. Property rights being 
settled, industry protected, a market provided for crops, together with 
the attendant blessing of peace, gave encouragement to settlers already 
located and stirred the enthusiasm and ambition of the adventurous. 
Some of those who came into the town between 1775 and 1800 were 
Johannes Markle, Frederick Reinhart Fuller, Benjamin Van Zandt, 
Conrad Bowe, John Furbeck, Benjamin Winne, Mathias Young, Nich- 
olas Van Schaack, M. and F". Van Wormer, Elias Mattise, John Martin, 
John Stalker, Mathias Winne, Richard Radlift", and the Johnson, De 
Reamer, and Smith families. These names are mostly well known in 
this county and descendants of many of them have been prominent in 
the public affairs of the town and successful in their various occupations. 
It may properly be recorded here that Dr. Samuel Dickson of this town 
served as member of Congress in 1855 ; John McEwen and Henry 
Fitch, both born in New Scotland, were elected to the office of sheriff; 
John R. Radley and William J. Reid served as associate justices ; David 
D. McCulloch as commissioner of schools, and Edmund Raynsford, 
Aaron Van Schaack, David G. Seger, Frederick Mathias, John Reid, 
Harman Van Derzee, Henry Creble, Peter Slingerland and Hiram 
Becker, Smith O'Brien and Joseph Hilton as members of Assembly. 



649 

The early schools in this town were like those in other localities al- 
ready described — taught in private houses, frequently in the dwelling 
of the teacher, later in log school houses widely scattered, and finally 
in the neat frame buildings of later days. Some of the teachers in the 
territory of New Scotland in the first years of the century were Charles 
McCulioch, HarmanusVan Huysen, Edmund Raynsford, Francis Seger, 
James Wands, 2d, Horace Emery, William Hooster, James Patterson, 
James McElroy, Peter De Long, Ann Lawson, and a Miss Hoyt. 
After the distribution of the so-called school money the character of 
the schools at once became better and their number increased. The 
number of school districts increased somewhat after the first division 
was made until in iS6o there were fifteen. At the present time there 
are si.xteen with school houses. New Scotland with Coeymans and 
Hethlehem constitute the first district of Albany county. 

I'oUowing is a list of the supervisors of this town from its organization 
to the present time: 

1833-38. James Reid; 1839-40, Aaron Van Schaick ; 1841-14, William Murphy; 
].v!4.5_40, Coon rad Math i as; 1847-49, Robert Taylor; 1850-51, John McEwen ; 1853-53, 
John Mathias; 1854, William Van Allen; 185.5-56, P. V. W. Brooks; 1857-58, James 
Slingerland; 1859, Samuel Rowe; 1860, James Sliugerland; 1861, Henry Crounse; 
1862, James Slingerland; 1863-64, John R. Taylor; 1865, David Callanan ; 1866-67, 
Nicholas A. Delong; 1868, Samuel Patton ; 1869, Nicholas B. Houck; 1870, Alonzo 
B. Voorhees; 1871-76, Robert Taylor; 1873, Tuenis Slingerland; 1874, Henry M. 
Meed; 1875, Tennis Slingerland; 1876-80, D. V. S, Raynsford; 1881, Henry H. 
Meed; 1882-83, Hiram Becker; 1884-85, Charles Wood; 1886-88, William J. Reid ; 
1889-92, Joseph Allen ; 1893, A. W; Witbeck ; 1894-5 Albert Vanderpoel. 

The village and post-office of New Salem is situated a little north- 
west of the center of New Scotland, at the foot of the Helderbergs on 
the old Beaverdam road, which later became the Albany and New 
Scotland plank road. The mountain just west of the village is 1,700 
feet high, and over it the road passes into the town of Berne. Settle- 
ment was made on this site as early as 1770, about which date Seth 
Price, c;hristian Bradt, a family of Van Valkenbergs, and perhaps a few 
others came in These were soon followed by John Stalker, John 
Wamp (or Wemple), Obadiah Cooper, Benjamin Van Zandt, a family* 
of Crouslers, and others. Alexander Stather built a large house in 
1807 for a tavern, which is still standing, though unoccupied, and was 
owned for many years by Jacob Seger. Johannes Markle, kept a pub- 



650 

lie house a half mile south of New Salem as early as 1792. About 
1806 the little village began to grow; new dwellings, a church, and a 
tannery, operated by Beriah Chesebrough, were built. When bark 
gave out the tannery was converted into a saw mill, with water power; 
later a steam engine was put in and a feed mill added. The buildings 
were finally burned. About the j'ear 1800 a saw mill was established 
on Spring Creek near the village on what was the Winne farm. About 
1830 Aaron Van Schaack built a large store and tavern. The post- 
office was opened soon after the formation of the town and the former 
local name of Punkintown was dropped for the better one of New 
Salem. Aaron Van Schaack was the first postmaster. The building 
erected by him is now used as a temperance hotel by David O. Young. 
In 1839 David C. Segar built a store which was rented to Thomas D. 
Bennett, but which is now used as a harness shop. The store building 
of J. M. Erwin was erected in 1875. There is a steam saw mill and 
grist mill at Cold Spring built in 1887 by Peter Albright. The first 
grist mill of the Slingerlands has been mentioned ; it was on the 
Onisquethau. east of Clarksville, and was probably the first one in this 
town. It was on the farm occujiied in recent years by Conrad C. 
Crounse, where there is a fall of about forty feet in the stream. The 
mill was'in operation, according to the best authority, about 1750 and 
probably stood many years ; it was long the only mill in the neighbor- 
hood and was used by the inhabitants of a wide area Another grist 
mill was built in early years on the Michael Slingerland farm, which in 
recent years has been superseded by a saw mill operated by Mr. Sling- 
erland. On Vly Creek, to the north of New Salem, a grist mill was 
built in 1 83 I by the La Granges and continued in operation down to 
recent years. A man named Grant had a carding mill in early years 
on a little stream south of the Andrew Allen place and north of the 
turnpike. 

Clarksville is situated on the plateau in the southwest part of the 
town, and takes its name from Adam A. Clark, who settled there about 
1822. Early settlers at this point were William Bose (or Bouse), Sam- 
uel Ingraham, who kept a tavern in the upper part of the village, and 
Joseph Bright, who kept a tavern where George Fuller now resides. 
At a later date Henry L. Mead settled there, became a prominent citi- 



551 

zen, held tlie office of justice of the peace and was postmaster of the 
village. The name of the place was originally Bethlehem, when New 
Scotland was a part of that town. Not long after the year 1800 Har- 
manus Bogardus came from Feura Bush and settled at this place, erect- 
ed buildings and kept a public house, the dwelling now occupied by the 
widow of Michael Flansburgh having been built by him for Mr. Mead. 
A man named Jenkins kept another early tavern. After the charter of 
the Albany and Delaware Turnpike Company in 1805 ^"d the improve- 
ment of the road, travel greatly increased from Rensselaerville, and as 
Clarksville was about half waj' between that place and Albany, it be- 
came a convenient and popular stopping place. About 1822 Mr. 
Bogardus sold his property to Adam A. Clark, who continued the 
business many years. The tavern is now owned and kept by John T. 
Smith. One of the early log school houses was in this place, and 
Francis Seger and a Mr. Taylor were among the early teachers. In 
1 84 1 Peter L. Houck built a saw mill on the Onisquethau, which he 
operated many years, and which has since become the property of 
Frederic R. Gardner. In 1845 Rushmore Bennett and John Murphy 
built a saw mill and flouring mill, run at first by water power, to which 
steam was afterwards added. It subsequently passed into the posses- 
sion of Robert McLaughlin, was burned and was rebuilt as a feed mill, 
which is still in his possession. There has always been a small mer- 
cantile business here, though much of this has gone to Albany and else- 
wliere since the opening of the railroad. A general store is kept by 
Clinton Bagley, and there is also a granger's store doing an active 
business. Besides the John T. Smith HottI, others are kept by Arthur 
Houck and George Fuller. 

Nev.' Scotland is a small hamlet and post-office in the northeastern 
part of the town. Its name, like that of the town itself, is derived from 
the many early Scotch settlers here. A post-office was opened here as 
early as 1765, with Adam Holliday, postmaster; he was succeeded by 
Edmund Raynsford, who was a prominent citizen for fifty years. Some 
of the early settlers in this immediate vicinity were Jacob Moak, An- 
thony Wayne, Henrick Bouse and William McCulloch, who established a 
tannery near the plank roak. In common with most other hamlets tiiat 
were settled at an early period in this region, when tiie mails were 



551 

carried on horseback or by stages and merchandise and produce were 
carried to market in the same slow manner, numerous pubHc houses 
were kept here, and men named Christie, Bellamy, Holliday, and Wayne 
were at different times engaged in this business. A hotel, the property 
of Mr. Raynsford, was kept in recent years by Mrs. George Reid and 
her son. The present hotel of the village is conducted by John Bensell. 
On the premises now owned by John Slingerland, Peter Rushmore es- 
tablished at an early date a tannery. The original log school house of 
the place was succeeded by one of better character which in turn was 
replaced in 1866 by the present one. A store has recently been built 
and is kept by J. M. Whitbeck, on the West Shore Railroad which 
passes near the village. Dr. John H. Fitch has long been and still 
continues the practice of medicine here. 

Feura Bush is a small hamlet in the southeast part of the town, near 
the Bethlehem line The post office here was formerly named Jerusa- 
lem. It is a station on the West Shore Railroad, but has never had 
much business. Two stores are kept, one of them having recently been 
opened by George Rantoup. There is a considerable market here for 
hay and straw. 

Unionville is a hamlet with a post office, named Union Church, in 
the eastern part of the town near the Bethlehem line. Here taverns 
were opened in early years, one by Christian Houck, another by David 
Chesebro. The Bradt, Haller, Long, Wademan, Sigsbee, and Radley 
families were early settlers in the vicinity. Peter Stoner kept an early 
tavern on Stony Hill, and Dr. Dennick kept one between Unionville 
and Clarksville. The post-office was discontinued some fifteen years 
ago, but later again opened. The hotel of the village is now kept by 
William Wemple. 

Wolf Hill is a post-office about two miles west of New Salem, and up 
to 1896 another post office was in existence on the Beaverdam road 
under the name of Helderberg. 

Onisquethau, with the local title of Tarrytown, is a hamlet about one 
and a half miles south of Clarksville, It is said to have received its 
local appellation from the fact that there was once a large building 
known as " the Castle " in which was kept a tavern which became a 
resort of idle and dissolute persons who would " tarry " there until un- 



553 

seemly hours. John Mead, David UeLong and one of tlie Lamphercs 
were early settlers, of whom Mr. Mead kept a tavern. Robert Mayhew 
kept a store and tavern in the old castle, and it was he who dug the 
channel which drains Lawson's Lake. Other public houses were form- 
erly kept by John J. Hoogabome, Thomas Austin, and Solomon Russell. 
At the time of the construction of the Erie Canal, large quantities of 
stone were quarried near this point, which perhaps accounts for the un- 
usual number of public houses, as many workmen were employed at 
that time. 

Callanan's Corners post-office is in this town in the extreme south- 
eastern part, a portion of the hamlet being in Bethlehem and a portion 
in Coeymans. It took its name from two brothers who were early 
settlers at this point. A store has been kept here for many years and 
a few shops. 

The village of Voorheesville is situated centrally east and west near 
the northern boundary of the town at the junction of what are now the 
Albany and Susquehanna and the West Shore railroads. Its business 
importance has been chiefly attained since the opening of these roads. 
The village takes its name from Alonzo B. Voorhees, who built one of 
the first dwellings before the completion of the Albany and Susque- 
hanna Railroad. It is a pretentious residence, was subsequently owned 
by S. V. R. Hoes, and is now the property of Charlotta Coughtry. 
Peter Wormer built and kept the first store, and William Spore erected 
a fine residence south of the railroad. The post office was opened in 
1868, with James A. Reid, postmaster. After the completion of the 
second railroad, making the junction at this point, Conrad Fryer built 
and opened a large hotel which is still in existence, while another pub- 
lic house is kept by Morris Harris. The mercantile interests of the 
place are represented by Joslin Brothers, hardware, etc., of whom E. 
D. Joslin is postmaster, J. B. Wands & Son, Cummings Brothers, Levi 
Wood & Co., L. S. Schell, Thomas Brewster, Crannell Brothers, and 
Frank Bloomingdale, who is a large dealer in hay and grain. A feed 
mill is operated by L. S. Schell, and Hotaling & Hicks formerly operated 
a steam saw mill which has, however, since gone to decay. A second 
one was built by W. S. Swift, but was burned in 1896. Mr. Swift also 
had a lumber yard which is now a part of the large business of the 



554 

Crannell Brothers. The Empire Cider and Vinegar Works is another 
prosperous estabUshment and is under the able management of A. E. 
Corey. An excellent graded school which has two departments, is 
maintained in the village and is now under charge of E. H. Parker, as 
principal. 

Among the earliest physicians resident in what is now New Scotland 
were Drs. Clark, Dcnnick, Day, and De Lamater. Dr. Clark died about 
i8i4and was buried with Masonic honors. Subsequently came Dr. 
Thomas Lloyd, and a little later Dr. Samuel Dickson, the latter being 
long a prominent citizen and being elected to Congress in 1854, while 
Dr. John H. Becker practiced in this town until his death. Dr. John 
H. Fitch, whose name has been mentioned, is a great-grandson of Will- 
iam Allen, who was a member of one of the Scotch families that set- 
tled early in this town. Dr. Milton B. Lamb came about 1855 and 
practiced until 1866. Dr. Valentine Dennick resided between Clarks- 
ville and Unionville, was an early postmaster, and also kept a tavern. 
Drs. Schermerhorn, Holmes, and Ingraham were settled at Clarksville. 
Later physicians were Drs. Conrad J. Crounce, M. S. Dayton, Israel 
Day, Henry Sager, G. V. Voorhees, A. Oliver, Hiram Crounse, and 
Dr. Fred Surbrie. 

The many Scotch and Irish settlers in this town were bred in the 
Presbyterian faith and in their new homes in this strange land brought 
with them the religious beliefs of their ancestors. The earliest religious 
organization in New Scotland of which there is authentic record was 
that which became later the New Scotland Presbyterian church. About 
the year 1776 a Presbyterian missionary visited New Scotland village 
and held a service in the open air. While here he laid the foundations 
for the latter church, which was organized in 1787 by the Presbytery of 
Suffolk, afterward called the Presbytery of Long Island. In 1789 the 
church was transferred to the Presbytery of New York. In 1790 the 
Presbytery of Albany was established and held its first meeting No- 
vember 9, 1 79 1. At that meeting New Scotland petitioned for sup- 
plies, and three ministers were named who should each give one Sab- 
bath. In 1792 Rev. Mr. Lindsley preached on eight Sundays, but 
from this date until March, 1795, there was no stated preacher. A call 
was then extended to Rev. Benjamin Judd and he was installed in Sep- 



555 

ternber, 1795. Tlie Lord's Supper was celebrated for the first time on 
the second Sabbath in May, 1796, with twenty-two communicants, at 
which time David Allen and Michael Bruce were elders. The first 
board of trustees, chosen in February, 1791, were Thomas Burn- 
side, Feter Cutchen, James Henderson, John Jackson, John McCough- 
try, and John Vorns. In 1791 a house of worship was built and in 
1795 the parsonage was occupied by Rev. Mr. Judd. He was soon 
dismissed and Rev. John Arnold was installed in November, 1798. He 
preached about three years, after which the church was without a pas- 
tor until October, 1807, when Rev. Thomas Holiday was called. The 
fourth pastor was Rev James McDonald, who was ordained and in- 
stalled in October, 1832 His successors were Revs. Robert Knell, a 
supply; Reuben Sears, 1836-45 ; Gains Mills Blodgett, supply, 1846- 
56; John James Cameron, 1857-60; Samuel L. Gamble, 1861-67; 
James William Edie, 1 868-70 ; William G. Handy, 1871-74; James 
G. J. McClure, 1874-79; William H. Ford, 1880-82; DewittC Rocke- 
feller, 1884. During the pastorate of Mr. Blodgett in 1848 the old 
church edifice was taken down and a new one erected, which was con- 
siderably enlarged in 1869, and in 1877-78 a basement was built for 
use as a chapel and for Sunday school. The real estate of this church 
was a gift from the Patroon, and consisted of about 156 acres of land. 
The land v.-as part of the farm owned in recent years by Robert Moak, 
and being distant from the church, was exchanged with Jacob Moak, 
who owned 73i acres adjoining the original church lot. In June, 1795, 
the Patroon gave his consent to the transaction, and Jacob Moak took 
the church farm. On February 6, 1844, Stephen Van Rensselaer gave 
the trustees a quit claim deed for this farm, and on February 27, 1872, 
the remaining part of this property was sold to D. V. S. Raynsford. 
In September, 1877, the parsonage was burned and a more modern 
one erected. 

Reformed churches in this town are situated at Feura Bush, New 
Salem, Clarksville, Union and Onisquethau. Although Dutch settlers 
were in this town as early as 1650, there are no existing records of an 
organized church among them until 1780. Previous to that year the 
inhabitants doubtless went to Albany to worship, and later perhaps to 
Schenectady. From 1780 to about 1785, services were probably held 



556 

at Jerusalem, (Feiira Bush), and records show that in 1786 Dirck Ro- 
meyn of Schenectady passed through the town, preaching and baptiz- 
ing, the people gathering together to hear him at Helderberg, Salem 
and Jerusalem, and after him came Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen in 1794. 
Meanwhile in 1790 an organization was perfected and a church built 
between Union and Jerusalem. With the incoming of a more intelli- 
gent class of farmers and the increase in the number of inhabitants, 
religious services were held with more regularity and were numerously 
attended. In course of time it was felt that a more central location was 
desirable, and a new church was erected in 1825 at Feura Bush, which 
has been used up to a recent date. Rev. Mr. Van Huysen died in 1 833 and 
is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The present house of worship 
at Jerusalem has been repaired and improved at various times. The 
Salem Reformed Church was intimately connected with the Feura 
church in its early life. There was probably an organization here as 
early as 1794, and the people received the ministrations of both Rev. 
Dirck Romeyn and Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen. In 181 3 a perma- 
nent organization was made, with the following first officers : Benjamin 
Van Zandt, John Terwilliger, John Van Etten, Jacob I. Hallenbeck, 
Frederick Fuller, Jeremiah Cronssler, John A. Severson, and David 
Van Etten, and a church building was erected on land given by Stephen 
Van Rensselaer. This building was used until 1844, when it was taken 
down and a new one erected on the site, by Wilhelmus Young, Fred- 
eric Markle, Frederick Fuller, and Peter L. Houck, who were the 
building committee. This edifice served its purpose for about thirty 
years, when the present handsome church was built at a cost of about 
$10,000 in 1875. It stands on a new site, and the old church property 
was purchased by Abram Mann. 

The Reformed church of Union was organized in 1825 from the 
Jerusalem and Salem congregations. The first pastor was Rev. Ira C. 
Boice, who preached also at Salem. The present church was built soon 
afterward, the property being valued at about $5,000. The Reformed 
church of Onisquethau is the successor of a Presbyterian society which 
was organized by the Presbytery of Albany in 1824, a church being 
built in the following year, when Rev. Thomas Holliday was pastor. 
In 1839 the church and property passed into possession of the con- 



557 

sistory of the Reformed church and took the new name and government. 
Tlie building was extensively improved in 1884. 

The Reformed church of Clarksville was organized in 1853 by Rev. 
Staats Van Santvoord, with seven members, Rev. Jasper Middleton 
being the first pastor, and a house of worship was built in 1853 at a 
cost of $2,400, and is still in use. 

The first Methodist preacher who labored in tliis town was Rev. 
Freeborn Garrison, an itinerant. Services were held by him and others 
at intervals until about the year 1S20, when the first Methodist society 
was organized under the name of the Black Creek Methodist church, in 
the northwest part of the town. A house of worship was erected at 
about the same time and was used, with various improvements, until 
about 1890, when it was taken down and removed to Voorheesville and 
rebuilt in modern style, in which place a prosperous society had been 
previously organized. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of New Salem was organized in 
1850 and a house of worship erected in the same year on land purchased 
from Abram Mann in the north part of the village. Among the prom- 
inent workers in the early organization were Ebenezer A. Fitch, Alan- 
son Van Auken, and Andrew J. Smith. 

The Methodist Episcopal church of Clarksville was organized in i860 
by Rev. S. S. Stillman, who was its first pastor, and the church was 
erected in the ne.xt year at an expense of $4,000. The society has had 
a prosperous existence ever since. 

A Presbyterian church was organized in Voorheesville and the pres- 
ent handsome church edifice erected in 1886. 



PART II. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 




HAMILTON HARRIS. 



BIOGRAPHICAL. 



HAMILTON HARRIS. 

Nci name is more conspicuously associated with the bar of Eastern New York 
than that of Hon. Hamilton Harris, of Albany, and few lawyers have brought to 
their profession a more energetic mind, a more fortunate combination of legal and 
scholarly acquirements, or stronger or more practical administrative abilities. Mr. 
Harris is of English and Scotch descent, his parents being natives of this State and 
pioneers of Preble, Cortland county, where he was born May 1, 1820. Receiving a 
good preliminary education in the common schools of his native town and at the 
Homer and Albany Academies, he was graduated from Union College in 1841, and 
while yet a student manifested a strong inclination for the law. His collegiate 
career marked him as a classical scholar, and he distinguished himself at the com- 
mencement exercises by a very able and admirably delivered address. Upon grad- 
uation he entered the law ofHces of his brother, Hon. Ira Harris, afterward one of 
the ablest and most eminent of the judiciary of the State and a United States sen- 
ator, of Albany. Mr. Harris was admitted to the bar in 1845 and immediately be- 
gan active practice in the capital city, where he has ever since resided. He rapidly 
acquired a high reputation as an able, accomplished lawyer, and for many years has 
been a leader of the Albany bar. In 1848 he formed a copartnership with Hon. 
Hooper C. Van Vorst, which was dissolved in 1853 by the latter's removal to New 
York city, where he became a judge of the Superior Court. Soon afterward he asso- 
ciated himself with Hon. Samuel G. Courtney. In 1857 he became a partner of Hon. 
Clark B. Cochrane and Hon. John H. Reynolds, both of whom were elected to Con- 
gress during this connection. This firm, which was one of the strongest legal co- 
partnerships that ever existed in Albany, ended with Mr. Cochrane's death in 1807, 
but Mr. Harris and Mr. Reynolds continued until the latter's death in 1875. Mr. 
Harris has now associated with him in practice his son Frederick, William P. Rudd, 
and Edmund C. Knickerbocker. 

In the fall of 1853 Mr. Harris was elected district attorney of Albany county, and 
served until January 1, 1857. During his administration of that office he con- 
ducted a number of noted crimmal trials, promment among them being The People 
vs. Hendrickson, 10 N. Y. Reports, 13; McCann, 16 N. Y. Reports, 58; and 
those of Phelps, McCrossen, Dunningan, and Curaraings. As a pleader Mr. 
Harris has won great distinction throughout the State. He masters every detail 
of fact, pays close attention to the conduct of a case, and though 



gruff, and, to a certain extent, dictatorial, is kind, dignified, quiet, and honest. 
He is earnest and powerful, imbued with the highest principles of the law, and 
possesses a winning personality. The numerous reported cases in the Supreme 
Court and the Court of Appeals, argued by him. show in some degree the extent 
and the magnitude of the legal business in which he has been engaged and the 
important questions of law which he has argued. 

Early in life Mr. Harris became prominent in the Whig party in Albany county, 
advocating its measures on the platform and with his pen with such fidelity and 
ability that he soon was recognized as a leader in both county and State. In 1850 
he was elected member of assembly, and was largely instrumental in securing the 
State Library and the improvement of the State Capitol. He was also, during that 
session, a member of the joint committee of six to call State conventions and con- 
struct a new party platform, which was one of the first steps in the formation of the 
Republican party, of which he has always been one of the strongest and ablest 
champions. From 18G2 to 1870 he was a member and from 1864 to 1870 chairman of 
the Republican State Committee, and from 1862 to 1864 he was also chairman of its 
Executive Committee. A prominent writer has said of him: " His keen intuitions 
and his rare skill as an organizer, with a singular union of discretion with boldness, 
render him a natural leader of men." As a delegate to many State and National 
Conventions he was active and strongly influential in sustaining the measures of his 
party. Hon. James G. Blaine, in his "Twenty Years of Congress," after recount 
ing the action of Mr. Harris in the National Convention of 1868, speaks of him as 
"a man of marked sagacity in political affairs." In 1865 Mr. Harris was elected 
president of a new Board of Capitol Commissioners and served until 1875 with abil- 
ity and success so marked that he has been frequently termed " the father" of that 
great measure which resulted in the erection of the present Capitol in Albany. A 
contemporary newspaper, in commentmg upon the subject, .said; "Let the people 
of Albany remember that to Hamilton Harris more than to any other man they are m- 
debted for the New Capitol from its inception in 1865 to its progress in 1879," while 
the Troy Daily Times editorially stated that he was " the father of this structure, 
which is to rank foremost among the majestic buildings of the world." 

In 1875 Mr. Harris was elected to the State Senate, and as chairman of the 
Finance Committee, of the Committee on Joint Library, and of the Select Commit- 
tee on Apportionment his labors were useful and exhaustive. He alw-ays took a 
prominent part in the discussion of leading public questions, and his arguments 
never failed to command respect and attention. In 1877 he was re-elected State 
senator by a large majority, and two years later he declined a re-election. Among 
his senatorial addresses which have passed into history are those touching the New 
State Capitol, on the question of convict labor, on the Grand Army bill, on the 
question of historical societies holding real estate for preservation and monumental 
purposes, on higher education, on sectarian appropriations, and on taxation. In 
1884 he ran as one of the Republican electors on the State ticket. 

Mr. Harris possesses keen literary taste and culture and great ability as a writer, 
lecturer, and public speaker. Several of his addresses have been published, notably 
" Politics and Literature," "The Tower of London," and "Self-Effort." He has 
a large and valuable library of general literature, numbering about 3,500 volumes, 
while his law library contains nearly as many more. On March 10, 1885, he was 



unanimously elected a member of the Regents of the University of tlie State of New 
York. 

A man of handsome and commanding presence, of sound physical constitution, 
and of capacious intellect, Mr. Harris's popularity is well merited. As a forensic 
and political orator he occupies a high position in the history of the city, the State, 
and the country, and as a citizen he enjoys universal confidence and esteem. He 
has great knowledge of human nature and keen perception of character. His 
loyalty and patriotism are among his chief characteri.stics and he has won a lasting 
place in the history of his adopted city. 



CHARLES TRACEY. 

Hon. Ch.\ri.i;s Tracey descends from a long line of influential Irish ancestry, and 
has achieved through hife own personality a more than local prominence in business 
and political aflfairs. His father, John Tracey, a man of high character, came to 
this State from Canada in consequence of the so-called Patriot war in 1837. Settling 
in Albany he became officially connected with many financial and charitable institu- 
tions, was esteemed and respected as a citizen, and on one occasion was candidate 
for State senator. He died in the capital city July 13, 1875. The death of his wife, 
Maria, occurred in 1880. 

Charles Tracey was born in Albany on the 27th of May, 1847, and was graduated 
from the Boys' Academy in 1866. While there he became deeply interested in ele- 
mentary military tactics, and was elected captain of the battalion of cadets. In 1866 
he started on a trip through Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land, visiting the chief cen- 
ters of art, history and science. There he entered the Pontifical Zouaves and served 
two years. He returned to Albany in 1869, but in 1870 went to Rome, Italy, where 
he was captured and retained some time as a prisoner during the siege of that city. 
Returning to the United States again, after his release, he was for a time engaged 
in business in New York, where he organized the Catholic Union, which soon had 
over 10,000 members, and of which he was the first secretary. After his return from 
Europe Pope Pius IX conferred upon him, in recognition of his military services, the 
order of St. Gregory the Great, with rank and title of chevalier. 

General Tracey finally returned to Albany where he has since resided, and where 
he soon became an active and mfluential member of the Democratic party, whose 
principles he has always upheld. He also held several honorary offices, and was 
aide-de-camp with rank of colonel on Governor Tilden's staff and commissary-gen- 
eral of subsistence under Governor Robinson. His high personal qualities, his well 
known executive ability, and his ardent devotion to true Democracy eminently fitted 
him for responsible positions, and with unusual rapidity he won distinction and 
honor in his party's councils. In 1887 he was nominated for representative in con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Congressman Kane, and was elected 
by 1,659 majority over Hon. John M. Bailey, Republican. There was also a labor 
candidate in the field. In Congress he served on various important committees, 
pushed forward succesfully a number of needed measures, and was especially active 
in the establishment of the Watervliet Arsenal, making a speech in June, 1888, in 



support of a liberal appropriation for " the continuance of the manufacture of large 
cannon at Watervliet." This act was passed and became a law in September of that 
year, and was mainly due to the efforts of General Tracey. September 22, 1888, he 
was renominated for Congress and in November was again elected, this time by a 
majority of 2,306. His second term was marked by conspicuous effort. He origin- 
ated the project to deepen the Hudson River to permit sea-going vessels to ascend 
to Albany and Troy, and introduced bills (which became laws) to change the designs 
on United States coins, to make Albany a port of immediate transportation, forrelief 
of the State of New York to refund $42,000 duties paid on arms in 1863, for the relief 
of enlisted men in the ordnance corps, allowing them to collect bounties, and to 
enforce the eight-hour law on government premises. In 1890 he was unanimously 
renommated and re-elected to Congress by a majority of .5,078, and during his third 
term in that body served with the same fidelity and increased usefulness to his con- 
stituents. 

General Tracey is actively identified with many business and other institutions of 
Albany. Since its organization in 1886 he has been president of the Columbia Dis- 
tilling Company, which he had managed for ten years previously, and which was 
founded by his father in 1838. He is also vice-president of the Consolidated Car 
Heating Company of Albany, a life member of the Burgesses Corps, and a member 
of the Catholic Union, the Fort Orange and Albany Clubs, the Albany Press Club, 
the Dongan Club, and the Manhattan and Reform Clubs of New York city. He has 
been manager of St. Peter's Hospital since 1882, is a trustee of St. Agnes's Cem- 
etery and the Albany Savings Hank, and a director of the National Commercial 
Bank of Albany. He was appointed a trustee of the House of Refuge at Hudson, 
N. Y., by President Cleveland, who also tendered him a diplomatic position as min- 
ister abroad, which he declined. (Jeneral Tracey is a public spirited citizen, a good 
organizer of measures, a pleasing and forcible public speaker, and a man endowed 
with attributes of a high order. During the presidential campaign of 1896 he was 
especially conspicuous, serving as the New York member of the Democratic National 
Committee of the sound money wing of his party. 

General Tracey was married in 1883 to Miss Hermine. daughter of Colonel Duches- 
ney. of Montreal. Canada. They have had five children: Marie T., Charles, jr., 
Philip D. , John, and James (deceased). 



PETER KINNEAR. 

Thk history of Albany embraces the careers of many men who by their own in- 
domitable pluck and perseverance have achieved .success in one or more of the 
numerous industries, but probably none has won higher distinction as a manufac- 
turer and promoter of manufacturing and other enterprises than Peter Kinnear, who 
has been actively associated with a number of the city's leading establishments for 
about forty years. Born in Dundee, Scotland, April 24, 1826, he early imbibed the 
sturdy characteristics of the land of 'Wallace, and Bruce, and Burns, and received 
a good practical education in his native town, where he subsequently served a si.K 
years' apprenticeship at the machinist's trade. His love for Scotland's banks .and 




PHTHK KINNEAR. 



braes was stroug, but his ambition to make a name and place among men was 
sti-onger still. In 1847, when scarcely more than a youth, he started ft)r America, 
but at the very outset met with an accident which nearly .cost him his life. Un- 
daunted, however, he continued the journey and soon found himself a stranger in 
the metropolis of this country. He tried to obtain employment at his trade in New 
York, Rochester, and Toronto successively, but failed, and then turned to such 
work as came in his way. During one winter he was employed in cutting timber 
u\ a Canadian forest. Returning to the United States he again unsuccessfully 
sought employment at his trade in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica, but 
upon arriving in Albany he entered the employ of William Orr, proprietor of a 
foundry at No. 64 Beaver street. This establishment was started more than sixty 
years ago by Lewis Aspinwall, who was succeeded by Mr. Orr, who in turn was 
succeeded by Orr & Blair, with himself at the head of the firm. In 1873 Mr. Kin- 
near purchased Mr. Orr's interest and finally became the sole successor of the firm 
of Blair & Kinnear. In May, 1884, Mr. Kinnear bought two lots known as Nos. 64 
and 66 Beaver street, corner of Grand, and made extensive improvements to the 
propertj'. His business increased steadily, and the great variety of goods which he 
manufactured under the head of brass castings consisted of innumerable pieces of 
brass, bronze, composition, nickel, white, and other soft metal castings, steam cocks 
and valves, brass work for breweries, steam engine and plumber brass work, etc. 
His goods were used for countless purposes, and his establishment soon became the 
most important and extensive of its kind in Albany or Eastern New York. 

Perhaps the most noteworthy industry with which Mr. Kinnear has been con- 
nected is the Albany Billiard Ball Company, the most unique and only one of its 
kind in the world. This company was organized by him in 1875 and was the 
legitimate successor of the Hyatt Manufacturing Company, which was formed in 
1868, and which was the pioneer in the attempt to make composition billiard balls. 
It is not necessary to go into the details of the trials and failures of the original 
organization in its experiments to produce billiard balls by pyroxiline, and later 
celluloid, that would replace ivory. Suffice it to say that thousands of dollars and 
much valuable time were lost with little or no practical results until the present 
company was formed. Since then, by the vse of perfected machinery invented by 
J. W. Hyatt, the company has successfully manufactured billiard balls more perfect 
than ivory and far less expensive. Mr. Kinnear's connection w-ith the enterpri.se 
dates from a time when failure and disaster seemed imminent. He had faith in 
the industry, and mainly through his skillful business management and practical 
ability soon won the highest success. At considerable personal trouble and no small 
self-sacrifice he invested and induced others to do so, and the results have more 
than vindicated the wisdom of his advice and his sound judgment. He has been 
president and treasurer of the company since its organization, and has personally 
conducted its affairs. 

Mr. Kinnear has also been prominently and officially connected with many other 
inil)ortant manufacturing and commercial enterprises of Albany. No man has taken 
a greater or a more active interest in the city's industrial affairs, and no one has 
worked more steadily, more earnestly, and more effectively to advance them. He 
has ever been the first to welcome and encourage new industries, and through his 
efforts and advice many important manufacturing establishments have found a 



permanent home in the Capital City and are now contributing to its welfare and 
prosperity. He is an able business man, enterprising, public spirited, and progres- 
sive. In all movements which promise general benefits his counsel is sought and 
valued, while support is both substantial and effective. He was connected with the 
South End Bank and served as its president for three years, 

Mr. Kinnear has also been an influential factor in politics and in the affairs of local 
government. Originally a Whig, he was one of the earliest to enlist in the cause of 
Republicanism, of which he has ever since been a staunch supporter. Imbibing 
from his native land a strong love of freedom he was a firm believer in American in- 
stitutions before placing his feet upon American soil, and this belief and love early 
led him to take a foremost position among the abolitionists in the great slavery 
agitation. Before and during the war of the Rebellion he loyally supported the 
Union. He was for two years a member of the Board of Supervisors and has sev- 
eral times been the nominee of his party for alderman of his ward, which is over- 
whelmingly Democratic. Personally he is one of the most popular and best known 
men in Albany. He is a thorough going American, takes a deep interest in all 
public questions, and exerts his influence and freely uses his means to promote those 
industries which contribute to the support of the workingman, among whom he 
proudly numbers himself as a practical mechanic. 

While in Canada Mr. Kinnear was married m 1849 to Miss Annie Gilchrist, a 
native of Scotland. 



WILLIAM wilbp:rforce byington. 

TiiK Byingtons in the United States are descended from two brothers, John and 
Willliam. wfio came to this country from England in the early part of the seven- 
teenth century. The family dates back to the twelfth century, and its ancient coat 
of arms can still be found among the descendants. In America its members have 
always been active, influential, and industrious citizens, holding positions of honor 
and distinction in the civil, social, military, and business life of their respective 
communities. Justus Byington, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born 
in Great Barringtim, Mass., April 17, 1763, and served as a soldier in the Revolu- 
tionary war. His son. Rev. John Byingion, was born in Hinesburg, Vt., October 8, 
1798. 

William Wilberforce Byington, youngest of seven children of the Rev. John, was 
born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence couuty, N. Y.. December 36, 1840, and attended the 
district school at Buck's Bridge, West Potsdam, working at intervals on Ins father's 
farm. During the winter of 1856, when si.xteen years of age, he taught school, and 
then went to Battle Creek, Mich., where an elder brother resided, and where he at- 
tended the public schools, teaching winters. In 1861 he entered the Michigan State 
Normal School at Ypsilanti, at that time one of the first and best known Normal 
Schools in the country, and was graduated therefrom m one year. After teaching 
for a year in Battle Creek public schools he secured, by competitive examination, 
the position of junior principal of the Barstow Union School in Detroit, and 
shortly afterward, while but twenty-five years of age, was made principal of one 
of the largest educational institutions in the same city. 



While teaching in Detroit he was married, December 36, 1865. to Kate M. Preston, 
at Battle Creek, Mich., Miss Preston having just graduated from Kalamazoo Col- 
lege. Mich. After teaching successfully for five years in Detroit, Mr. Byington de- 
cided to engage in business, which was uuselected at the time he resigned his posi- 
tion. The resolutions passed by the Detroit School Board on receipt of his resigna- 
tion contained not only a laudatory expression of their esteem and respect, but the 
very highest encomiums on his character, ability, and success as a teacher. He 
selected the insurauce business and went vigorously to work. For three years up to 
1869 he labored in various places in the West, mainly in St. Louis and in Indian- 
apolis, Ind. In 1869 he received a tempting offer to remove to New York city, 
which he did and shortly afterwards was made the State agent for New Jersey for 
the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, and removed from New York to 
Newark, N. J., where he resided for ten years. He filled this position of State agent 
with great credit for a period of three years, when he resigned to accept the position 
of superintendent of agencies of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of 
Newark, N. J. Several years were spent by him in vigorous travel, during which 
nearly all the agencies of the company were revised and a number of those most im- 
portant at the present day were created. After a very successful service in this 
cepacity he determined to create an agency for himself, and with that end in view 
he removed, in the latter part of 1883 to Albany, where he has since resided. He 
came to the capital city as State agent for New York and Vermont for the Mutual 
Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, N. J., and now has one of the largest 
and most successful life agencies in the country, having general offices in Albany, 
Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. 

Soon after taking up his residence m New York. Mr. Byington became an active 
and vigorous factor in the literature of life insurance and particularly in its statis- 
tics. For some time he published a life insurance chart, covering the business of all 
the companies for periods of ten years. This chart was long the standard of author- 
ity among solicitors. He was also for about fifteen years the insurance editor of the 
New York Independent, where his weekly articles on various phases of the business 
attracted much attention. He still writes occasionally for this paper. After locat- 
ing in Albany he ceased regular work for the press, but has written much in a gen- 
eral way. In 1886, at the request of General Taylor, editor of the Boston Globe, he 
wrote an article, historical and statistical, filling thirty-two columns of that journal, 
and when published in pamphlet form it had a circulation of over 300,000 copies. 
Since that time he has written many articles for the Globe by special request. 

Mr. Byington has always taken an active interest in fishing matters and in protec- 
tive societies, and for some fifteen years his summers were spent on the St. Law- 
rence. He organized the Anglers Association of the St. Lawrence River and was 
its secretary, and afterward its president. This organization is known as one of the 
most successful protective associations in the country. He is still one of its most 
l)n)minent members, and is also a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Society of 
the Sons of the Revolution, and the Albany Camera Club, of which he has been 
president for several years. To him is due in a large measure the success and pres- 
ent fiourishing condition of the last named club, which has long received his able ser- 
vices and guidance. 



10 
LOUIS E. BLAIR, M. D. 

Dr. I^ouis E. Bi.air, son of Nathan and Elizabeth Blair, was born in Lee, Mass., 
October 9, 1857, and in 1864 moved with the family to Albany, where his parents 
still reside. Dr. Blair was educated \n the public and grammar schools of Albany, 
and was graduated from the High School in 1875. He entered Dartmouth College 
in the fall of that year, and pursued a four years' classical course at that famous 
seat of learning, graduating with the degree of A. B. in the class of '79. He was 
one of the honormen and commencement speakers of his class. While at Hanover, 
N. H.. he also began his medical studies under the preceptorship of Prof. C. P. 
Frost, dean of the Dartmouth Medical College. 

Returning to Albanj' in 1879 he entered the office of Dr. John Swinburne and con- 
tinued his medical course at the Albany Medical College, receiving his professional 
degree in 1881. About this time Dr. Swinburne began his famous surgical work at 
the Swinburne Surgical Hospital and Dispensary and Dr. Blair joined his staff and 
afterwards became his first assistant. He was associated with Dr. Swinburne for 
nearly five years. The opportunities for study and practice which the Swinburne 
Hospital afforded have seldom been equalled, many thousand patients being treated 
here annually. In 1884 Dr. Blair went to Europe for travel and study and pursued 
a post-graduate course in the hospitals of Germany and Austria, devoting especial 
attention to the diseases of the ear, nose and throat. Returning to Albany in 188fi 
he has since successfully practiced as a specialist in the above diseases. Dr. Blair 
has already won for himself a splendid reputation, and his consultation practice 
covers a wide field. He is a frequent contributor to the medical journals, and has 
written many valuable medical essays. Lippincott's new Encyclopedia of Ear, 
Nose and Throat refers to his work. His original contributions on the cause and 
successful treatment of asthma and hay fever <ittracted marked attention. He is a 
member of the New York State Medical Society and the Albany County Medical 
Society. 

On the 10th of March, 188G, Dr. Blair was married to Miss Lillie. daughter of 
Joseph Mann, of Albany. They have one child, Florence E. 



WILLIAM BARNES, Jr. 

William Barnks, Jr., was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., November 17, 1866, 
and is a son of William Barnes, the first superintendent of insurance of the State of 
New York. His mother was Emily Weed Barnes, a daughter of Thurlow Weed, 
founder and for many years editor of the Albany Evening Journal and the most 
conspicuous figure in State politics during his time. Mr. Barnes obtained a good 
preliminary education in the Albany Academy, graduating therefrom in 1884. In 
the fall of the same year he entered Harvard College and took the degree of A. B. 
from that institution in 1888. In December, 1888, he purchased the Albany Morning 
Express, and in April, 1889, a majority of the capital stock of the Journal Company, 
publishers of the Albany Evening Journal, and as president of the Journal Com- 
pany, has since conducted these newspapers with uninterrupted ; 




; 




&; 



11 

Mr. Barnes has taken for several years an active part in the politics of the State, 
and for some time has been a recognized leader of his party in Eastern New York. 
In 1892 he was elected a member of the Republican State Committee for the Con- 
gressional district composed of the county of Albany, and has been re-elected to that 
office each year since. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention at St. Louis. He is a public spirited citizen, taking a keen interest in every 
movement affecting the general welfare, and as a journalist holds a high place, both 
in business and literary circles. He is prominently connected with various organ- 
izations of his native city. 

On the 12th of June, 1888, he was married to Miss Grace Davis, daughter of 
William Henry Davis, of Cincinnati, O. 



CHARLES H. PORTER, M. D. 

CiiARi.Ks HoGKKOOM PoRTEK. A. M., M. D., was born m Columbia county, N. Y., 
November 11, 1834, of English and Dutch ancestry. On his father's side he is descend- 
ed from John Porter, who came from England to Massachusetts Bay in 1637. The 
records in England give John Porter's descent in the sixteenth generation fromWill- 
iam de la Grande, a Norman knight, who came to the army of the Norman duke at the 
Conquest A. D. 1066. He acquired lands near Kenilworth, Warwickshire, England. 
His .son Ralph (or Roger) became "Grand Porteur" to Henry I, A. D. 1120 to 1140, from 
which he derived the name Porter. John Porter, with his wife and children, settled in 
Windsor, Conn., in the year 163T and was at once treated as a man known and re- 
spected. He was put upon a committee the .same year and was made a constable in 
1639, then a high and responsible office. He was for that period a man of considerable 
substance, as appears by his will, printed in the public records of Connecticut. He 
died in Windsor in 1647. Of the sixth generation was Rev. David Porter, D. D., 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who in early life served in the army of the 
Revolution and afterwards was for twenty -eight years the pastor of the Presbyterian 
church at Catskill, N. Y. The first of Dr. Porter's maternal ancestors living in 
America was Evert Luycassen, who was from Amsterdam, Holland, and who was in 
Beaverwyck in 16.'j7. As early as 1665 be purchased land from the Indians in Kin- 
derhook. Dr. Porter was educated principally in Philadelphia, Pa., and New Haven, 
Conn. He received the degree of A. M. from Yale College in 18.5,5 and the degree 
of M. D. from the Albany Medical College in 1861. In the latter institution he was for 
some years professor of Chemistry and Medical Jurisprudence and also filled similar 
positions in other medical colleges. In 1862 he served as assistant surgeon of the 
fith Regt. N. Y. Heavy Artillery, remaining with the latter command until it was 
mustered out in 1865. During these years he was always in active service, par- 
ticipating in the various campaigns of the army of the Potomac, and the army of 
the James, etc. At times he was detached from his regiment, serving as inspector 
and medical director of array hospitals. From 1867 to 1892 (excepting 1885 to 1888), he 
.served as pension examining surgeon. He was commissioned brevet colonel, N. Y. 
State Volunteers, February 13, 1866. Since 1866 he has lived in Albany in active 
practice as a physician. For many years his studies have been largely directed to 



1-2 

state medicine and medical jurisprudence and to the practical solution of important 
questions relating to these sciences. He has frequently been summoned as an ex- 
pert witness in cases of alleged poisoning and injuries and has been at times ap- 
pointed by courts to examine and report upon the mental condition of prisoners. In 
contested will cases his aid has frequently been sought to determine the mental con- 
dition of the testators and so also in other cases where the sanity of individuals has 
been called in question and In which large monetary interests were involved. 



WILLIAM BEATTIE. 

William Beattie, of the well known Beattie Machine Works, located on Amity 
street, Cohoes. Cohoes, with his rare genius, has contributed to mechanics new 
inventions which have opened an era of possibilities heretofore unknown in their 
business. This benefactor of his fellow men was born at Albany in 18^51. He was 
the son of Walter Beattie, a machinist. He acquired his knowledge of machinery 
with John Rogers & Son, manufacturers of engines and other machinery at Albany, 
N. Y. After coming to Cohoes in 1871, he was associated with several of the leading 
machine shops and mills until 189;i. In 189;! he established the present enterprise, 
the products of which are demanded throughout the United States, Canada and many 
foreign countries. Mr. Beattie is sole mamifacturer of Beattie's patent loopers, and 
other valuable patents on machinery used in the manufacture of the Norris patent 
turning machines for shirt bosoms, collars and cuffs, tabs, bands, etc., McCreary's 
rib-cutter, experimental work and and knitting machinery. In 1895 he erected a 
new and commodious building fully equipped with all requisite machine tools, oper- 
ated by steam power. He makes experimental work a specialty, and has taken out 
five patents himself. Mr. Beattie has been water commissioner for twelve years, 
and was a member of the Board of Health prior to that time. He is a member of 
Cohoes Lodge and Chapter, also a memberof Apollo Commandery of Troy. He was 
married January 1, 1872, to Ellen Ayres of Cohoes. They have three children: 
Walter J. is draughtsman and bookkeeper in his father's establishment, William H. 
and Grace M. 



HERMAN MYERS. 

Herman Myers was born May 18, 1824, in Cassel (formerly of the Kingdom of 
Hesse), Germany. His mother died when he was scarcely six years old, leaving his 
father, then a poor struggling farmer, with five small sons and a daughter to support. 
In his youth young Myers was apprenticed for four years to the trade of a dyer and 
colorer which he learned thoroughly. While still a very young man he was drafted 
into the German army to serve in the Kingdom of the then Hessian Prince, who 
was ruler of the city of Cassel and its surrounding country. Young as he was he 
rose rapidly as an officer, and by reason of his fine soldierly qualities within a short 
time was selected and became Guard of Honor to the reigning prince at the Palace 




WILLIAM BHATTlt. 



13 

of Williamshilhe in Cassel, then quite an honor and distinction. (This was the 
same palace where in later years Napoleon III was confined.) 

After five years of army service he emigrated alone to America, hoping thereby 
to better his condition as well as that of his father and brother.s. Coming directly 
to Albany after landing on American soil, a poor lad with but eleven dollars left in 
his pockets on arriving in the capital city, but with health, indomitable will, and 
energy, he at once began business life in a very small way, making Albany his per- 
manent home. Not more than six months had elapsed after his arrival when he 
visited Fulton county, N. Y., where he really laid the foundation of his future stand- 
ing and success. Within a few years thereafter Mr. Myers opened a jewelry store 
at 386 Broadway, Albany. He began on a small scale, gradually increasing his 
stock until before his retirement in 1860, he had one of the largest wholesale and 
retail jewelry establishments in the city. 

No man is better known by the older inhabitants of Fulton county even to this day 
than Herman Myers. There he is loved, honored, and respected. And during the 
fifteen years he was engaged in the jewelry business not a single month passed but 
he visited the people of that county, and especially the cities of Gloversville and 
Johnstown, where his name for honesty and integrity had become so well known and 
established that it was then a well-known saying " that no jewelry store could then 
exist there, for Herman Myers sold three-fourths of all the goods in his line pur- 
chased in Fulton county." No sooner had Mr. Myers laid the foundation of a com- 
petency here than he at once sent to Europe for his father, four brothers and sister. 
He started all his brothers in business for themselves, and also several distant rela- 
tives, whom he brought from his old German home, one of whom now ranks among 
the foremost of all merchants in New York city. 

Retiring from active business in 1860 it was not until 1865 that Mr. Myers again 
embarked in business, associating with him a Mr. Busley in the wholesale manufac- 
turing of ladies shoes, under the firm name of Busley & Myers, with a factory at 
Nos. 13 to 25 Church street Albany. Mr. Busley attended solely to the manufactur- 
ing and Mr. Myers to the buying, selling and financial part ; and for a period of seven 
years their factory was one of the largest here, making on an average two thousand 
shoes per day. In 1872 Mr. M)'ers finally retired from all active business and has 
since devoted all his time to his real estate. He now ranks among the large owners 
of real estate in the capital city. 

in 1854 Mr. Myers was married to Sophie Kohn, a native of the well-known Kohn 
family of Bamberg, Bavaria. They have an only son, Max Myers, the well-known 
lawyer of Albany. 

Never accepting nor holding any office, though often requested so to do in financial 
institutions in which he is a stockholder, Mr. Myers's counsel and advice are con- 
stantly sought. As a judge of real estate he has no peer. Herman Myers is the 
very epitome of a self-made and self-educated man. Belonging to no societies or 
clubs except the Masonic order and also a life member of the Littauer Hospital of 
Gloversville. Fulton county, he loves his adopted home and its institutions and is 
ever ready to assist in doing what good he can to all, irrespective of creed or sect, 
in his quiet unobtrusive way. One thing can also truthfully be said of him: To 
Herman Myers alone belongs the chief honor of the po.ssessiou by its congregation 
of the new beautiful Jewish .Synagogue on Lancaster street, erected at a cost of over 



14 

$180,000. As chairman of the purchasing and building committee he selected and 
bought the church lot, selected the architects, and was instrumental in the erection 
of the temple, than which no finer one can be found in New York State. 



MAX MYERS. 

The legal profession of Albany includes many a bright and honored name in the exhi- 
bition of those manly, upright, and progressive qualities which command the respect 
and esteem of all good citizens, and prominent among this class of studious, substan- 
tial, earnest workers in the walks of professional and business life is the well known 
lawyer. Max Myers, the subject of this sketch. Born in Albany on the 18th of Octo- 
ber, 1855, he is of Hebrew parentage, and is one who is proud of his race and his 
ancestry. He is the only son of Herman Myers, a native of Hesse-Cassell, Germany, 
who in early life found his way to the free soil of America and made the capital city 
of the Empire State his residence. The mother of Max Myers is Sophie Kohn, 
whose ancestors for three generations back were natives and residents of the quaint 
old cities of Bamberg and Niirenberg, Bavana, where they wer^, each in their time, 
prominent merchants and bankers. Even to this day her brothers are still the lead- 
ing bankers of Niirenberg. The career of Herman M)-ers affords another notable 
example of the success that may be achieved under our free, benign government by 
a steady perseverance in the line of industry and honorable dealing. When Herman 
Myers came to American shores he found himself almost a penniless young man, but 
with willing hands and a hopeful heart he began the race of an industrious life in a 
very humble way and with many obstacles stretching along his path. His pecun- 
iary success was marked at every step, and before many years had passed he 
had gained a competency. Steadily pursuing his progressive course in financial 
walks he has come at length to be one of the largest real estate owners and 
foremost citizens of Albany. And deservedly have his efforts been crowned with 
rich and abundant success, for Mr. Myers is a man of incessant labor, untiring 
energy and enterprise, and incorrupted integrity — a treasury to any individual or 
nation. He is a friend and advocate of the best and most promising in.stitutions of 
his adopted city, and is highly esteemed by all who know of his gentle, worthy, and 
noble qualities. 

From his earliest youth Max Myers evinced a studious disposition and a great de- 
sire for establishing an intellectual aud business fabric. He was at first carefully in- 
structed by private tutors, and afterward, when scarcely nine years of age, became 
a pupil in Professor Cass's Classical Institute in Albany. Young as he was he now 
began to realize the truthfulness of old Lawrence Sterne's remark, that "the desire 
for knowledge, like the thirst for riches, increases ever with the accjuisition of it." 
Inspired by such a feeling he entered with great zest and pleasing anticipations the 
Albany Boys' Academy. In this excellent time-honored institution he pursued his 
various regular studies w-ith true devotion during a period of five years and was 
graduated with honor in 1871. at about the age of sixteen, being the youngest in his 
class. 

After finishing his academical education he went abroad and visited some of the 



15 

most famous places in the Old World, drawing stores of information from every ob- 
ject he saw and every occurrence he met with, thus enlarging his mind, cultivating 
his taste, and increasing his enjoyment for the beautiful and sublime m nature. On 
returning home Mr. Myers had fully decided upon the choice of a profession, and in 
18T5 he entered the celebrated old law office of Smith, Moak & Buchanan, where he 
was rapidly advanced in his knowledge of the law under the profound oral instruc- 
tions of its distinguished members. He was a faithful and diligent law student, and 
read with avidity the best legal text books, besides numerous other treatises on gen- 
eral subjects embraced in the magnificent law library of the late Hon. N. C. Moak, 
upon whose death he delivered on September 19, 1892, a most fitting and eloquent 
eulogy. And to this gentleman of high professional abihty and vast literary acqui- 
sitions Mr. Myers doubtless owes something towards the cultivation and development 
of his own well known taste for universal literature. While remaining with this firm 
he also took a thorough course of lectures at the Albany Law School, from which he 
was graduated in 1880, taking the degree of LL.B. The five years he spent with 
Smith, Moak & Buchanan were years of deep study, rare intellectual pleasure, and 
lasting profit, upon which he will always look back with pride and satisfaction. 

After leaving the law school Mr. Mj-ers began for himself the general practice of 
the law, and succeeded in establishing an excellent reputation as a thorough, pains- 
taking lawyer, a safe, candid, and conscientious legal adviser. His specialty in the 
law department has been in investigating, and expounding cases pertaining to Surro- 
gate's Court, and to the law and practice of voluntary assignments; and in this field 
he has been uniformly and eminently successful. One of his earlier and most mem- 
orable efforts was in connection with the contested will case of the late J. H. Hidley, 
of Albany, in which §90,000 were involved. Hundreds of other cases of less note he 
has carried to a speedy and satisfactory issue and settlement on his part. He has 
likewise gained wide distinction as counsel for the Accident Insurance Company of 
North America, settling many hundred claims. Mr. Myers now devotes his attention 
to office practice, and to the management and care of large estates, for which he is 
.admirably adapted and perfectly responsible. He has been and is now the executor 
and administrator of vast es;ates involving many hundred thousand dollars. Like 
his father, he is himself a large owner of real estate and has inherited from the 
old stock a thorough knowledge of the same, hence he is often called upon and his 
judgment requested in the investment of moneys and of estates. 

In 1887 Mr. Myers made a second tour abroad, combining pleasure with study. 
He remained six months in Europe, visiting most all places of interest from the 
borders of Russia to the French coast and from the Adriatic to the North Sea. He 
possesses a vigorous constitution, a most active temperament, and a quick, elastic 
step, and is ever attentive to business demands. He belongs to no societies, clubs, 
nor organizations except the Masonic order. He has an utter aversion to politics 
and political life, and has declined various offers of trust and responsibility in this 
line, even refusing a directorship in one of the city's leading banks, in which he was 
a heavy stockholder. 

Mr. Myers is a close student of human nature, a keen observer of men, a born 
financier, and though comparative young in years his advice on men and affairs has 
lieen and is constantly sought by many prominent merchants and bankers. He is 
ready in conversation, and has a friendly, social, benevolent nature, with a just sense 



16 

of what is right, and an integrity that is unimpeachable. His word is as good as 
his bond. His love of books is a marked feature of his busy, useful career. Besides 
possessing an excellent law library he has gathered around him one of the largest 
and finest miscellaneous collections of books in the city, His taste runs in the di- 
rection of rich, rare, standard volumes and choice editions, and in the calmer hours 
of his life he finds a world of pleasure in poring over his literary treasures ; for 
reading and study is his life from which he would not be debarred. He is not only 
a well read lawyer, but thoroughly posted on all general historical, biographical, 
literary, and scientific topics. 

In 1888 Mr. Myers was married to Miss Pauline Fisher, an estimable and accom- 
plished young lady of Logansport, Ind., and their pleasant home at No. 12 First 
street, Albany, is the center of true domestic happiness and hospitality. They have 
one son, Daniel Herman Myers, who was born March 16, 1889. 



JAMES BLUNN. 

J.\MKS Bi.iNN, who with his brothers, Thomas and WilHam, was the builder of 
many of the older brick buildings of West Troy, is a son of Charles Blunn, a 
central figure in the early development of West Troy. He is a mason, having 
acquired the trade in his native country, England, where he was born in Warwick- 
shire in 1823. He came to West Troy in 1847, where his father had been located for 
nineteen years. He was in partnership with his brothers until their death, even in 
their abstinence from tobacco and intoxicants. Mr. Blunn built the Watervliet Ar- 
senal, his brothers William and Thomas being his partners. In early life he was a 
maker of gelatine, working for the proprietors of what is now known as " Coxe's Gela- 
tine," ofwhich George Nelson was the original manufacturer. Mr. Blunn has been 
married three times, and has four daughters, one of whom is Mrs. J. C. Covert, sr. , of 
this place; one Mrs. F. W. Covert, of this place; the other is Mrs. Eugene Linn of. 
East Troy; the youngest daughter, Caroline I., by his present wife, who was Kdith 
Shackelton, niece of the late Robert Inwood of Troy. 



FRANK BROWN. 

Fkank Brow-N is a resident of Cohoes since 1859, and is now retired from active 
business life, an aged and respected citizen. He was a self-made man, full of energy 
and courage. He obtained an ordinary school education in Prussia, where he was 
born in 1824, and there learned the spinner's trade. On coming to America in 1856 
he followed his trade and in 1860 came here, opening a cotton batting shop, continu- 
ing in the business for ten years. In 1869 he bought the Miller House block, the 
hotel in which he conducted for seven years. Though a Democrat he is very liberal 
in his political view.s. His wife was Alice Longtree, of English birth, who died in 1864, 
leaving one son, Francis W. Brown, born in 1863. He is a noble young man and 
held in high respect by all who know him ; he lives with his father and has charge of 




tUWARD MCCREARY 



tlic ical estate iuterests. November -1, l.S()5, Mr. Hnnvn niarned Miss Magdalena 
Ficistohs, of Canton, Ohio. He is a director of the Manufacturers Bank of Cohoes, 
and a member of the German Catholic church. 



EDWARD McCREARY. 

EiAvAKh McCuE.iRv, president of the Albany County Board of Supervisors, is a 
Kei)ublicau, and represents the Fifth ward of the city of Cohoes in that body. He 
was born in Malone, Franklin county, N. Y. , September 15, 1847. Five years later 
he moved with his parents to Cohoes. He was educated in the public schools of that 
city. In 1862 he entered the Cohoes Iron Foundry and Machine Shop as an appren- 
tice. A year later he went to Scranton and served his time as a machinist. He 
returned to Cohoes in 186fi and entered the machine shops of the Harmony Cotton 
Mills. Soon after he engaged with his brother, the iate John McCreary, in the man- 
ufacture of Pin Napping and Brushing Machinery. Mr. McCreary is the patentee of 
several valuable pieces of knitting machinery and an automatic fender for electric 
cars. His father was overseer of the spinning department in the Ogden Mills, was a 
soldier of the 54th N. Y. Regt., and was killed during the war. Mr. McCreary is 
interested in military matters and was for many years captain of the well known 
Adams Zouaves. He is a member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M., and presi- 
dent of the John McCreary Steamer Co. 



GEN. ROBERT SHAW OLIVER. 

Gkn. Kokekt Shaw Oliver was born in Boston, Mass., September 13, 1847. He 
always evinced great interest in military affairs; his education tending to develop 
his natural taste. He received a thorough training in the Military School of Mal- 
borugh Churchill at Sing Sing, N. Y., and went directly from it into the volunteer 
service, receiving a commission as second-lieutenant in the 5th Massachusetts Cav- 
alry, September 37, 1864. Although but seventeen years of age he was almost 
immediately placed in command of his troop, and was in his first action within two 
weeks after receiving his commission. While serving before Petersburg he was 
selected by General Cole to be his aide-de-camp and appointed A. D. C. Cavalry 
Brigade, 3d Division, 25th Army Corps. On September 3. 1865, he|was appointed 
by General Clark to be assistant adjutant general of the Third Division, 25th Army 
Corps, then serving in Texas after the close of the war. On the recommendation 
of his superior officers he was commissioned second-lieutenant, 17th U. S. Infantry, 
February 23, 1866, and after a short service in New York harbor was again ordered 
to Texas with his regiment as acting adjutant, and later received his promotion as 
first lieutenant 26th Infantry. At his own request he was transferred to the 8th U. 
S. Cavalry, and appointed first lieutenant of that regiment May 7, 1867, and ordered 
to the Pacific Coast, where he served for three years in California, Oregon and 
Arizona in the various Indian wars at that time, and was promoted captain October 



31. 1869. After leaving the army lie returned to the East and moved from Boston 
to Albany. Becoming interested in the development of the National Guard he ac- 
cepted the colonelcy of the 10th Regt., August 25, 1873, assistant adjutant-general, 
9th Brigade, July 11, 1878: brigadier-general and inspecto' -general of the State of 
New York, January 1, 1880; brigadier-general, 5th Brigade, January 10, 1883; briga- 
dier-general, 3d Brigade, December 30, 1890. a position which he still holds, an 
almost unbroken line of service for thirty-four years. 

In social and civil life General Oliver has long been prominent in the city of Al- 
bany, where he has resided many years. He became a civil service commissioner of 
the city in 1894 and a police commissioner in 1895, and in promoting the welfare of 
the municipality he is active and persevering. He was president of the Mutual Boat 
Club, the Albany Tennis and Republican Unconditional Clubs, and the National 
I^awn Tennis Association ; and is first vice-president of the Albany Vigilance League ; 
and a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Press Club, the Albany Club, the Country 
Club, the Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, the Association of the 
Army of the Potomac, and the Cavalry Association, and governor of Albany Chapter 
No. 1, Order of Patriots and Founders of America. In business he is associated 
with Rathbone, Sard & Co. , one of the largest stove manufacturing concerns in the 
United States. 



GEN. SELDEN E. MARVIN. 

Gen. Seldkn Erastus Marvin is a son of Hon. Richard Pratt and Isabella (New- 
land) Marvin and was born in Jamestown, Chautauqua county, N. Y., August 30, 
1835. He is a lineal descendant of Reinold Marvin, a native of England, who came 
to America with his family and his brother Matthew in 1635, and settled first in 
Hartford, Conn., afterward in Farmington, and finally in Saybrook, where he died 
in 1662. Lieut. Reinold Marvin, son of Reinold, was born in 1634, settled in Lyme, 
Conn., and was one of the committee to divide the town of Saybrook in 1665. He 

died in 1676. His first wife was Jemima Belcher and his second wife Sarah . 

Reinold Marvin, of Lyme, .son of Lieutenant Reinold, was born in 1669, was a rep- 
resentative to the General Court from 1701 to 1728, and died in 1737. He married, 

first, Phebe , and second, in 1708, Martha Waterman. He had a son, Deacon 

Reinold Marvin, who was born about 1701, married, first, in 1725, Mrs. Sarah Lay, 
and second, in 1746, Mrs. Mary Kellogg, and died in 1761. Dan Marvin, son of Deacon 
Reinold, both of Lyme, Conn., was born in 1731, married in 1762 Mehitable Selden, 
and died in 1776. Selden Marvin, the son of Dan,' was the first of the family to 
settle in Chautauqua county, N. Y. He was born in 1773 and died in 1832. In 1798 
he married Charlotte Pratt, of Saybrook, Conn. ; his second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth 
Vandenburg. Hon. Richard Pratt Marvin, son of Selden by his first marriage, was 
born in 1803, and held several offices of trust and honor. He was member of as- 
sembly in 1835. represented his district in the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Con- 
gresses; and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, under which 
he was elected a justice of the Supreme Court, an ofiice he filled with great credit 
and dignity for nearly twenty-five years. He died in January, 1892, widely respected 
and honored. In 1834 he married Isabella Newland. 



19 

Cell. Seidell E. Marvin was educated in the public schools and academy of James- 
town. N. v., and at Profes.sor Russell's private school in New Haven, Conn. He 
then became bookkeeper and teller in the Chautauqua County Bank, in his native 
town, and remained there until 1802, serving the last three years as cashier. In 
July, 1862. he was appointed adjutant of the 112th N. Y. Vols, and on the 17th of 
that month was mustered into the United States service. He served in that capacity 
and as assistant adjutant-general of Foster's Brigade, with the Army of Southern 
Virginia, through the Peninsular and Charleston campaigns, until September, 1863, 
when he was appointed additional paymaster U, S. Volunteers and was assigned 
to duty in the Army of the Potomac. He filled this position till December 27. 1864. 
when he resigned to accept the post of paymaster-general of the State of New York on 
the staff of Gov. Reuben E. Fenton. Upon Governor Fenton's re-election General 
Marvin was appointed adjutant-general of the New York State Militia. As paymaster- 
general he had. in the execution of the laws for the reimbursement of bounties paid 
by the localities in the State to fill quotas established by the general government, and 
for the equalization of the excess of years on calls for troops prior to the last call of 
December. 1864. a difficult and arduous task. The sura required and paid for this pur- 
pose was §27,000.000. and its disbursement necessitated the exercise of a careful, dis- 
criminating judgment to protect the interests of the State and render full justice to the 
several localities. As adjutant-general he inaugurated and carried into practical effect 
reforms in the National Guard which were greatly needed, and which, with subsequent 
reforms instituted by his successors, have placed this splendid body of citizen sol- 
diery upon a firm and efficient foundation for every service that may be required of 
it. During his service in these capacities he maintained his residence in Albany. 
After his term of adjutant-general expired he engaged in banking in New York 
city, being a member of the firm of Morgan, Keen & Marvin until the spring of 
1873, when they dissolved. His chief operation as a banker in the metropolis was 
the placing of Northern Pacific securities on the market, in which he was eminently 
successful. On January 1. 1874, he went to Troy, N. Y., as the representative of 
Erastus Coming's interest in the iron and steel business carried on by the firm of 
John A. Griswold & Co., and while there organized the Albany and Rensselaer Iron 
and Steel Company on March 1. 1875. This corporation was a consolidation of the 
establishments of John A. Griswold & Co. and the Albany Iron Works, and General 
Marvin was elected a director and the secretary and treasurer. On September 1. 
1885. this concern was succeeded by the Troy Steel and Iron Company, which went 
into the hands of a receiver in 1893. General Marvin continued as director, secre- 
tary, and treasurer of the company until its business was closed up November 1. 
1895. On June 17 of that year he was appointed receiver of the Perry Stove Com- 
pany of Albany, which position he still holds. 

As a business man of recognized ability General Marvin has long been actively 
an<l prominently connected with a number of important enterprises. He was for 
several years a trustee and vice president of the Albany City Savings Institution 
and since June 1, 1894, has been its president. He has been a director of the Hud- 
son River Telephone Company since 1892 and president since February, 1894. and 
was the chief organizer and principal promoter of the Albany District Telegraph 
Company, of which he has been a director and the president since the incorporation 
on July 1. 1895. He is a member of the .State Hoard of Charities, having been ap- 



20 

pointed by Governor Morton on March 27, 1895, and is also a member of the chapter 
and assistant treasurer of the cathedral of All Saints, trea.surer of the Diocese of 
Albany, treasurer of the Board of Missions, treasurer of the Aged and Infirm 
Clergy Fund, treasurer of the Fund for Widows and Orphans of Deceased Clergj-, 
treasurer of the Fund for Theological Education, and treasurer of the Clergy Re- 
serve Fund. He is an influential member and trustee of the Corning foundation, on 
which is built St.'Agnes's School, the Child's Hospital, St. Margaret's House, Grad- 
uate Hall, and the Sister's House in Albany. He is also a member of the Board of 
Managers of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant Epis- 
copal church in the United States, a prominent member of the Fort Orange Club, 
and actively connected with several other institutions of the capital city. 

General Marvin was married on the 24th of September, 1868, to Miss Katharine 
Langdon Parker, daughter of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker, > of Albany. They 
have had six children: Selden E., jr. (military secretary, with the rank of colonel, on 
the staff of Gov. Levi P. Morton), Grace Parker, Langdon Parker, Edmund Kolierts, 
Richard Pratt (deceased), and Katharine Langdon. 



THE NEWMAN FAMILY. 

Charles Newman, when a young man, came with his widowed mother from near 
Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany, and settled in Albany, then a city of 1.000 or 2,000 
inhabitants. As early as 1770 he established himself in the wool and leather trade on 
Broadway, near State street, where the business has ever since been conducted by 
the family. 

Henry Newman, his son, was born in Albany September 20, 1780, and upon reach- 
ing a responsible age entered his father's establishment, of which he subsequently 
became sole owner. This business he personally conducted at No. 4r)7 Broadway, 
the present location, for about seventy years. He died May 24, 1874, at the 
advanced age of ninety-four, probably being at that time the oldest native of 
Albany. His career was one of uninterrupted success, and he exemplified the sterl- 
ing quaHties of industry, perseverance, steadfastness of purpose, and strict honesty, 
in his business and in private life. His word was always good; his integrity was 
never questioned; his character was above reproach. Modest and unassuming 
in his manners, he enjoyed unbounded confidence and the highest respect, and 
was often urged to accept positions of honor and public trust, but always de- 
clined them in view of the higher duties recognized as due to his family and his 
business. One of his chief characteristics was unswerving fidelity to duty in every 
department of life. He was an exemplary Christian, a loyal friend, and a true citi- 
zen, taking a keen interest in the advancement of all public affairs and the prosper- 
ity of his native city. In politics he was a staunch Democrat and never failed to 
vote. For more than thirty years he was a trustee and treasurer of the First Lutheran 
church, whose financial prosperity was largely due to his sagacity and foresight. 
He was one of the first shareholders and long a director of the Mechanics' and Farm- 

1 See sketch of Judge Parker in this volume. 




JOHN L. NHWMAN. 



31 

ers' Bank, and for many years an active member of the Albany Fire Department. 
Mr. Newman married Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, sister of George and William 
Humphrey, old-time merchants of Albany, and after her death he married Miss 
Mary A., daughter of Aretas and Jane (Humphrey) Lyman, of Sand Lake, Rensse- 
laer county, N. Y. Mary Lyman was descended from (1) Richard J^yman, born at 
High Ongar. England, in 1.580, who came with Elliott, the missionary to the Indians, 
in the ship Lion to New England in 1631. Her great-grandfather, Capt. Joshua 
Lyman, born February 27, 1704, died September 11, 1777, was fourth officer at Fort 
Dummer under Captain Kellogg between 1728 and 1740, active in the French and 
Indian wars, captain in Col. Israel Williams's regiment in the campaign of 1759, and 
held important offices in Northampton and Northfield, Mass., being selectman from 
1747 to 1768. Her grandfather. Col. James Lyman, born June 9, 1748, died January 
2."), 1804, entered the Revolutionary army as corporal in Capt. Samuel Merriman's 
company of Col. Phineas Wright's regiment September 32, 1777, was present at the 
battle of Saratoga and Burgoyne's surrender, served at Fort Ticonderoga, became 
lieutenant m Capt. Seth Pierce's company of Colonel Murray's regiment at Claver- 
ack and West Point in October, 1780, being there at the time of the Arnold treach- 
ery, ranked as colonel in 1795, and was selectman of Northfield from 1782 to 1804. 
Capt. Aretas Lyman, father of Mrs. Newman, was born in Northfield February 4, 
1773, and settled in Sand Lake, N. Y., where he conducted a lumber and milling 
business. Henry Newman was survived by his wife and nine children. 

Charles Newman, his eldest surviving son, was born in the capital city April 21, 
1828, received his education in the Boys' Academy, and read law v^ith J. & I. Ed- 
wards. He was admitted to the bar about 1849, but soon afterward associated him- 
self in business with his father, becoming successively the latter's partner and suc- 
cessor. In 1866 his brother, John L. Newman, became a partner with him, retiring 
in IHSO, when his sons, William Page and Henry Newman, were admitted under the 
linn name of Charles Newman &• Co,, making the fourth- generation of the family 
that has been connected with the house, which has had a continuous existence of ' 
more than one hundred and twenty-five years, being the oldest wool house in the 
United States. Charles Newman is one of Albany's representative business men. 
He is a director in the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank and vice-president and trustee 
of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank, was formerly president of the Albany 
and Watervliet Railroad, was trustee for some years of the Second Presbyterian 
church, and is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, a charter member of the 
Fort Orange Club, and a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., and Temple 
Chapter No. 5, R. A. M. In 1850 he married Mary E. Page, daughter of Rev. William 
Page and Francis Sheldon Page, and their children are Mrs. Willis G. Tucker, 
William Page, and Henry Newman. 

Major John Ludlow Newman, son of Henry and Mary A. (Lyman) Newman, was 
born in Albany on the 21st of February, 1836, was educated at the Albany Academy, 
and when eighteen entered his father's wool and leather store, with which he was 
uleutilied for twenty-six year.s. In 1866 he becamt; a member of the firm of Charles 
I.V John L. Newman, under which name the old established wool business of his 
father was conducted until 1880, when he withdrew and engaged in the manufacture 
of woolen goods at Cohoes, N. Y., in partnership with William P. Adams. The firm 
of Newman & Adams consumed about half a million pounds of wool annually and 



22 

employed a large luixe ut skilled workmen. Major Newman retired from active 
business in 1891, after a successful career covering thirty-seven years. He is presi- 
dent of the National Bank of Cohoes, having been a director since 1878 and vice- 
president since 1893 until his election to the presidency in January, 1895. This is 
the oldest and most successful banking institution in Cohoes. 

Being a descendant of ancestors who had fought in the French and Indian wars 
during the Colonial times, and in the War of the Revolution, Majcir Newman felt it 
his patriotic duty to " fight in defense of the flag " in the Civil war. In 1862 he re- 
cruited a company for the Forty-third New York Volunteers, and with the regiment 
joined the Third Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Army Corps (General Sedgwick's), 
as captain of his company. He served under McClellan in the Army of the Potomac, 
and also under Burnside at Fredericksburg December 13-15, 1862, and under Hooker 
in the Chancellorsville campaign May 2-4, 1863, being wounded in the charge on 
Marye's Heights on May 3. On this occasion Major Newman was recommended for 
honorable mention in " General Orders" for gallantry and bravery. On May 4 he 
was at Salem Church fight and Banks Ford, and on June 9 in another skirmish at 
Fredericksburg. Then commenced the memorable Pennsylvania campaign, culmi- 
nating in the decisive and brilliant victory at Gettysburg. Major Newman's regi- 
ment, the Forty-third New York, commanded by Lieut. -Col. John Wilson, held in 
this battle an important position near Wolf's Hill, at the right of the Union line, in 
front of the confederate General Ewell, and participated in that terrible battle of 
the 2d and 3d of July, 1863. November 7 he was at the battle of Rappahannock 
Station and November 27 at Locust Grove. He participated in the Mine Run 
campaign, and in the spring of 1864 made a forced march with the Si.xth Corps to 
Madison CouVt House. He was promoted major of the Forty-third regiment and in 
June, 1864, was honorably discharged. He received the " Gettysburg Medal " from 
the State of New York. 

He was one of the first members of the Albany Zouave Cadets (now Co. A, lOth 
Battalion N. G. N. Y.) in 1861, an oiganization which had the proud record of send- 
ing eighty commissioned officers to the Union army. Some years afterward he was 
elected vice-president and later president of the Old Guard, an organization formed 
of men and officers of the old Albany Zouave Cadets, and has ever since been one of 
its leading members. He is also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion 
of the United States, the Society of the Army of the Potomac, and the Society of the 
Sixth Army Corps, of which he was elected vice-president during the reunion at 
Gettysburg. He is a charter member of George S. Dawson Post. No. 63, G. A. R., 
and was appointed ordnance officer on the stafl: of Gen. T. Ellery Lord, Third Brig- 
ade, N. G. N. Y., but declined the honor. He is a member of the Sons of the Revo- 
lution through his great-grandfather, Col. James Lyman. He was vice-president 
and curator of the Albany Young Men's Association, a trustee of the Albany City 
Homoeopathic Hospital, a trustee of the First Reformed (Old North Dutch) Church, 
and secretary of the old Albany Club. Many of these positions he resigned when he 
engaged in business in Cohoes. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club, a trustee 
of the Albany Historical and Art Association, and has always taken an active in- 
terest in the advancement and material welfare of his native city, where he has 
always resided. 

Major Newman was married on the 8th of October, 1872, to Miss Evelina Egberts 



Steele, daughter f)f Oliver Steele, of Albany. Mrs. Newman's mother was Anna 
Egberts, a daughter of Anthony Egberts, a descendant of Rip Van Dam, one of the 
early colonial governors of New York ; she was a sister of Egbert Egberts, a mer- 
chant of Albany and " the father of the knitting industry of the United State.s," be- 
ing the inventor of the knitting machine and a wealthy manufacturer of Cohoes. 
Major and Mrs. Newman have two children: Clarence Egberts Newman and Evelyn 
Newman. 

Rev. Frederick Mayer Newman, youngest .son of Henry Newman, was born in 
Albany October 31, 1.S40, was educated at the academy and Professor Anthony's 
Classical Institute, and in 1860 entered Union College, from which he received the 
degrees of A. B. and A. M. He wasgraduated from Princeton Theological Seminary 
in l.'^67, and for two years was missionary pastoral Port Henry, Essex county, having 
been licensed and ordained by the New York Presbytery. He spent a part of the 
year 1871 traveling in Europe, and for four years thereafter was pastor of the First 
Presbyterian church of Saratoga Springs. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Society 
of Union College and the Albany Institute, a life member of the Albany Young 
Men's Association, and a member of other honorary .societies. Since 1880 he has 
resided in Albany, being engaged in literary pursuits. 



JOHN I. SLINGERLAND. 

TiiF. Slingerland family of Albany county, of which Hon. John I. Slingerland was 
one of the most distinguished members, is descended from (1) Tennis Corneliuse and 
Engeltie Albertsie (Bradt) Slingerland, of pure Dutch stock, who emigrated to 
America from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1650. He was one of the first settlers of 
Beverwyck (Albany), Kenwood, and Onisquatha (Slingerlands), where he purchased 
from the three tribes of Indians represented by the signs of the Wolf, Bear, and 
Turtle about 10,000 acres of land located in what are now the towns of Bethlehem 
aud New Scotland. Much of this land is still owned and occupied by his posterity, 
large tracts of it having always remained in the name. He was born in 1617. His 
second wife, whom he married April 9, 1684, was Geertie Fonda, widow of Jan 
Bicker. The line of descent from the original pioneer to the subject of this sketch 
is as follows: (2) Albert, born 1666, died 1731, married Hester Becker; (3) Johannes, 
of Onisquatha, born 1696, married 1724 Anne Slingerland; (4) Albert, of Onisquatha, 
born 1733, died 1814. married 1760 Elizabeth Moak ; (5) John Albert, born 1768, died 
1850, married Leah Brett; and (6) John I., of Slingerlands. These and others of the 
family were mainly agriculturists — prosperous, substantial citizens, respected and 
esteemed, and prominent in the affairs of their .several localities. 

Hon. John I. Slingerland was born March 1, 1804, in New Scotland, Albany county; 
when a young man he took up his residence at Slingerlands (in the town of Bethle- 
hem), which place was named after the Slingerland family, and received a good com- 
mon .school education. As a business man he davoted nearly his whole life to agri- 
cultural pursuits, residing on the site of his birth— the old family homestead. He ac- 
cumulated a handsome competency, and was universally respected and esteemed, not 
honored only by those who enjoyed his acquaintance but by all who knew of him, He 



24 

was honored for his social cjuahties as well as for his Christian faith. His was an un- 
usually warm heart, and his purse was always open to the wants of suffering humanity. 
To the rich and poor, high and low, he was their friend, their leader — ever faithful and 
conscientious in the discharge of duty, and true to the best interests of his community 
and its inhabitants. No man was ever more popular among his constituents, and 
probably no man in the county stood so high in public esteem and confidence. As 
an illustration of his great popularity it is cited that, on one occasion, when he was 
a candidate for Congress, he received every vote in one of the towns of his district. 
He was honest; his word was never questioned; and even his political opponents 
accorded him that confidence which unswerving honesty always merits. 

Mr. Slingerland was one of the foremost politicians of his time — not in the sense 
in which the word politician is now used, but along the lines of honorable leadership, 
pure and unselfish in its motives, and ennobling because of its lofty aims and puWic 
benefaction. In 1843 he was a member of the Assembly, and in 1860 he again rep- 
resented the first assembly district of Albany county in that body. In 1847-49 he 
was a member of the 30th Congress from the thirteenth Congressional district. He 
served with distinction in these bodies, winning for himself lasting credit and honor, 
and for his constituents a number of measures for their permanent good. In each 
position he was faithful, honest, straightforward, and upright. In the trying times 
of slavery agitation he never lost sight of the fundamental principle of freedom, 
to which his votes and influence were ever directed, and to which he made every 
other political course subordinate. Loyalty to country and home was one of his chief 
characteristics. In a ringing letter of August 12, 1856, he boldly and fearlessly de- 
nounced "those twin relics of barbarism, polygamy and slavery, ' and advocated the 
election of John C. Fremont for President — an act which placed his name among the 
founders of the Republican party. His public life was unstained, his honor unsullied; 
and he exemplified those convictions bequeathed to him by an ancestry who poured 
out their blood in the cause of liberty and conscience. 

Locally Mr. Slingerland was ever active in advancing public interests. He was 
one of the principal founders of the village of Slingerlands, named after his family, 
and was chiefly instrumental in securing the post-office and other institutions. But 
his greatest effort in this respect, and one that overreached all others in its subse- 
quent benefits, was the Susquehanna division of the D. & H. railroad, which he, 
more than any other man, secured for the place. He zealously labored for the con- 
struction of this line along its present route, locally and in the State Legislature, 
by having bills passed, appropriations, &c. ; and to him is due the chief honor of 
successfully attaining the desired ends. He died, where he had always lived, on the 
36th of October. 1861. 

Mr. Slingerland was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Van Derzee, who 
bore him three children; John, deceased; Harmon Van D., of South Bethlehem; 
and Miss Maria of Albany. By his second wife. Sally Hall, he had Elizabeth (Mrs. 
Adrian Safford), of Albany, and William, of Slingerlands. John Slingerland, a 
farmer on a part of the old homestead, was a prominent Republican, a good public 
speaker, and a highly respected citizen. He married Betsey, daughter of Joel Wicker 
Andrews, a manufacturer who made the steam apparatus which ran in Charles R. 
Van Benthuysen's printing-office in Albany the first steam printing press in America. 
She was a descendant of Lieut. Robert Andrews, an officer in the Revolutionary 




A. B. \ AN LUUN, M. U. 



-5 

war, and of Jdliii and Maiy Andrews, who came from Ipswich, England, to Farm- 
ington. Conn., in 1(U(». They had three children: Cora E. (Mrs. CUnton Cook), of 
New Scotland; Cornehus H., of Slingerlands; and John I., who died young. 

Cornelius H. Slingerland, born in Slingerlands, April 23. 1861, received a private 
school education, and when seventeen began learning the printer's trade with George 
Wilkinson in Albany. Two years later he established his present printing-office in 
Slingerlands, where he has successfully built up, from a modest beginning, a pros- 
perous general commercial printing business. He is a Republican, and a member 
of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., of Albany, and of the Sons of the Revolution. 
In April, 1883, he was married to Miss Nellie B. Mattice, of Slingerlands, a 
lineal descendant of one of the members of the Boston tea party. They have one 
daughter, Mary. 



ARTHUR B. VAN LOON, M. D. 

1)K. Arthur B. Van Luos. eldest son of William H. and Caroline M. (Stark) Van 
Loon, was born in Albany, December 23, 1868, and is of Holland Dutch descent. 
His father, a native of Troy, N. Y., has been for several years an active citizen of 
■ Albany. His mother was descended from General Stark of Revolutionary fame. Dr. 
Van Loon was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888, read medicine with 
Dr. W. E. Milbank, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1891, 
delivering the class oration. He was graduated from the New York Homeopathic 
Medical College in 1892 and for one year was interne in Ward's Island Hospital. 
While in New York he took a special course in the Carnegie Laboratory (connected 
with Bellevue College), and in 1893 began the active practice of his profession in 
Albany ; since then has made gynecology a speciality. He is a member of the surg- 
ical staff of the Albany Homeopathic Hospital, a member of the Albany County 
Homeopathic Medical Society, the New York State Homeopathic Medical Society 
and the American Institute of Homeopathy. April 11, 1895, he married Caroline S., 
daughter of the late John Phillips, of Albany. 



M. J. ZEH, M. D. 

MivKi.iN J. Zeh, M. D.. a physician of Watervliet, N. Y., who, though a young man, 
has become eminently successful in his profession. He was born in the town of 
Knox, Albany county, August 2, 1867. He is the son of the late Elias Zeh, a prom- 
inent farmer of Knox. His mother was Annie E. Osterhout of the well known 
pioneer family, named elsewhere in this work. 

Dr. Zeh received his preliminary education at the Knox Academy, after which he 
taught school for a short time. He next read homeopathy with Dr. Tuck, a success- 
ful practioner of Berne, N. Y. In 1885 he studied pharmacy and eclecticism with 
Dr. Archie Cullen, late of West Troy, passing the State Board of Pharmacy Feb- 
ruary, 1887. 



26 

In 1886 he read medicine under the supervision of Dr. Shiland of West Troy, and 
the late Dr. John Swinburn of Albany, and entered the Albany Medical College, 
where he pursued a full course, graduating March 21, 1889. 

The following month he began practice in West Troy, where he is held in high 
esteem. 

In 1890 he married Miss Charlotte B. Cullen, a sister of Dr. Archie Cullen. He 
has one son, Arthur P., and a daughter, Florence J. Dr. Zeh is a member of the 
following societies : New York State Medical Association, the Medical Association 
of Troy and Vicinity, the Rensselaer County Medical Society, the I. O. O. F., the 
Wyoma Council Royal Arcanum, the Troy Yacht Club, Olympian Senate, Knights 
of the Ancient Essenic Order, associate member of the Walter A. Jones Post, G. A. 
R., and is a thirty-second degree Mason. He has held the office of city physician for 
the past three years. 



ISAAC W. VOSBURGH. 

The late Isaac W. Vosburgh, of Albany, was a lineal descendant of Abram 
Pieterse Vosburgh, who came from Holland and settled at Beverwyck (now Albany) 
in 1653. With this original ancestor came three brothers, who located in Kinder- 
hook, Claverack, and the Mohawk Valley respectively. Abram P. married Gertruy 
Pieterse Koeymans, or Coeymans, and had a son Isaac, who married Anna Janse 
Goes in 1686. Abraham, son of Isaac, married Geertje Van Den Berg in 1719, and 
their son Isaac, born 1720, died 1785, married, in 1759, Catherine Staats Dort. Their 
son, William Vosburgh, born 1772, died 1839, was a contractor, and in 1799 married 
Mary McDonald. Mr. Vosburgh was therefore descended from one of the oldest 
Holland Dutch families of Albany, and from his ancestors inherited a liberal meas- 
ure of their thrifi; and noted characteristics. 

Isaac W. Vosburgh was born where his ancestors had lived for four generations, 
in Albany, on the 21st of December, 1801, his parents being William Vosburgh and 
Mary McDonald. He received a common and private school education, and on 
February 3, 1828, became a clerk in the hardware store of George Humphrey, who 
in 1825 was succeeded by the firm of Humphrey & Co. Mr. Vosburgh remained 
with this concern for si.\ years. On January 1, 1829, he formed a partnership with 
Lansing Pruyn and Abram F. Wilson and purchased the hardware business then 
conducted by John Pruyn and located where the post-office building now stands. 
The firm of Pruyn, Wilson & Vosburgh conducted a successful trade until 1842, when 
Mr. Wilson retired and the name was changed to Pruyn, Vosburgh & Co. This co- 
partnership continued business until 1860, when Mr. Vosburgh retired permanently 
from active life, being at that time one of the oldest hardware merchants in Albany. 
The last store occupied by his firm was the east half of the store now owned by the 
Albany Hardware and Iron Company on State street. 

Mr. Vosburgh, during a long and active career, was uniformly successful, and re- 
tained the confidence and respect of all who knew him. He took a deep interest in 
the welfare of his native city, was prominently connected with several charitable 
and commercial institutions, and gave liberally of both time and means for the ad- 



vancement of public interests. He was one of the founders of the Dudley Ob- 
servatory and served as treasurer from its inception until about 1883. when he re- 
signed on account of ill-health. He was also one of the originators of the Albany 
Rural Cemetery, was a trustee from its organization until his death, and was for 
many years chairman -of its executive committee. He was long a trustee of the 
Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank and of the Second Presbyterian church. In 
politics he was first a 'Whig and afterward a Republican, but never sought nor ac- 
cepted public office. During the war of the Rebellion he staunchly supported the 
Union, and although at that time he was beyond the age limit and could not have 
been drafted, he nevertheless recruited and equipped and sent a substitute for each 
member of his family, who served with honor in the nation's cause. Mr. 'Vosburgh 
died in Albany, September 29, 1888. 

He was married in 1841 to Miss Sarah Jane, daughter of 'VViley Fletcher, of Al- 
bany, a descendant of "William Fletcher, who came from Yorkshire, England, to 
Concord, Mass., in 1630. She was born in 1818 and survives him. Their children 
were Mrs. William Irwin and Mrs. Caldwell R. Blakeman, of New York city; Mary 
McD. and Miles 'Woodward "Vosburgh, of Albany; Fletcher 'Vosburgh, who died 
July 30, 1895, at the age of thirty-nine; and two who died young. Miles W. is a 
general shipping agent in Albany, conducting the business estabhshed by the late 
'^Mlliam McElroy in 1840. 



SAMUEL BALDWIN WARD, M. D. 

S.VMiEL Baldwin "W.^ku, M. D., son of Lebbeus Baldwin and Abby Dwight (Par- 
tridge) Ward, was born in the city of New York on June 8. 1842, and is of English 
descent. His greatgrandfather, Samuel Ward, born August 27, 1724, moved from 
Virginia to Morristown, N. J., where he married Mary Shipman, and where he died 
April 15, 1799. Silas Ward, son of Samuel, was born in Morris county, N. J., in 
1767, and died in 1862. He married Phoebe Dod of a New Jersey family distin- 
guished for its literary and scientific attainments. Lebbeus Baldwin Ward, their 
son, was born April 7, 1801, and died in New York city June 15, 1885. He was a 
man of practical education, of studious habits, of trustworthy judgment and of 
great mechanical ability. He erected the Hammersley Forge in New York and 
won a wide reputation as a builder of engines, and later as a manufacturer of heavy 
wrought iron forgings. He was an early commissioner of the metropolitan board of 
police, a member of the State assembly in 1851, and a member of various commis- 
sions appointed by the municipality of New 'V'ork to construct important city works. 
With his brothers John D. and Samuel S. he also built the first steamboat and the 
first railroad ever operated in Canada, the firm doing business in Montreal from 
about 1820 to 1838. Lebbeus Baldwin Ward married Abby Dwight Partridge, who was 
born in Hatfield, Mass., the daughter of a noted clergyman, and whose ancestors 
were descended from the best Puritan Pilgrim stock. 

Doctor Ward received his earlier education in private schools. When fifteen he 
entered the freshman class of Columbia College, and after a four years' course was 
graduated from that institution in 1861 with third honors. He then entered the 



28 

office of that celebrated physician, Dr. Willard Parker, a close friend of the family, 
and in 1801 and 1S(>3 attended a course of lectures at the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons. But his patriotism led him to temporarily abandon student life and en- 
list in the war for the Union, where he united service with professional interest. In 
1862 he became a medical cadet, U. S. A., and the Medical Department of George- 
town University in 1864 conferred upon him the degree of M. D. The two years 
thus spent afforded him a wide practical experience in army hospitals around Wash- 
ington, and enabled him to reap that reward which comes from faithfulness to duty 
and skill in practice. In 1863 he became Acting Assistant Surgeon. U. S. A., and 
soon after his graduation was commissioned by President Lincoln an Assistant Sur- 
geon of U. .S. Volunteers. In the autumn of 1865 he returned to New York and in 
October embarked for Europe, where for twelve months he studied medicine and 
surgery in some of the largest hospitals of the Old World. Returning at the end of 
this period to his native city he engaged in the active practice of his profession, and 
was soon chosen professor of surgery in the Woman's Medical College of the New 
York Infirmary. He also became attending surgeon of the Northern Dispensary, 
consulting surgeon of the Western Dispensary for Women and Children, visiting 
surgeon to the Presbyterian Hospital, and in 1873 Assistant Surgeon with the rank 
of captain of the 7th Regiment, N. G. S. N. Y. 

In May, 1876, Doctor M'ard removed to Albany, where he has since resided, and 
where he has won the highest reputation as a physician and surgeon and universal 
esteem as a citizen. Soon after his arrival he was chosen professor of surgical 
pathology and operative surgery in the Albany Medical College, and later professor 
of the theory and practice of medicine in the same institution, which position he still 
holds. He also became attending surgeon to the Albany and St. Peter's Hospitals. 
He is a member of the Association of American Physicians; a member of the Albany 
County Medical Society; a permanent member and ex -president of the New York 
State Medical Society ; secretary and treasurer of the executive committee of the 
State Normal College ; a trustee and vice-president of the Dudley Observatory ; a 
a trustee of the Albany Female Academy ; ex-president of the State board of .survey ; 
one of the civil service examiners for State medical officials ; president of the Fort 
Orange Club; member and ex-president of the Albany Camera Club, and a member 
of the American Climatolcgical Association. He was also for some time a member 
of the Albany board of health, and is connected with several other scientific and 
social organizations, including the Northwest Medical and Surgical .Society, of which 
he was secretary in 1874-76. He is now attending physician to the Albany City 
Hospital and consulting phj'sician to St. Peter's Hospital and the Albany Orphan 
Asylum. In 1864 he received the degree of A. M. in course from Columbia College 
and in 1882 that of Ph. D. ex-honore from Union University. 

Doctor Ward has contributed a number of articles on medicine and surgery to 
the leading medical journals of the country, and is an authority on many .subjects 
akin to his profession. In 1879 he first visited the Adirondack region, and ever since 
then he has been enthusiastic in the development of the sanitary advantages of that 
vast wilderness. His investments in the Saranac Lake country have been consider- 
able, and as both a citizen and an officer he has addressed himself to the work of 
forest preservation. 



In 1871 Doctor Ward was married to Miss Nina A., the accomplished daughter of 
William A. Wheeler of New York city, who died in October, 1883, leaving three 
children. 



JAMES C. COVERT. 

James C. Covert, proprietor of the Covert Manufacturing Company of West Troy, 
N. Y., was born in Seneca county, N. Y., in 1835. After receiving a substantial ed- 
ucation in the public schools, he devoted his attention to the harness trade and be- 
came a thorough practical harnessmaker and manufacturer. For a number of years 
he was in business in his native town after which he went South, traveling through 
the different Southern States, with headquarters at Nashville, Tenn., where he re- 
mained several years, until just before the Rebellion, when he returned North and 
established himself in business in Seneca county. Mr. Covert is possessed of great 
inventive genius, having taken out over fifty patents on his different inventions and 
not only has he patented valuable inventions, but has, unlike most inv^entors, per- 
.sonally manufactured, introduced and established a large and lucrative business on 
his articles. In 1868 he patented his famous bolt harness snap, which revolutionized 
the snap trade throughout the United States and to-day these snaps are standard 
throughout the world, and they have been largely imitated. In 1873 the Covert 
Manufacturing Company was formed in Troy, N. Y., and in 1879 the business was 
removed to West Troy, Albany county, where the company erected a large estab- 
lishment adapted particularly to the manufacture of their goods and to which plant 
there has since been many large and substantial additions. The business was com- 
menced upon a comparatively small scale, but their goods are now recognized as 
l)eing standard and are shipped to every civilized country in the world. Their goods 
consist of Covert's celebrated harness snaps, swivel snaps, open-eye bit, chain and 
trace snaps, snaps and thimbles for horse and cattle ties, abjustable web and rope 
halters, and rope goods, consisting of rope halters, horse and cattle ties, halter leads, 
weight and hitching cords, hammock ropes, lariat tethers, picket pins, and also ad- 
justable soldering irons, rod post hitchers and chain goods consisting of breast, 
halter, rein, post, trace and heel chains, hitching posts, balling irons, safety gate 
hooks, pant stretchers, wagon jacks, etc. 

Mr. Covert is also the owner and manufacturer of the famous Dr. Bury Medicines, 
being the sole proprietor of the Dr. Bury Medical Company of West Troy, N. Y. 
These medicines consist of lung balsam, catarrh snuff and camphor ointment. 
These remedies were invented by an eminent French physician who used them^ex- 
tensively and successfully in his practice, both in France and the United States. 
In 1889 a company was formed under the title of the Dr. Bury Medical Company, 
who began the extensive manufacture and sale of the Dr. Bury Remedies. 

Under the skillful management of Mr. Covert the business has grown in propor- 
tions and the remedies are now used in all sections of the country. Mr. Covert is a 
careful, shrewd business man and attends strictly to business, almost every detail 
of which comes under his direct personal supervision. Although not a politician he 
has held several offices of public trust and takes a deep interestin all public improve- 



30 



nients. He was one of the cominissioners intrusted with the adoption and construc- 
tion of the new and extensive sewerage system of the village of West Troy and was 
recently appointed one of the water commissioners of the city of Watervliet. He is 
a member and elder of the Reformed Presbyterian church and takes a prominent 
and active part in all its affairs and is also one of the directors of the Young Men's 
Christian Association. He stands very high in the Masonic fraternity, having held 
office in the different bodies and is Past High Priest of Hudson River Chapter, R. 
A. M. He is a member of the Evening Star Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., Hudson 
River Chapter No. 262, R. A. M. of West Troy, N. Y. ; Bloss Council, No. -14, R. & 
S M. ; Apollo Commandery, No. l.^i, K. T., Troy, N. Y. ; Albany Sovereign Consis- 
tory thirty-two degrees, A. A. R., also Oriental Temple N. M. S., of Troy, N. Y. 



RUFl'S 11. KIXC;. 

Rlils H. King died in Albany, N. Y., July 9, 1867. Mr. King was a native of 
Ridgefield, Conn. His father was an officer in the army of the Revolution, his 
name being associated in history with that of Major Andre as the officer to whom 
the British spy was delivered by his captors, and who had charge of him until he 
was executed. 

Mr. King came to Albany in 1814, and in partnership with his brother-m-law, 
William McHarg, as a dry goods merchant, established a reputation for capacity and 
integrity which laid the foundation for enduring prosperity and ultimate fortune. 
He became a director in the New York State National Bank at an early day and 
more than twenty years ago succeeded the late Mr. Bloodgood as its president, soon 
after which he withdrew from his mercantile business and devoted hmiself to bank- 
ing and to the purchase and sale of stocks. He was also president of the Albany 
Savings Bank and the Albany Insurance Company. The marked prosperity which 
has attended all these institutions furnishes sufficient evidence of his financial 
ability. 

There was not in the State a more thorough merchant and banker than Rufus H. 
King, or none more extensively known, esteemed and confided in. The financial 
officers of thrf State through all changes were accustomed to avail themselves of 
Mr. King's knowledge and judgment as to the time and character of their loans. 
His experience and advice, always cheerfully given, saved hundreds of thousands 
of <lollars to the treasury. 

He was a life-long intimate friend and associate of Thurlow Weed ; and though 
not at all the politician that Mr. Weed was, they were fast friends. No man so much 
as Mr. King, perhaps, had to so great an extent the full confidence of Mr. Weed. 

In his temperament Mr. King was particularly a man of business. He devoted 
himself sedulously to those occupations for which he was especially fitted; and 
though having many opportunities for public preferment, he avoided them with al- 
most morbid dislike. He w^as a faithful husbanc^ a loving father, a true friend, and 
an upright and honest citizen. The most scrupulous integrity marked every trans- 
action in which he was engaged. He made hosts of friends and no enemies. Gen- 
erous to the last degree, he always saw the best qualities of those with whom he 



\ 




ATTILIO PASQUINI 



31 

came in contact ; and was probably incapable of nourishing such a sentiment as 
animiisity. 

Mr. King early in life married Amelia Laverty, daughter of Henry Laverty of 
New York city- 



ATTILIO PASgUINI. 

Arrii.i-o Pasoimni, one of the leading contractors and builders of Albany, was 
born in the village of Nava, about one mile from the city of Lucca, Italy, on the 6th 
day of January, 1849. His father was also a native oi^ Nava, while his mother's 
birthplace was the village of Santa Maria Colle, two and one-half miles from Lucca. 
Mr. Pasquini received a common school education, and at an early age learned the 
trade of mason in his native country. He soon sought a wider field for the exercise 
of those progressive qualities which have characterized his life and upon attaining 
his majority decided to come to America. Leaving Italy on the 3d of May, 1871, he 
arrived in New York city on the Tth of the following month (June), and immediately 
settled in Albany, where he has since resided. Here he readily found employment 
at his trade, which he pursued for several years. 

He rapidly acquired a high reputation among both workmen and contractors, and 
in time became a contractor himself, a business in which he has won uniform suc- 
cess. He is now an extensive mason, contractor, and builder, doing work in differ- 
ent parts of the State. In the capital city he has erected many of the largest and 
finest buildings, among which may be mentioned the Harmanus Bleecker Hall, the 
New York State Armory, the Albany County Bank, the D. & H. C. Co.'s building, 
public school No. 7, John H. Day's and the Bensen buildings. Our Lady of Angels 
Convent and remodelling its church, one of St. Agnes's School buildings on Elk 
street, St. Peter's Rectory, two handsome residences for Messrs. Walker and Gibson 
on State street, the Hudson River Telephone building, and a large number of other 
structures, including many dwellings of almost equal prominence. Among the 
numerous buildings erected by him outside the city of Albany are the Twenty-third 
Regiment Armory in Brooklyn, the largest m the State ; power houses for the Brook- 
lyn City and Newtown Railroad Company of New York ; depots for the D. & H. C. 
Co. at Plattsburg, Mechanicsville, and Slingerlands; depots for the F., J. & G. Rail- 
road at Johnstown and Gloversville; and a Catholic church at Castleton, N. Y. He 
has also built a number of fine residences in various parts of^the State; among thenr 
being Mr. Denton's at Middletown, R. C. Pruyn's at Altamont. and Charles Ellis's 
at Schenectady. He is now (January, 1897) erecting three large buildings for the 
Manhattan State Hospital on Ward's Island and a power house for the North River 
Electric Light and Power Company in New York city. These and others too numer- 
ous to mention show the energy with which Mr. Pas<iuini has prosecuted the busi- 
ness of contracting, and are monuments to his industry, enterprise, and e-xecutive 
ability. 

He is an active member and treasurer of the Albany Republican League, a promi- 
nent member of the Albany Burgesses Corps and the Dongan CUab, and a member 
and for one term president of the Italian Columbus Society. Though born and 



32 

reared under Italy's siiuny skies, in a land of caste and royalty, he is at heart a thor- 
ough American, a lover of personal freedom and of free institutions, and a staunch 
supporter of the Republican principles typified by this government. He is not only 
active in promoting the welfare of his countrymen wherever he finds them, but is 
loyal to the best interests of mankind and inliuential in the prosperity of the city of 
his residence. 

On the 28lh of January, 1875, Mr. Pasciuini was married in Albany to Miss Magda- 
lena M. Hufnagel, by whom he has five children; Louis J., Attilio M., lili/.abeth C, 
Margaret F., and Angelina M. 



COL. SELDEN E. MARVIN, Jk. 

Col. Sei.den Erastus Marvin, jr., eldest son of Gen. Selden Erastus and Katharine 
Langdott (Parker) Marvin, was born in the homestead of his maternal grandfather, 
the late Judge Amasa J. Parker, on Washington avenue, in Albany, on the 1st of 
December, 1869. He attended the Albany Academy and from there entered St. 
Paul's School at Concord, N. H., where he took quite an active interest in athletic 
sports. As a member of one of the football teams of that institution he received an 
injury which resulted in his return to Albany, where he re-entered the Albany 
Academy and graduated therefrom in June, 188S. He then spent one year at the 
Hopkinson School in Boston, and in the fall of 1889 entered Harvard University, 
from which he graduated in full course with the degree of A. B. in 1893. While 
there he was treasurer and president one year each of the University Glee Club. 
Upon his graduation he returned to Albany and was appointed instructor in Enghsh 
at the Albany Academy, and gradually increased the scope of his work there until 
he also taught Latin, German, and elementary subjects. At the close of the fall 
term in December, 1894, he resigned this position to accept at the hands of Gov. 
Levi P. Morton the appointment of military secretary, with the rank of colonel, on 
the governor's staff, the duties of which he assumed on January 1, 1895. He has 
ably and creditably tilled this important office since that date. 

Colonel Marvin is a member of the Fort Orange, Pr^ss and Country Clubs, of 
Albany, and for many years has been especially active and deeply interested in 
musical affairs, being a prominent member of the choir of All Saints Cathedral. He 
studied music for four years in Boston under A. R. Reed, a pupil and an intimate 
friend of William Shakespeare, the celebrated authority on the Italian School of 
Vocal Culture, of London, England. 



FREDERICK EASTON. 

Frkuerick Easton is a son of the late Hon. Charles P. Easton and was born in 
Albany, on the corner of Clinton avenue and Chapel street, on the 5th of January, 
1860. Hon. Charles P. Easton was born here October 24, 1824, and died March 3, 
1885. For many years he was a leading business in Albany's great lumber district, 




COL. StLUtN h. MARVIN. jR. 




FREUtKICk EASTON. 



33 

being the founder and head of the firm of C. P. Easton & Co. He was also a pub- 
lic spirited citizen who devoted himself untiringly to the educational interests of the 
community. In religious and charitable undertakings he was equally zealous, and 
an entire generation of the city's young men will recall with pleasure his dignified 
but genial presence, and especially his liberality and unceasing efforts in the ad- 
vancement of public school methods. 

Frederick Easton has spent his life in the immediate neighborhood of his birth- 
place. He received his early education in public schools Nos. 6 and 15, and after 
completing the grammar course attended the Delaware Literary Institute at Frank- 
lin, Delaware county. On returning to Albany he associated himself in the whole- 
sale lumber business under the firm name of C. P. Easton & Co., his partners being 
his brothers William and Edward, with whom he has since continued. On the death 
of the father these sons succeeded to this business and have conducted it with marked 
ability and success, maintaining a credit and an integrity unsullied. 

For nearly ten years Mr. Easton was a prominent member of Co. A, 10th Regt., 
now the 10th Battalion, but owing to pressing business obligations he resigned from 
active .service and is now a member of the Old Guard Albany Zouave Cadets. He 
has been an active member of the Capital City Club since 1872 and is now its pres- 
ident. In the campaign work of this organization he served as lieutenant under 
Capt. A. W. Pray in 1884 and as chief of staff under Captains Albert Judson and 
Newcomb Cleveland in 1888 and 1893 respectively. He is also active in Masonic 
circles, being a member of Masters Lodge. Capital City Chapter. De Witt Clinton 
Council, Temple Commandery. and Cyprus Shrine. He is a member of the Fort 
Orange Club and the Benevolent Order of Elks, and was twice elected secretary and 
treasurer of the Albany Board of Lumber Dealers. He was manager of the Young 
Men's Association for three years under President Richard L. Annesley and served 
as its vice-president one term. During Major Manning's term of office Mr. Easton was 
a member of the committee that conducted the Columbian celebration in Albany, 
leading the third assembly district organization. On January 23, 1895, he was ap- 
pointed by Governor Morton superintendent of public buildings of the State of New 
York, which position he now holds. 

Mr. Easton is a public spirited citizen, and takes a deep interest in all that concerns 
the welfare and advancement of the community. In politics he has always been an 
ardent Republican, and his advice and counsel in party affairsare sought and valued. 
Enterprising, progressive, and influential, he worthily represents those sterling 
principles of manhood and citizenship his honored father so diligently carried out. 



WILLIAM HERRICK GRIFFITH. 

William Hekrilk Gritfith was born at Castleton-on-Hudson, Rensselaer County, 
N. Y., 27 January, 1866. He is descended from an illustrious and distinguished 
ancestry. His father, the late Eitwin Henry Griffith, a Banker and a man of prom- 
inent position, bom in Nassau. Rensselaer Co., 1 December, 1830, married early in 
\\i^ Mary Louisa Know Iton, daughter of George Washington and Sybil Ann (Rowe) 
Knowlton. He was founder of the National Bank of Castleton, to which place he 



34 

removed in 1865, and was officially connected with that institution and prominently 
identified with the interests of the place until a year before his death, which occurred 
at Albany, N. Y., in May, 1875, upon his return from a sojourn in Denver, Colorado, 
whither he had gone for the improvement of his health. His father was Smith 
Griffith, of Nassau, N. Y. , an elder in the Presbyterian Church at that place, and 
who held nearly all the official positions of prominence in the gift of the Town. He 
was born 22 February, 1793; died 18 January, 1878; his father being Major Joshua 
Griffith, who served with credit in the War of 1812; and his grandfather, William 
Griffith, a Revolutionary Soldier, who was a direct lineal descendant of Llewellyn, 
last King of Wales, who was beheaded by the English in 1282, and who was the son 
of Griffith, also King of Wales. I.emira Merrick, wife of Smith Griffith, above, and 
paternal grandmother of Mr. Griffith, subject of this sketch, was second in Hneal 
descent from Colonel Rufus Herrick, an officer of the New York State Continental 
Line in the Revolutionary War ; seventh in lineal descent from Sir William Herrick, 
of Leicester, London, and Beau Manor Park, England, and eighteenth in lineal 
descent from Eric, King of Danes. The arms which she made use of were granted 
to Sir William Herrick in the reign of Elizabeth and are described as follows: 
"Argent; a fesse vaire, or and gules."— Crest — "A bull's head couped argent, horned 
and eared Sable, gorged with a chaplet of roses ppr." Motto—" Virtus omnia nobili- 
tat." 

The Griffith arms are the same as those of Griffith of the Royal House of Wales, 
of whom the persons of the name already mentioned in this sketch are all lineal 
descendants, and therefore entitled to use the arms. 

Mr. Griffith's lineal paternal ancestors intermarried with the New England Colonial 
families of Paine, Smith, Perrin, Trask, Leonard, Avery, Denison, Stanton, Stark- 
weather, Lord, Thompson, Peck, Marvin and Chickering, and the Piatt, Wood andScud- 
der families of Long Island. Of these female lines the Paines. Perrins, Averys, Deni- 
sons, Stantons, Lords, Pecks, aud Platts possessed and used Coat armor which be- 
longed to them by descent from the original armiger. Mr. Griffith's mother, as 
mentioned early in this sketch, is Mary Louisa (Knowlton) Griffith. She was born at 
Greenbush-on-Hudson, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., 26 March, 1833, and is now living in 
Albany. She belongs to the Historic New England family of Knowltons, to which 
belonged many of the bravest soldiers and illustrious statesmen of the New World. 
General Nathaniel Lyon, of Missouri, was a prominent member of this family who 
fell in the Civil War, and whose death the nation mourned. Col. Thomas Knowl- 
ton, younger brother of Lieutenant Daniel Knowlton, of Connecticut, great-grand- 
father of Mrs. Griffith, and whom she represents in the Daughters of the Revolution, 
was an intimate friend of George Washington, who in lamenting his untimely death 
at the Battle of Harlem Heights in 1776 said; " The brave Knowlton has fallen. He 
would have been an honor to any country." The State of Connecticut has appre- 
ciated and shown honor to his memory by erecting a bronze statue of heroic size 
just in front of her State Capitol at Hartford. To this family also belongs Sir Charles 
Tupper, the last Prime Minister to Canada. The first of this name to come to America 
was Capt. William Knowlton, who early in the seventeenth century sailed from Ches- 
wick, England, with bis three sons, in his own ship, and landed at Nova Scotia. One 
son, John, removed to Ipswich, Mass., and from him are descended the most illustrious 
descendants of the name. Mrs. Griffith's father was the late George Washington 



35 

Knowlton, ninth in descent from Captain William, above, and her mother, Sybil 
Ann (Rowe) Knowlton, now living. Mrs. Griffith's paternal and maternal ancestors 
intermarried with the New England Colonial families of Farnham, Burton, Ford, 
Russell, Pinder, Wilson, Bennett, Allen, Holt, Jewett, Sterling and Freeman, and the 
German Palatinate families of Rovve and Winegar. Of these lines the Farnhams. 
Fords, Pinders, Aliens, Holts, Sterlings and Freemans possessed and used Coats-of- 
arms which had been used in their families for generations. Mary Louisa (Knowlton) 
Griffith's arms and those in use by her Knowlton ancestors for generations are regis- 
tered as follows in Her Majesty's College of Heraldry and Arms at London under the 
name "Knowlton," viz.: "Argent, a chevron gules, between three ducal coronets 
sable." Crest — a demi lion rampant ppr. Motto — " Vi et Virtute." 

After the death of his father at Albany in 1875, Mr. Griffith (subject of this sketch) 
entered the Albany Academy, which he left (after also receiving private instruction 
from a private tutor. Rev. Charles H. W. Stocking, U. D.), to enter Yale College in 
the Fall of 1886. He was unable to complete the Classical Course, owing to ill health. 
Upon leaving College he traveled ex'tensively throughout England, Scotland, Ger- 
many-, Holland, Belgium, Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland, making his sojourn 
in these countries an occasion to study continental customs. While abroad he con- 
tributed many articles and papers bearing upon archaeology and the life and customs 
of the nations of the Old World to American journalism. Many of these articles were 
published in American papers, chiefly the "New York Home Journal." Upon his 
return to Albany Mr. Griffith accepted a responsible position in the First National 
Bank of that city, which he occupied for six years, finally tendering his resignation as 
Bank Bookkeeper to embark for himself in the Fire Insurance business, in which 
occupation he is now actively engaged, representing the " United States Fire Insur- 
rance Company, of New York,' and "The Royal of Liverpool." His office is at No. 
37 Maiden Lane. 

Mr. Griffith is an enthusiast upon and deeply interested in all matters of History 
and Genealogy, and has done much to further their interests in his native City. He 
is an active, working official of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution, 
and to him is due in a great measure its success and prosperity. As its treasurer and 
secretary he has been one of the few who have by their efforts made it the successful, 
prosperous and conservative organization it has lately become. He is also identified 
as Registrar-General and Genealogist with the oldest, most conservative, hereditary 
order in the United States known as " The Ancient Heraldic and Chivalric Order 
of Knights of Albion." This order was instituted by Sir Edmund Plowden, of 
Delaware and Virginia, in 1643. It became dormant just before 1700, but has lately 
been revived, and is about to be legally incorporated. It already promises to be the 
most conservative hereditary male order of American origin. Mr. Griffith is con- 
stantly engaged in genealogical and historical work of some sort, being employed at 
present in compiling a Genealogy of the Knowlton and Griffith Families, besides 
many papers and articles which he contributes now and then to the various Historical, 
Hereditary and Literary Societies and Orders in which he enjoys active member- 
ship. 

He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Knowlton Association in America, one of the 
largest and most powerful family organizations in the country ; secretary of Philip 
Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution ; is a resident and active member of the 



3i; 

Albany Historical and Ait Society, The Albany Institute, and The New England 
Historic Genealogical Society of Boston ; and a Corresponding Member of the Con- 
necticut Historical Society. He is also an hereditary member of nearly all the 
patriotic hereditary orders, representing in each the following ancestors: 

Order of the Cincimiati. Lieut. Daniel Knowlton. 

Sons of the Revoliitioon, and Sous of the Anierican Revolution. Col. Rufus 
Herrick, Captain Israel Piatt, Lieut. Daniel Knowlton, Major Robert Freeman, 
Sergt. John Freeman, Private Wm. Griffith. 

Society of the IVar of iSi2. Major Joshua Griffith. 

Society of Colonial Wars. Capt. George Denison, Capt. John Denison, Capt. 
James Avery, Capt. John Stanton, Capt. Epenetus Piatt, Sergeant Daniel Knowlton, 
Stephen Paine, Thomas Stanton, John Pinder, Joseph Ford, Bozoan Allen, Samuel 
Leonard and Stephen Herrick. 

Order of the Old Guard of Chicago, New York Coimnandery, Colonel Herrick, 
Captain Denison, and Major Griffith. 

Order of Founders a?id Patriots, John Knowlton, 1839; Lieut. Daniel Knowlton, 
1776. 

Mr. Griffith is also a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having been raised to the 
degree of Master Mason in Masters Lodge No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, at 
Albany. 8 October, 1895. In religious belief he is a Protestant Episcopalian, being 
a communicant of All Saints' Cathedral, Albany, in charge of Rt. Rev. William 
Croswell Doane, D.D., S.T.D., Bishop of Albany. 

Mr. Griffith was married, 3 February, 1892, to Miss Grace Elizabeth Clute, daugh- 
ter of Hon. Matthew Henry Robertson, Deputy Superintendent of Insurance of 
New York, and Elizabeth (Clute) Robertson, his wife. He has one child, a daughter, 
Margaret Frances Griffith, born 37 December, 1893. 



JOSEPH LEWI, M. D. 

Joseph Lewi, M. D., who has been in active practice in Albany since 1848 was' 
born in Radnitz, Austria, August 17, 1820. His parents, Elias and Rosa (Resek), 
were born in the same place. He was one of a large family of children and while 
he attended the preparatory schools at Pilsen, helped to defray the expenses of his 
education by teaching. From the Gymnasium or High School in Pilsen he went to 
the academy at Prague where he took the higher classical course and began the 
study of medicine. In order to be near and have the advantages of the larger 
clinics, laboratories and medical museums and of the more thorough school, he went 
to the Vienna University where he continued his studies under the guidance of the 
great men of that time, among whom were: Rokitanski, Hebra, Schuh, Hyrtl, Op- 
polzer. Skoda, Rosas, and other authorities. He was an industrious and conscien- 
tious student and a hard worker in the calling of his choice, but not to the exclusion 
of literature, music and the classics towards which he always had a leaning, and in 
the company of Solomon Mosenthal, Leopold Kompert and Moritz Hartmann, who 
were his intimate friends and who all became famous in the world of letters, he 
found ample opportunity to cultivate and to develop his literary tastes. After being 



37 

graduated he returned to his native town where he practiced his profession about 
one year, and then at the outbreak tof the March revolution with which he was in 
sympathy, but the success of which he doubted, he came to America hoping to find 
in the great republic of the West a better and more congenial field for his knowl- 
edge, and knowing that in the republic he would not be brought face to face continu- 
ally with the despotism and intolerance which were characteristic of the Austria of 
that day. 

Dr. Lewi came to Albany at once on his arrival in America and has been a resi- 
dent of the city ever since. He soon acquired a large practice, a high standing in 
the medical profession and the respect of the community, and while his knowledge 
as a physician secured for him his large practice and place among his professional 
brethren, his literary merits made him a delightful companion and his patriotism a 
model citizen. Coming from a country in which prejudice and intolerance reigned 
and where a spirit of darkness precluded a better state of affairs, he, like all the bet- 
ter class of immigrants of that day, was naturally appreciative of the democratic 
institutions of the United States. He looked upon slavery as the national shame 
and even before he became a citizen he raised his voice in opposition to the institu- 
tion. Hejoined the forces which were led by Greeley, Beecher and Garrison, helped 
to rock the cradle of the Republican party and cast his first vote in a general elec- 
tion for the Fremont and Dayton electors, and he takes much pride now in saying 
that he has voted for every Republican candidate from Fremont to McKmley. 

When the Civil war broke out the surgeon-general appointed a commission consist- 
ing of Drs. Thomas Hun, Alden March and Mason F. Cogswell to examine physicians 
for the volunteer service, to which commission Dr. Lewi was made an adjunct mem- 
ber, and when in the dark days of the Rebellion the armed enemies in the field ex- 
pected aid and assistance from their sympathizers in the North he became one of the 
organizers of the United League. 

Dr. Lewi is an ex-president of the Albany County Medical Society and the senior 
member of the Board of Censors of the State Medical Society. He has devoted much 
time to the Albany Hospital on the staff of which he is still consulting physician. 
He never aspired to public office but accepted the position of member of the Board 
of Public Instructions for a term of three years. He served in the position with 
characteristic conscientiousness and was returned as his own successor three times, 
and after a service of twelve years declined a nomination. 

He was married in New York city in 1849 to Miss Bertha Schwarz of Hesse Cassel, 
the daughter of Josepeh Emanuel Schwarz, a theologian and composer of sacred 
music. Mrs. Lewi is an ideal woman, a model wife and mother. Fourteen children 
blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. Lewi, of whom nine are married. Of the six 
sons, two have followed their father's profession. One, Dr. Maurice J., practices in 
New York and is the secretary of the State Board of Medical Examiners, and the 
youngjest. Dr. William (»., is in practice in Albany where he is a member of the 
Albany Hospital staff and a lecturer in the Medical College. One son, Theodore 
J., is a pharmacist; Isidor is a writer on the staff of The New York Tribune, and 
Edward J, and Franklin L. are in business. Of the eight daughters the oldest, Wil- 
helmine, married Dr. Herman Bentlell, who was a student in Dr. Lewi's office, and 
Martha Washington married Dr. Alois Donhauser, who was a graduate of the 



Albany Medical College and died in Albany while in charge of the United States 
Signal Service in that city. 



GEN. FREDERICK TOWNSEND. 

Gen. Frederick Townsenu, son of Isaiah and Hannah (To wnsend)Townsend, was 
born in Albany on the 21st of September, 1825. The original ancestor of this branch 
of the family in America was Henry Townsend, who, with his wife, Annie Coles, 
and two brothers, John and Richard, came from Norfolk, England, to Massachusetts 
about 1640. Soon afterward they were among the earliest settlers of Flushing, Long 
Island, where a patent was granted to John Townsend and others by Governor 
Kieft in 1645. Political and religious difficulties with the old Dutch governor, Peter 
Stuyvesant, soon forced the Townsends to remove to Warwick, R. I., where they all 
held municipal office and became members of the provincial assembly. In 1656 they 
obtained, with others, the patent of Rustdorp, now Jamaica, and once more attempted 
a settlement on Long Island, but m the following year Henry, a leading spirit in the 
colony, was arrested, imprisoned and fined "one hundred pounds Flanders" for 
harboring Quakers in his house— an act which illustrates the persecution borne in 
those days by the denomination of Friends. This unjust treatment caused Henry 
Townsend and his brothers to remove in 1657 to Oyster Bay. L. I., then only par- 
tially in the jurisdiction of New Amsterdam. Here Henry died in 1695. General 
Townsend's maternal great-great-great-grandfather, James Townsend, was deputy 
surveyor-general of the province. His great-grandfather, Samuel Townsend, was 
actively engaged in the English and West India trade until the war of the Revolu- 
tion, and had also served in the Provincial Congress in 1775. At the close of the 
war he resumed his seat and continued in public life until his death in 1790. He was 
also a State senator and a member of the first Council of Appointment under the con- 
stitution of 1789. In 1776 he was one of fourteen members of the Fourth Provincial 
Congress appointed " to prepare a form of government for the State." This com- 
mittee reported March 12, 1777. and on April 20, the first constitution of the State of 
New York was adopted. General Townsend's maternal grandfather, Solomon Town- 
send, conducted a large iron business in New York city, having extensive iron works 
at Chester, Orange county, and Peconic River, Suffolk county. He served several 
terms in the State Legislature, being a member thereof at the time of his death in 
1811. The general's paternal grandfather was Henrj' Townsend of Cornwall, N. 
Y., who married Mary Bennet, and died in 1815. Isaiah Townsend, son of Henry, 
was a prominent merchant of Albany, where he died in 1838, aged sixty-one. He 
married his cousin, Hannah Townsend, of New York city. 

Gen. Frederick Townsend first attended a private infant school in Albany and 
afterward the Boys' Academy. Later he was sent to Bartletfs Collegiate School at 
Poughkeepsie for two years, and at the early age of fifteen entered Union College, 
from which he was graduated in 1844. He then read law in the office of John V. L. 
Pruyn and Henry H. Martin (Pruyn & Martin) in Albany, and was admitted to the 
bar at the general term of the Supreme Court in this city in 1849. After completing 
his studies he spent several years in travel, visiting first the gold fields of California 



39 

and other places in this country and then going to Europe. In 1854 he returned 
home and in 1856 began the practice of his profession as a member of the firm of 
Townsend, Jackson & Strong. He also turned his attention toward another sphere 
of usefulness. He had long manifested a strong attchment for military science, for 
which he had a natural taste. Mastering the general details he became an author- 
ity on military tactics. He was made captain of Co. B, Washmgton Continentals. 
He also organized and became colonel of the 76th Regiment of Militia, and later was 
captain of the Albany Zo\iave Cadets (Co. A, 10th Battalion, N. G.). With consum- 
mate skill he successfully placed these organizations upon a high plane of efficiency 
and discipline, and no man was more respected or esteemed. In the year 1857 he 
was appointed by Gov. John A. King adjutant-general of the State of New York. 
At this time the old militia system of the State had, with few exceptions become 
wholly disorganized and useless. General Townsend immediately set about its re- 
organization, infused new life and vigor in the regiments, and successfully raised the 
system to a degree of efficiency worthy of the Empire State. In his first annual 
report, the first one prepared in many years, he made recommendations to the com- 
mander-in-chief which were speedily put into practice. In 1859 he was reappointed 
by Gov. Edwin D. Morgan, and continued to give his undivided attention to the 
great work he had so faithfully inaugurated. In 1861 he promptly tendered his ser- 
vices to his country, and in May was commissioned colonel of the 3d N. Y. Vols., 
which he organized, and which he gallantly commanded on the battlefield of Big 
Bethel on June 10. On August 19 he was appointed by President Lincoln a major of 
the 8th U. S. Inf., one of three new battalion regiments of the regular army, and 
was assigned to duty in the West, where he joined the forces under General Buell 
and later those under General Rosencrans. He commanded his troops in the recon- 
noissance at Lick Creek (or Pea Ridge), Miss., April 26, 1862, at the siege of Corinth 
on April 30. and in the occupation thereof on May 30. On October 6 he was in the 
advance of the Third Corps, Army of the Ohio, driving the rebel rear guard from 
Springfield to near Texas, Ky. He also participated in the battle of Perryville or 
Chaplin Hill, Ky., October 8. After the first day of the battle at Stone River, Tenn., 
from December 31, 1863, to January 2, 1863, he was placed in command of the^ left 
wing of the regular brigade, all his senior officers having been shot except his brigade 
commander. He was also in the aft'air of Eagleville, Tenn., March 3. 1863. In all 
these various engagements he displayed great bravery and heroism, and was suc- 
cessively brevetted lieutenant- colonel, colonel, and brigadier-general in the regular 
array. In May, 1863, he was detailed as acting assistant provost marshal-general at 
Albany, where he remained until the close of the war, being promoted m 1864 lieu- 
tenant-colonel of the 9th U. S. Inf. Obtaining a leave of absence he again visited 
Europe, and returning in 1867 was ordered to California and placed on the staff of 
General McDowell as acting assistant inspector-general of the department, in which 
capacity he inspected all the government posts in Arizona. In 1868 he resigned his 
commission and returned to Albany, where he has since resided. 

General Townsend has been a director of the New York State National Bank and 
of the Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike Company since 1864; a trustee of the Albany 
Orphan Asylum since 1879; a trustee of the Dudley Observatory since April 22, 1880; 
and a trustee of the Albany Academy since May 11, 1886. He was a trustee of Vas- 
sar College from June 27, 1876, until November 28, 1892, and of Union College from 



40 

July IT, 1876, to July, 1887, resigning each position on account of a pressure of other 
duties. In all these capacities his services have been of great value, not only in the 
line of business management, but in the equally important sphere of progress and 
moral elevation. 

Iu'l878 he was elected brigadier-general of the 9th Brigade N. Y. S. N. G., which 
post he resigned to accept the appointment by Governor Cornell of adjutant-general 
of the State of New York, an office he had formerly filled with such remarkable 
ability and efficiency. Again turning his attention to the development of the State 
military system he inaugurated and successfully established a number of improve- 
ments which to this day are in active use. Among the important measures which 
he organized and perfected was the " camp of instruction " at Peekskill, N. Y. This 
worthy enterprise was originated, inaugurated, developed, established, and organized 
in detail by him, and to him is due the sole honor of its present existence. He formu- 
lated and carried out the idea, personally directed and supervised the movement from 
its incipiency to its actual and final establishment, and was the chief guardian and de- 
veloper of its earlier welfare. He also provided the present service dress uniform 
for all the troops in the State. These and other innovations in the militia were car- 
ried out and perfected by him against strong opposition and in the face of many 
difficulties, but the wisdom of his judgment and foresight has often been vindicated 
in the efficiency of the National Guard on occasions of riot and disorder. The prin- 
ciples inaugurated and laid down by him are now the mainstay of the various militia 
organizations of the Empire State 

General Townsend is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Society 
of the Army of the Cumberland, and the jnilitary order of the Loyal Legion of the 
United States, and Society of the Sonsof the Revolution. In 1880 he was nominated 
by the Republicans and elected presidential elector, and as a member of the Electoral 
College cast his vote for James A. Garfield and Che.ster A. Arthur for president and 
vice-president. He has never taken an active part in politics, though often urged to 
do so, but he has been distinctively a military man, imbued with the highest sense 
of patriotism and the loftiest principles of a soldier. 

November 19, 1863, he was married to Miss Sarah, only daughter of the late Joel 
Rathbone, a prominent merchant and banker of Albany. They have two children: 
Sarah Rathbone Townsend, the wife of Gerrit Y. Lansing, of Albany, and Frederick 
Townsend, jr., who was graduated from Harvard College in 1893 and is now a stu- 
dent at the Cambridge Law School, class of 1897. 



GEORGE L. STEDMAN. 

Geori;f. Lavatkr Stedman descends on his father's side from Thomas Stedman, 
who settled in New London, Conn., in 1649. One of his ancestors, while command- 
ing a company of dragoons, was killed in the Pequot war. His father, John Porter 
Stedman, who married Thais Hooker, was a prominent manufacturer and banker of 
Southbridge, Mass., where he served as assessor, selectman, etc. The Hookers de- 
scended from Thomas Hooker of Hartford, Conn. , and one of the line, Amos Hooker, 
grandfather of Mr. Stedman's mother, died in the Revolutionary army in the siege 




4.J^Z. 



■11 

arouiui Boston. Mr. Stedniau's mother was a direct descendant o£ Kenelm Winslow 
of the Plymouth Colony. George L. Stedman, born in Southbridge, Mass., Novem- 
ber 8, 1831, was graduated from Brown University in 1856, came to Albany the same 
year, attended the Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He 
read law with Shepard & Bancroft, and after the dissolution of the firm was asso- 
ciated with S. O. Shepard many years. He was later a partner with Osgood H. 
Shepard until January, 1885, and then with David A. Thomp.son and Arthur L. 
Andrews till January 1, 1896, his son George W. al.so becoming a member of the 
latter firm in December, 1887. January 1, 1896, Mr. Stedman and his son formed 
the pre.sent firm of Stedman & Stedman. Mr. Stedman was the nominee on the 
Republican ticket for State senator and in 1893 for delegate to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention, but was defeated by small majorities. He has taken a very active 
interest in the affairs of the town of Colonie, where he has lived many years and 
drafted the law by which the town was separated from -Watervliet and has since 
been its legal adviser. Upon the separation the committee in charge of the matter 
suggested several names for the new town, but finally left it to the pleasure of Mr. 
Stedman to name the new town, which he did, givmg it the present name of Colonie. 
He is president of the New York Baptist Union for Ministerial Education (the legal 
body of the Rochester Theological Seminary) and the Hudson River Baptist Asso- 
ciation north, a trustee of Colgate University and Emmanuel Baptist church of Al- 
bany, and prominent in Baptist circles. In 1863 he married Adda, daughter of the 
late George A. Woolverton, of Albany, and they have four .sons: George Woolver- 
ton, Frank White (see sketch elesewhere in this volume), John Porter and Charles 
Summer. George W. Stedman, born m Albany, September 9, 1864, was graduated 
frpm the Albany Academy in 1883 and from Rochester University in 1885 (is presi- 
dent of his class), read law with Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, and was graduated 
from the Albany Law School with first honors and admitted to the bar in 1887. 
Since December 1887, he has been associated in practice with his father. On the 
formation of the town of Colonie (June 7, 1895), he became a justice of the peace 
and a member of the town board. He is a trustee of Colgate LTniversity and was 
the first president of the Alumni of the Albany Academy, an office he has held 
since its formation in 1895. John Porter Stedman, born in Watervliet (now 
Colonie) April 7. 1872, was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1890, and has 
since been interested with his brother, Frank W., in the co^ business. Charles S. 
Stedman was born in Colonie, November 6, 1874, was graduated from the Albany 
Academy in 1893 and from Brown University in 1896, and is now a law student with 
his father and brother. While at Brown University he was editor-in-chief of the 
Brown Daily Herald and a correspondent of the Boston Globe and Albany Journal. 
These sons have a peculiar relation to the war of the Revolution, for while Silvanus 
Wilcox, the great -great-grandfather of these four brothers, was participating in the 
battle of Saratoga, his son, afterward known as General Wilco.N, their great-grand- 
father, was in the battle of Oriskany. 



GEORGE ROGERS HOWELL. 

George Rogers Howki.l, State archivist, was born iu the town of Southampton, 
Long Island, N.Y., June 15, 1833. and is a son of Charles and Mary (Rogers) Howell, 
highly respected citizens of that place. The first American ancestor of the family 
was Edward Howell, of Marsh Gibbon, Buckinghamshire, England, who came to 
Boston with his family in 1639 and soon afterward became one of the earliest .settlers 
of Southampton, the first town settled by the English in the State of New York. 
The old stone manor house of Edward Howell is still standing at Marsh Gibbon and 
inhabited as a residence. 

Professor Howell first attended the district school and the Southampton Academy, 
and very early manifested a great love for books and a strong desire t<j master vari- 
ous languages. In 1851 he entered the sophmore class of Yale College, then under 
the presidency of Theodore Woolsey, D.D.. and was graduated from that institution 
with honor in 1854. He then spent several years in teaching in academies, but con- 
tinued in private those studies which proved most congenial, especially the .sciences 
and languages. Deciding finally upon the ministry he matriculated in September, 
1861, at Princeton Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1864. 
For about two years he was engaged in ministerial work in Western New York. An 
incident now occurred which turned his attention to more purely literary pursuits. 

The 225th anniversary of the settlement of Southampton was to celebrate in 1865, 
and Mr. Howell, who had already gained a high scholarly reputation, was invited 
by his townsmen to deliver the address on that occasion, to which he consented. 
This effort was so well received that in 1866 it was enlarged and printed under the 
title of "The Early History of Southampton, Long Island, with Genealogies." A 
second edition, of 473 pages, was published at Albany in 1887. In 1863, on the 
recommendation of Dr. Macauley, of Pliiladelphia, Mr. Howell was offered a profes- 
sorship of Latin or Greek in a college in Iowa, but his engagements compelled him 
to decline. As a further inducement to obtain his scholarship in the West the presi- 
dency of the same college was offered and declined for the same reason. In 1872, 
on the suggestion of Dr. S. B. Woolworth, he was engaged, on account of his lin- 
guistic attainments, as assistant librarian in the New York State Library at Albany, 
and during the illness and on the death of Dr. Homes in November, 1887, he was 
acting librarian of the general library. His connection with this immense collection 
of books embraces a period of nearly twenty-five years. He possesses acknowledged 
ability in classification, cataloguing, and arrangement, a most intimate knowledge 
of books in all departments, and a rare discrimination in selecting suitable or desira- 
ble volumes. He has been also for several years secretary of the Albany Institute, 
before which he has read many able papers on scientific subjects, some of which have 
been published in the " Transactions." 

Professor Howell was married on the 18th of August, 1868, to Miss Mary Catherine 
Seymour, daughter of Norman and Frances Hale (Metcalf) Seymour, of Mount Mor- 
ris, N. Y. They had one son, George Seymour Howell, who died at the close of his 
junior year in Harvard University, in March, 1891. 




W. HOWARD BROWN. 



W. HOWARD BROWN. 

W. Howard Brown, son of Rev. Samuel R. Brown, D. D. , was born in New York 
city April 27, 1852, and descends from one of the old and prominent families of Con- 
necticut. Dr. Brown, born in East Windsor, Conn., m 1812, was graduated from 
Vale College about 1833 and subsequently from the New York Theological Seminary, 
and was sent to Macoa and later to Hong Kong, China, under the British Morrison 
Educational Society. He remained there through all the dangers of the opium war, 
and brought home with him four Chinese boys, all of whom were graduated from 
Yale College and became, respectively, a Chinese minister at Washington, president 
of a large fleet of Chinese merchant steamers, Chinese consul-general at San Fran- 
cisco, and a practicing physician in Canton. The latter was a graduate of a medical 
college in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was the only native Chinese who ever practiced 
medicine among Europeans in the Orient. About 1859 Dr. Brown went to Kana- 
gawa, Japan, under the auspices of the Reformed Church Mission, and was the first 
chaplain of the American Legation in that country, the ports of which had just been 
opened to foreigners. He held this position for several years, and was also president 
of the Asiatic Society. He was the first to institute government schools in Japan, 
was chairman of the committee which translated the Bible into the Japanese lan- 
guage, and remained until he became the oldest European in that country. Return- 
ing to Orange, N. J., in 1878, he died in June, 1879, while on his way to attend a 
reunion of his class at Yale College. He married Miss Elizabeth Goodwin Bartlett, 
daughter of Rev. Shubael Bartlett, for fifty years a Congregational minister at Scan- 
tic. Conn. She died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1890, leaving four children: Julia M., 
born in Macoa, China, now of Yokohama, Japan, the wife of J. Frederick Lowder, 
chief interpreter and stepson of Sir Rutherford Alcock ; Robert Morrison Brown, born 
in Hong Kong, China, and now of New York city; W. Howard Brown, of Albany; 
and Harriet W'., wife of Judge Samuel E. Wilhamson, of Cleveland, Ohio. 

W. Howard Brown received his earlier education in Yokohama, Japan, where he 
became a fluent Japanese scholar as well as a thorough student of the English 
branches. While there he was for six months a guest of the captain of the British 
fleet engaged in making the admiralty charts of the coast of Japan. His residence 
in that enterprising country, with its Oriental customs and traditions, made a lasting 
impression upon his youthful mind and was productive of much good. Returning 
to America he finished his studies in the preparatory school for Yale College at Hart- 
ford, Conn., and then became the first interpreter to the officers of the Japanese 
prince, Satsuma, who were sent to the United States for the purpose of studying the 
English language and American customs and institutions. It was in this capacity 
that Mr. Brown's early traming in Japan proved both useful and profitable. In 1876 
he engaged in mercantile busine.ss in Albany and continued successfully for three 
years. In 1879, having directed his attention to the field of life insurance, he was 
made the manager of the Albany district of the Travelers Insurance Company, of 
Hartford, Conn., which position he has since filled with great credit and ability. 

Mr. Brown has also been prominent in military affairs, in which he has long taken a 
deep interest. He jomed the Tenth Regiment N. Y. N. G. in 1868 and served as 
private, corporal, and sergeant for twelve years. Later he passed successfully the 
competitive examinations for promotion to first lieutenant and quartermaster of the 



44 

battalion, which oflSce he now holds. He is a director in the Marshall & Wendell 
Piano Eorte Manufacturing Company (limited), has been prominent in the Young 
Men's Christian Association, and was for several years an officer and member of the 
First and Second Reformed churches and their Sunday schools, and is now a mem- 
ber of the last named church. In politics he is a Repubhcan. He is vice-president 
of the Albany Musical Society, and a member of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., 
Capital City Chapter, No. 242, R. A. M., and Temple Comraandery, No. 2, K. T. 

In 1879 Mr. Brown was married, fir.st, to Miss Saraphine de K. Townsend, of New 
York city, who died in 1888, leaving one son, Samuel R. He married, second, in 
November, 1S95, Miss Kate Westcott Rider, of Brooklyn, N. Y. 



BENJAMIN W. WOOSTER. 

Benjamin W. Wooster was born in Albany county on the 24th of March, 1820, and 
is a son of David and Polly (Woodbury) Wooster, who came from New Hampshire to 
the county of Albany in 1816. He was liberally endowed with those traits of perse- 
verance and thrift which characterized the sons of New England parentage, and 
after receiving a good common school education became an apprentice at cabinet 
making, at which he served faithfully for four years, and for which he had strong 
natural tastes. His parents' limited means forced him in early youth upon his own 
resources, but with a determination at once rare and commendable he rapidly 
acquired great skill and won approval from all who knew him. Finishing his ap- 
prenticeship in 1843 he opened a small store in South Pear! street, Albany, where his 
close attention to business, his pluck, industry, and honorable dealing, and the ex- 
cellent style and finish of his manufactured goods brought him success and substan- 
tial prosperity. Here he prosecuted a constantly increasing business for eight years, 
or until 1851, when he erected a four-story building at Nos. 57 and 59 South Pearl 
street to accommodate the growing demands of his trade. He enlarged the capacity 
of this structure from time to tune, conducted his cabinet-making business with 
marked success, established a wide reputation as a manufacturer of the highest class 
of work, and devoted his energies and his mechanical skill to building up a trade 
not only in this section but in many of the Eastern States. He attained what he set 
out as a youth to accomplish, a foremost place as a manufacturer of artistic house- 
hold furniture. His work has always been noted for its beauty, durability, and 
ornamental design, and numerous specimens of it have for many years graced the 
finest homes, hotels, banks, offices, etc., in this as well as in other localities. His 
estublishment has long been the leading one in the furniture trade of Albany, where 
his active life has been spent. As a designer and decorator of private and public 
buildings Mr. Wooster has won the highest reputation, which is due largely to his 
love of the beautiful in art, his excellent judgment in appropriate and harmonious 
ornamentation, his long experience as a manufacturer, and his careful and constant 
oversight of his work. In July, 1889, he occupied the present handsome store at 
Nos. 36 and 38 North Pearl street, which was built by him for the sole use of the 
business. 

While Mr. Wooster has devoted his time chiefly to his private business interests 




B. W. WOOSThK. 



45 

he has nevertheless taken an active part in furthering the material welfare of the 
city of Albauy and is prominently identified with its growth and prosperity. As a 
citizen he has always been progressive, sustaining every movement which promised 
general benefit. He was one of the founders in 1871 of the Albany County Bank 
and became its vice-president, a position he held for seven years or until 1878, when 
he was elected president. He served in this capacity till 1891, when he resigned, 
leaving the institution as it now stands — one of the best, soundest, and most useful 
in the city. During his administration as president a savings bank became neces- 
sary to the other financial developments and was added, and the result of this move 
is a flourishing savings department with deposits aggregating over §400,000. The 
Albany County Bank was originally quartered in the old Tweddle Hall, where it 
was burned out. The board of directors then purchased the site and erected the 
present handsome bank building on the corner of State and South Pearl streets, 
where for over 200 years stood the historic Staats house, one of the earliest Dutch 
dwellings in Albany and the last to disappear. Many other oflSces of honor and 
trust have been offered to Mr. Wooster, but he has declined them, prefering to give 
his whole attention to his large furniture business, in which he has attained the 
highest degree of success. In 1878 he erected a handsome brick residence on the 
corner of State street and Western avenue, fronting Washington Park, and most 
beautifully furnished its interior with furniture of his own designing. 

Mr. Wooster was married, first, in 1845, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Levi Steele, 
Albany, who died in the fall of 1860, leaving two daughters. In 1853 he married, 
second, Miss Katharine M., daughter of the late Thomas Wright, of Elmira, N. V., 
and they have had six children, of whom four are living. 



SAMUEL L. MUNSON. 

Sa.muel Lvm.\n Munson descends, paternally and maternally, from the purest and 
earliest Puritan stock, his father's family .settling in New Haven and his mother's, 
the Lymans, in Hartford, Conn., where they lived for several generations.' His first 
American ancestor, Thomas Munson, came, it is supposed, from England in 1621, 
and was one of the founders of the New Haven colony. Mr. Munson's father, Garry 
Munson, of the eighth generation in this country from the pioneer Thomas, was a 
man of noble impulses, of remarkable industry, and of very con.siderable ability. 
He held several public offices, was a farmer, a wool dealer, and a manufacturer, and 
imparted to his children those sterling traits of character which have distinguished 
the family name. He married Harriet Lyman, a lineal descendant of Richard 
Lyman, another Puritan who, as early as 1635, was one of the little band that left 
Boston and founded the present city of Hartford, Conn. Her father, Samuel Lyman, 
was a colonel stationed at Boston in the war of 1812. 

Samuel L. Munson was born in Norwich (now Huntington), Mass., June 14, 1844, 
was reared on the parental farm, and received his rudimentary education in the 
common schools of Huntington. When twelve years of age he entered Williston 
Seminary at Easthampton, Mass., where he pursued his studies for three years. He 
then became a clerk in a large dry goods store in Boston, but after an experience of 



4R 

two years in mercantile life he was compelled on account of his health to return to 
the farm. In 1863 he came to Albany and obtained a situation as commercial trav- 
eler for Wickes & Strong, manufacturers of clothing, his territory lying principally 
in the West. In 1867 he resigned this position, in which he had met with unusual 
success, and forming a copartnership with J. A. Richardson and L. R. Dwight, 
under the firm name of Munson, Richardson & Co., established a linen collar man- 
ufactory, of which he became sole proprietor in 1869. Through Mr. Munson's able 
business management this enterprise proved successful from the start. It was 
founded upon a modest scale, but by rapid strides increased to immense proportions, 
and within a few years larger and more convenient accommodations became neces- 
sary. In 1884 he purchased the old Hudson Avenue Methodist church, which be re- 
modeled and enlarged for the manufacture of shirts, collars, cuffs, lace neckwear, 
etc. This building, which was opened and occupied by the business on December 
21, 1885, is 140 by 68 feet and five stories high, and is equipped with the best ma- 
chinery and conveniences. Between 400 and 500 persons are employed, and the 
goods find a sale in almost every State in the Union as well as abroad. This was 
among the first industries of the kind started in Albany, and has grown until it is 
now one of the largest and most successful in the State, employing a thousand per- 
sons. In 1889 he erected another shiit factory at Cobleskill, N. Y. 

Mr. Munson is a representative business man. He is a trustee and secretary of 
the Home Savings Bank, a trustee and chairman of the committee on manufactures 
of the Albany Chamber of Commerce, the original treasurer of The Pure Baking 
Powder Company, a trustee of the Madison Avenue Reformed church, and formerly 
a director of the National Exchange Bank. He is a member of the Sons of the 
Revolution, through his great-grandfather, Stephen Munson ; a life member of the 
New England Society; and a member of the Fort Orange Club of Albany and the 
Colonial and Republican Clubs of New York. He is also prominently identified 
with several literary. Masonic, athletic, and social organizations of Albany, is a great 
lover of literature and collector of books, and has traveled quite extensively. 

In 1868 Mr. Munson was married to Miss Susan B., daughter of Lemuel J. Hop- 
kins, of Albany, and they have four sons and two daughters: Harriet Lyman, Ed- 
ward Garry. Paul Babcock, Samuel Lyman, jr.. Amy Treadwell, and Robert. The 
eldest son is associated with his father in business, the second is a member of the 
class of 1897 of Yale University, and the third, Samuel L., jr., is a student at Harvard 
University, class of 1900. 



BENJAMIN MARSH. 

Benjamin Marsh, son of Seymour and Mary (Gage) Marsh, of Oxford, N. H., was 
born in Palatine Bridge, N. Y., on the 10th of February, 1817. He inherited many 
sterling characteristics and received in early life a good common school education, 
and the excellent qualities with which he was endowed were used for noble and use- 
ful ends. In 1832, when a lad of fifteen, he came to Albany and entered the employ 
of Chauncey Johnson, one of the leading jewelers and watchmakers of the city on 
what was then South Market street, now Broadway. In 1838 be commenced business 




T. HOWARD LtWlS. 



47 

for himself at the old location, which is now the printing house of J. Van Benthuy- 
sen, and subsequently moved to Douw's building, where he finally sold out to Henry 
Rowlands. About 1880 he resumed business at Nos. 79 and 81 North Pearl street, 
taking as his partner Frederick W. Hoffman, under the firm name of Marsh & Hoff- 
man. Here Mr. Marsh continued in the jewelry, watch and diamond trade until his 
death on March 28, 1896, when he was succeeded by Mr. Hoffman. 

Mr. Marsh was one of the leading jewelers and representative business men of 
Albany, and throughout a long and successful career won the respect and confidence 
of his fellow citizens. His character, his integrity, and his business reputation were 
unsuUied and above criticism. He was public spirited, kind, generous, and benevo- 
lent, and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. In his home and among his 
family he found his greatest enjoyment, and it was there that his best characteristics 
were displayed. He was first and last an honest man, a simple but noble citizen, 
and a friend whom every one revered. He was one of the oldest members of the 
Burgesses Corps, serving under Captain Bayeau.x in the anti renters' little disturb- 
ance in the Helderbergs. He was also an exempt fireman, a member of Temple 
Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., and one of the founders of the Jagger Iron Company, of 
Albany. In politics he was first a Whig and then a Republican, but never accepted 
public office, though often urged to do so. 

On October 5, 1848. Mr. Marsh was married to Miss Ruth Picket Camp, of Dur- 
ham, Conn., who died April 20, 1896, three weeks after the death of her husband. 
They are survived by four children. 



T. HOWARD LEWIS. 

In this brief summary of points in the career of T. Howard Lewis, general agent 
at Albany of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, it should be said, 
as excuse for any omission, that a biography of more pretension could best convey 
the lesson of his life of industry and intelligent management, which is full of instruc- 
tion to all. His career, though only fairly begun, shows that honesty, capacity, and 
power to " hustle" receive their reward at last, and in good measure. For the past 
twelve years he has been associated with the Mutual Life, and during that time has 
displayed much wisdom in the management of his affairs. 

Mr. Lewis was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., November 6, 1869, and received his edu- 
cation in the schools of that city. Being desirous of entering commercial life he 
secured an appointment from the home office of the company in 1885, when but fif- 
teen years of age. His first duties consisted of running errands for the various 
departments of the company. He was advanced from time to time to various posi- 
tions in the company's service, and on January 1, 1893, at the age of twenty-three, 
was appointed a general agent of the company for Delaware, Virginia, and Eastern 
Maryland, with headquarters at Wilmington, Delaware. The Mutual Life never 
had a general agent in that territory before, and of his work in 1893 and 1894 the 
statistician of the company published in a report the following flattering statement 
relative to his efforts in that field for those two years: 

"The Mutual Life record in Delaware under the the agency of T. Howard Lewis 



48 

is another illustration of what can be accomplished in the life insurance field by en- 
ergetic, intelligent, and faithful attention to the business of getting applications 
through competent solicitors. In two years the new business done has been increased 
to more than ten times as much as it was in 1893, while the insurance in force has 
been more than doubled. In 1894 the insurance issued was §1,944,500. and m 1892 it 
was §174,500. Thus the gain of issue in two years was §1,770,000. December 31, 
1894, the insurance in force was §2,730,000; in 1892 it was §1,266.300. The gain of 
insurance in two years was §1,464,540. 

"There are several intere.sting lessons connected with the Mutual Life's agency 
work in Delaware during the last two years that ought to be observed and utilized 
at this time. In 1892 this company did only nine per cent, of the total done by all 
the companies operating in the State; and the Equitable and New York Life both 
did a larger amount than the Mutual Life. In 1894 the Mutual Life did fifty-two per 
cent, of the total, twice as much as the Equitable, and six times as much as the New 
York Life. In 1892 the Mutual Life had only 16.5 per cent, of all the insurance in 
force in the State, and stood number four in the list of twenty companies, the Equi- 
table, the Penn Mutual, and the Provident Life and Trust being ahead. But in 1894 
it was raised to the head of the list and held twenty-seven per cent, of the total in 
all companies, it being ahead of the Equitable by §600,000, of the Penn Mutual by 
nearly §1,200,000, of the Provident Life and Trust by §1,300,000, and of the New 
York Life by $1,900,000. This business was obtained by legitimate soliciting meth- 
ods and push, and without controversy with other companies. The total new busi- 
ness done in the State was increased by §1,800,00 in two years, of which increase 
the Mutual Life secured ninety-eight per cent. The total insurance in force in all 
companies was increased by nearly §2,1500,000, of which the Mutual Life secured 
three-lifths, and the balance was distributed among the smaller companies." 

This remarkably large volume of business written in such a limited field resulted 
in the transfer of Mr. Lewis to a larger one in New York State, with headquarters in 
Albany, in January, 1895. He succeeded the old agencies of D. L. Boardman & 
Son and afterward Henry F. Boardman. This general agency is one of the oldest 
of the company, and since assuming charge of his new territory Mr. Lewis wrote 
during the year 1895 more than four times the amount of business written in 1894. 
This ratio has been proportionately increased during 1896. He has a large staff of 
special and local agents, and maintains a branch office in Troy, besides offices in 
smaller cities and towns throughout Eastern and Northwestern New York. 

Mr. Lewis was married in April, 1895, to Miss Jennie B. Lindsay, of Wilmington, 
Delaware, daughter of David Lindsay, who is prominently identified with the large 
paper manufactory of the Jessup & Moore Paper Company, of Wilmington, New 
York, and Pniladelphia. 



WILLIAM M. NEAD, M. I). 

Dk. William M. Nkad is the second son of a family of three sons and two daugh- 
ters of Gabriel and Mary (Eckerman) Nead, both natives of Pennsylvania, and was 
born in the town of Lodi, Medina county, Ohio, November 30, 1859. He is of 



40 

Dutcli descent. His father followed at different times the occupations of photogra- 
pher, stone mason, and meat dealer, and died in Lodi, Ohio, June 30, 1877, leaving 
a widow who still survives. Dr. Nead was graduated from the Lodi public and high 
schools, and for about a year taught the district school at Homerville, Ohio. Soon 
afterward he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. A. E. Elliott, of Lodi. 
with whom he remained about two years, pursuing his studies nights and teaching 
school during the day to pay his expenses. In September, 1882, he entered the 
Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College and was graduated therefrom with the de- 
gree of M. D. in March, 1884. During the next two years he was associated in prac- 
tice with Dr. W. G. Pope, of Keese villa, Essex county, N. Y. In 1886 he removed 
to Albany, where he has since practiced his profession with marked success, not 
only discharging every obligation which he had contracted for his education, but 
acquiring in the brief space of ten years a handsome competency. In the sprmg of 
1895 he built his present residence and office at No. 205 State street. 

Dr. Nead is a member of the medical staff of the Albany City Homeopathic Hos- 
pital; is a member and in 1895 was president of the Albany County Homeopathic 
Medical Society; and has been a prominent member of the New York State Homeo- 
pathic Medical Society since 1891 and of the American Institute of Homeopathy 
since 1892. He is also a member and past chancellor of Chancellors Lodge No. .58, 
K. P. ; examining surgeon and past commander of Albany Tent No. 362, of the 
Maccabees; ex-senator of Albany Senate No. 641, Knights of the Ancient Essenic 
Order; member of Ancient City Lodge No. 453, F'. & A. M. ; and a member and 
trustee of Trinity M. E. church. 

On July 24, 1890. Dr. Nead was married to Miss Linnie M., daughter of Rufus 
Prescott, of Keeseville, Essex county, one of the largest furniture manufacturers and 
builders in Northern New York. They have two children: Marjone Amanda and 
Prescott Eckerman. 



DAVID C. FITZGERALD. 

David C. Fitzoek.ald, sou of .Maurice and Mary (Cregan) Fitzgerald, was born in 
Limerick, Ireland, June 8, 1868, and is a Imeal descendant of one of the most dis- 
tinguished Irish families (the Geraldines), having among his ancestors men whose 
biographies are among the brightest glories of Ireland's history. 

The family seat of the branch of the great Geraldine family, of which the object 
of this sketch is a descender has been established in Limerick since early in the 
fourteenth century. Mr. F.czgerald completed his preliminary education in the 
Royal University of Ireland, Dublin, where, -'1888, the degree of Bachelor of Arts 
was conferred on him. In 1890 he receiver he degree of Barrister at Law at 
Oxford, after which he seriously considered entering service in the British army, 
for which he had studied, until attracted by the world-wide fame of the Albany bar, 
with several prominent members of which he was already on close acquaintance, he 
settled in this city, and in 1891 was admitted to the bar of New York State, having 
previously in 1886 declared his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States. 

His career as a student was particularly brilliant and distinguished him as a young 



50 

man of extraordinary intellectual powers and oratorical ability, which his distin- 
guished achievements at the bar and in public life, since his advent into the business 
world, has more than confirmed. He has an extensive foreign legal practice, in 
connection with which he travels extensively in both hemispheres, and has success- 
fully handled many cases involving millions of dollars, showing himself, on every 
occasion, an able and successful lawyer and a brilliant orator. In politics he is a 
Democrat, not of the partisan type but on principle, and has on several occasions 
been honored by his party to which he has rendered invaluable services. 

He is of athletic mould with an indomitable will and a vigorous constitution, and 
the possessor of numerous trophies of victories won by him in the athletic arenas 
of his college days; he is quite an equestrian and has been the hero of several 
life-saving incidents, in a manner that has made conspicuous his brave and generous 
nature and gained him the love and esteem of his fellow citizens. 

Indeed Mr. Fitzgerald's distinguished life career of the past, with his extraordinary 
physical and intellectual powers, and temperate habits of life, marks him as pre- 
eminently a man of the future and a citizen of whom the capital city might well be 
proud. 



EDWARD J. MEEGAN. 

EuvvARD J. Meeg.an, son of Thomas and Sarah Meegan, was born in the city of 
Albany on September 28, 1846. His parents were natives of Ireland, whence they 
came to this country in 1824, settling first in Boston, Mass. About 1826 they re- 
moved to Albany, where they died. Mr. Meegan early evinced a strong love of 
learning, and also as a youth displayed those qualities which make the successful 
man. Attending St. Joseph's parish school he became a clo.se student and thor- 
oughly mastered the elementary principles of a general education. From the first 
he was determined to become a lawyer, but owing to the limited pecuniary means 
of the family he was obliged to rely mainly upon himself for the prosecution and 
completion of his literary and professional studies. When only thirteen years of 
age he registered as a student at law in the office of Edwards & Sturtevant, then a 
prominent firm at the Albany bar. He remained with them nearly seven years, 
and also pursued his legal studies under Isaac Edwards, who was afterward presi- 
dent of the Albany Law School, The law had for the young student no drudgery, 
but a mine of wealth which he explored and mastered with remarkable quickness. 
He was indeed a born lawyer, imbued with the highest principles of the law as a 
science. Upon attaining his majority in 1867 he was admitted to the bar, and open- 
ing an office in Albany he immediately entered upon the active practice of his pro- 
fession. 

Mr. Meegan had passed with great credit through his studentship, which was full 
and unconditional, and during that period he had with his own hands conducted 
many hundred cases through all the intricacies of the Code. When he commenced 
practice for himself he was therefore a trained and experienced lawyer, and signal 
success at once attended his efforts. He has been a lifelong Democrat. In May, 
1869, he was elected corporation counsel, and on entering upon the duties of that 




E. J. MEEGAN. 



51 

office was confronted with a large amount of unfinished work. He continued in the 
position until 1874, and saved for the city during his official career more than half a 
million of dollars. In this capacity he had gained a large experience in the man- 
agement of city cases, and when he resumed his private practice he was retained as 
counsel in many of this class of cases, in every one of which he was successful. He 
has won a wide reputation as an able civil and criminal lawyer. He is also a distin- 
guished orator, a great lover of books, and the owner of a well-selected private library. 
His law library is one of the largest if not the largest in the State. 

Mr. Meegan was married, first, on September 5, 1878, to Miss Katie E. Welch, of 
.•\lbany, who died in January, 1884. September 24, 1886, he married, second, Miss 
Mary Mattimore, of Albany% by whom he has had two daughters and two sons, of 
whom one daughter is deceased. 



JOHN N. BRIGGS. 

JOH.N N. Briggs is a son of Albert N. and a grandson of Newton Briggs, who 
came to Coeymans, Albany county, from Sherman, Conn., in 1804. Mr. Briggs was 
born in Coeymans. N. Y. , in 1838, and received a practical common school educa- 
tion. In 1866 he married Elizabeth M. , daughter of James and Maria Trego, of New 
Baltimore, N. Y. He has always been a resident of his native town. In 1865 he 
purchased his father's business, viz., general store and North River blue stone, which 
he successfully continued for ten years. In 1877 he sold out his mercantile business 
at Coeymans and engaged in the coal trade at Albany, N. Y., which he has since 
conducted, having yards in both Coeymans and Albany. In 1879 he purchased 
and fitted up Baerena Park, a beautiful plat of ground on Baeren Island, near Coey- 
mans Landing, which he has made popular and attractive as a summer resort for 
picnickers and e.Kcursionists. In 1881 he engaged in the ice business, and has facili- 
ties for storing 100,000 tons of ice annually in his houses in Coeymans, which he sells 
at his own depots in New York city. He has invented and patented several valuable 
facilities for the use of ice men, which have come into general use throughout the ice 
producing belt. Mr. Briggs is general superintendent of the ice cutting tools and 
machinery of the Consolidated Ice Company of New York city, which harvests and 
sells annually over 2,000,000 tons of ice. Is one of the incorporators and president 
of the Callan Road Improvement Company of Albany, and is a dealer in North 
River blue stone. He is a man of sound judgment, of quick and accurate percep- 
tion, of indomitable energy% and devotes to each of his various business enterprises 
personal supervision. He has been uniformJy successful in business, is highly 
esteemed and respected by all who know him. He is a charter member of Onesque- 
thau Lodge No. 804, F. & A. M., of Coeymans, and as a citizen is public spirited, 
progressive and influential. 



ELXATHAN SWEET. 

Elnatiian Sweet, ex-State engineer of the State of New York, represents the 
sixth generation in each of which the name Elnathan has figured prominently. The 
family dates back to the colonial period of Rhode Island where many of its members 
distinguished themselves in civil, military, and commercial life. His great-great- 
grandfather, Elnathan Sweet, removed to Dutchess county, N. Y., whence Elna- 
than, a son of the latter, found his way about 1760 to Stephentown, Rensselaer 
county, where he became an extensive farmer, and where Mr. Sweet's grandfather 
and father, both named Elnathan and both farmers, were born. The latter was 
born November 23, 1796, married Chloe Cole, and died in June, 1879. His wife's 
death occurred in 1872, at the age of sixty-eight. He was a noted Baptist minister, 
preaching mainly in Adams and Cheshire, Mass., and during the last twenty years 
of his life in Stephentown, N. Y. He had four children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was the youngest. 

Elnathan Sweet was born in Cheshire, Berkshire county, Mass., November 30, 
1837, and received his preliminary education in the public and private schools of 
Stephentown, N. Y., and Hancock, Mass. In 1859 he was graduated from Union 
College, where he pursued a course of civil engineering. For about one year there- 
after he was a deputy under Ward B. Burnett, surveyor-general of the State of Ne- 
braska. Returning home he was married and at once engaged in civil engineering 
as assistant on various railroad projects, with headquarters in Stephentown. In 
1864 he went to Franklin, Pa., where he engaged in general engmeering, developing 
oil wells, coal mines, etc., and where he remained until 1868, when he moved to Chi- 
cago and prosecuted his profession. In 1869 he was appointed chief engineer of the 
Rock Island and St. Louis RaiUvay (now the Rock Island & St. Louis division of the 
C. B & O.), with headquarters in both Chicago and St. Louis. He built this line 
two hundred and thirty miles in length in about twelve months, and in 1871, after 
its completion, was also made superintendent. He held both positions until 1872, 
and during the year 1871 was also consulting engineer of the Rockford Central and 
the Cairo and St. Louis Railroads. 

In 1872 he formed a partnership with James R. Y'oung, of Chicago, under the firm 
name of E. Sweet, jr., & Co., and engaged in railroad construction, continuing until 
1875. During that period they built most of the Northern Pacific Railway from the 
Red River of the North, across Dakota, to the Missouri River several bridges in 
Chicago, and a part of the tunnel at West Point, N. Y., for what is now the West 
Shore Railroad. In 1875 he was appointed by Governor Tilden expert engineer for 
the commission for investigating the abuses on the New York State canals and was 
engaged in those complicated affairs until the spring of 1876, when he was appointed 
division engineer, which position he held until the spring of 18s0. The work of the 
Tilden commission was chiefly directed to the discovery of the abuses which had 
become flagrant in the letting and in the carrying out of contracts for the various 
engineering works involved in enlarging and improving the State canals. The pro- 
fessional experience and accomplishments of Mr. Sweet enabled him to exerci.se a 
salutary influence in directing this work in the most effective manner, and his labors 
in formulating many of its important reports have contributed to the extensive and 



53 

permanent reforms which have since characterized this department of the State ad- 
ministration. 

Mr. Sweet resigned as division engineer of the canals in the spring of 1880 and 
resumed the business of railroad construction with his former partner, James R. 
Young, with offices in New York city. This partnership continued until 1883, their 
business being principally the building of the New York, West Shore and Buffalo 
Railroad for a distance of about fifty miles in Greene, Albany, and Orange counties, 
finishing the West Point tunnel, and constructing a part of the New York, Susque- 
hanna and Western Railroad from the Delaware River west. In 1883 he was nomi- 
nated by the Democrats and elected State engineer, and in 1885 was re-elected to the 
same office, serving in all four years. During Mr. Sweet's connection with the engi- 
neering department of the State as division engineer and State engineer he made on 
a large scale exhaustive experiments to determine the laws governing the resistance 
of vessels propelled in narrow waterways, upon which the proper design and proba- 
able capacity and economy of canals depend. A discussion of these experiments and 
the laws of propulsion derived from them were published by him in the Transactions 
of the American Society of Civil Engineers for 1819, and constitute the most impor- 
tant contribution existing m this branch of engineering literature. He also during 
that period thoroughly investigated the problem of connecting the great lakes with 
the Hudson River by a ship canal. His paper on this subject, read before the 
American Society of Civil Engineers in 1884, with the discussions upon it, published 
in the Transactions of that Society for 1885, are of the highest authority on canal 
questions. 

As State engineer Mr. Sweet's efforts were strenuously exerted to restoring to the 
engineering department of the State government the control of all engineering 
questions and matters in which the State was concerned, many of which had 
formerly been entrusted to irresponsible commissions or to other departments of the 
State administrations; and it is largely due to his labors that the office of State en- 
gineer now e.xercises most of the functions appropriate to the usefulness and dignity 
of that constitutional office. 

Since the expiration of his second term as State engineer on December 31, 1887, 
Mr. Sweet has successfully followed his profession as a civil and consulting engi- 
neer and also as president and trustee of the Hilton Bridge Construction Company. 
In the prosecution of structural engineering he has introduced many improvements 
in the design of movable bridges and bridges of long spans, the most notable per- 
haps being the combination of the arch and the cantilever in the same structure 
originated by him and first used in his design for the great bridge connecting Capi- 
tol hill with Arbor hill in Albany, and which has since been extensively copied in 
Europe and this country. 

Mr. Sweet has lived in Albany since 1875, and is not only well known as an emi- 
nent civil engineer, but has long been prominently identified with many of the city's 
enterprises and efficiently active in promoting its welfare and advancement. He 
was a trustee of the sinking fund and a member of the finance board of the city from 
1889 to 1892, and in July, 1896, was reappointed to these positions. He was a mem- 
ber of the water board from 1892 to 1894, and is a director in the Albany City Rail- 
way. He is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the University 
Club of New York, and the Fort Orange Club of Albany. 



54 

September 20, 1860, he was married to Marion Rose, daughter of Jonathan Rose, 
of Stephentown, N. Y. They have had six children- Marion Rose, Marguerite, 
Helen M., Elizabeth, Chloe, and Elnathan, jr., the latter bearing the name Elna- 
than without break into the seventh generation of the Sweet family in America. 



JAMES B. McKEE. 

James B. McKee, the popular and genial postmaster of the city of Cohoes, has held 
this important office since 1894. He was brought to this place when an infant by his 
father, Hugh McKee, and has led an active and political life in local affairs. He 
was one of the last village trustee before Cohoes was made a city in 1869. He is a 
Democrat and served two years as alderman. In 1874 he was elected a member of 
the School Board, serving four years, and in 1873 was appointed to the position of 
foreman on the Erie Canal, which held until 1880. He was later appointed to the 
same position on the canal and afterwards was superintendent of the canal for iive 
years. Mr. McKee was born at West Troy in 1843. He was the son of a builder 
and his business life was begun with his father as a carpenter after his education at 
the Catholic Parochial School. He was ambitious to succeed in life and by perse- 
vering efforts became contractor and builder. A notable event of his life was the 
signing of the Father Matthew Temperance Pledge in 1850, a time of great excite- 
ment, which pledge has been faithfully kept nearly half a century. 



EDWARD B. CANTINE. 

Edward B. C.anti.ne, agenc)' director for the Albany district of the New York 
Life Insurance Company, is a son of Col. George A. and Marion J. (Cook) Cautine, 
and was born in Rutland, Vt., August 4, 1860. He descends from a sturdy line of 
French Huguenots of illustrious origin, his first American ancestor being Moses 
Cantine, who fled from Bordeaux, France, to England, at the time of the revocation 
of the Edict of Nantes, and afterward came to this country. He received, with 
others, from Queen Anne, a large grant of land in what is now Ulster county, N. Y., 
where the family became prominent in civil, social, and military life, many of them 
becoming associated with the political history of the State. Gen. John Cantine, a 
son of Moses, was conspicuous as an officer and legislator during the Revolutionary 
period, while Matthew Cantine was a member of the Provincial Congress in 1775, 
1776, and 1777 and also a member of the first Council of Safety. The Civil List of 
the State of New- York contains the names of several of the Cantine family who for 
long periods filled positions as Congressmen, senators, assemblymen, judges, etc. 
Moses I. Cantine, son of Gen. John Cantine, was for a time public printer of the 
State of New York. He and Martin Van Buren married sisters, and his daughter, 
Miss Christina Cantine, a niece of Van Buren's, presided at the White House dur- 
ing the latter's administration as president. Many of the family enjoyed high social 
distinction in this country and abroad. Col. George A. Cantine, father of Edward 




liUWAKU Li. LANTINt. 



55 

B., is widely known throughout the country as a soldier, orator, and lecturer. He 
served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, being identified with the Tth Vt. 
Vols., and subsequently in the Sequestration Department. He also served as assist- 
ant quartermaster-general on the staff of Gen. Sylvester Dering and was later pro- 
moted assistant inspector-general with the rank of colonel. After the war he settled 
ill Rome, Oneida county, and finally in Newburgh, N. Y., where he now resides. 

Edward B. Cahtine was educated in the public schools and academy of Rome, 
N. Y., and finished at Cazenovia Seminary. He then entered the employ of the 
wholesale grocery house of Alfred Ethridge & Co., of Rome, and contmued as trav- 
eling salesman for nine years. In 1890 he came to Albany as manager of the Al- 
bany office of the New York Life Insurance Company. In 1893, after the election 
of John A. McCall as president of the company, Mr. Cantine was made agency 
director, which position he still holds, having charge of the business in the counties 
of Albany, Columbia, Greene, and Schoharie. He is one of the best known insur- 
ance men in Eastern New York, and has directed the affairs of the New York Life 
in this section with great credit and ability. 

Mr. Cantine has also taken an active interest in the welfare of the Republican 
party, which has honored him with several positions of responsibility. He has been 
for three years clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Albany county and in 1892 rep- 
resented the 13th ward of the city in the Common Council. In 1893 he was the un- 
successful candidate for member of assembly from the Third assembly district, then 
as now a stronghold of Democracy. He has been chairman of the executive com- 
mittee of the Albany County Republican organization since 1895, and is also chair- 
man of the General Republican Committee of the city of Albany. He is a promi- 
nent Mason, being a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City 
Chapter, No. 242, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple 
Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and Cyprus Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He 
is also a member of the Elks, the Unconditional Republican and Capital City Clubs, 
Albany County Wheelman, Y. M. C. A., and the Albany Club, of which he is a 
member of the house committee. He is public spirited, enterprising, and progressive, 
and takes a lively interest in all that concerns the welfare and advancement of the 
community. 



GEORGE I. AMSDELL. 

George 1. Amshell is of English descent, and on his mother's side traces his an- 
cestry to the Pilgrim band of the Mayflower. His father, William Amsdell, was 
born in Cambridge, England, in 1T97. came to America in 1818, and in 1820 settled 
in Albany, where he died in 1870. He was a brewer and maltster. His wife, Abi- 
gail Millard, was born in New Paltz, Ulster county, N. Y., in 1803. 

Mr. Amsdell was born in Kinderhook, N. Y., Septembers, 1827, and received his 
education in the public schools of Albany and at boarding schools in Chatham and 
Bloomingdale, N. Y. When fifteen years of age he entered the brewery of John 
Taylor in Albany and later was employed in the brewery of Reed Brothers, of Troy. 
In these two establishments he laid the foundations of a successful brewer and malt- 



ster, which he supplemented by six years' experience — from 1845 to 1851 — in his 
father's brewery in Guilderland, Albany county. In 1851 he formed a partnership 
with his brother. Theodore M., under the firm name of Amsdell Brothers, and 
started the nucleus of his present brewery on the end of the lot bounded by Jay, 
Dove, and Lancaster streets in Albany. In 1856 they erected the present malt 
house, which with the brewery, stables and storage buildings has frontages of 354 
feet on Jay and Lancaster streets and 150 feet on Dove street, the main building 
being five stories high. The capacity of the plant is about 360 barrels of ale daily 
and 135,000 bushels of malt per annum. George L Amsdell personally superin- 
tended the malt department and his brother acted as brewer until 1870, when their 
business had increased to such extensive proportions that both thenceforward de- 
voted their energies solely to the management of the concern. In October, 1892, 
the firm was dissolved, George I. Amsdell becoming the sole proprietor, and in this 
capacity he has since conducted with uniform success one of the oldest and largest 
breweries and malt houses in the capital city, having also a large distributing depot 
in New York, on Thirty-fourtb street, since 1883, which is in charge of his son, 
George H. 

Mr. .Amsdell has always been an ardent Democrat and was for four years alder- 
man of the Ninth ward, but excepting this has steadfastly declined public office. He 
is, however, actively identified with several important institutions of the city, being 
one of the founders and a director of the Capital City Insurance Company, a trustee 
of the Albany City Savings Institution, and a director and vice president of the 
Albany City National Bank. He was a member of Co. B, Albany Continentals, and 
later of the Tenth Regiment N. Y. N. G., serving altogether twelve years. 

Mr. Amsdell has twice married. September, 1847, he married Miss Esther J. 
White, of Albany, by whom he had six children, four sons and two daughters. In 
August, 1875. he married Miss Dora C. Roraback, of Albany. 



HOWARD N. FULLER. 

HouARij N. Fri.LKR was born in New Baltimore. Greene county, N. Y.. October 
29, 1853. His lineage is most honorable, notable and interesting. The blood of the 
patriots and founders of our country flows unsullied through his veins. His ances- 
tors, in both lines, made much of our nation's history, and contributed largely to the 
permanent establishment of those essentia! principles of civil and religious liberty 
upon which our government is founded and thereby secured to us the proud enjoy- 
ment of their beneficences. 

Mr. Fuller is the son of William Fuller and Lydia Allen Swezey. On the paternal 
side he is a direct lineal descendant of Thomas Fuller, one of the immortal Mayflower 
band of 1620, whose descendants achieved wide distinction in the realms of theology, 
medicine and law. On the maternal side he is the great-great-grandson of Jonathan 
Dickinson, the founder and first president of Princeton College, and through Jona- 
than Dickinson's wife, his great-great-grandmother, Joanna Melyn, he is a lineal 
descendant of Cornells Melyn, the powerful and humane patroon of Staten Island, 
who resisted so effectually the selfish and unwarrantable tyrannies of Governors 



57 

Kieft and Stuyvesant. Jonathan Dickinson's father was Hezekiah Dickinson, born 
l'"ebruary 37, 1636, and his grandfather was Nathaniel Dickinson, born in England 
near the close of the sixteenth century. The lives and deeds of the Dickinsons are 
inseparably interwoven with the colonial period of our republic. Many of them were 
killed in the Indian warfares, but the progeny was numerous, and those who sur- 
vived became distinguished in statecraft, literature, art and science. Gen. Horace 
1 )ickinson, Hon. Daniel S. Dickinson, Hon, Don M. Dickinson, belong to the same line. 
-Mr. Fuller is a great-grandnephew of Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry and Com- 
modore Matthew Calbraith Perry, and is immediately related to the Bigelows, Bel- 
iiKints, Sergeants (Phila.), Burnetts (N. J.), Runyons (N. J.), and Greens, (N. J.), one 
nf whom, John C. Green, has made munificent gifts to Princeton College in memory 
■ if his great-grandfather. Judith, the sister of Eastman Johnson, the celebrated artist, 
is Mr. Fuller's great-aunt. Mr. Fuller's great-grandfathers, Josiah Wilson and John 
Anderson, served in the Revolutionary war and in the war of 1812. 

Mr. Fuller received his earliest education in the primary school of New Baltimore 
and at the Coeymans Academy. When fifteen he entered Rutgers College Grammar 
School at New Brunswick, N. J., with his brother Perry J., who is now a prominent 
lawyer in New York city. A year later he matriculated at Rutgers College, and 
after a regular course of four years was graduated from that institution in 1874. 
While in college he acquired no little fayue in literary work. In 1873 he won the junior 
Philoclean literary prize and in 1874 secured the senior prize for English composition. 
He not only was a great lover of classical and English literature, but also of athletic 
sports, and in 1873 was delegated to meet representatives of Yale, Harvard, Princeton, 
Columbia, and the University of Pennsylvania, at New York, to make rules and regu- 
lationsto govern collegiate football playing, and the rules then adopted still govern this 
sport in American colleges. At college Mr. Fuller also exercised his poetical genius, 
writing among other pieces a song entitled "On the Banks of the Old Raritan," 
which has ever since been the standard college song of old Rutgers, and in which 
his name will live so long as the stones of that time-honored institution stand one 
above another. 

Returning from college Mr. Fuller began in 1875 the publication of the New Balti- 
more Sun, which he continued about a year. In 1876 he came to Albany and with 
his father and two brothers, under the firm name of William Fuller & Sons, engaged 
in government contracting and dealing in building materials. While following 
this business he also pursued for one year a course in both law and medicine, and 
for another year thereafter, or until the death of its proprietor, managed and edited 
the Greenbush Gazette. Since then he has been successfully engaged in business. 

It is in the literary field, however, that he has won fame and honor. Acknowl- 
edged as a clever writer, and possessing a genius unlimited in style and scope, 
he is equally happy in serious and humorous composition. For two years he wrote 
the column of witty paragraphs for the Yonkers Gazette and at the same time con- 
tributed to the leading humorous periodicals of the country. Among his lyric 
poems is that of "God Bless the Little Woman," the sentiments of which were 
suggested by Mrs. Garfield's tender watchfulness over her husband after he had 
fallen by the assassin's bullet. Afterward, in a personal note, she gracefully ex- 
pressed her thanks to him for the song which had not only touched her own heart 
but that of the nation. His touching tribute to the martyred president, " The Heart 



of the Nation is Sad To-day." and his poem on the death of General Grant found 
wide pubhcity and achieved for him added fame. He is also the author of " The 
Dear Old Home," a popular sentimental song sung by Thatcher, Primrose & West's 
minstrels, and the " Bi-Centennial Hymn," which was written by request of the 
committee on arrangements and sung by thousands of school children and in the 
city churches during the memorable celebration in Albany a few years ago. He has 
also done considerable literary work of a serious and religious character. His 
poetical efforts are mainly lyrical and pastoral, and reveal the true poetic instinct. 
In all he displays a sympathetic impulse, a pure religious fervor, or an inspiring pat- 
riotism. His versified and prose writings are characterized by that simple diction, 
that pleasing imagery, that original thought and graceful style which appeal to the 
hearts of his readers and inspire noble actions. 

Mr. Fuller has always taken an active part in politics, and in nearly every cam- 
paign since 1876 has addressed political meetings in behalf of the Republican ticket. 
In 1885 he was elected alderman of the Eleventh ward and served a term of two 
years, refusing a renomination. For three terms he was president of the Albany 
Unconditional Republican Club, being at that time the only man re-elected to this 
office during the club's permanent existence. He was one of the originators and chief 
promoters of the National League of Republican Clubs, and in 1890 was his party's 
candidate for mayor of the city. His successful opponent, the Hon. James H. Man- 
ning, very gracefully appointed him commissioner of public instruction, which office 
he held until forced to resign by the increased exactions of business occasioned by 
the death of his father and his brother, De Witt A. , who were associated with him. 
He is prominently connected with several social and literary organizations, is a Free 
Mason, and a member of the Society of the Sons of the Revolution. 



GEORGE HORNELL THACHER. 

George Hok.nell Thacher, vice-president of the Albany City National Bank, and 
one of the proprietors of the extensive car-wheel manufactory of the city, was born 
in Albany on the 20th of November, 1851. He comes from a genuine New England 
ancestry, many of whose members were influential and noted personages in the 
history of the old Bay State. He is a son of the late Hon. George Hornell Thacher, 
who was born in Hornellsville, Steuben county, N. Y., on the 4th of June, 1818, and 
whose mother was a daughter of Judge Hornell of Hornellsville, after whom the 
town is named. The elder Mr. Thacher married Ursula Jane Boyd, and they were 
the parents of the Hon. John Boyd Thacher and George H. Thacher. Mr. Thacher's 
ancestors, extending back in a direct line from his father, were Samuel Olney 
Thacher, born February 9, 1789, who married Martha, daughter of the Hon. George 
Hornell, 1814; Nathaniel Thacher, who was born in 1767, and who married Lydia 
Place, of Gloucester, R. I., in 1787; Samuel Thacher, born at Middleboro, Mass., in 
1717, who married Mrs. Sarah Kent in 17.58; Peter Thacher, of Middleboro, Mass., 
born in 1688, who married in 1711, Margaret Mary, daughter of Samuel Prince, 
of Boston, a minister who was graduated from Harvard College in 1796; Peter 
Thacher, born at Salem, Mass., in 1651, who married Theodora, daughter of Rev, 




GEORGE H. THACHER. 



59 

John Oxen bridge, of Boston, who was also a graduate of Harvard College in 1671, 
and a minister; and Rev. Thomas Thacher, born in England in 1620, married 
Elizabeth Partridge, 1643, the original member of this branch of the Thacher family 
in America, who became a distinguished divine and first pastor of the Old South 
church of Boston. 

George H. Thacher, the subject of the present sketch, obtained his earlier instruc- 
tion at a private school in Alban)' kept by Professor Whitbeck. At the age of thir- 
teen he went to Williamstown, Mass., where he was placed under the tuition of 
Professor Griffin, an able and successful teacher, and by him was carefully prepared 
for college. In 1868, at the age of sixteen, he entered Williams College in the class 
of '72, the celebrated Mark Hopkins being the then president of that institution. 
After leaving college Mr. Thacher took a short business course in Bryant & Stratton's 
Commercial College, and then entered the car-wheel manufactory of his father as an 
apprentice and clerk. He afterwards acted as foreman of the establishment. Al- 
ways of an inventive and progressive turn of mind he was ever on the alert for ways 
and means by which he might cultivate as well as qualify his tastes in the mechanical 
arts. In 1880 he struck out for Colorado in the early and stirring days of Leadville, 
as the representative of some eastern stockholders in the mining business, and there 
his native born energy was not idle. He entered with great zest and alacrity into 
the raining operations himself, remaining in this field of labor during the years 1881, 
1882 and 1883. 

Returning to Albany in the autumn of 1883, a short time after the death of D. S. 
Lathrop, one of the partners in the firm of Thacher, Lathrop & Co., he was made a 
partner in the concern, aud since the death of his father in 1887 he has, in connection 
with his brother, John Boyd Thacher, conducted the business under the old name of 
George H. Thacher & Co. In 1887 he succeeded his father as a director in the 
Albany City National Bank, becoming vice-president of that institution in 1889. Mr. 
Thacher is a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution, trustee of the First Re- 
formed Dutch church, trustee of the Fort Orange Club, a member of the Albany 
Canoe. Camera, and Country Clubs, and in the Masonic Fraternity has attained to 
the 32°. In May. 1892. he was appointed a water commissioner of the city of Albany 
by Mayor Manning, but after vigorous though futile efforts to give to the city a new 
and abundant supply of pure and wholesome water, he resigned the office December 
1, 1894. 

Of a rather slender physique, but inheriting a vigorous constitution, Mr. Thacher 
is a gentlemen of pleasing address, easy in his manners, cordial in his friendships, 
generous in his impulses, with a happy faculty of conducting successfully business 
matters, and a supreme and lasting love for outdoor sports and pastimes of the pres- 
ent day. 

In college Mr. Thacher was a skillful boxer, oarsman, ball-player, swimmer, and 
skater, and to this day retains much of his athletic excellence. He has also attained 
high rank as an amateur musician, playing the 'cello with rare taste and ability, and 
some of his musical compositions are of great merit. His knowledge of banking as 
well as of business matters is extensive and deep. His judgment is sound and dis- 
criminating, and among the industrious, useful and progressive citizens of Albany, in 
whose welfare he has taken a lively interest, no name shines with fairer luster than 
than that of George H. Thacher. 



In 1880 Mr. Thacher married Emma Louise Bennett, of Albany. They have five 
children living: George H., jr., John Boyd, 2d, Thomas O.xenbridge, Kenelm 
Roland, and Edwin Throckmorton. The family reside at 111 Washington avenue. 



RT. REV. WILLIAM CROSWELL DOANE, D. D., LL. D. 

The Rt. Rev. William Crosswell Doane, D. D., LL. D., bishop of Albany, was 
born in Boston, March 2, 1832, the son of George Washington Doane, who was 
in that same year elected bishop of New Jersey. The family is descended from 
Deacon John Doane, who came over from England in one of the three first ships to 
Plymouth, Cape Cod, between 1620 and 1623. He lived at Plymouth until 1044. 
when he with six other families moved to Eastham, Cape Cod, which they founded, 
and in which Deacon Doane was one of the most influential members of the com- 
munity, serving on important committees and in various executive capacities. The 
first Bishop Doane, of New Jersey, was one of the most distinguished men in the 
Episcopal church of the United States. He served as a young man as the assistant 
rector of Trinity church in New York, became a professor in Washington College, at 
Hartford, Conn., and was rector of Trinity church in Boston at the time of his elec- 
tion to the bishopric. He was the founder of St. Mary's Hall, for girls, and of 
Burlington College, for boys in Burlington, N. J., the author of many sacred songs 
and fugitive verses, and of strong and eloquent sermons which have been published. 
William Croswell Doane resided in Burlington until the year 1863. He graduated 
from Burlington College in 1850, with honors, delivering the English oration and the 
poem at the commencement, and immediately afterward began the study of theology. 
He was tutor and assistant professor of English literature in BurHngton College, from 
which institution he received the degree of Bachelor of Theology in 1857. He was 
ordained deacon by his father in 1853 and priest in 1856; was his father's assistant in 
the rectorship of St. Mary's church, Burlington ; founded and had the care of St. Barn- 
abas's Free Mission in that city, and became rector of St. Mary's in that place on his 
father's death in 1859. In 1864 he became rector of St. John's church, Hartford, Conn. , 
and in 1867 he was called to be rector of St. Peter's church in Albany, succeeding 
the Rev. William T. Wilson. In these several charges the son had shown qualities 
of power and learning, inherited from the father, which proved his fitness for the 
high place, and he was called to be the first bishop of the Albany Diocese, being 
consecrated February 2, 1869. 

During the quarter century the number of clergy in Bishop Doane's jurisdiction 
has grown from sixty-eight to one hundred and thirty. This diocese, over which he 
now holds sway, is largely missionary ground, containing 20,800 square miles and 
including the nineteen counties of Northern New York. A number of beneficent in- 
stitutions have been established in the diocese. The more noteworthy are St. Agnes 
School, the Child's Hospital and St. Margaret's House, all of this city. It is to these 
institutions particularly that Bishop Doane has given greatly of his time and efforts. 
The St. Agnes School was established first, and its home is valued at §150,000. 
The land was given by the late Erastus Corning and it is called the "Corning 
Foundation for Christian Work." This institution, started in 1870, is for the education 



61 

of girls, being similar to other female colleges. It accommodates 225 pupils. 
Tuition fees are §500 a year, though daughters of clergymen are educated at a less 
cost. Features of the school aside from its delightful building, are the library and 
the collection of geological specimens. 

The Child's Hospital, located for thirteen years in a smaller building, and now in 
a large new one at the corner of Elk and Hawk streets, cares for one hundred chil- 
dren, eighty of whom are under treatment. The institution is absolutely free to 
every sick child and to cripples, and they may come from anywhere. It is sup- 
ported by money paid by different cities for poor support, by a small endowment and 
by private subscriptions. 

A nursery for babies — St. Margaret's House — was established in 1884, in connec- 
tion with the Child's Hospital. Here eighty foundling babies and orphans are cared 
for every year. All of this work is in charge of the Sisterhood of the Holy Child 
Jesus, which cares, also, for the St. Christina Home in Saratoga, where girls are trained 
f'lr domestic service. The Diocesan Sisterhood was organized by Bishop Doane in 
1873. 

All Saints' Cathedral is the chief glory of the bishop's work as a founder. For 
thirteen years the old Townsend foundry, which had bee'i fitted up, was used as a 
church. Finally, on land given by the present Erastus Corning, the present cathe- 
dral was built. The corner stone was laid on June 3, 1884. Though the exterior is 
only partly finished, §450,000 has been spent on the cathedral. Its interior finish is 
srand and imposing. Massive stone pillars, beautifully carved, divide the audi- 
torium into three sections. The altar is a solid block of Carlisle .stone, twelve feet 
long, and rests upon a separate solid foundation of stone built up from the ground. 
In the choir aisle and sanctuary are a mosaic pavement and four mural mosaics, 
among the mtjst beautiful features of the building. The furnishings and windows, 
with the architectural beauty of the place, make this one of the notable cathedrals. 
Three thousand persons can be seated comfortably in it. All seats are free, and the 
church is supported entirely by free will offerings. There is now no debt, the last 
$75,000 having been raised in 1893. 

The most important work the bishop has done outside of hi.s diocese is that in re- 
lation to the revision of the prayer book. For six years he was chairman of the 
committee on revision. His eflforts were so thoroughly appreciated that in the gen- 
eral convention held in Baltimore in 1892, the following resolution offered from 
the standing committee on the revision of the prayer book, was unanimously adopted : 

WuKREAS, By action of this house in passing upon the fifty-two resolutions which 
propose various alterations in the book of common prayer, the work of revision has 
been on the part of this hou.se finally completed ; therefore 

Resolved, That this house desires to recognize and gratefully record its sense of 
the gracious goodness of God and the overruling presence of the Great Head of the 
church, in that during nine years past the revision of the book of common prayer has 
proceeded, and has at last reached a conclusion in a spirit of forbearance, harmony 
and practical accord. 

Resolved. That in thus recognizing the divine guidance in this important, deli- 
cate and difficult matter, this house desires also to mention, with cordial appreciatior\, 
the untiring and painstaking labor of those who have borne the burden of leadership 
in this movement; and pre-eminently in this regard, the Bishop of Albany (the 



62 

Right Rev. Dr. William Croswell Doane"), whose unfailing courtesy, patience and 
considerateness have so greatly facilitated this happy consummation. 

Bishop Doane is a man of strong personality. His vfgorous intellect makes him 
one of the most prominent, perhaps the most prominent of the American bishops, 
with an influence that radiates far beyond the limits of his own diocese. Affable, 
kindly and courteous in his personal intercourse, scholarly and refined in his tastes 
and culture, dignified and eloquent in the pulpit, a man of strong spirituality, and 
withal of practical affairs, he has built up, here in Albany, an influence for good, for 
activity in church work, which is felt and responded to be)-ond the limits of his own 
denomination. 

Like most men of large activities. Bishop Doane finds abundant time for reading 
and writing. He retains his knowledge of and interests in the classics, and is inter- 
ested in all the intellectual movements of the age. Surrounded by a large and well 
assorted library, he loves the companionship of books, works readily with his pen, 
and is a frequent contributor of verses which possess a high order of literary merit, 
among them the familiar -'Sculptor Boy." His sermons are polished, thoughtful 
and direct, and bear the stamp both of the culture and spirituality of the man. Many 
of his poems have been published, as have also a number of his sermons, his annual 
addresses to the diocesan convention and his addresses to the graduating classes 
of St. Agnes. In addition to these, he has issued: "The Life and Writings of 
Bishop Doane of New Jersey," four volumes; "Questions on Collects, Epistles, and 
Gospels of the Church's Year, and Their Connection ; " " Songs by the Way," poems 
by Bishop Doane, sr. ; "Mosaics; or, the Harmony of Collect, Epistle, and Gospel 
for the Christian Year," which was published in 1882. He frequently contributes 
to the "North American Review" and other standard publications. He was elected 
a regent of the University of the State of New York in the winter of 1892, the candi- 
date of both parties in the Legislature. In September of that year he was elected 
vice-chancellor, succeeding the Rev. Dr. Upson, made chancellor to fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of George William Curtis. 

No bishop of the American church has received such honors abroad as Bishop 
Doane. By invitation he preached at Edinburgh, in 1884, a sermon commemorative 
of the one hundredth anniversary of the consecration of the first bishop for Amer- 
ica at Aberdeen — the Rt. Rev. Dr. Samuel Seabury. In 1892 he received degrees 
at the hands of Oxford and Cambridge, the first American to have two such marks 
of distinction bestowed upon him at the same time. For several years he has been 
designated by Bishop Williams to officially visit the American churches abroad. 

At the Triennial convention of the church at Minneapolis October, 1895, Bishop 
Doane was elected chairman of the House of Bishop.s. He is consequently called 
"the assessor of the Primus " 

Bishop Doane is known to all Albanians and is admired and loved. He is a strik- 
ing figure on the street. Albany has no more public spirited citizen and every good 
movement commands his sympathy and co-operation. His stirring speech at the 
organization meeting in the City Building of the committee of fifty, is well remem- 
bered. He has on many occasions spoken from the platform in behalf of practical 
temperance and his appearance before the legislative committees on measures affect- 
ing the moral side always ensure a warm champion of the right. 




JUHN V. L. PRUV.N, LL. U. 



I 



Bishop Doane bears his age well. He is as vigorous to day as he was twenty-five 
i-ears ago and his voice has lost none of its strength and charm. 



JOHN V. L. PRUYN, LL. D. 

Hon. John Van Sch.\ick L.\nsing Pruvn,' known as John X. L. Pruyn, was born 
in Albany, June 22, 1811, of Holland-Dutch ancestry. The family has resided in 
Albany for over two centuries and has held positions in the city government. The 
subject of this sketch, after studying at private schools, entered the Albany acad- 
emy in 1824 and completed a full course of study. The famous Theodoric Romeyn 
Reck, M.D., LL. D., was principal of the academy at this time. Immediately after 
leaving the academy, Mr. Pruyn entered, as student, the law office of the late James 
King, who was one of Albany's eminent lawyers and distinguished citizens. In this 
office Mr. Pruyn's habits of order, system and thoroughness were brought to a per- 
fection which he retained through life. He became Mr. King's principal and confi- 
dential clerk, and remained as such for some months after his admission to the bar. 
lie was admitted as an attorney in the Supreme Court of the State of New York and 
a solicitor in the Court of Chancery on January 13, 1832. The latter court made him 
a counselor May 21, 1833, and the Supreme Court"january 17, 1835. 

While he was in Mr. King's office, Mr. William James, the father-in-law of Mr. 
King, died, leaving a large fortune. The will was contested and the case was one 
of the famous litigations of the day, involving the whole subject of trusts and pow- 
ers under the then new revised statutes of the State. Questions of the gravest im- 
portance were submitted to and called forth the highest abilities of the lawyers en- 
gaged, of whom Mr. Pruyn was one. Many of the most distinguished counselors in 
the State took part in this litigation ; among them the three revisers, John C. 
Spencer, Benjamin F. Butler and John Duer; Samuel A. Talcott, Henry R. Storrs, 
Harmanus Bleecker (of whom hereafter), Daniel D. Barnard, Mr. Sibley and Mr. 
King himself. 

About 1833 Mr. Pruyn formed a partnership for the practice of the law with Henry 
H. Martin, who had been a fellow student in the office of Mr. King. In 1833 Mr. 
Pruyn was appointed by Governor Marcy an examiner in chancery, and in 1836 a 
master in chancery; and upon receiving the latter appointment, Chancellor Wal- 
worth designated him as injunction master for the third circuit — a position which 
placed him next in official position to the vice-chancellor of the circuit. For many 
years Mr. Pruyn's business was chiefly in the Court of Chancery, a court, which, 
however, went out of existence by the adoption of the new State constitution in 
1846. He was occupied very laboriously, and it may be safely said that few persons 
enjoyed the confidence of Chancellor Walworth to the extent that Mr. Pruyn did. 
The chancellor sent to him many references, and it is believed never overruled any 
of his reports. In 1848 Mr. Pruyn was admitted to practice as attorney and coun- 
selor in the United States Supreme Court. In 1834 the Albany City Bank was in- 

1 This name is pronounced in one syllable, as if written Pryiit; a corruption of one of the 



64 

corporated, with Mr. Erastus Corning as president and Mr. Watts Sherman as 
cashier. Messrs. Pruyn and Martin were the counsel to the bank, but in 1851 Mr. 
Martin became its cashier. 

Mr. Pruyn became a director and was afterwards its vice-president. After Mr. 
Martin became connected with the bank, Mr. Pruyn formed a partnership with John 
H. Reynolds, one of the most brilliant lawyers of the day. 

About this time occurred an act which gave evidence of the confidence reposed in 
Mr. Pruyn. 

Harraanus Bleecker (alluded to above), one of Albany's distinguished citizens, an 
eminent lawyer, member of Congress during the War of 1812, and during the presi- 
dency of Honorable Martin Van Buren United States minister to Holland, died in 
July, 1849. 

It had been Mr. Bleecker's intention, as an unmarried man, to leave the whole of 
his estate- about eighty thou.sand dollars, in those days a very considerable fortune 
— to some public object for the benefit of the citj' of Albany. When in Holland, 
however, he married a Miss Menz, daughter of an official at The Hague. His 
wi.shes were not relinquished upon his marriage and were fully concurred in by his 
wife. Upon his death the property went to her with the verbal request that, he having 
no children, she would at her death dispo.se of it in some way for the benefit of the city. 
Mrs. Bleecker for a period resided in Albany, but before long she married Henrich 
Coster, a Dutch gentleman, and returned with him to Holland. Previous to their 
departure, Mr. and Mrs. Coster united in an absolute conveyance of the whole prop- 
erty to Mr. Pruyn, reserving only life estates to themselves, and trusting that at the 
expiration of those estates, he would carry out the wishes of Mr. Bleecker. 

In April. 1851 ('Laws of New York,' 1852, cl.ap. 818), the Legislature, at Mr. 
Pruyn's request, enacted a law drawn up by him by which the Bleecker estate was 
absolutely protected from any contingency to which his private affairs might be ex- 
posed. This law also gave Mr. Pruyn power to transfer the estate in whatever man- 
ner he might see fit. Mr. Coster died some years ago, but Mrs. Coster survived Mr. 
Pruyn, and upon opening the latter's will in 1877, it was found that the property 
was left to Mr. Amasa J. Parker of Albany, "in the confident belief that he will 
carry out the views of Mr. Bleecker as fully and completely as I was requested to 
do." Mrs. Coster, who resided at Arnheim, Holland, died in 1886. The estate, dur- 
ing Mr. Pruyn's administration of over a quarter of a century, and of Judge Parker's 
administration of more than ten years, has largely increased in value. 

The citizens of Albany having raised fifty thousand dollars. Judge Parker has 
transferred the Bleecker fund to the Young Men's Association for Mutual Improve- 
ment in the city of Albany. A large public hall, costing two hundred thousand dol- 
lars, is to be erected, and called the Harmanus Bleecker Hall. The buildings be- 
longing to the Bleecker estate, and which were occupied by the association, have 
been conveyed to it. Thus Mr. Bleecker's name is perpetuated, and an existing in- 
stitution preserved and strengthened. 

The partnership with Mr. Reynolds lasted until 1853, when Mr. Pruyn's relations 
to the railway system of his State interfered so greatly with his law practice that he 
was obliged to relinquish it. 

In 1835 Mr. Pruyn was chosen a director of, and counsel to, the Mohawk & Hudson 
Railroad Company, which was organized by the Patroon, Stephen Van Rensselaer, 



65 

Mr. George William Featherstonhaugh and others. This was the first railroad in 
the State, if not in the United States, its charter having been granted by the Legisla- 
ture in April, 1826. In 1847 the name of this company was changed to the Albany &• 
Schenectady Railroad Company. 

He was also connected with the Utica & Schenectady Railroad Company, which 
was chartered in 1833, as counsel and treasurer. He also was president of the Mo- 
hawk Valley Railroad Company, which was organized in 1852. 

These and other railroads formed a system extending from the Hudson River at 
Albany and Troy to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. By an act of the Legislature passed 
April 2, 1853, any two or more of these railroad companies were authorized to con- 
solidate and form a new corporation to be called the New York Central Railroad 
Company. The railroads forming the new corporation were ten in number, and 
the consolidation agreement between them was drawn up by Mr. Pru"n. This in- 
volved probably as large, if not larger interests than had before been embraced in 
any one transaction not made by the government in this country. This instrument 
was for years most carefully scrutinized by various counsel, but never questioned. 
It was a remarkable instrument, and in the words of Mr. Martin, Mr. Pruyn's former 
partner, "this could not have been done by any ordinary man." 

Mr. Pruyn was a director of the New York Central Railroad Company and its gen- 
eral counsel until 1866, when the road passed into the control of the Vanderbilts. 

The Hudson River Bridge Company, at Albany, was chartered by the Legislature 
in 1856 for the purpose of bridging the Hudson at Albany. The right thus given 
was questioned and for many years the matter was in the courts, up and down, and 
became one of the causes celebres of the country. Mr. Prujm took part in it, and 
associated with him were many distinguished counsel, among whom was Mr. Brad- 
ley, now a justice of the United StatesSupreme Court. The case was finally argued, 
in the Supreme Court of the United States by Mr. Pruyn alone for the bridge com- 
pany, and the dcision in its favor virually ended the great controvensy of many yeans' 
standing in different parts of the country as to the right to bridge navigable streams. 

It may not be out of place here to allude to the celebrated Sault Ste. Marie Canal, 
Michigan (St. Mary s Falls Ship Canal Company). This very important work, with 
its two enormous locks, was canned through a very trying period while Mr. Pruyn 
was its financial officer. Mr. Erastus Corning, the president of the company, stood 
by Mr. Pruyn, and to these men as much as to any others is due the success of the 
undertaking. 

Mr. Pruyn was connected, directly or indirectly, with some of the leading financial 
and railroad enterprises of the country. He was a trustee of the Mutual Life In- 
surance Company of New York from its foundation, and was for many years the only 
surviving member of the original board. He was also a director of the Union Trust 
Company of New York and had declined the offer of its presidency. 

Mr. Pruyn, although always interested in political life, never held political office 
until after he was fifty years old. He was a Democrat of the old school, and when 
the Civil war broke out he at once took sides with the North as a conscientious Dem- 
ocrat and a loyal citizen. 

In the autumn of 1861 he was elected State senator. He did not seek the nomi- 
nation and accepted it only upon the condition that neither he nor any of his friends 
should be called upon to contribute, directly or indirectly, any money to control the 



vote ef any elector. At the close of the session he gave his salary to the poor of 
Albany. 

It was about this time that the law was passed, at the instance of Mr. James A 
Bell, Mr. Pruyn and others, for the building of the new Capitol. Mr. Pruyn was one 
of the original commissioners and remained a member of the commi.ssion until 1870. 
At this period the board was reorganized, and Mr. Pruyn not being in harmony with 
the very unfortunate political influences of the time was not included in the new 
commission. He and his friends, for reasons not necessary to enumerate, regarded 
his being dropped as a very high compliment to him. 

Mr. Pruyn laid the first stone of the foundation of the new building on July 7, 
1869, in the presence of Governor Hoffman (now deceased), the State oflScials and 
few friends. He made some appropriate remarks, which he closed as follows: "Here" 
may wise laws be enacted; here may purity and integrity of purpose always mark 
the action of executive power; here may justice, the attribute of Deity, be inflexibly 
administered, and may Almighty God blessthe State and prosper the undertaking." 
Mr. Pruyn was a representative in Congress from the Albany district twice; first in 
the Thirty-eighth Congress (1863-65), as successor to Erastus Corning, resigned, and in 
the Fortieth Congress ((186T-69). In Ccmgress he served upon several important 
committees — the ways and means (before it was divided), claims. Pacific Railroads, 
joint library and foreign affairs. In the Thirty-eighth Congress he was unanimously 
chosen by the Democratic members from New York to present, on their behalf, to 
the House of Representatives a resolution of censure of the executive authority for 
closing the offices and suspending the publication of the A'etv Var/c Wor/d and 
Journal of Commerce newspapers. In this Congress he made, among others, 
speeches in opposition to the Confiscation act ; against the centralizing influence of 
the Currency bill; in favor of the reciprocity treaty with Canada, and upon the 
abolition of slavery. In the Fortieth Congress his principal speeches were on the 
treaty -making power, under the Alaska treaty with Russia; on the reconstruction 
acts, he being oppo.sed to military rule in the Southern States; on the Diplomatic 
Appropriation bill; on the resumption of specie payments, and against the impeach- 
ment of President Johnson. In this Congress, on the part of the House, he was 
chosen a Regent of the Smithsonian Institution in conjunction with the Hon. Luke 
P. Poland of Vermont, and the late President Garfield, at that time a member from 
Ohio. On the first election of General Grant, Mr. Pruyn was appointed with the 
Hon. James F. Wilson of Iowa, a Teller of the House, and in conjunction with Mr. 
Wilson and Senator Morton of Indiana, he was one of the committee to inform Gen- 
eral Grant of his election. Mr. Pruyn's remarks upon that occasion, referring chiefly 
to those holding office, were warmly endorsed. Mr. Pruyn did excellent work in the 
fields of philanthropy and education. In 1831 he was elected a member of the Al- 
bany Institute, which, as the successor of societies previously organized and consoli- 
dated, is really one of the oldest literary and scientific societies in the State. In it 
he held various positions, including that of President, to which he was elected about 
1857 and held until his death. 

In May, 1844, at the age of thirty-three he was appointed a Regent of the Univer- 
sity of the State of New York, and in January, 1862, was chosen chancellor. He 
was regent for thirty-three years and chancellor (up to the time of his death) for over 
fifteen. 



I 

i 



The Regents perform a very useful work, comparatively but little understood. The 
Board of Regents was organized by the Legislature in 1784, but important changes 
were made in 1787. The university is similar in idea to those of Oxford and of Cam- 
bridge, except that the institutions composing it are scattered throughout the State 
instead of being concentrated in a single city. The educational institutions of the 
State (colleges and academies) are under the visitations of the Regents, and the 
Regents conduct certain examinations known as the preliminary and higher academic 
examinations. The Regents have the power to confer degrees above that of master 
of arts. Unfortunately the usual Baccalaureate degrees, as well as most of the de- 
grees in medicine and law, can be and are conferred by the several colleges. It is 
hoped, however, that the time will come when all degrees will be conferred by the 
central body. The excellent work that this body has done of recent years is largely 
due to Chancellor Pruyn 

Mr. Pruyn was also a member of the executive committee of the State Normal 
School at Albany, and president of the Board of Trustees of St. Stephen's College at 
Annandale, New York — a training school of the Protestant Episcopal church. 

The establishment of the State Commissioner of Charities was recommended by 
Governor Fenton upon Mr. Pruyn's suggestion. From the time of its organization, 
in 1867, until his death, he was, with a slight interruption, its president. He was 
also at the time of his death president of the Board of Commis.sioners of the State 
Survey. He had been a member of the Centennial Commission, but resigned before 
1876. He was a member of the association for the codification of the law of 
nations, of the New York Historical Society, of the Wisconsin Historical Society, of 
the American Geographical and Statistical Society, of the Literary Fund Society of 
London, of the Union and Century Clubs of New York, and of other clubs and 
societies. 

Mr. Pruyn received the degree of master of arts m 1835 from Rutgers College, and 
in 1845 from Union College, and in 1853 that of doctor of laws from the University 
of Rochester. 

Originally brought up in and an oERcer of the Dutch Reformed church, he subse- 
quently joined the Protestant Episcopal church, and was at one time a vestryman of 
St. Peter's church, Albany. In all church affairs he took a deep interest and his 
views were essentially broad. 

Of his personal character it is for his friends to speak. A writer in the Albany 
Evening Times, November 21, 1877, says: 

It may be added, however, in the language of one who has known him intimately from boy- 
hood, that amid all the many virtues of John V. L. Pruyn, his pre-eminent characteristic was 
justice. "Is this just? is this honest?" was the first question with him always, and the one 
which, answered, decided his course. He was always gentle, and was never known to speak ill 
of anyone, however much he mi.ght differ with him or be abused. The saying so common was of 
him strictly true: " He had not an enemy in the world." He led a life of personal purity and in- 
tegrity, unsullied by even so much as a rumor of anything to the contrary. The wise counselor. 
the prudent, conscientious public servant; prominent in all things tending to dignify and elevate 
the human race; given to boundless hospitality; a kind, sympathizing, sincere friend; a loving, 
indulgent husband, father and brother: in all things the man of integrity, conservatism and good 
sense; such is the record of John V. L. Pruyn. In all that pertains to those "things which are of 
good report," it is a proud record for any man to leave— a record that all may well study, and 
may well aim to equal. 

Mr. Pruyn died November 21, 1877, at Clifton Springs, New York, where he had 



gone in October to take the mineral baths for a complication of disorders. A son by 
his first wife, his second wife and two daughters survive him. 



JONAS H. BROOKS. 

The ancestry of Mr. Brooks's family is traced to Capt. (1) Thomas Brooke, who 
came from England and settled at Watertown, Mass., in 1630-31, at the time of the 
formation of the Massachusetts Bay colony under Governor Winthrop. He was ad- 
mitted freeman December 7, 1636, and about the same time he became one of the 
founders of Concord, Mass. He was a captain in the local militia, constable 1638, 
appointed 1640 under law to value property at Concord, a representative or deputy 
to the General Court at Boston eight years, between 1644 and 1662, and commissioner 
under authority of this court to regulate the liquor trade among the Indians. He owned 
a large tract of land in Concord, and at one time controlled the fur trade among the 
Indians, by purchase of grant from the court, in the Concord district. In 1660 he 
purchased, with his son-in law, Timothy Wheeler, 400 acres of land in Medford for 
£404 sterling, and the most of this tract has been continuously owned by his de- 
scendants in the Brooks name. Capt. Thomas Brooke (this style of spelling is 
f.^und in the King's Court records at Boston) died in Concord, May 21, 1667. He 
was married in England (where two if not three of his children were born) to Grace 

, who died May 2, 1664. They had at least four sons — Joshua, Caleb, Ger- 

shom, and Thomas, jr. — and one daughter, Mary, who married Timothy Wheeler. 
These sons originally spelled the name Brookes, but by mutual agreement in 1680 
dropped the "e," and ever since the present style. Brooks, has uniformly prevailed. 
(2) Joshua Brookes (later Brooks), a tanner and aresident of what is now Lincoln (then 
Concord), Mass., was probably born in England, and on the 17th of the 8th mo, (Octo- 
ber), 1653. was married to Hannah Mason, of Watertown, daughter of Hugh Mason, 
a tanner, deputy to the General Court and a commissioner against the Dutch in 
1664. Joshua was admitted freeman May 26, 1652, was a deacon in the church for 
many years, and died prior to April 16, 1697. He had eleven children, of whom (3) 
Daniel Brooks, the fourth, born November 15, 1663. married Ann Meriam August 9, 
1692, and died October 18, 1733, at Concord, where his tombstone is still standing. 
She died January 24, 1757. Daniel was an ensign in the militia, and a prominent 
man, selectman 1716 to 1719, 1725 to 1729, and a large landowner in Concord and 
Lincoln. He had eleven children, of whom the sixth, (4) John Brooks, born February 
12, 1702, married, January, 1728, Lydia Barker, daughter of John and Elizabeth 
Barker of Concord, Mass., born June 18, 1711 ; he died March 6. 1777, she died June 
3, 1802, aged ninety-one ; both are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery (tombstone) at Acton 
(a part of old Concord), Mass. John was for many years a deacon in the church at 
Acton and a selectman of the town, and assessor several years. December 21, 1772, 
he was on a committee from his town to consider the state of the rights of the colon- 
ists and the violation of said rights and report a draft of such votes as they shall 
think proper, and was a cousin of Col. Eleazer Brooks, who commanded the minute- 
men at the North Bridge at Concord, April 19, 1775, and ordered them to fire on the 
British. He also had eleven children, of whom (.5) Charles Brooks, the third, born at 



Git 

Concord April C, 1733, lived, after his marriage, in Marlboro until 1764, and then 
purchased lands and moved to Princeton, Mass., where he died in March, 1798. In 
1757 he was a member of Lieutenant Maynard's Company of Marlboro, and was at 
Fort William Henry when it was captured by Montcalm, being one of the 700 out of 
the 3,500 American troops who escaped the massacre that followed by Montcalm's 
Indians. In 1773 he was one of a Committee, appointed by the town (Princeton), of 
Correspondence "to reply to a letter from the Selectmen of the Town of Boston, 
showing infringement upon and violation of our Rights and Liberties (by the mother 
country)." On April 30, 1775, he marched as a member of minute-men in Capt. 
Joseph Sargent's Company, Colonel Sparhawk's regiment, to Cambridge, in respon.se 
to the Lexington-Concord alarm of April 19; in service sixteen days. June 3, 1775, 
was chosen ensign of Alarm Company. 1777, one of a committee (town of Princeton) 
"to make an everage of the money and servisesof the present war." 1778, treasurer 
of the town. 1779, on committee of three "to borrow the money to pay the men 
which may be engaged for the Army." 1779, September 9, on standing committee 
' • to procure money from time to time to pay men which shall be called for the defence 
of their country." The town records also show the following: 

"To Enoch Brooks, Treasurer, You are hereby required to pay to Capt. John Mirick, Lt. 
Charles Brooks and Josiah Davis, a committee appointed by the Town to procure money to pay 
jt for to enter into the Continental or State servis, the sura of Eleven 

"Benj. Holden, 

"SaDEY M.4SON, 

"Paul Matthews, 
"July 1. 1780. Selectmen." 

'■ For value received, I the subscriber, promise to pay the sum of eleven hundred pounds, in 
tlie present currency, to be paid in three months, for a hors for the Continental servis, and if not 
paid then to be on interest till paid, as witness my hand. Charles Brooks. 

"Princeton, July 13, 1780." 

September 11, 1780, on treasurer's account, "Lt. Charles Brooks, one day pro- 
curing horses for the Continental army;" again in 1783 for same services. He 
took an active part in raising men and supplies to carry on the Revolutionary 
war and was one of the most loyal supporters of the colonies. November 34, 
1757, he married Mary Hapgood (born June 4, 1740, died August 16, 1808), daugh- 
ter of John and Abigail (Morse) Hapgood, of Marlboro. They, too, had eleven 
children, of whom the fifth, (6) Jonas Brooks, born in Princeton December 16, 
1770, died there October 7, 1865, was a builder, contractor and farmer. Jonas 
was active m public affairs, was for many years a justice of the peace, settled as ad- 
ministrator a large number of estates, and was especially noted for his great physical 
endurance and strength. With his brother John H. he was arrested for debt in re- 
fusing to pay the town tax for the support of the State church, as was customary in 
those days. He successfully defended his positio i in the courts, and since then no 
tax has been levied for church purposes in the towns of Massachusetts. At this time 
he belonged to the Congregational Society. Afterward he and his brother and two 
other men organized and built the M. E. church there and continued in its support 
until his death. He married, first, October 30, 1794, Lydia, daughter of Aaron 
Temple of Boylston, who was born February 6, 1775, and died October 29, 1819. In 
May, 1822, he married second, Nancy, daughter of Samuel Davis of Oakham, Mass., 



70 

who died September 14, 1868, aged eighty-six. Of his ten children (7) Moses Brooke, 
the seventh, was born in Princeton, Mass., July 19, 1808, and married, January 19, 
1832, Sophronia, daughter of Ethan Greenwood, of Hubbardston, Mass., who was 
born June 18, 1810. In the southern part of Princeton, the town of his birth, is a 
station called Brooks (named after the family) on the Boston. Barre and Gardner 
railroad, now a part of the Boston and Maine system, the depot being the old home- 
stead built by Jonas Brooks in 1810 or '11. In 1835 Moses Brooks moved to Rutland, 
Mass., but in 1851 returned to the parental home in Princeton, and in 1856 came to 
O.xford, Chenango county, N. Y. In 1863 he settled in the town of Unadilla, near 
Rockdale, N.Y., where his wife died December 7, 1889, and where his death occurred 
November 12, 1893. Their children were Charles Aaron, born March 11, 1833, died 
August 18, 1835; Jonas, born March 9, 1835, died January 10, 1843; Edward, born 
May 19. 1837, was graduated from the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in 
1862, entered the U. S. army as assistant surgeon the same year, and died in the 
service April 19, 1866; Sarah Sophronia, born November 4, 1839, married December 
30, 1867, Edwin R. Barnes of Norwich, N. Y., and died February 1, 1877, leaving 
two children, Lenora Sarah, since deceased, and Charles Edward, of Norwich; 
Moses Walter, a practicing physician of Sidney, N. Y., born November 4, 1841, 
married Abigail Peet. of Hunter, N. Y. , and was graduated from the medical de- 
partment of the University of Vermont at Burlington in 1879; Jonas Hapgood, the 
subject of this sketch; and Charles Greenwood, of Mount Upton, N. Y., born De- 
cember 23, 1849. 

Jonas Hapgood Brooks, the eighth in lineal descent from the pioneer, Capt. 
Thomas Brooke, was born in Rutland, Worcester county, Mass., January 5, 1848, 
and came with his parents to this State in 1856. Here he spent his early life on the 
farm and attending the district schools and Oxford Academy, where he developed 
those native talents which distinguish the scholar. He gave special attention to 
medicine, which he expected to adopt as a profession and practice with his eldest 
brother, Edward, who was then a surgeon in the army. But the death of the latter 
in 1866 changed his plans, though he has never forgotten his love for medical science. 
In the winter of 1866-67 he taught school at Guilford, N. Y.. and in the fall of 1867 
resumed his studies at Norwich Academy, where he obtained a teacher's certificate, 
as he also had the preceding year at Oxford. The following winter, 1867-68, he 
taught the school at Rockwell's Mills in the town of Guilford, and in the spring of 
1868 became a clerk in the First National Bank of New Berlin, N. Y., where in Jan- 
uary, 1869, he was chosen teller, a position he filled with credit and satisfaction until 
he resigned in December, 1873. He was also a director in this bank during his last 
year there. In December, 1873, he accepted the appointm'ent of teller of the National 
Albany Exchange Bank, of Albany, and on the death of its cashier, Theodore L. 
Scott, on February 22, 1881, succeeded him in that position, which he held until the 
bank was closed on the expiration of its charter in January, 1885. On the formation 
of the new National Exchange Bank of Albany (which succeeded the old institution), 
in which he with Chauncey P. Williams, the president, took the active part, Mr. 
Brooks was elected the cashier, and discharged with fidelity the arduous duties of 
that ofhce until November 6, 1889, when he was chosen a director and cashier of the 
Albany City National Bank, which positions he still holds. In December, 1889, he 
was also elected a trustee and treasurer of the Albany City Savings Institution, but 



71 

subsequently resigned the treasurership. While cashier of the National Exchange 
Hank he was also a trustee in the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, but resigned this 
post November 6. 1889, to give his whole attention to the affairs of the two institu- 
tions with which he is now connected, 

Mr. Brooks has always been a staunch Republican, has taken a deep interest in 
political affairs, and in 1886 was a delegate to the Republican State Convention at 
Saratoga. He was for two years treasurer of St. Peter's church and in January, 
1890, was elected trustee and treasurer of the Corning Foundation for Christian 
Work in the Diocese of Albany, which positions he still holds. This organization, in 
which he has manifested deep interest, and of which Bishop Doane is the head, em- 
braces the supervision and care of St. Agnes School, the Child's Hospital, St. Mar- 
garet's House, and the Sisters' House, and is one of the most worthy benevolent in- 
stitutions in the State. Mr. Brooks was a foundation member of the Fort Orange 
Club in 1880, and has been a member of the Unconditional Republican Club of 
Albany since about 1875, being its treasurer during the Garfield campaign. He is 
fond of athletic sports and outdoor exercise, has won several prizes at the Rensse 
laerwyck Rifle Range, is an extensive reader on historical and scientific subjects, 
and is a close observer and student of human nature and natural scenery. He has 
devoted much tmie to genealogical research, and has in his possession copies of wills 
and settlements of e.states of seven generations of his family in America. 

Mr. Brooks was married on January 22, 1889, to Miss Frances S., daughter of the 
late Samuel Patten, of Albany, and Julia, daughter of William Newton. At 
the wedding were Mr. Brooks's parents, who three days before had celebrated 
their fifty-seventh marriage anniversary. They have had two children: Edward, 
who died in infancy, and Julia Newton Brooks, born July 10, 1893. Mr. and Mrs. 
Hrooks have traveled quite extensively, both m this country and in Europe. In the 
winter of 1895 they were among the passengers who had a thrilling experience on 
board the ill-fated steamer Cienfuegos, which on February 4 was wrecked and lost 
olf Harbor Island, one of the group of the West Indies. 



MATTHEW HALE. 

Hon. Matthew Hale, born in Chelsea, Vt., June 20, 1829, is a descendant of 
Thomas Hale (married Joan Kirby), a yeoman of Watton at-Stone, Hertfordshire, 
England, who died in October, 1630. Thomas Hale, jr., born at Watton-at-Stone in 
1605, came to America in 1637 and settled in Newbury, Mass., where he died De- 
cember 31, 1682. His son Thomas was born in England, November 18, 1633, died 
in Newbury, October 22, 1688, leaving a son. Dr. Thomas Hale, a physician of Hav- 
erill. Mass, who died in 1732. Moses Hale, son of Thomas, was born in 1703, settled 
in New Hampshire and died in 1762. His son Nathan, born in 1743, served in the 
Revolution as colonel of a New Hampshire regiment and died on Long Island, a 
prisoner of war, in 1780. Harry Hale, a son of Col. Nathan, was born in 1780, 
settled in Chelsea, Vt., was many years clerk of Orange county, member of the 
Legislature, state bank commis.sioner, captain of militia, a merchant, mill owner 
and farmer and died in 1861. He married, first, Phoebe Adams, who bore him 



72 

eleven children. By his second wife, Luciuda Eddy, he had seven children, the 
youngest being Matthew. She was a direct descendant of Miles Standish and John 
Alden of the Mayflower, through a son of Standish, who married a daughter of John 
and Pri-scilla (Mullens) Alden. 

Matthew Hale attended the Bradford (Vt.) Academy, was graduated from the 
University of Vermont in 1851, and read law in Elizabethtown, N. Y., with Kellogg 
& Hale (the latter being Hon. Robert S. Hale, a member of Congress and Regent of 
the University, and Matthew's elder brother). Admitted to the bar at Salem, N. Y., 
in 1853, he began the practice of his profession in Poughkeepsie with his brother 
Henry, and continued with Gen. A. B. Smith. In 1859 he removed to New York 
city and became a partner of Lot C. Clark. Returning to Elizabethtown, N. Y., 
in December, 1863, he formed a partnership with Judge A. C. Hand (his father-in- 
law and one of the first justices of the Supreme Court elected under the constitution 
of 1846) and Richard L. Hand, under the firm name of Hand & Hale. 

Mr. Hale was elected a delegate to. the State Constitutional Convention of 1867 
and served on the judiciary committee of that body. In 1867 he was elected State 
senator. In 1868 he removed to Albany and with the late Samnel Hand and the 
late Nathan Swartz, formed the law firm of Hand, Hale & Swartz which, on the 
admission of Charles S. Fairchild, became Hand, Hale, Swartz & Fairchild. This 
was dissolved in 1875. Afterwards Alpheus T. Bulkeley and Hon. Esek Cowen were 
his partners. The present firm of Hale, Bulkeley & Tennant consists of Mr. Hale, 
Alpheus T. Bulkeley and Albert C. Tennant. 

In 1883 Mr. Hale was the Republican candidate for justice of the Supreme Court 
and in that year the University of Vermont conferred upon him the honorary de- 
gree of LL. D. He is a distinguished writer and speaker and eminent lawyer, and 
was one of the organizers of the New York State Bar Association, of which he has 
been president. 

He has been counsel in many important cases, and within the last year has sue 
cessfully argued in the Court of Appeals a case involving the effect of the civil serv 
ice provision in the Constitution of 1894, in which he obtained a decision givin;; 
full force and effect to such provision as against an attack made by the superintend- 
ent of Public Works; also a case in favor of the Adelphi Club of Albany, in which 
it was held that the license law of 1892 did not apply to social clubs; also the Albany 
Police ca.se, in which an act, passed by the Legislature in 1895 making a total change 
of the Albany police force, was held to be unconstitutional and void. 

He was a charter member and trustee of the Fort Orange Club, is a trustee and 
vice-president of the Albany Savings Bank, member of the Reform Club of New 
York city, and at one time was vice-president of the Commonwealth Club of New 
York and president of the United Chapters of the Phi Beta Kappa. In poHtics he is 
Independent and has been for many years. He is one of the executive committee 
of the National Municipal League, is president of the Citizens' Association of Al- 
bany : president of the Albany Vigilance League ; president of the New York State 
Civil Service Reform League and of the Albany Association on the same subject. 

In 1856 he married Ellen S., daughter of Hon. A. C. Hand. She died in 1867, and 
in 1877 he married, second, Mary, daughter of Col. Francis L. Lee, of Boston, Mass., 
by whom he has three daughters and two sons, 




HUGH HASTINGS. 



HUGH HASTINGS. 

High Hastlngs, State Historian, third son of Col. John Hastings was born in Al- 
'any, July 22, 1856. Colonel Hastings was born in Ireland in 1824, came with his 
: arents to Albany in 1831 and died here June 3, 1887. At the breaking out of the 
',var of the Rebellion he was engaged in the job printing business in the old Museum 
building. April 19, 1861, he organized Co. B, 18th N. Y. Vols., was commissioned 
its captain April 24, was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 7th N. Y. H. A., Septem- 
ber 8, 18C2, and was honorably discharged July 29. 1864. Afterward he was editor 
of the Albany Knickerbocker until August, 1877, when he retired. He married Mar- 
garet, daughter of Henry L, Jewell, of Albany, and their children were John, Hugh, 
David, Wairen, Mary (widow of Lewis H. Van Antwerp), and Jennie, who survive, 
and Henry J., William, Frank and Margaret, deceased. 

Hugh Hastings was educated in the Albany public and High School and the Cass 
Academy, and began journalistic work on the old Knickerbocker, founded by his 
uncle, Hugh J. Hastings, September 3, 1843. In 1874 he joined the staff of the New 
York Commercial Advertiser, of which he became city and financial editor and where 
he began his career as a writer on political subjects. In October, 1885, he joined the 
World's staff, and in 1886 became its Albany correspondent, but in 1887 was placed 
in charge of its Washington bureau. In 1888 he was placed in charge of the New 
York State Political Department of the New York Times, for which he described the 
Johnstown flood of 1889 and the Homestead and Buffalo strikes of 1892. 

On the creation of the office of State Historian, he was appointed and entered 
upon his duties April 30, 1895, and has ably organized that department. His first 
report, transmitted to the Legislature March 3, 1896, clearly shows the work he has 
in view, the permanent preservation of New York's most important war records, 
covering a period of 125 years. Excepting those of 1884 he has attended every na- 
tional and New York State political convention since 1878. April 5, 1888, he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Rehrer Dock of Harrisburg, Pa, 



REV. WILLIAM GRIFFIN, D. D. 

Few men have been more deservedly prominent and popular in the work and his- 
tory of the Troy Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church than Dr. Griffin. He 
was well educated and endowed with a clear and logical brain, possessed broad sym- 
pathies and positive convictions and he was perforce of his mental and moral or- 
iianization a man of action as well as ideas, early attaining prominence as a leader 
among his brethren. 

Three times he was placed in charge of districts and four times elected to repre- 
;,ent his conference in the General Conference. Though retired from the active work 
of the ministry several years ago, he has always kept in touch with the needs of the 
world and the work of the church, and no worthy object ever appealed to him in vain 
when it was in his power to grant the desired assistance. 

To the cause of education he has always been a ardent friend and liberal supporter. 



74 

Wesleyan University at Middletown, Conn., credits him with the endowment of its 
'■ Chair of Philosophy" and Syracuse University with having endowed its professor- 
ship of ■' History and Political Science." 

Cazenovia Seminary, where Mrs. Griffin had been both pupil and preceptress, was 
made the recipient of §25,000, to endow the chair once occupied by her and to per- 
petuate the memory of the place where she had passed not a few of the sunniest days 
of her life. Generous contributions have been made to other educational institutions. 

But history will undoubtedly show that at Round Lake he has accomplished the 
crowning work of his life. 

In 1886 he was elected president of the association, and most worthily has he filled 
the position for more than a decade and most generously has he contributed to the 
development of its growing educational work. Here he has had ample field for his 
versatile genius, broad sympathies and indomitable perseverance. Up as by magic 
have sprung a summer school with its varied departments of music, art, archaeology, 
oratory, modern and ancient languages, theolog)', and a popular assembly of wide 
range in up to date subjects. 

Here, also, has been established a flourishing academy and an exceptionally fine 
museum of art and archaeology. 

Thoxigh eighty years have rolled past him, time has dealt most kindly with his 
vigorous physique and left little impression save in his whitened locks. Living roy- 
ally in years and deeds and memories, he is yet planning larger things in the inter- 
ests of his beloved Round Lake. 



JOHN H. VAN ANTWERP. 

John Henrv Van Antwerp is a lineal descendant of Daniel Janse Van Antwerp 
(married Maritie, daughter of Simon Groot), of Holland, who settled in Beverwyck 
in 1661. Daniel J. Van Antwerp was a proprietary settler of Schenectady, where 
several of his children were killed or taken prisoners to Montreal when that town 
was burned by the French and Indians. He was a fur trader and a member of the 
Dutch church, giving on June 23, 1715, the land on which the Reformed church of 
Schenectady now stands. Mr.Van Antwerp'sgrandfather, Daniel Lewis Van Antwerp, 
1771-1832, of Schenectady and later of Albany, was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1801, member of the Legislature for Saratoga in 1808-10, and district 
attorney in 1811 for the counties of Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga, Montgomery 
and Schoharie, being appointed March 9, 1811, by Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins. When 
Albany county was erected into a separate district, April 21, 1818, he was reap- 
pointed by Gov. De Witt Clinton, June 11, 1811, his commissions in each case being 
unlimited, but continuous during the pleasure of the Governor and Council. He 
was brigade quartermaster in the war of 1812, member of the Legislature for Sche- 
nectady in 1818, and judge of the Court of Justices in 1820. His son, William Van 
Antwerp, 1799-1829, was a prominent lawyer of Albany, married Sarah Meadon, 
and had four children; John Henry, WilHam Meadon, Daniel Lewis, and one, a 
daughter, deceased. 

John H. Van Antwerp, born in Albany, October 12, 1823, received a private school 



education and began his business life as a clerk. He was one of the founders and 
original trustees of the National Savings Bank of Albany, and has been its president 
since May, 1873, shortly after its organization. He has also been connected with the 
New York State National Bank since July 17, 1847. first as corresponding clerk, and 
from January 1, 1856, as cashier, until 1880, when he resigned to become first vice- 
president, which position he now holds. 

John H, Van Antwerp married Martha Wiswall in August, 1842. They have two 
children living. Kate Josephine, wife of J. R. Stanton, paymaster United States 
Navy, and Henrietta W., wife of Major J, W. MacMurray of the U. S. Army; and 
one son and daughter deceased. Mrs. Van Antwerp died in August, 1880. Mr. Van 
Antwerp and wife early became members of St. Paul's Episcopal church of Albany, 
of which for many years he has been and is senior warden. He was one of the 
originators of the scheme for the creation of Washington Park, Albany, and one of 
the commissioners named in the act of the Legislature creating it ; was the first pres- 
ident for thirteen years of the board during the formative period of the park, and 
subsequently declined a reappointment by the mayor at the expiration of his last 
term of service. 

Socially he is a member of the Manhattan and St. Nicholas Clubs of New York 
citj', Fort Orange Club, and the Country Club, city of Albany; also a member of the 
Holland Society, Sons of the Revolution, Fellow of the American Geographical So- 
ciety of the city of New York, and the Albany Institute. As a financier he has for 
half a century been connected with the banking interests of Albany, and has shown 
himself to be of acknowledged ability, which is indicated by the standing of the 
institutions with which he has been connected in his official capacity as director 
or officer, and the length of time he has remained in connection with them. 

He was a member of the New York State Board of Charities for over eighteen 
years; it being an unsalaried office Often when duties in other directions claimed 
his time he cheerfully devoted it to the interest of the State and early called atten- 
tion to the necessity of some restriction by the government of unsupervised emigration 
from Europe to this country. 



LUCY ANN PLYMPTON. 

Miss Licv A.n.n Plv.miton, since 1879 principal of the Albany Female Academy, 
is of English descent, both her paternal and maternal ancestors coming to Medfield, 
Mass., in 1639. In each case the original estates in that town have never been owned 
outside the family. She was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., May 6, 1834, and spent her 
earlier years in her native village, attending the public and private schools and the 
academy and developing a natural talent for study. She finished a course at the 
New Hampshire Conference Seminary, taught for two years in grammar and private 
schools, took the degree of Mistress of Liberal Arts at the New Hampshire Female 
College, and became a teacher in the Newbury (Vt.) Seminary. When the Rebellion 
broke out she returned home, but .soon took charge of the girls' department in the 
Troy Conference Academy for one year, when she became lady principal of Ripley 
College, which position she resigned in 1867. In 1869 she was elected principal of 



76 

Wilson College at Chambersburg, Pa., where she spent six years, coming thence to 
Albany, where she has since resided. Here she started a private enterprise known 
as Miss Plympton's School for Young Ladies, which in 1879 was merged into the 
Albany Female Academy, over which she has since presided as principal. (A de- 
tailed sketch of this historic institution appears elsewhere in this volume.) Miss 
Plympton's long and faithful service in the academy has placed her among the fore- 
most educators of the time. She represented as a delegate the Dana Natural History 
Society of Albany in the International Geological Congress at London in 1888, was 
an early officer and has continuously been chairman of the educational committee of 
the Young Woman's Christian Association, and is actively interested in all move- 
ments which tend to advance and educate not only her sex, but mankind. 



CHARLES J. BUCHANAN. 

CH.A.RLES J. Buchanan was born of Scoth-Irish ancestry in New Berlin, Chenango 
county, N. Y., December 27, 1843, and received his preliminary education in the 
common schools and academy of his native town. Of studious habits he was ambi- 
tious to acquire the benefits of a college course, but the breaking out of the war of 
the Rebellion fired his youthful ardor and patriotism and caused him to enlist in the 
Union cause. In the autumn of 1861 he enlisted as a volunteer in the 1st Regiment 
of U. S. (Berdan's) Sharpshooters and joined the army of the Potomac, in which he 
served with distinguished gallantry for three years, rising to the rank of first lieu- 
tenant and acting adjutant. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, from 
Yorktown in 1862 to Appomattox in 186.5, among them Hanover Court House, the 
Seven Days' Fight before Richmond, Antietam, Wapping Heights, Fredericksburgh, 
Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Cold Har- 
bor, Deep Bottom, the mine explosion at Petersburgh, Weldon Railroad, the siege of 
Petersburgh, etc. He was never away from his regiment until his final discharge and 
was never sick nor wounded while in the service. At the close of the war in 1865 he 
accepted an appointment as clerk in the Quartermaster-General's office at Washington 
and for a time was stationed at Fort Snelling, Minn. After about a year he resigned 
this position to complete his academic studies, which his enlistment had interrupted. 
In 1867 General Hancock offered him a lieutenancy in the regular army, which he 
declined, and this same year he was appointed by President Johnson a cadet to the 
U. S. Military Academy at West Point, where he made valuable use of his time. In 
October, 1870, he resigned his cadetshipto study law, which he had contemplated for 
several years. Entering the offices of Smith, Bancroft & Moak, one of the ablest law 
firms ever known in Albany, he was admitted to the bar at the January General 
Term, 1874, and the next year became a partner in this firm. 

This partnership continued until the death of Mr. Bancroft in January, 1880, when 
the firm became Smith, Moak & Buchanan. Upon the death of Mr. Smith in Decem- 
ber, 1884, the firm of Moak & Buchanan was formed. These several firms enjo)-ed 
large and successful practices, having important and intricate cases in the various 
courts. Mr. Moak died September 17, 1892, since which time Mr. Buchanan has con- 




ROBERT H. McCORMIC, jR. 



tinned the practice of the law at the same oflfices occupied by his former partner- 
ships. 

Mr. Buchanan has .always taken great interest in military affairs. On July 3, 
1889, he delivered the oration at Gettysburg on the dedication of the monument 
to the 1st Regiment of V. S. Sharpshooters, which was subsequently issued in pam- 
phlet form and is replete with interesting historical facts and reminiscences. He is a 
member of the Grand Army of the Republic; has been first vice-president and a 
member of the board of managers of the Young Men's Association (a literary insti- 
tution founded by Amos Dean); is a life trustee of the Young Men's Association; 
is a trustee and secretary of the board of trustees of the Albany Law School ; is a 
trustee of the National Savings Bank of Albany ; has been for several years a member 
and treasurer of the board of commissioners of Washington Park ; is a member of the 
Fort Orange and Albany Clubs; and of the St. Andrevi-'s Society; and of the Albany 
Burns Club(of which last named club he has been president); and the Buchanan Society 
of Scotland. He is judge advocate, with the rank of major, of the Hd Brigade, N. G. 
N. Y. He was active in raising the Harmanus Bleecker Hall fund, and has always 
taken a keen interest in the advancement of the city of Albany, with so many of 
whose institutions he is so prominently identified. In politics he is a staunch Repub- 
lican. He is public spirited, patriotic and progressive, and liberally encourages all 
worthy public movements. Mr. Buchanan is a member of the first class of the 
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, which, as is well known, is 
composed of those who were commissioned officers in the war of the Rebellion. 

In October, 187.5, Mr. Buchanan was married to Miss Caroline Van Valkenburg, 
daughter of the late Isaac Van Valkenburg, of Northville, Fulton county, N. Y. 



ROBERT H. McCORMIC, Jr. 

RoKERT H. McCqrmic, Jk., was born January 30, 1870, in the city of Albany, N.Y. 
In the line of the paternal ancestry he represents the seventh generation of his fam- 
ily in America, in each of which the eldest son bore the name of Robert, he being 
the seventh Robert in direct line. His ancestor who immigrated to America was born 
of Scotch-Irish parentage in Londonderry, Ireland, and immigrated to America in 
1725 in company with John Woodburn, the great-grandfather of Horace Greeley. 
They were among the original settlers of Londonderry, N. H., from whence the 
McCormic family moved and settled the town of Londonderry, Vt. Mr. McCormic's 
great-great-grandfather served in the Revolution and was one of the participants in 
the battle of Bennington under Stark. On his mother's side he represents the 
twelfth generation of his family in America. His maternal ancestor, Cornelius Van 
Ness, was born of Dutch parentage upon the Havendyck in Holland and came to 
America in 1642 and settled at Greenbush. N. Y. The family spread rapidly and 
later generations settled upon large tracts of land in Columbia county, near Kinder- 
hook. The family contained many lawyers, some of whom became noted. 

Mr. McCormic's great-great-grandfather, John P. Van Ness, was born in theClav- 
erack district in 1770. was educated at Columbia College and was subsequently ad- 
mitted to the bar. He was elected to Congress in 1801, and afterward became 



mayor of Washington, D. C, and president of the Bank of the Metropolis. He had 
two brothers, William P. and Cornelius P. Van Ness, who were also distinguished 
lawyers and jurists. Cornelius P. was admitted to the bar in 1804. Later he moved 
to Vermont, became United States district attorney, collector of customs, member 
of assembly, chief justice of the Supreme Court of Vermont, twice governor of Ver- 
mont and finally minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary to the court of 
Spain. William P. was one of the leading lawyers of his time and became judge of 
the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. He was 
one of the seconds for Burr in the famous Hamilton and Burr duel. He owned 
" Lindenwald" at Kinderhook, N.Y., which he afterward sold to Martin Van Buren, 
who read law in his office. He was also a colonel in the war of 1812 aud a member 
of the Constitutional Convention of 1821. 

Mr. McCormic's great-grandfather, Jesse Van Ness, was a farmer and served as a 
captain in the war of 1812. He owned a large tract of land between Castleton and 
Muitseskill in Rensselaer and Columbia counties, portions of which remained in the 
possession of the family until quite recently. 

Mr. McCormic's father, Robert H. McCorraic, was born at Co.xsackie, N. Y., but 
passed the days of his youth near Windham, Vt., graduating from Burr Seminary at 
Manchester, Vt. He served as a captain in the late Civil war on the Union side. 
He is Hving and is now and for some time past has been engaged in the insurance 
business. Mr. McCormic's mother, Carrie Van Ness, was born at Stuyvesant, N.Y. , 
and graduated from Coeymans Academy at Coeymans, N. Y. She died August 20, 
1875, and her mother, Amanda Van Ness, immediately removed to Albany, N. Y., 
and assumed the responsibility of caring for the two motherless children, Mr. Mc- 
Cormic, then but five years old, and his sister Grace E., then three years old,* who is 
now a teacher in one of the pubhc schools at Yonkers, N. Y. At the age of seven 
years young McCormic entered public school No. 12 of Albany and graduated with 
honors, receiving a graduation diploma, scholarship diploma, and Regents' certifi- 
cate. He entered the Albany High School, chose the classical course and graduated 
therefrom in 1888. He was a member of the Philologian Society and held several 
important offices therein. After graduating from the High School he entered the 
insurance office of his father. He left this employment for a brief period in 1888 to 
accept the position of bookkeeper in closing up the business of the clothing house of 
Joseph Gardner in Albany, and then returned again to his father's office. While 
with his father he began to read law and on the first day of September, 1889, en- 
tered upon a regular clerkship under the instruction of the late William A. Allen, 
who occupied the same offices. On the 18th of April, 1891, he entered the law office- 
of County Judge J. H. Clute as a minor clerk. His progress there was rapid and he 
was soon made managing clerk of the office and on the 15th of September, 1892, was 
admitted to practice law. He continued to occupy his position of managing clerk 
after his admission to the bar and also practiced law himself, and in a short time 
had acquired a very fair practice. On the first of April, 1896, just subsequently to 
the retirement of Judge Clute from the bench, he entered into a partnership with 
the judge under the firm name of Clute & McCormic, with offices at 5-15 Tweddle 
building, Albany. This partnership has since continued. 

Mr. McCormic takes an active interest in politics and is at present the secretary 



and treasurer of the Second Assembly district Committee of the Republican organ- 
ization of Albany county. 

He early became affiliated with secret societies and is now the sitting vice-grand 
of Clinton Lodge, No. 7, I. O. O. F., and the junior seneschal of Albany Senate No. 
641, Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, of which senate he is a charter member. 
He is also a past captain of Frederick Townsend Camp No. 1, Sons of Veterans, and 
has held nearly all the important positions in the State body of that organization 
and has been a delegate to the national body. 

On October 31, 1894, he married Estelle N., daughter of Horace R. Lockwood of 
South Westerlo, N. Y., who was educated in Greenville Academy, located at Green- 
ville, N. v., and the State Normal and Training School at Oswego, N. Y. He has 
no children. 



CHARLES F. STOWELL. 

Charles Frederick Stowf.li,, son of Thomas P. and Henrietta (Fowler) Stowell, 
was born in Owego, N. Y., February 28, 1853, and descends from an English family 
who emigrated to New England in the early history of this country. Thomas P. 
Stowell was prominent in the fire insurance business, being connected with the 
^^Jtna Fire Insurance Company for about twenty years; he lived in Rochester, N.Y., 
where he died in February, 1896. 

Charles F. Stowell was educated in the public schools and Free Academy of Roch- 
ester, was graduated as a civil engineer from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 
at Troy in 1879, and for live years thereafter was associated in a professional capac- 
ity with Charles Hilton and the Hilton Bridge Construction Company, bridge build- 
ers. In 1884 he was appointed as bridge engineer of the New York State Board of 
Railroad Commissioners and held the position until 1892. His duties consisted ot 
examining plans and strains of all railroad bridges in the State and reporting as to 
their safety. The results of his valuable labors were published by the board in 1891, 
in a volume of 1,880 pages, and covers outline sketches of every railroad bridge then 
in the State, with the strains of each member of the bridge, a tabulation of sizes of 
each member and recommendations for strengthening where weakness was found. 
As a result of that report probably one-half of the railroad bridges in the State were 
strengthened or rebuilt, and since then no railway bridge in New York has broken 
down. 

Since 1892 Mr. Stowell has been a consulting bridge engineer and is now a mem- 
ber of the firm of Stowell & Cunningham. He is a member of the American Society 
of Civil Engineers. October 10, 1882, he married Emily A., daughter of Thomas 
Blossom, of Canandaigua, N. Y., a prominent railroad man and identified with the 
Rochester Water Works. They have two children: Grace Elizabeth and Thomas 
Charles. Mrs. Stowell's family were early Puritan settlers of Massachusetts and 
prominent in public life. Her grandfather, Col. William Blossom, was a noted hotel 
keeper in Canandaigua. 



HOWARD VAN RENSSELAER, M. D. 

Howard Van Rensselaer, M. D., son of Bayard Van Rensselaer, was born in 
Albany on the 36th of June, 1838, and descends from one of the oldest and most re- 
spected families in Eastern New York. Killian Van Rensselaer, the original ances- 
tor, a merchant in Amsterdam, Holland, and a member of the Dutch West India 
Company, availed himself, about the year lt-30, of the privileges offered by the As- 
sembly of XIX and the commissioners of the States-General, passed in 1629, by 
which all members of the company who planted a colony of fifty souls over fifteen 
years of age were to be acknowledged patroons of the New Netherlands. He further 
perfected his title to the lands thus granted by purchasing them from the Indians. 
These purchases embraced a territory extending along the Hudson River, for 
twenty-four miles back on each side, from Baeren Island to Cohoes Falls, Fort 
Orange only being reserved by the West India Company. Killian Van Rensselaer 
died in 1648, and his son Johannes succeeded him. The latter is believed to have 
come here, and in 1642 to have built the mansion at Greenbush, which is still stand- 
ing. His son Killian and the son of his brother Jeremiah, also named Killian, set- 
tled here, and to these two Killians were given the English patents in trust for their 
grandfather Killian. Killian the son of Johannes died without issue and the grant 
was confirmed to Killian the son of Jeremiah, who was succeeded by his son Stephen, 
whose eldest son Stephen became the seventh patroon, or lord of the manor, and 
died in 1769, just after the completion of the present manor house in North Broad- 
way. Stephen Van Rensselaer, son of the last named Stephen, was born in New 
York city in 1764, his mother being Catharine, daughter of Philip Livmgston, one 
of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. General Ten Broeck, his uncle, 
had the management of the estate until he attained the age of twenty-one. Mr. 
Van Rensselaer attended school in Albany, the Kingston Academy, and Princeton 
College in 1782, and in 1783 married Margaret, daughter of Gen. Philip J. Schuyler, 
who died in 1801, leaving a son Stephen. His second wife was a daughter of Judge 
Patterson, of New Jersey, of the U. S. Supreme Court. He was member of assembly 
in 1789, 1808, 1810, and 1816, State senator from 1791 to 1795, lieutenant-governor 
from 1795 to 1801, colonel of State cavalry in the war of 1812, member of Congress 
from 1822 to 1829, chancellor of the university in 1835, and for twenty-two years a 
canal commissioner and for fifteen years president of the board. He died in the 
manor house January 26, 1839. His son Stephen married Harriet Bayard, of New 
York, and died in 1868. Their son Baj'ard, who died in 1859, married Laura, daugh- 
ter of Marcus Tullius Reynolds, who survives him. Both were natives of Albany, 
and the parents of the subject of this sketch. 

Dr. Van Rensselaer, at an early age, was placed in the State Normal School at 
Albany and later in the Albany Academy. In these two institutions he developed a 
deep love for the pursuit of knowledge and won a warm place in the affections of his 
teachers and companions. After leaving the academy he spent three years in a pri- 
vate boarding school in Catskilland six years in St. Paul's School at Concord, N. H., 
where he gave special attention to scientific study, and where he took a yearly testi- 
monial for high standing, two literary prizes, and the school medal, the highest 
honor given by that institution. There he also took an active part in athletics, be- 




HOWARU VAN RtNSSbLAHK, M. D. 



81 

ing president of the Athletic Association and stroke in the successful school crew. 
He was graduated with the degree of Ph. B. from Yale Scientific School in 1881, and 
also spent some time in the Yale Art School, taking a literary prize. At both Yale 
and St. Paul's he made records in walking contests. 

Having completed his literary studies he immediately entered the College of Physi- 
cians and Surgeons of New York City and received the degree of M. D. in 1884. He 
became an assistant in the Chambers Street Hospital and a student in a post-gradu- 
ate medical school, and on competitive examination secured a post as interne in the 
in the New York Hospital, where he remained eighteen months. The years 1887 
and 1888 he spent in Europe, where he studied in the ho.spitals of Berlin, Paris, 
Vienna, Munich, London, Edinburgh, and other cities, and also visited the noted 
art galleries of the Old World. Returning to America in February, 1889, he began 
the active practice of his profession in Albany and was at once appointed visiting 
physician at St. Peter's Hospital and attending physician at the dispensary of the 
Child's Hospital. In the following autumn he became instructor in nervous diseases 
and diseases of the chest at the Albany Medical College, and in December was made 
attending physician to the Hospital for Incurables. In January, 1890, he was elected 
visiting physician to the Home of the Friendless and in June was called as lecturer 
on materia medica at the Medical College. In 1891 he was appointed lecturer on 
diseases of the heart and lungs in the Albany Medical College. In 1893 he was 
chosen editor of the Albany Medical Annals. In 1893 he was elected attending 
physician in the City Hospital, and was also made president of the Country Club. 
In 1894 he was appointed associate professor of materia medica in the Medical Col- 
lege. In 1895 he was elected as State medical examiner for the Civil Service Com- 
mission. In 1896 he was promoted to the associate professorship on thereapeutics, 
and was also made associate professor on general medicine in the Albany Medical 
College. 

Dr. Van Rensselaer, besides visiting and studying abroad, has traveled exten- 
sively on the American continent, and possesses an interesting fund of reminiscence 
and learning. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Albany County Club, 
the Calumet Club of New York, and the Berzelius Society of Yale Scientific School. 



ANTHONY N. BRADY. 

Anthonv N. Brady, who for many years has been prominentlj' identified with 
various gas and electric street railway enterprises of the State, was born, a son of 
Nicholas and Helen (Malone) Brady, in Lille, France, August 22, 1843, and came 
with his mother to this country in 1845, settling in Troy, N. Y., where he received a 
thorough public school education. He first engaged in the tea business in Albany, 
Troy and Cohoes, and subsequently became a contractor in all kinds of work, 
executing among his numerous contracts the stone work of the Hawk street viaduct 
in Albany. 

In 1885 Mr. Brady became interested in the gas business and later in electric 
street railway enterprises, and since then he has been actively and prominently con- 
nected with various large corporations of this character. These enterprises are 



82 

associated with the progress and development of a number of the chief cities of the 
Empire State. He is president of the Municipal Gas Company of Albany, vice- 
president of the Albany and Troy City Railway Companies, and a director in severa 
other gas and electric street railway corporations operating in the States of New 
York, Indiana, Rhode Island and Illinois. He is also a director in the Commercia! 
National Bank of Albany, and served that city for several years as a fire commis- 
sioner, being first appointed by Mayor Nolan. He is a member of the Albany and 
Fort Orange Clubs of Albany and of the Manhattan and New Club, the Downtown 
Association, and the Fifth Avenue Democratic Club of New York city. He has 
never sought public preferment, but has always taken a lively interest in every 
movement affecting the general welfare and advancement. 

Mr. Brady was married in 1866 to Miss Marcia A., daughter of Harmon Myers, of 
Bennington, Vt. They are the parents of six children, and reside in Albany. 



I 



JOHX A. DELEHANTY. 

John A. Delehaxty was born in Albany, N. Y., May 18, 18.5'', and received his 
earlier education in the public schools and Free Academy of his native city. He 
was graduated with honor from Union College in 1877, read law in the oflnce of Hon. 
Simon W. Rosendale, e.\-attorney general, and was admitted to the bar in Septem- 
ber, 1879, when he at once began the active practice of his profession. In 1881 he 
was appointed assistant district attorney of Albany county by District Attorney D. 
Cady Herrick, and held that position until Judge Herrick became corporation coun- 
sel of the city of Albany in May, 1886, when he resigned to accept the appointment 
of assistant corporation counsel under Mr. Herrick. Upon Judge Hernck's elevation 
to the Supreme Court bench on January 1, 1892, Mr. Delehanty succeeded him as 
corporation counsel, and continued in that capacity until May 1, 1894. He was 
appointed corporation counsel January 1, 1896, and is the present incumbent of the 
ofiSce. 

The office of corporation counsel is perhaps the most important and responsible 
position connected with a municipal government, as the incumbent of the office is not 
only required to represent the corporation in all litigation in which it is interested, 
but the relations between the various departments are determined and regulated 
under his advice and direction. The subject of reform in the method of governing 
municipal corporations which is now attracting such widespread attention is a prob- 
lem, to which Mr. Delehanty has devoted much time and study. His experience has 
made him a firm believer in and advocate of the theory that the most businesslike 
administration of city affairs depends upon the concentration of the exclusive power 
of appointment of all subordinate officers in the chief executive, thus imposing 
responsibihty where it rightfully belongs. With this idea in view during his connec- 
tion with the city government he has been instrumental in effecting legislation which 
has entrusted such power in the mayor of Albany to a greater extent perhaps than in 
any other city in the State of New York; in fact it now applies to almost every de- 
partment of the city government. He is also the author of a proposed charter for a 
city government which follows this doctrine to its fullest extent and provides for de- 




JOHN A. DELEHANTY. 



I 




I 



JAMES M. BORTHWICK. 



s:j 

partments each under the management of a single individual instead of boards and 
commissions as now generally administered. Although the measure has not as yet 
become a law, the plan proposed has received favorable comment from students of 
municipal reform, who are of the opinion that it will in a great measure solve this 
much vexed question. The commissions appointed by Governor Morton to report 
uniform charters for cities of the second and third class have reported proposed 
charters, based upon the plan which Mr. Delehanty devised incorporating therein 
many sections of his proposed charter in their entirety without change of language. 

During the administration of the office of corporation counsel by Mr. Delehanty 
the city has been unusually successful in its litigations. His great experience in 
corporation law has been valuable and useful in his private practice, and he has 
been successful in a large number of cases involving intricate points of municipal 
law. 

Mr. Delehanty is a member of the Fort Orange and Albany Clubs, and takes an 
active interest in the welfare of his native city. He was married in 1884 to a daugh- 
ter of the late Hon. Daniel Manning of Albany, and they have two children: Mar- 
garet Manning Delehanty and Raymond Manning Delehanty. 



JAMES M. BORTHWICK. 

James M. Borthwick, son of William D. and Maria (Russell) Borthwick, was born 
on a farm in Broome, Schoharie county, January 29. 1849, was educated in the com- 
mon schools and when seventeen began teaching a district school, ail occupation he 
followed winters until 1874. In 1875 he engaged in mercantile business in Hunters- 
land, N. Y., and continued until the spring of 1877, having for one year Holmes 
Wiltsie as a partner. Selling out he became a clerk for G. B. Russell at Clarksville, 
Albany county, one year and then spent two years on the farm and two years as a 
general merchant at South Berne. 

In 1882 he came to Albany and, forming a partnership with George B. Russell, 
engaged in the grocery, flour and feed business. Five years later he sold out to Mr. 
Russell and went to Coeymans Junction (now Ravena) as a general merchant, being 
also postmaster. In 1890 he sold out to Bentley & Shultes, and for a short time en- 
gaged in real estate operations. Returning to Albany in September, 1890, he became 
proprietor of the Pearl Street House, which he sold in 1891 to John G. Myers. On 
May 1, 1891, he became proprietor of the Kimball House on Washington Avenue, 
which he has since conducted. 

He has always been an active Republican, a delegate to several political conven- 
tions, and in 1895 was elected county clerk of Albany county, over Joslyn Nodine, 
receiving the largest majority (1,032) of any man on the ticket. He is a member of 
Middleburg Lodge No. 663, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 342, R. A. M., 
De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No. 3, K. T., 
Cyprus Temple, N. O. M. S., and the Republican Unconditional Club and was some 
time a member of the Jackson Corps. 

In 1869 he married Charity, daughter of Cook Sisson, of Huntersland, Schoharie 
county, and they have two children : Acton S. and Blanche M. 



84 
JOSIAH G. ROOT. 

JosiAH Goodrich Root, manufacturer, was born in PittsHeld, Mass., May 28. 
1801. He was descended from an old Northamptonshire (England) family. His 
father being a farmer, the boy worked on the farm in the intervals of attendance at 
the town schools. At this period Pittsfield was becoming a home of woolen manu- 
facture, looms for the making of broadcloth having been setup there m 1804. Mr. 
Root entered one of these mills and soon acquiring a practical knowledge of the 
business he started for himself, setting up a small mill for dyeing and finishing 
goods. When wool spinning and weaving were transferred from the homes of the 
people to large establishments, Mr. Root devoted himself to setting up machinery 
and starting mills for other parties. 

In 1833 he was employed to set up the machinery of a new woolen mill at Water- 
vliet, N. Y. , of which he became manager, operating it with success for the next 
three years. This was the nucleus of the e.xtensive establishment of James Roy & 
Co. In 1836 Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany, the patroon, who had been running 
flour mills, desired to engage, instead, in woolen manufacture, and built the Tivoli 
Mills, engaging Mr. Root as manager, a position the latter continued to hold until 
1839, when he became proprietor. For sixteen years thereafter he was well known 
as a woolen manufacturer. Then the city of Albany purchased the control of the 
water of the patroon's creek for the purpose of supplying the city of Albany with 
pure water, and this necessitated the closing of his mills. 

He purchased the hosiery business and machinery of Thomas Fowler, at Cohoes, 
about the same time and became the largest manufacturer of knit underwear in the 
United States. He made many improvements in this manufacture by the introduc- 
tion of new machinery, and about 1859 erected a new and larger building, called the 
Tivoli Knitting Mills, one of the best appointed in the country, and received his 
sons, Andrew J. and Samuel G., into partnership under the firm name of J. G. Root 
& Sons. In 1869 the senior partner retired, the business being thereafter continued 
under the firm name of J. G. Root's Sons. Samuel Gilbert Root, the elder son, was 
born in Pittsfield, Mass., June 26, 1826, and Andrew Josiah Root, the younger, in 
Albany, January 13, 1834. 

The panic of 1857 caused a general stoppage of the cotton and hosiery mills at 
Cohoes, but only for two weeks. In 1874 the firm suffered a loss of nearly §200,000, 
as well as a grave interruption of their business by the complete destruction of their 
mills by fire. This fire occurred when the operatives, about 350 in number, were all 
at work, but fortunately the fire escapes proved entirely adequate, and no employee 
was in any way injured. A new building was immediately erected, called like its 
predecessor, the Tivoli Hosiery Mill. It was built in the most substantial manner, 
provided with every reasonable safeguard in case of fire, and furnished with all the 
improved appliances for heat, light and ventilation. 

January 1, 1875, the concern was reorganized as a corporation under the name of 
the Root Manufacturing Company, with Josiah G. Root president; Andrew J. Root, 
treasurer and general manager; Samuel G. Root, superintendent; George Water- 
man, jr., secretary. New facilities have since been added through the purchase of 
the Mohawk mill. 



So 

The subject of this sketch established, in 1859, the bank which is now the National 
Bank of Cohoes ; he was one of the original directors and afterwards vice-president 
and acting president. He enjoyed in the highest degree the respect of the com- 
munity in which he resided. Josiah G. Root died February 2, 1883. 

In 1881 S. G. Root withdrew and A. J. Root succeeded to the entire business, 
which has since been again enlarged by the addition of another mill to the plant, 
making in all three mills with an annual production of §1,000,000, and giving em- 
ployment to 550 operatives. The Root Manufacturing Company manufactures ex- 
tensively the famous "Tivoli Standard" all wool and merino knit underwear, which 
is unrivalled for quality, finish, durability and uniform excellence, and has no superior 
in the American or European markets. The present officers of the company are 
Andrew J. Root, president and treasurer; Charles H. Douglas, secretary; Charles F. 
Root, superintendent. 



JACOB H. CLUTE. 

Judge Jacob H. Cllte was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, N. Y., 
March 16, 1827, and is descended from Holland Dutch stock. The Clutes are a very 
old Albany county family. Mr. Clute has always been a resident of Albany county ex- 
cept for a period of six months, when he was about nine years of age, during which 
time his parents lived in the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady county. He was born 
on a farm and has always retained his affection for the life of the agriculturist. He 
still has a well kept farm withm a mile of his birthplace where he spends a portion 
of his time. Until he was fourteen years of age he attended the district school of his 
town and then went to Schenectady where he entered the old Schenectad)' Lyceum, 
an advanced grammar school At the age of sixteen he began to teach school and 
study law. 

He early displayed that aptitude for the law which has characterized his whole 
professional career and long before he was old enough to be formally admitted to the 
bar was winning suits in the justices courts. In 1851 he was admitted, and in De- 
cember of that year opened a law office in Blunts building, now the Globe Hotel. 
From that time to the present he has steadily built up a large practice and has won 
for himself an enviable reputation at the Albany county bar. 

In 1863 he received the nomination for county judge and was elected by a flatter- 
ing majority. Four years later, when his term expired, his ability and integrity up- 
on the bench were recognized by his fellow citizens, and he was again elected for 
another term of four years. After his second term expired Judge Clute confined 
himself to the practice of his profession and although numerous nominations were 
within his reach he steadily declined them. He has always been an earnest and re- 
liable adherent to Democracy and has done appreciative service for the party. In 
1889 he was again nominated and elected to be judge of Albany county for a term of 
six years, which term expired in 1895. He has been a familiar figure in various 
National, State and county conventions. 

He has a pleasant city home as well as one in the country. Few men are better 
known or more highly respected. Since his third term as county judge. Judge Clute 
has attended strictly to the practice of his profession in his office in the Tweddle 



building. In April, 1896. he formed a partnership with Robert H. McCormic, jr.^ 
under the firm name of Clute & McCormic. 



RICHARD W. BRASS. 

Richard W. Brass, son of Charles W. and Anna (Bay) Brass, was born in Brook- 
lyn, N.Y. , January 28, 1861. His father, a native of Bremen, Germany, engaged in 
mercantile business in New York city and died in Brooklyn in April, 1863, aged 
forty-si.x. In 1869 his widow moved with the family to Binghamton, N. Y., where 
and in Munich, Germany (where they lived from 1863 to 1868), Richard W. received 
his education. 

Mrs. Anna Brass was a daughter of Dr. John W. Bay and a granddaughter of Dr. 
William Bay, both prominent Albany physicians. His maternal great-great-grand- 
father was Dr. Samuel Stringer, also a noted Albany phj^sician, who was held in 
high repute in the British army and later in the American Revolution. In 1775 Dr. 
Stringer was a member of the Albany Committee of Safety and was subsequently 
appointed by Congress director-general of hospitals in the Northern Department, 
and accompanied the troops to Canada. He was a charter member of Masters 
Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Albany, and its master from 1768 lo 1781, and in 1776 pur- 
chased the site upon which the new Masonic Temple now stands, deeding the prop- 
erty eventually to his lodge. He married Rachel Van Der Heyden, of a prominent 
Albany family. 

John Bay, father of Dr. William, was born in Maryland in 1743, became a lawyer 
and a member of the Albany Committee of Safety in the Revolutionary war, and died 
in Claverack, N. Y., m 1818. Dr. William married Katherine Van Ness. Their son. 
Dr. John W. Bay, married Eliza Treat, a lineal descendant of Robert Treat, the 
loyal defender of the Charter of the Colony of Connecticut when surrender of same 
was demanded by Governor Edmund Andros by direction of King James, and for 
nearly thirty years governor of Connecticut. Her father was Judge Richard S. 
Treat, of Albany, a great-grandson of the colonial governor, and the son of Rev. 
Joseph Treat, born 1734, died 1797, who was commissioned chaplain of Colonel Mal- 
colm's regiment May 6, 1776, being at that time pastor of the First Presbyterian 
church of New York city. 

Richard W. Brass remained in Binghamton until April, 1882, beginning the study 
of the law there with M. J. Keeler. Coming to Albany he completed his legal studies 
with Judge A. B. Voorhees and was admitted at Saratoga in September, 1883. May 
1, 1884, he formed a partnership with Judge Voorhees, which continued for four 
years. Since then he has been associated with E. W. Rankin. 

He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, a member of the Albany 
Camera Club, the Unconditional Club, the Albany Burgesses Corps, and the Wash- 
ington Continentals, and for five years has been a director and treasurer of the Bran- 
dow Printing Co. He was also for several years a trustee of the estate of Catherine 
W. Van Rensselaer under the will of her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Bleecker. He is a 
Republican and at one time was a candidate for justice of the City Court. 

June 2, 1886. he married Harriet C, daughter of Jacob Neville, a merchant of Mid- 
dleburg, N. Y., and they have had four children: Harold Neville, Gertrude Stringer, 
(deceased), Janet Elizabeth, and Karl Van Ness. 




RICHAl^L) W. BRASS. 



I 




I 



NATHAMhL H. SPALUI\(J 



NATHANIEL B. SPALDING. 

Nathaniel B. SrALUixc is of English descent, the first of that name, Edward 
i^palding, having come to this country about the year 1620 from Lmcolnshire, Eng- 
land, and settled in Braintree, Mass. 

The name it is said received its derivation from " Spall" English meaning shoul- 
der; and "ding" to strike. It is supposed the name originated in the middle ages 
when battles were fought hand to hand, and the two handed sword found in the coat 
of arms of the name, seems to strengthen this view. 

The subject of this sketch is of the eighth generation descended from said Ed- 
ward Spalding, and was born in Saratoga, N. Y. , in 1863, the youngest son of the Rev. 
N. G. Spalding, a prominent clergyman of that place. His mother was Miss Harriet 
Dorr, daughter of the late Dr. Russell Dorr of Chatham, a collateral relative of 
Thomas W. Dorr, the champion and fearless leader of the movement known in his- 
tory as the "Dorr Rebellion," which so called rebellion asserted and finally estab- 
lished the principle that manhood and not property was the proper and essential 
basis upon which should rest the right of suffrage, in the Commonwealth of Rhode 
Island. Mr. Spalding is a brother of Dorr Spalding, now deceased, Harriet Mabel 
Spalding and Dr. Warren Clyde Spalding of New York city, During his childhood 
the family removed to a suburb of Albany, N. Y., and at the age of fourteen he en- 
tered the Albany Boys' Academy, where he remained several years, later joining 
the senior class of the Union Classical Institute at Schenectady, N. Y., from which 
he was graduated in 1881. He entered Union College the same year becoming a 
member of the class of 1885 and taking the classical course. 

Finding it impossible to expend the time necessary to complete an academic course 
he subsequently withdrew from his class and entered upon the studv of law in con- 
nection with teaching, completing his studies at the Albany Law School, from which 
he was graduated in 1884, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. 

In the following year he began the practice of law at Albany where he has since 
resided and devoted his time strictly to his chosen profession. 

In 1891 he married Miss Matilda Garretson Galbraith, daughter of Judge Thomas 
J. Galbraith, an able and distinguished lawyer of the West, whose decisions on the 
many intricate questions affecting mines and water rights have been widely quoted. 

In 1892 Mr. Spalding was admitted to practice in the Federal Courts, thus prepar- 
ing himself for more varied fields of professional activity. 

He is an active member of the New York State Bar Association and has member- 
ship in several local and out of town clubs, societies and alumni organizations. He 
is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. 

Mr. Spalding is a polished and forceful speaker. His addresses upon public occa- 
sions have been highly commended and have gained for him a place among the 
gifted and eloquent young orators of the city. 

In politics he has always been a staunch and unswerving Democrat, having held 
active membership in the Young Men's Democratic Ckib and other political societies. 

Mr. Spalding has never been a candidate for office though always taking a keen 
interest in politics. During President Cleveland's first administration he was 
appointed to an office under the Treasury Department, but was unable to accept 



8S 

it as it necessitated his removal from Albany and the abandonment of his profess- 
ional interests, which were already growing large. He has devoted himself un- 
tiringly to his profession and has gained a wide reputation in the department of 
practice to which he has mainlj^ devoted his energies. Among the notable matters 
with which he has been professionally identified was the claim of the United States 
against the government of Venezuela, which came before the International Court 
organized at Washington in 1894 by which an award of over half a million was ren- 
ered the following year in favor of the American claimants. 

In 1895 Mr. Spalding formed a partnership in the practice of law with Mr. S. J. 
Daring, which has since continued under the firm name of Spalding & Daring. 



EDWARD De L. PALMER. 

Edward De L. Palmer, son of Amos P. and Hannah B. (Crafts) Palmer, was born 
in Newtonville, Albany county, March 19, 1848. Amos P. Palmer, born m Otsego 
county in 1820, came to Albany county about 1837, was for many years a fire brick 
manufacturer and later a banker, and died in 1894. 

Edward De L. Palmer received his education mainly at Newtonville under the 
father of the late President Chester A. Arthur. For eight years he was associated with 
his father's firm in the manufacture of fire biick; later he was for nine years chief 
clerk and private secretary to James W. Eaton during Mr Eaton's incumbency as 
superintendent of construction of the new Capitol ; and for two years thereafter he 
was a member of the firm of J. W. Eaton & Co., contractors and real estate dealers. 
When Mr. Eaton began to withdraw from active business, Mr. Palmer assumed the 
real estate department and is now one of the leading real estate operators in the city. 
He is a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution, treasurer of St. Peter's Epis- 
copal church and a member of the Fort Orange club. 

In 1876 he married Sarah, daughter of Gad B. Worthington, of Batavia, N.Y., and 
they have three children: Worthington, Florence and De Lancey. 



GARRET A. VAN ALLEN. 

Garret Adam Van Allen, fire underwriter and financier, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., February 28, 1835, the oldest son of Adam Van Allen, a wholesale lumber 
merchant and banker of that city. The Van Aliens are of Dutch descent, their an- 
cestors having resided in Albany county for fully two centuries. Garret A. Van 
Allen was educated in the Albany Academy. After some experience as bank clerk, 
he, from 1857 to 1860, occupied the position of deputy county treasurer of Albany 
county. In 1859 he became prominently identified with the organization of the Com- 
merce Insurance Company, of which he was .secretary from 1859 to 1867, when he 
became vice-president, which office he held until 1884, when he succeeded his father 
as president. Fire underwriting may, therefore, be said to have been Mr. Van 
Allen's life business, and in that profession he passed through various experiences. 



I 



89 

such as the Chicago (1871) and Boston (1873) conflagrations, in which the Commerce 
Insurance Company paid over $500,000 in losses. In that connection he has also 
been prominently identified with the National Board of Fire Underwriters, holding 
positions in its executive committee and being chairman of its Incendiarism and 
Arson Committee for several years. In 1864, becoming impressed with the value 
and importance of the national banking system, Mr. Van Allen so urged its advan- 
tages apon the gentlemen with whom he was associated in the Commerce Insurance 
Company, that, with four of them, he became one of the five incorporators and first 
directors of the First National Bank of Albany. He has been a director of that in- 
stitution since 1864; vice-president from 1876 to 1884; and in September of th,e latter 
year succeeded his father as president. Mr. Van Allen has been a prominent mem 
ber of the American Bankers' Association ; was vice-president for New York State in 
1889-1891 ; and was elected a member of its executive council at New Orleans, La., 
in November, 1891, for three years. He is vice-president of the National Savings 
Bank of Albany, treasurer of the Capital City Malleable Iron Company, and has also 
been identified with a number of important business enterprises; and is a member 
of the Holland Society, Fort Orange Club, and Albany Institute. Mr. Van Allen 
was married on September 6, 1860, to Elizabeth Morgan Barker, of Newport, R. 1. 
They have one daughter, Mrs. Anna V. A. Jenison, whose husband is secretary of 
the "Commerce" and associated with Mr. Van Allen in other business enterprises. 
In politics he has always been a Republican, and has held elective oflSces twice, be- 
ing fire commissioner from 1874 to 1878, and alderman from 1888 to 1892. 



JOHN C. SANDFORD. 

John C. S.ampi-mru is the owner and originator of the Fashion Knitting Mills of 
Cohoes. He established that industry after having been burned out of the- dry 
goods business, which he had conducted there for some years. He was educated in 
the common schools of Passaic county, N. J. , where he was born in 1841. He acquired 
the blacksmith's trade and came here in 1870, engagingin thecarriage-makingindustry 
for seven years. Later he entered the insurance and real estate business, then the 
paper box manufacture, operating box shops at Cohoes, Troy and Amsterdam. He 
was at one time president of the Adams Steamer Company, also a member of the 
Taxpayers' Committee. In 1884 Mr. Sandford declared allegiance to the Prohibi- 
tion party, was boycotted by the Republicans, and being independent he advertised 
boycotted goods for sale. He was a member of the M. E. church about forty years, 
but withdrew from it after election in 1896, because the bishops voted a license ticket 
and for a man for president that leased property for a saloon. 



THEODORE TOWNSEND. 

Thkiidokk Tou.NsKNii was born in Albany, October 9, 18'26. His father, John 
rownsend, came here from Orange county, N. V., early in the present century and 



90 

became a business partner with his elder brother, Isaiah, who had previously ar- 
rived. The partnership thus formed continued for more than thirty years, until the 
death of the latter. During all of this time the brothers lived from a common purse, 
supporting large families, acquinng a common fortune and both attaining high and 
honorable positions in the community. John Townsend married a daughter of Am- 
brose Spencer, long chief justice of the Supreme Court of New York. She was a 
noble Christian woman, beloved by her family and all who knew her. 

Theodore Townsend was educated at the Albany Academy, the Poughkeepsie 
Collegiate School and Union College. In the spring of 1846 he engaged in the 
foundry and iron business with his cousins, Franklin and Frederick Townsend, suc- 
ceeding to the establishment which had been started and long carried on by their 
fathers. Frederick withdrew the same year, but Franklin and Theodore continued 
partners for ten years, when the latter retired to enter into partnership with Lewis 
Rathbone and Joseph P. Sanford, in the manufacture of stoves. He remained in 
this business until September, 1863, when he was appointed by President Lincoln 
United States collector of internal revenue for the counties of Albany and Scho- 
harie which office he held until December, 1869. 

On several occasions he was invited by the authorities at Washington to consult 
with them, and was complimented by them for the able and business-like manner 
in which his duties were discharged, and which gave to his district the reputation of 
being with one other the model one among 200 or more in the United States. As 
Mr. Townsend was not a politician he finally resigned, an act which was greatly 
regretted. He had collected and paid over §20,000,000. During a part of his 
term he was also receiver of commutation money for drafted men and in this capacity 
more than half a million dollars passed through his hands. Being the father of four 
motherless children, he sent a substitute to the Union army. 

In January, 1870, he became connected with the Albany Insurance Company, the 
second in age in this State, being incorporated in 1811, the firm of I. & J. Townsend 
having been the first subscribers to its stock, the former being president for over a 
quarter of a century and the latter vice president and president many years. During 
his active management he maintained the high reputation and integrity which the 
company has always enjoyed. He resigned as manager in 1882 and is now vice- 
president. 

In 1882 he was elected treasurer of the Albany Savings Bank, also the second 
oldest of its kind m the State, having been chartered in 1820, his father being one 
of the original incorporators as a vice-president. He still holds this responsible 
position. 

December 18, 1851, he married Miss Louisa Mickle, daughter of Hon. Andrew H. 
Mickle, formerly mayor of New York. She died August 3, 1862, and June 15, 1865, he 
married Miss Mary Lathrop Sprague, daughter of the Rev. Dr. William B. Sprague, 
for forty years the distinguished minister of the Second Presbyterian church of 
Albany. Mr. Townsend has had four children, of whom the eldest married in 1889 
Winthrop Scudder, of Brookline, Mass. She died in 1890. Two daughters still 
reside with their father. His son, John Townsend, of St. Paul, Minn., married Miss 
Mary Learned Cook, daughter of the late James C. Cook. Mr. Townsend was an 
alderman in 1853 and 1854, was president of the Young Men's Association in 1852, 
and is now a warden of St. Peter's church. 




I 



THOMAS SLAVIN. 



91 

FREDERICK J. H. MERRILL. 

Fkeukrick James Hamilton Merrill was born in New York city, April 30, 1861. 
His early education was received at Charlier Institute and other schools. In Octo- 
ber, 1880, he entered the School of Arts at Columbia College and in October, 1882, 
he entered the School of Mines at the same college. In June, 1885, he was grad- 
uated with the degree of Ph. B. From 1885 to 1887 Mr. Merrill was assistant 
on the geological survey of New Jersey, and from 1886 to 1890 he was fellow in 
geology at Columbia College. In June, 1890, he received the degree of Doctor of 
Philosophy, and the summer of that year was spent in visiting the principal natural 
history museums of Europe. He was assistant state geologist of New York from 
October, 1890, to June. 1893. In December, 1890, he was appointed assistant director 
of the New York State Museum during 1892 and 1893, and was director of the Scien- 
tific Exhibit of the State of New York at the World's Columbian Exposition. In 
June, 1894, Dr. Merrill was appointed director of the New York State Museum. He 
is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a fellow 
of the Geological Society of America, a fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences, 
and IS a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, the American 
Society of Naturalists, the National Geographic Society, and of the Brooklyn Institute. 
Dr. Merrill has published many important articles in leading scientific journals in 
connection with his profession, and several bulletins of the New York State Museum 
on the subject of the Mineral Resources of this State. In 1887 he married Miss 
Winifred Edgerton, of New York city, and they have two children: Louise Edgerton 
and Hamilton. 



THOMAS SLAVIN. 

Thomas Si.avin, though a native of Waterford, N. Y., where he was born Octo- 
ber 20, 1833, has been a lifelong resident of Cohoes. His reminiscences of the 
place in its infancy are very interesting, and he is regarded as a personal land- 
mark and a compendium of data concerning the early times. His testimony is re- 
garded as unimpeachable in cases involving boundaries and conditions of half a cen- 
tury ago. Here has been the scene of his early struggles in business life, for Mr. 
Slavin is a self-made man ; being one of seventeen children he early assumed the 
responsibility of earning a livelihood. 

He was the eldest son of Michael Slavin, a man well known in both counties, and 
whose home was ever a haven to the hungry or weary traveler — of whom there were 
many in those early days. Father and son did teaming for the large flour mills 
which then flourished in this vicinity. In 1865 he established a coal business, and 
in 1869 removed to No. 135 Saratoga street, where he still conducts, together with 
his son, Thomas Slavin, jr., the most succes.sfu! coal and grain business in the city. 
His eldest son, Charles J. Slavin, he established in the coal business on Lansing 
street some ten years ago. 

In 1859 Mr. Slavin married Elizabeth Brennan, of Troy. Of this union five chil- 
dren survive: Charles J., Thomas, jr., Mary, Helen and Sara. Mr. Slavin's aim 



has been not to amass a fortune, but to aid his fellow-men in and beyond Cohoes, 
where his name is associated with every movement for the welfare of the people, 
city and dear old Albany county. 



LOUIS STERN. 

Lolls Stkkn was born in Germany on the 22d of February, 1847. and came to 
America with his parents, M. A. and S. Stern, in 1854. The family iirst located in 
New York city, but in 1855 removed to Albany, where the father was engaged in 
the jewelry business until his death in 1866. Mr. Stern received a thorough educa- 
tion in the public schools of the capital city and at the Albany State Normal School, 
and when fourteen became a clerk in a large dry goods store in Petersburg, Va., 
where he remained until 1863. He then went to Memphis, Tenn., and later to Mobile, 
Ala., being engaged in the dry goods trade in those cities. 

In 1867 he removed to New York city, and with his brother Isaac, under the firm 
name of Stern Brothers, established a dry goods business on Sixth avenue, between 
22d and 23d streets. This enterprise, founded in a modest way and being confined 
strictly to the dry goods trade, formed the nucleus to the firm's present establish- 
ment, which was moved to the site it now occupies on 23d street, between Fifth and 
Sixth avenues, in 1878. The firm now consists of three brothers, Louis, Isaac, and 
Benjamin, the latter being admitted in 1886. Another brother, Bernhard, was also 
a partner for several years prior to his death in 1888. 

Mr. Stern, in co-operation with his brothers, has built up one of the largest and most 
successful dry goods establishments in New York, and from the first has confined it 
strictly to the retail dry goods and upholstery trade. The name of Stern Brothers 
has a wide reputation throughout the United States. They employ nearly 2,000 
people, and carry an extensive line of high class imported and domestic goods, and are 
noted for fairness and reliability in all business transactions. Mr. Stern is an active 
Republican in politics, taking a keen interest in the welfare of his party, and is a 
member and the third vice-president of the Republican Club of New York. He is a 
director of the Bank of New Amsterdam of New Yorkcity, a member of the Chamber 
of Commerce, New York Geographical Society, and first vice-president of the Albanv 
Society of New York, an organization to which many former Albanians belong, and 
which ably fosters their interest in the capital city though engaged in business in the 
metropolis. Besides these he is prominently identified with several other social, civil 
and commercial in.stitutions, and as a citizen is public spirited, liberal, and enter- 
prising. 



WILLIAM C. VAN ALSTYNE. 

Wim.i.amC. \'.-\n Alsjvne, son of Thomas W. and Sarah E. (Pease) Van Alstyne, 
was born in Albany, N. Y., December 7, 1846. He is a lineal descendant of Henry 
Van Alstyne who was knighted by Otho II, emperor of Germany, and who assisted 




LOUIS STERN. 



;il the coronation of Otho III, by Pope Gregory V, in A. D. fl8:5, and whom he 
served in the wars against Henry III of France. Henry remained in Flanders and 
his descendants have lived in Belgium and Holland to the present time. A branch 
became Protestants, represented in this country first by John Martense Van Alstyne, 
who left Gand (Ghent), Belgium, in 1030 and finally settled the village of Ghent, near 
Kinderhook, Columbia county. One of Mr. Van Alstyne's ancestors was the first 
president of the Board of Trustees of the village of Kinderhook, and atousin of his 
now (1896) occupies the same position. The original grant in heraldry was by Otho 
II, and a regrant was published by Marie Therese, empress of Austria, January 17, 
1771. The father of the subject of this sketch, Thomas W. Van Alstyne. wasamer- 
ohant and sheriiT of Albany county from 1858 to 1861. 

William C. Van Alstyne was educated at the State Normal School at Albany and 
graduated from the Albany Academy in 1864. He was assistant treasurer of the 
Albany and Susquehanna Railroad, and was for a time iu the employ in a similar 
capacity of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company's Railroad. In 1872 he moved 
to Chicago to accept an official position with the Michigan Central Railroad ; in 1880 
he was obliged to return east on account of illness, and he accepted the position of 
general manager of the Lebanon Springs Railroad, which position he resigned in 
1880. Since then he has been engaged in the manufacturing business as secretary 
and manager of the Standard Emery Wheel Company. Mr. Van Alstyne is also a 
dealer in emery and kindred supplies. 

He is a member of the Holland Society of New York, the Camera Club of Albany, 
Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Beaverwyck Lodge No. 361, I. O. O. F., the Albany 
Institute, and of the Emmanuel Baptist church of Albany. In 18C9 he married Mary 
Warren Carter, of Albany. 



JAMES NEWTON FIERO. 

James Newton Fiero, dean of the Albany Law School, was born May 'iS, 1847, in 
Saugerties-on-the Hudson, Ulster county. He is the son of the late Christopher 
Fiero, who in 1853 organized the 30th N. Y. Militia, which was known during the 
Rebellion as the 18th N. Y. Vols., and under Col. George W Pratt achieved a most 
honorable career at the front. Christopher Fiero was colonel of this regiment from 
its organization until his retirement in 1858. J. Newton Fiero's paternal grandfather 
was Ur. Abraham Fiero, a noted physician. His paternal grandmother, Elizabeth 
Gillespy. was of Scotch descent. His maternal grandparents were of Holland stock, 
descendants of the Van Schaicks and Van Slykes. The name Fiero is probably of 
Spanish origin, from settlers in Holland at the time of the Spanish conquest. The 
first record of the name in Ulster county is attached to an old document during the 
early days of the Revolution, protesting against the arbitrary action of the British 
toward our people for the maintenance of their rights as American citizens. J. New- 
ton Fiero after attending the district school, entered the Delaware Academy at 
Delhi, then under Prof. John L. Sawyer. He subsequently became a student in the 
Cherry Valley Academy and for a brief period was a member of Rutgers College, 
but in January, 1865, entered the so])hmore class of Union College at Schenectady. 



94 

from which he graduated with honors in 1867. Mr. Fiero studied law with Hon. 
William Murray, of Delhi, a distinguished justice of the Supreme Court. In May, 
18T9, he was admitted to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme Court at 
Binghamton. After remaining in the office of his preceptor a few months he re- 
turned to his native village and began a successful legal practice. In January, 1872, 
he went to Kingston and formed a partnership with Reuben Bund, remaining at 
Kingston ui5til 1891, when he removed to Albany and entered into partnership with 
Gen. Amasa J. Parker taking the place of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker in the 
firm. In 1887 Mr. Fiero published his first law book, treating of " Special Proceed- 
ings in the State of New York" and followed it in 1888 by "Special Actions." These 
books are now standard works upon the subjects treated, a new edition of the 
latter having been published early in 1897. He was chairman of a committee to 
draft an act to facilitate the business of the courts of this State. At a recent meeting 
of the American Bar Association he was appointed chairman of a committee to 
investigate into the e.xpediency of a scheme for uniformity in legal reporting and to 
recommend a remedy for existing difficulties. He is now chairman of a special 
committee of that association on Uniformity of Procedure. Mr. Fiero has won a 
wide and enviable reputation in his persistent efforts in the law reforms in our courts 
of justice. In January, 1891, he was retained by Messrs. Knevals, Co.\ and Basselin, 
forest commissioners, as leading counsel in the investigation ordered by the Assem- 
bly as to the management of the forests, which resulted in the complete exoneration 
of the commissioners; he was also counsel for the commission in matters relating to 
the Catskills. Mr. Fiero has been a member of the faculty of the Albany Law 
School for several years, lecturing upon practice and pleading, and in 1895 was 
elected dean of the institution. In 1892 he was elected president of the New York 
State Bar Association and was re-elected in 1893. He was chairman of the commit- 
tee on law reform, succeeding David Dudley Field. In politics he has always been 
a pronounced Republican. He began stump speaking in the Grant-Seymour canvass 
in 1868 and has been in every important campaign since. He was for many years 
a leading member of the Ulster County Republican Committee, and for a considera- 
ble period its chairman. He is a member of the Fort Oiange Club and the Univer- 
sity Club of New York city. In 1870 he married Miss Jennie Sands McCall of Delhi, 
and they have three children: Maude Goodrich, Cliflford B., and Harriette A. 



WILLIAM J. WALLACE. 

Hon. WiLLL-iM James Wallace, judge of the United States Circuit Court for the 
Second Judicial District since April, 1882, is a .son of E. Fuller and Lydia (Wheel- 
wright) Wallace, early settlers of Syracuse, N. Y., and was born there April 14, 1838. 
He was prepared for college with the view of entering Dartmouth, from which his 
father was graduated, but having decided up<m the law, pursued a course of general 
studies in lieu and having special reference to that profession under Hon. Thomas 
Barlow, of Canastota. Subsequently he entered the law department of Hamilton 
College, of which Prof. Theodore W. Dwight was then the preceptor and was gradu- 
ated and took his degree from that institution in ISoS. On the day he became 



twenty-one years of age, Judge Wallace commenced the practice of his profession in 
Syracuse in copartnership with Hon. William Porter. Later he was associated with 
Levi W. Hall, Hon. William C. Ruger and Edwin S. Jenney. In 1873 he was elected 
mayor of vSyracuse on the Republican ticket. In March, 1874, President Grant ap- 
pointed him a judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of 
New York to succeed Hon. Nathaniel K. Hall. In April, 1883, Judge Wallace was 
appointed by President Chester A. Arthur judge of the United States Circuit Court 
for the Second Judicial District, comprising the States of New York, Vermont and 
Connecticut, which e.xalted office he still holds. Judge Wallace has exercised the 
duties of his judicial positions with great dignity, honor and credit. In 1876 Hamil- 
ton College conferred upon him the degree of LL. D., and in 1883 Syracuse Univer- 
sity presented him with a similar honor. Judge Wallace married, first. Miss Joseph- 
ine Robbms, of Brooklyn, N. Y., who died in 1874, and in 1878 he married Alice 
Heyward Wheelwright, of New York city. Judge Wallace and his family have re- 
sided in Albany since 1893. 



WILLIAM L. LEARNED, LL.D. 

Hon. Willi,\m L. Learned, LL.D., eminent lawyer and jurist, was born at New 
London, Conn., July 24, 1821, of English ancestry. His father was a lawyer and finan- 
cier of great abilit\'. When sixteen years of age. Judge Learned entered Yale Col- 
lege, graduating four yea.TS later with high honors. He was noted as a fine classi- 
cal scholar, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. He was admitted to 
practice at Rochester, N. Y., in 1844 settled in Albany, and during the earlier years 
of his professional practice was associated with Gilbert L. Wilson and James C. Cook. 
In 1870 he was appointed justice of the Supreme Court and was later elected to that 
office for a term of fourteen years. At the end of that term he was re-elected. He 
was appointed presiding justice of the General Term in 1875, and held that office till 
disqualified by age. In 1874 he was made a member of the faculty of the Albany 
Law School and was for years the honored president of that body. His opinions as 
presiding justice of the Supreme Court evince great vigor and acumen. In 1878 he 
was accorded the degree of LL.D. by his Alma Mater. 



ALDEN CHE.STER. 

Ho.N. Allien Chester, youngest son of Alden Chester (born in New London, 
Conn., May 26, 1803, died in Westford, N. Y., March 4, 18.57). was born in Westford, 
Otsego county, September 4, 1848, and descends from Capt. Samuel Chester, who 
came from England to Boston and settled in New London in 1633. Judge Chester's 
mother. Susan G. Draper, descended from James Draper, who came from England 
to Roxbury, Mass., about 1643. 

Judge Chester vi-as educated at the Westford Literary Institute, taught therein and 
became clerk in a store in his native village. When eighteen he was made telegraph 



operator on the old Albany aud Susquehauna Railroad. He graduateil from Columbia 
College Law School in 1871, was admitted in May of that year and came to Albany, 
where he formed a law partnership with his cousin, Andrew S. Draper. From 1876 to 
1883 Hon. William S. Paddock was a member of the firm, under the name of Paddock, 
Draper & Chester; since 1887 Judge Chester has practiced alone. In 1874 and 1876 
he was deputy clerk of the Assembly; for several years he was a member and secre- 
tary of the Republican General Committee of Albany county; has been a member 
and president of the Board of Public Instruction, and was appointed assistant United 
States attorney for the Northern District of New York in 1882; resigned in 1885; was 
appointed by Governor Morton in 1895 member of the commission to prepare a uni- 
form charter for cities of the second class, and in November of the same year he was 
elected justice of the Supreme Court for the term of fourteen years. 



RT. REV. THOMAS BURKE. 

Rt. Ri;\. Tiio.M.vs BiRKK, M. A., was born m IS4(), and is the son of the late Dr. 
Ulric Burke, of Utica, N. Y. He was educated in the school and academy under the 
charge of the Christian Brothers in Utica, later in the college of St. Michael at 
Toronto, and entered St. Charles College, Maryland, in 1856. Cardinal Gibbons, 
Archbishop Kain of St. Louis, and the rector of the Catholic University of Washing- 
ton, Bishop Keane, were students at the latter institution during Bishop Burke's 
term. Upon graduating from St. Charles, Bishop Burke entered St. Mary's Semi- 
nary, Baltimore, Md., where he was ordained on June 30, 1864. which conferred on 
him the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Theology. 

He came at once to Albany and remained about two months with Cardinal Mc- 
Closkey at the Episcopal residence, and was appointed as assistant at St. Johns 
church, Albany, on Se]>tember4, 1864. He remained at St. John's until April 4, 1865, 
when he was transferred to the assistant pastorate of St. Joseph's church. In 1874 
he was appointed pastor of that church, which pastorate he held until appointed 
bishop of Albany in 1894. 

In 1884 Father Burke was appointed theologian by the Most Rev. Apostolic Dele- 
gate in the Third Plenary Council at Baltimore, in which he distinguished himself 
by his eloquence and learning. 

The ceremony of his consecration took place on Sunday, July 1, 1894, at the 
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and was a most notable event. His Grace 
the Most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan of New York was the consecrator, and the assist- 
ing consecrating prelates were Rt. Rev. Bishop McQuade of Rochester, and Rt. Rev. 
Bishop Ludden of Syracuse. The ceremony on the occasion was one of the grand- 
est and most solemn that ever took place in this country. 

In 1871, while at St. Joseph's, he was instrumental in having erected for school 
accommodations for boys the commodious structure situated on the corner of North 
Pearl and Colonic streets. It was largely through Bishop Burke's effort that the 
Hawk street viaduct was erected. 

Bishop Burke is a scholar, a forcible preacher, and an authority in theological law. 
He spent the summers of 1871 and 1889 in Rome. In 1890 he was made a Knight of 



97 

the Holy Sepulchre by authority of Pope Leo. Immediately after his consecration 
as bishop he was made a Knight of the Grand Cross of Jerusalem. In 1887 he was 
appointed vicar-general of the diocese of Albany. 

As an educator Bishop Burke has a remarkable record, particularly in the estab- 
lishment of flourishing schools, which include St. Joseph's Male and Female Acad- 
emy, which has a well-deserved and wide reputation for excellence. 



LEVI P. MORTON 

Hon. Levi P.^rsons Morton was born in Shoreham, Vt., May 16, 1824. Mr. 
Morton is a son of Rev. Daniel O. Morton, a Congregational minister, and is de- 
scended from George Morton, who came to America from England in the ship Ann 
in 1623. Mr. Morton's mother was Lucretia Parsons, whose father and grandfather 
were both clergymen, and he was named after her brother, who was the first Ameri- 
can missionary to Palestine. Owing to the small salary paid Mr. Morton's father, 
only the elder son had a college education, Levi Parsons having to content himself 
with a common school education. 

When Mr. Morton was about eight years old the family removed to Springfield, 
Vt., and four or five years later to Winchendon, Mass., where he first earned money 
l)y rmging the bell of the church m the town in which his father preached. At the 
age of fifteen he was employed in the country store of Ezra Casey at Enfield, Mass., 
where he r.emained two years. Then he taught a countr\- school. When seventeen 
he entered the store of W. W. Esterbrook at Concord, N. H. In 1842 he was 
made manager of a branch store at Hanover, the seat of Dartmouth College Two 
years later he was given an interest in the store. For six years Mr. Morton re- 
mained in Hanover, each year gaining in experience and knowledge. Mr. Ester- 
brook was forced to suspend shortly after Mr. Morton became a partner, and J. M. 
Heebe, of New York, the chief creditor, assumed charge and was so much pleased 
with Mr. Morton that he gave him his support. 

In 1849 Mr. Morton went to Boston, where, as a partner of Mr. Beebe he carried 
on the dry goods business under the firm name of Beebe, Morgan & Co. In 1854 he 
removed to New York and founded the dry goods house of Morton, Grinnell & Co. 
Mr. Morton's partner in the firm of Morton & Grinnell was the son of Hon. George 
Grinnell, a member of Congress from Massachusetts. The later failure of the firm 
was largely due to the repudiation of Southern paper in 1861. 

Near the close of 1863 Mr. Morton became a banker, the firm name being L. P. 
Morton & Co. One of the members of the firm, Charles VV. McCune, withdrew in 
1863. In 1868 George Bliss became a member of the firm, the name being changed 
to Morton, Bliss & Co. The .same year a joint banking house was formed in Lon- 
don, that of Morton, Rose & Co., the leading partner being Sir John Ro.se, late 
finance minister of Canada. It was through the efforts of these two houses that a 
syndicate was formed to assist the United States in resuming specie payments, and 
by their floating five per cent, bonds, it is estimated they saved the government $70,- 
00(1,000. Mr. Morton's firms also exerted an influence in bringing about the removal 



98 

of the ill feeling between Great Britain and the United States by settling the Ala- 
bama claims satisfactorily. 

In 187S Mr. Morton was elected to Congress and his influence in financial matters 
was very great. In 1880 President Garfield appointed him minister to France. Mr. 
Morton hammered the first nail in the construction of the Statue of Liberty and de- 
livered a speech on June 15, 1884, accepting the statue on behalf of the American 
government. The commercial relations between France and the United States ran 
smoothly during Mr. Morton's term. June 25 1888, Mr. Morton was nominated for 
vice-president on the Republican ticket and was elected the following November. 
After his term as vice-pre.sident Mr. Morton traveled and returned in the summer 
of 1894. September 18, 1894, Mr. Morton was nominated for governor upon the 
first ballot of the Republican State Convention at Saratoga, and was elected the fol- 
lowing November. 

Mr. Morton has been twice married. His first wife was Lucy Kimball, and they 
had no children. In 1875 Mr. Morton married the daughter of William J. Street, 
and they have five children, all girls. Mrs. Morton has been of great help to her 
hu.sband during his political career and her sweet smile and cordial manner are 
lovingly remembered by all who have met her. 



JAMES BARCLAY' JERMAIN. 

The name uf this venerable Albanian will long be cherished as that of a truly 
noble philanthropist. Modestly regarding himself as but a custodian of great wealth, 
he has dispensed his charities with a liberal hand, yet wisely. He is the son of Syl- 
vanus Pierson and Catherine (Barclay) Jermain, and is descended from a long line 
of English and Scotch ancestry. He was born in Albany, Augu.st 13. 1809. His 
father settled in Albany at the beginning of the present century, and for many 
years was a commission merchant in that city, gradually accumulating a large prop- 
erty. 

Deprived of his mother's care by her death in 1816, James became the protege of 
his uncle, the Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime, by whom he was prepared for college. He 
entered Middlebury College m 1824, subsequently attended Yale, which he was 
obliged to leave on account of ill health, and later entered Amherst, from which he 
was graduated in 1831. Soon after leaving college he began the study of law, and in 
1836 was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. 

In 1843 he married Miss Catherine Ann Rice, of Cambridge, Wa.shington county, 
N.Y. She bore him five children, of whom three daughters are now living. Mrs. 
Jermain died in 1873. 

Upon the death of his father in 1869 a large inheritance came into Mr. Jermain's 
possession and to his wise dispensation ; to this duty he brought a cultured mind m 
its matured strength and a noble heart. For the cause of practical Christianity, as 
well as for a family memorial, he erected at Watervliet the Jermain Memorial 
church, a structure of grace and beauty and an enduring monument. Bereft 
of an only son, a young man of great promise, in 1883 he ei.dowed as a memorial 
the B#-clay Jermain professorship in Williams College, his alma mater. Mr. Jermain's 



99 

local benefactions have been many and munificent. One of the most admirable of 
them is the Home for Aged Men on the Troy road, of which institution he has been 
the chief founder and patron. The magnificent Y. M. C. A. building in Albany will 
long and fittingly commemorate the almost princely generosity of its founder. The 
Fairview Home for Friendless Children owes its existence and continued usefulness 
mainly to Mr. Jermain. It is beautifully situated on the hill above Watervliet, and 
iK designed to shelter one hundred children. 

It is hoped that years may yet be granted to a life so marked by unostentatious 
philanthropy, and by the promotion of practical Christianity and the best interests 
of humanity. 

In 1892 Williams College conferred upon Mr. Jermain the degree of LL.l). 



HERMAN BENDELL, M. D. 

Dr. Hf.rm.hn Bendei.l is a son of Fdward and Hannah- (Stern) Bendell, both na- 
tives of Bavaria, Germany, and was born in Albany, N. Y., October 28, 1843. His 
lather, who was born in 1809, came to this country in 1838, and died in 1891. His 
mother still survives. Dr. Bendell received his rudimentary education in the public 
and select schools of his native city. He read medicine with Dr. Joseph Lewi 
(whose sketch appears in this volume) and at the Albany Medical College, which he 
Jeft May 38, 1861, to enter the United States service as hospital steward of the 39th 
N. Y. Vols. On September 1 of that year he was appointed acting assistant sur- 
geon in the United States army. Returning to Albany early in the winter of 1862, 
he received in December the degree of M. D. from the Albany Medical College, and 
almost immediately rejoined his regiment at the front. On February 24, 1863, he 
was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 6th N. V. Heavy Artillery, and on Janu- 
ary 3, 1864, he became surgeon of the 86th N. Y. Vet. Vols., in which capacity he 
served until the close of the war. On May 18, 1866, he was brevetted lieutenant- 
colonel of New York Volunteers for faithful and meritorious services. 

Dr. Bendell served in the field with his regiments, participated in nearly all the 
battles fought by the Army of the Potomac, and during the last campaign of that 
victorious army was in charge of its depot field hospital. He was also present at 
Lee's surrender at Appomattox, and thus closed a brilliant military record extending 
over a period of four years. After the close of the Rebellion he entered upon the 
active practice of his profession in Albany, where he continued successfully until 
1869, when he was appointed by President Grant as superintendent of Indian affairs 
for the Territory of Arizona. In 1873 he resigned this post to accept at the hands of 
President Grant the appointment of United States consul to Denmark, where he not 
only served his country faithfully and efficiently for two years, but where he also de- 
voted considerable time to the study of ophthalmology and otology in the University 
of Heidelberg, receiving a special degree of proficiency in these branches. Return- 
ing to Albany in 1876 he has since practiced these specialties with uniform success. 

For two years Dr. Bendell was lecturer on physiology at the Albany Medical Col- 
lege, and he is now clinical professor of otology in that institution. He is ophthalmic 
and aural surgeon on the staff of the Albany City Hospital and at St. \'incent's and 



100 

St. Francis De Sales's Orphan Asylums, medical adviser of the Jewish Home Soci- 
ety, and surgeon of the Third Brigade, N. G. N. Y., on the staff of Gen. Robert 
Shaw Oliver, having been first appointed to this position in 1886 on the staff of Gen. 
Amasa J. Parker. He is a member and in 1893 was president of the Medical Society 
of the State of New York; a member and in 1884 president of the Albany County 
Medical Society; a member and in 1885 president of the Alumni Association of the 
Albany Medical College; a member and past master of Washington Lodge No. 85, 
F. & A. M. ; and a member of Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton 
Council No. 22, R. & S. M., George Dawson Post, No. 63. G. A. R., and the military 
order of the Loyal Legion of the United States. 

He is a prominent Republican, and has always taken a deep interest in educa- 
tional matters, especially in the sanitary care of school houses and school hygiene, 
in which he has rendered valuable service to the city. From 1880 to 1886 he was a 
member of the Board of Public Instruction of Albany and for two years served as its 
president. Upon the reorganization of the board in 1892 he again became a member 
and still continues in that capacity. He was appointed by Mayor Thacher for a 
term of seven years in January, 1897. He is widely respected and esteemed as one 
of Albany's most successful surgeons and professional men, and enjoys the confidence 
of all who know him. 

In September, 1873, Dr. Bendell was married to Miss Wilhelmine Lewi, eldest 
daughter of his medical preceptor, Dr. Joseph Lewi, of Albany, and they have three 
children: Joseph Lewi Bendell, Myra Lewi Bendell, and Berta S. Bendell. 



ABRAHAM LANSING. 

Hon. Abraham Lansing, son of Christopher Yates Lansing and Caroline May 
Thomas, was born in Albany February 27, 1835. He attended school in Berkshire 
county, Mass., and afterwards the Albany Boys' Academy, and entered Williams 
College in the sophomore class of 1852, and was graduated with the degree of A. B. 
in 1855. He then studied law in his father's office, and entered and was graduated 
from the Albany Law School, and admitted to the bar in 1857. 

He was appointed city attorney of Albany in 1868, and was the first reporter 
of the Supreme Court under authority of law, having been appointed to that position 
in 1869, under act of that year, by the governor, attorney-general and secretary of 
state, and published the first seven volumes of the series of decisions of that court, 
known as Supreme Court Reports. In 1874 he was appointed by Governor Dix as 
acting state treasurer. In 1876 he was appointed corporation counsel of Albany, 
and in 1882 was elected upon the Democratic ticket by a majority exceeding that of 
any predecessor of his to the office to represent Albany county in the State Senate. 
He was chairman of the railroad committee of the Senate and member of the finan- 
cial committee, and was actively identified with the passage of the act providing for 
a State Railroad Commission, and in the other important measures, which come be- 
fore the railroad committee of the Legislature during his term. 

He interested himself in the enactment of the act called the new Albany Charter, 
and succeeded against most determined opposition in carrying that measure through 




THOMAS J. VAN ALSIYNfc. 



101 

the Senate in 1883, and subsequently in 1883, when it liecame a law. He interested 
himself in the remodeling of the scientific departments of the State, formed and 
carried through the acts which accomplished that result, and placed the Capitol and 
different buildings of the State at Albany m the control of a single superintendent. 
He took charge of the measure in the Senate which provided for the reservation and 
establishment of the State Park at Niagara Falls, and earnestly advocated that 
measure upon the floor of the Senate. 

He has been for many years a director of the National Commercial Bank, and in 
term of service is the senior director of that bank, and also its counsel. He is a trus- 
tee of the Albany Savings Bank, a member of the Board of Park Commissioners of 
Albany, a trustee of the Albany Boys' Academy, one of the governors of the Albany 
Hospital, a trustee of the Albany Medical College, a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the Albany Rural Cemetery, and of the Board of Trustees of the Dudley 
Observatory, and was a foundation member of the Fort Orange Club,- one of its first 
Board of Trustees, and a member of its first House Committee. He was much inter- 
ested in the formation of that club, drew its charter, and made the draft of its con- 
stitution. Mr. Lansing is also a life member of the State Geological Society, a 
member of the Century Association, and of the University Club and Bar Associa- 
tion of New York city. 

At the laying of the corner stone of the present City Hall he spoke for the county 
and city He received the statue of Robert Burns for the Park Commission, and 
made an address on the inauguration of the present Dudley Observatory on behalf 
of its Board of Trustees, and at their request. He is a member of the Holland So- 
ciety, and of the Albany Burns Club. Mr. Lansing was an active Tilden Democrat 
and at one time chairman of the Democratic County Committee. He has been iden- 
tified with the Tilden wing of the Democratic party, and has done some work in the 
advocacy of its cause. 

His father was a lawyer, a native of Albany, and son of Abraham G. Lansing, 
who also held the office of state treasurer for many years, both by appointment and 
election, and other public offices, in the early days of the city, and was the brother 
of Chancellor John Lansing, jr. Mr. Lansing married Catherine, a daughter of Peter 
Gansevoort. 



THOMAS J. VAN ALSTYXE. 

Hon. Thomas J. Van Alstyne, whohasbeen active in business intercourse with the 
citizens of Albany county for nearly fifty years, has so identified himself with its ad- 
vancement that its history would be incomplete without reference to him. In line 
of ancestry Mr. Van Alstyne traces, without break, citizenship in America, on both 
paternal and maternal side, back as early as 1636. John Martin Van i^lstyne was a 
freeholder in Fort Orange as early as 1657, from which time his lineal descendants 
direct, down to the subject of this sketch, have been freeholders in either one of the 
three adjoining counties of Albany, Columbia, and Schoharie, and the descendants 
from this same head are to be found in several other counties of this State and many 
other parts of the United States. Samuel Gile, Mr. Van Alstyne's first (American) 



102 

maternal ancestor, was freeman and freeholder in Haverhill, Mass., early in 1()40. 
All of these first immigrants were intelligent and thrifty farmers who by industry 
and frugality acquired wide stretches of real estate and considerable personal prop- 
erty, which was mostly transmitted to their children, and became a fitting incentive 
to them to emulate such example of their parents. As these men were successful 
in their endeavors, public spirited in thought and action, so have their descendants 
been good citizens and loyal to their fellows, — especially so at the period of the 
' Revolutionary war. Two of the great-grandfathers of Mr. Van Alstyne did service 
in council and in the field ; William Van Alstyne having been captain, and Moses Gile 
a member of the Standing Committee of Correspondence of the county of Charlotte, 
Vt., and at fifty-eight years of age, having done service in the field in the regiment 
commanded by Colonel Marsh. Mr. Van Alstyne's grandfather, Thomas Van Al- 
styne, at the age of sixteen enlisted and served in the regiment commanded by Col- 
onel Clyde. This manifestation of active loyalty by both extremes, advanced age 
and comparative youth, is, and should be considered, unchallengeable grounds for 
pride in patriotic ancestry. In the late Rebellion, while Mr. Van Alstyne was pre- 
vented by business interests and domestic obligations from entering the field in 
person, he placed in the service on behalf of the Union a representative, and was an 
active supporter of the government, so far as his influence could be exerted, in the 
vigorous and speedy prosecution of the war. 

Mr. Van Alstyne is the son Dr. Thomas B. Van Alstyne (formerly an eminent 
physician and prominent citizen of the locality in which he lived), and Eliza Gile. 
his wife, late of Richmondville, Schoharie county, N. Y., at which place he was born 
July 25, 1827. Blessed with a vigorous constitution even in infancy, and continually 
growing and developing in physical strength and activity, he spent the first seven 
years of school life in the village school when in session, mastering the limited in- 
struction there imparted, and during vacation baiting the tiny fishes of the brooks, 
or hunting the squirrel and partridge in the neighboring mountain forests — being in 
these times free from care, and in the full enjoyment of all those things that con- 
stitute happiness in the boy. 

At the age of thirteen years, the boy, while visiting the house of his brother-in- 
law, a minister of a Baptist church m Cayuga county, conceived the purpose of ac- 
quiring advanced education, and became a student in the academy at Moravia, dis- 
tant three and a half miles from Locke. Seven miles was, by choice, the regular 
school-day walk of the young student for months. After a year spent thus at Mo- 
ravia, and a period at a select classical school, he became a student at Hartwick 
Seminary, where he completed his preparation for college. With six others from 
the same school he matriculated in Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 
1848, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1851 that of Master of Arts. 
In the college course his class standing was good, and he especially excelled in 
mathematics. In addition to the regular college course Mr. Van Alstyne with a 
few others, took a private course in law, under the instruction of Prof. Theodore W. 
Dwight, who subsequently became eminent as an instructor in the Law Department 
of Columbia College of New York. 

In 1848 Mr. Van Alstyne entered the law office of Messrs. Harris and \"an Vorst, 
of Albany. By diligent attention to the business of the office he was enabled, with 
his knowledge of the principles of law before ac(|uired, to pass, before the close of 



103 

the year, a satisfactory and successful examination for admission to [jractice in all 
the courts of the State, the late Hon. John H. Reynolds, Hon. John K. Porter and 
Orando Mead, esq., comprising the examining committee. Mr. Van Alstyne, how- 
ever, retained his desk in the office of Harris & Van Vorst until 1850, continuing 
with the exception of business personal to himself and his father, study and practice 
as a student, devoting a reasonable portion of the time, however, to travel and va- 
cation. After opening an office for public practice, he continued by himself until 
1853, when he was invited to and formed a partnership with Mr. Matthew McMahon, 
with whom he was associated for four years. The firm did a large and diversified 
business, Mr. McMahon being the confidential adviser of the Prelates of the Dio- 
cese of the church of which he was a member, and Mr. Van Alstyne managing the 
legal details of the business and the trials of causes. 

In 1858 Mr. Van Alstyne formed a copartnership with Mr. Winfield S. Hevenor, 
which has continued down to the present time— making the firm the oldest in con- 
tinuance of any in Albany. When this firm commenced busmess Ira Harris, William 
B. Wright, George Gould and Henry Hogeboom were justices of the Supreme Court 
for the Third Judicial district (embracing the county of Albany), and a large pro- 
portion of the court business of the firm for years was transacted before these 
justices. The firm remains, and its members have survived all of the.se eminent 
men, and have seen of their respective successors. Judges Peckham (the elder). 
Miller, Danforth, Westbrook and Osborn yielding to the mevitable, gathered by the 
scythe of death. Judges Ingalls and Learned retired from the bench on account of 
age, and the younger Peckham promoted to the position of justice of the Supreme 
Court of the United States, leaving at this writing Messr.s. Parker, Edwards, May- 
ham, Fursman and Chester as justices of the Third Judicial District, all of whom, 
except Judge Mayham, are much yovmger than the subject of this sketch. The busi- 
ness of the firm of Van Alstyne & Hevenor was large from the first, embracing riiost 
of the branches of the law. Both members being self-reliant and capable, they con- 
ducted all matters entrusted to them without help of counsel. They adopted as 
rules of action, never to give advice unfounded on actual or assured fact, or unwar- 
ranted in law; never to appeal from a just verdict upon the merits, though a reversal 
on account of error might be had and might result in a new trial (the final result in 
such cases generally ending in mulcting the client in greater loss in money, time 
and anxiety). 

In politics Mr. Van Alstyne has always been a Democrat. Prior to the war of the 
Rebellion he was a Freesoiler on principle, but recognized the rights of the slave- 
holding States under the constitution, and approved their maintenance under the 
law. War supervening, ba.sed upon the institution of slavery, he urged its vigorous 
prosecution with the certain abolition of slavery as an incident. 

In 18T1, at the solicitation of many citizens of the county, Mr. Van Alstyne con- 
sented to become a candidate for the office of county judge on the ticket of his party, 
and was elected, receiving the largest vote cast for any candidate on the ticket. (In 
assuming the duties of his office he adopted strict rules for conducting the busmess 
of the court, thereby eft'ecting an immediate and needed reform in that tribunal. 
The court calendar during the twelve years of his service as county judge was large, 
the number of causes tried before him nearly e<iualing the number of those tried at 
the Albany Circuit, and were as varied and. difficult in nature. Very few verdicts 



104 

were reversed for mistrial, and very few decisions of his were set aside as being 
against the law. 

In 1882 Mr. Van Alstyne was tendered, without solicitation, the nomination for 
Representative in Congress. It was accepted in the sense of duty; and he was 
elected by a most flattering vote. On taking his seat in the 48th Congress, he was 
appointed a member of the Committee on Claims, and also on the Committee on E.\- 
pendilures of-^the Department of Justice. In the former committee the reports will 
show the activity of the new member, and the passage of bills resting upon them 
testifies to the correctness of his conclusions. In the latter committee, the two 
printed volumes of the reports exhibit the e.xtent of labor and inquiry expended by 
its members, resulting in the reform of many evils in administration in many im- 
portant branches of the service, and in saving much unnecessary expenditure of 
money to the country. He was also on the Special Committee of three (Messrs. 
Springer, of Illinois, and Stewart, of Vermont, being his associates), appointed to 
investigate charges of improper conduct on part of the United States marshal for 
the Southern District of Ohio at the Congressional election of 1884. 

Mr. Van Alstyne had secured the confidence and cordial friendship of the ablest 
and best members of the House, and was renominated by acclamation to succeed 
himself. The election in 1884 was the first in fact after the reform in State offices 
introduced by Governer Cleveland had become operative, requiring the conducting 
of the affairs of the public on business principles. It generated an oppo.sition to the 
party, which, aided by the fact that the opposing candidate for Congress, Hon. John 
Swinburne, was one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of the State, and one of 
the most philanthropic and charitable citizens of the district, resulted, without fault 
of Mr. Van Alstyne, and without implied condemnation of him, in a tidal wave in 
his defeat and for the success of his opponent. If he had been continued in the 
House of Representatives his influence in that body, already great, would have been 
more effective; but he accepted the result of the election more as a favor than as a 
loss, and thereafter refused a further tender of nomination and retired from politics, 
against the wishes and earnest protestations of the chiefs of his party. 

Mr. Van Alstyne has been thrice married — first, in 1851 to Miss Sarah Clapp, 
daughter of the late Ruel Clapp, of Albany. Of this marriage one son survives, 
Mr. Thomas Butler Van Alstyne, lawyer and fruit grower, residing in Southern Cal- 
ifornia. Secondly, in 1876 to Miss Louisa Peck, a daughter of the late Samuel S. 
Peck, of Albany; and thirdlj", in 1886 to Miss Laura Louisa Wiirdemann, daughter of 
W. W. Wiirderaan, esq., of Washington, D. C. Of this latter marriage one son aged 
nine years is living. 

Mr. Van Alstyne is a member of Kmmanuel Baptist church of Albany, as has been 
each of his wives. He is also a member of several orders and .societies, but was 
never a devotee or habitue of the social society of the day so attractive to and patron- 
ized by many. He has a well selected library of over six thousand volumes of mis- 
cellaneous books, to which he gives constant nightly attention, and from which he 
gleans richer and less wearying enjoyment than could be derived from the social 
whirl. He is still in full vigor and perfect health, with a fair prospect of being per- 
mitted to survive many years in future. 



I; 

4W 





ISAAC G. PfcRRY. 



105 
ISAAC G. PERRY. 

Isaac G. Pf.kry, architect and commissioner of the State Capitol, is of Scotch 
descent and was born in Bennington, Vt., March 24 1822. His father, Seneca Perry, 
a native of White Creek, Washington county, N. Y., was a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, and died in 1868, his wife, Martha Ann Taggart, a native of Londonderry, N. 
H., and an ardent member of the old Presbyterian church, having died in 1860. Mr. 
Perry's grandparents were Valentine and Patient (Hays) Perry, both of White 
Creek, N. Y. 

When a lad of seven years Mr. Perry moved with his parents to Keeseville, Essex 
county, N.Y., where he attended the village school and served an apprenticeship with 
his father at the trade of carpenter and joiner. He soon mastered the business and 
won a local reputation as an architect, and for several years successfully prosecuted 
the work of contracting and building on his own account. In 1852 he moved to New 
York city and opened an office at No. 239 Broadway, where for twenty years he 
carried on a steadily increasing architectural business. In 1837 he received a com- 
mission to furnish the plans and superintend the construction of the New York State 
Inebriate Asylum at Binghamton, a fine specimen of castellated Gothic architecture, 
which won for him a wide and permanent reputation. He also designed and erected 
many other notable buildings in Binghamton, including the First Baptist church, the 
Centenary M. E. and Congregational churches, St. Patrick's church, the Phelps 
and First National Bank buildings, the McNamara, Hagaman and Perry blocks, the 
High School, Hotel" Bennett, the Phelps mansion, and numerous others of equal 
prominence. His works extended throughout and beyond the Chemung Valley. 

In 1872 Mr. Perry removed to Binghamton in order to be nearer the scene of his 
labors, and thenceforward his work was pushed into adjoining cities and towns with 
a vigor which has characterized all his undertakings. At Scranton, Pa., he built the 
Lackawanna court house, the Dickson Manufacturing Company's machine shops, the 
Second National and the Scranton Trust Company's Banks, the library edifices, and 
many dwellings, such as those of Hon. Joseph H. Scranton, jr., and the Messrs. 
Linnen and Green. In Wilkesbarre, Pa., he designed and erected the First Natianal 
Bank, the opera house, several blocks, and many residences, including those of 
Charles Parish and Stanley Woodward. At Port Jervis, N. Y., he built the Dutch 
Reformed and Catholic churches, the Farnum & Howell block, and a number of 
private and public edifices. This is but a small portion of the work designed and 
executed by Mr. Perry, but it furnishes an idea of the wide and varied demands upon 
his services, which were sought in many Western States and in other sections of the 
east. It has been estimated that at times the work in his office aggregated $1,000,- 
000. 

On March 30, 1883, Governor Cleveland appointed Mr. Perry the regular commis- 
sioner of the State Capitol at Albany, under a new law creating a single commis- 
sioner to have " entire charge of the interests which had heretofore been confided to 
a board of commissioners," and six days later this appointment was confirmed by the 
Senate. The office was conferred upon him without solicitation, and was most favor- 
ably received by the press of all political parties. Since then he has most ably 
administered his duties, superintending the work with commendable energy, dili- 



lOG 

gence and fidelity. Much of the interior arrangement and decoration as well as the 
principal exterior embellishments of that immense structure are due to his artistic 
taste and skill, and many of the designs are his own creations. He has not only 
established the highest reputation as a first-class builder, but he has won merited 
praise as an accomplished architect, and is deservedly styled the master of his pro- 
fession. He is also the architect of the new armory building on the corner of Wash- 
ington avenue and Lark street. 

Mr. Perry was married in December, 1848, to Miss Lucretia L. Gibson of Keese- 
ville, N. Y.' 



CHARLES H. PECK, A. M. 

Charles H. Peck, the son of Joel B. and Pamelia Horton Peck, was born in Sand 
Lake, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1833. He is the oldest of a family of nine chil- 
dren, six of whom are now living. During his early years his father was engaged 
in the manufacture of lumber. Accordingly in his youth he was in close association 
and familiarity with the trees of the forests that surrounded his home. When he 
was five years old he commenced his educational course by attending the district 
school. This was at that time kept in a log school house whose furnishings were of 
the most primitive character. As soon as he was old enough to be of assistance in 
the saw mill, his school days were limited to the winter season, his help being re- 
quired in the mill during the summer. 

When eighteen years old he entered the State Normal School at Albany, from 
which he graduated at the end of the year. While here he joined a voluntary class 
in botany, taking this study as an e.xtra, since it was not at that time included in the 
regular course of study These few lessons awakened in him a love for botanical 
pursuits that never afterwards left him. By .such trifling and apparently almost ac- 
cidental circumstances the whole future course of life is .sometimes changed. This 
love of botanical science afterwards proved to be the controlling power in hi? life 
work. 

The w-inter succeeding his graduation found him in chargeof a large district school 
in the town of Poesteukill, Rensselaer county. The next summer he accepted a 
clerkship in a general country store, but long hours of labor and close confinement 
soon impaired the health of a constitution never very robust, to such a degree that 
he was obliged to change his occupation. This he did without much reluctance, 
determining to take a course of study in college that he might be better prepared for 
some more agreeable field of labor. Having pursued the necessary preparatory 
studies in the Sand Lake Collegiate Institute, he entered Union College in 1855. 

He took the regular classical course, and was one of three members of his class to 
whom was awarded what was then known as a Nott Prize Scholarship. This was 
an honor granted to those only who sustained a special rigid examination in the pre- 
paratory studies, and it was continued only as long as its recipients maintained a 
certain high standard of excellence in their studies and deportment. During his 
college course his botanical inclinations supplied much of his recreation. Instead of 
playing foot ball with his fellows on the college campus, he sought communion with 



lo: 

his plant friends in the fields and woods. In these rambles many treasures were 
■gathered to enrich his small but gradually increasing herbarium. In this study he 
Txceived instruction from the late Professor Pierson, not only in the class room but 
also sometimes in the field, for it was the custom of the professor to be a leader and 
a companion of his scholars in their excursions after material for study. He grad- 
uated in 1859 and three years after received the degree of A. M. from his Alma 
Mater. 

Scarcely had he finished his college course when he was offered a position as 
teacher of classics, mathematics and botany in Sand Lake Collegiate Institute, where 
four years before he had been a student. This position was accepted and proved so 
satisfactory that an opportunity, which was offered some time afterward, to teach in 
a more prominent position of learning, was declined. 

About seven years were spent in teaching here and in Albany. While in the latter 
place he formed the acquaintance of the Hon. George W. Clinton, a member of the 
Board of Regents of the University. Judge Clinton was a good botanist himself, 
and interested in the improvement and extension of the State Herbarium, a part of 
the State Museum of Natural History. Through his instrumentality, Mr. Peck was 
employed to do this work and to add to the Herbarium specimens of the cryptogamic 
flora of the State, but few of which plants were then represented in it. Upon the 
passage of the law recognizing the geologist and paleontologist, the botanist and the 
entomologist, as constituting the scientific staff of the State Museum, he was ap- 
pointed as botanist of the staff, which position he now holds. By his labors the num- 
ber of plant species represented in the Herbarium has been trebled, and it is now 
one of the most complete and extensive local collections in the countrj-. His duties 
have required him to devote much time to the investigation of the fungi which con- 
stitute by far the most extensive and intricate branch of the cryptygamic flora. Of 
these plants he has described many new species and added vastly to the scientific 
value of the Herbarium by placing in it the type specimens of these new species. 
His investigations of the fleshy fungi, especially, have been so thorough and exten- 
sive, that he has become a recognized authority in this department of botany. By 
experimental trials of their edibility he has added many species to the list of useful 
and edible mushrooms. There are few mycologists in this country who have not 
been at some time or who are not now his conespondents. Many of them have re- 
ceived more or less assistance from him in acquiring a knowlege of these plants. 
At the present time he is in almost daily receipt of specimens of fungi from various 
parts of the country. These are sent for identification or as data for the solution of 
some problem in regard to their character, quality or edibility. 

His literary productions are not extensive, consisting chiefly of several papers on 
botanical topics read before the Albany Institute, contributions from time to time to 
the Country Gentleman, replies to botanical queries therein and his annual reports 
made to the Board of Regents and published in the Museum Reports. These now 
exceed twenty-five in number, but some of the earlier ones are out of print. They 
are eagerly sought by botanists and especially by mycologists. The application for 
copies of the one containing the report on the edible and poisonous mushrooms of 
the State were unprecedented in number, scores of them being received even before 
the issuing of the report. They came from variousparts of the country and indicated 



108 

a wide spread interest in the subject and an evident desire for information in this 
practical branch of botany. 

In 1861 he married Miss Mary C. Sliter of Sand Lake. He has two sons, Harry 
S. and Charles A. Peck, both of whom are now engaged in mercantile pursuits. He 
is fond of his home and takes much pleasure and recreation in his garden at Menands. 
By experiments in it, he derives from it aid in solving or in verifying many problems 
in plant life and plant diseases. He is naturally modest and retiring in his disposi- 
tion, shrinking from the excitements of public life, averse to extravagant pretensions 
and ostentatious display, contented to labor on quietly and faithfully in his chosen 
field and to add what he can to the sum of human knowledge and human happiness. 
He is an active member of several scientific societies, an elder in the Presbyterian 
church, a Republican in politics, but has never held nor earnestly sought an elective 
civil office. He is decided in his own political and religious opinions but tolerant of 
others who hold different views. 



CHARLES WHITNEY CARPENTER. 

Charles Whitney Caktentek is descended from an old Albany family, his paternal 
grandfather, Henry, being a life-long resident of that city. His father, George W. 
Carpenter, who still resides in Albany at the age of eighty-six, was educated at 
the Albany Academy and afterward became one of its professors; later he was for 
over twenty years the city surveyor, and subsequently was superintendent and engi- 
neer of the Albany Water Works for over forty years and an active member of the 
Board of Education for more than twenty-five years, being most of that time its 
president. He married Mary Ann Burton, who died in 1877. 

Charles Whitney Carpenter was born in Albany, N. Y., March Vi, 18-17, and 
graduated from the Albany Academy in 1864. He was subsequently a clerk in the 
wholesale grocery store of E. C. Batchelder & Co., of Albany, until June 10, 1869, 
when he went to New York city and accepted the position of cashier and bookkeeper 
for J. N. Perkins & Co., brokers, in Wall street. Eighteen months later he entered, 
as a clerk, the well known establishment of R. Hoe & Co., with whom he has ever 
since remained, becoming in a short time their correspondent, confidential clerk, 
and salesman. 

The firm of R. Hoe & Co. was founded by Robert Hoe about the year 1804 under 
the name of Robert Hoe & Co., and is the largest printing press manufactory in the 
world. Many changes have occurred in the firm, by death and from other causes, 
since Mr. Carpenter became associated with the house, and on January 1. 1888, he 
was admitted to partnership. The firm now consists cf Robert Hoe, Theodore H. 
Mead, and Mr. Carpenter. R. Hoe & Co. have gained a world-wide reputation in 
the manufacture of printing presses of every size and description, ranging in price 
from about §1,000 to the great combined newspaper and color press costing $55,000. 
Wherever printing is done their name is known. They also manufacture immense 
quantities of cast steel circular saws, which go to every country on the globe. In 
their New York establishment they employ from 1,400 to 1,500 men, manufacturing 
almost everything used by the printer, excepting type, ink, and paper. Here also are 




CHARLtS W. CARPtNTER. 



i 



109 

about 300 apprentice boys under competent instructors and professors. In the 
London works some 600 men are employed, making presses for England and her 
colonies. 

Mr. Carpenter is an able business man, and has always been a staunch Republi- 
can, following, in this respect, in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and 
brother. He is amember of the Sons of the Revolution through his father's maternal 
grandfather, Mr. Mascraft, and is also a member of the New England Society and 
the Union League and Grolier Club of New York. 

On October 16, 1869, he was married to Miss Caroline Bowne Smith, a great- 
granddaughter of Walter Bowne, who was mayor of New York city from 1829-1888. 
They have had eight children: Arthur and Jessie, deceased; and Lilian, George W., 
Od, Florence, Charles W., jr., Adele, and Beatrice. 



RUFUS W. PECKHAM. 

Among the landmarks which give prominence to Albany county it is impossible 
for the historian to overlook the name of Rufus W. Peckham. The court proceed- 
ings and public affairs of the county bear testimony to the activity and prominence 
of a member of the bar by that name at a period more than half a century ago; the 
liistory of his further public career of honor and prominence is preserved in the 
records of the Supreme Court, and of the Court of Appeals of this State, of both of 
which he was a vigorous and able member. 

To the present Rufus W. Peckham no higher praise can be given than to say that 
lie is a most worthy successor to his ancestor in whose footsteps he follows. He 
seems to have inherited the mental as well as physical characteristics of his father. 

Born in Albany in 1838, the present Rufus W. Peckham was admitted to the bar 
and engaged in the active practice of the profession. He soon developed the quali- 
ties of an advocate, and many important trials occupied his attention, not only at 
the Albany Circuit, but in contiguous counties. 

As district attorney of Albany county his prosecutions were marked by a fearless 
discharge of duty; as corporation counsel of the city of Albany he conducted the 
legal affairs of the city with eminent success, besides being largely instrurrental in 
forming a new charter containing many reforms. 

The energetic and sturdy advocacy of his views, his unswerving loyalty to friends, 
the reliance to be placed on him by associates, his ability as a vigorous leader in 
debate, made him a conspicuous figure at political gatherings; he was prominent m 
the counsels of his party, and a champion in the contests of Democratic conventions. 
As a public-spirited citizen he was interested in local institutions, and participated 
in their administration, as a governor of the City Hospital, as a bank director and 
park commissioner. His independence in politics was frequently made manifest. 
His voice publicly and privately was always heard in the interest of clean politics 
and for good and pure government. 

In 1884 he was elected justice of the Supreme Court, and while his admirers re- 
gretted his retiring from practice, believing that his greatest field for personal suc- 
cess and public service lay in his career at the bar, his great qualification for the 



110 

judiciary was made manifest. He was most efficient as a trial judge. In 1887 he 
was elected to the Court of Appeals, and his written opinions with which the reports 
of that court abound, are further proof of his judicial ability. In 1895 he was ap- 
pointed a justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, of which he is now a 
member. His attainments as a lawyer, his lofty personal character and intellectual 
perspicuity, so marked a characteristic, have already won for him an exalted posi- 
tion among his associates, and his standing is of the highest among the distinguished 
members of that august tribunal. 

While his place of residence is nominally at Washington, D. C, the long recesses 
of the court are spent in Albany county, at his summer home in Altaniont, on the 
side of the Helderberg Mountains. 



GEN. EDWIN A. McALPIN. 

Gen. Edwin A. McAlpin was born in New York city, June 9, 1848, and is the son 
of David H. McAlpin, the president of D. H. McAlpin & Co., one of the largest to- 
bacco establishments in the country. General McAlpin attended the public schools 
in New York city and later was graduated from the academy at Andover, Mass. He 
early showed his love for the military by enlisting, when a mere boy, as a drummer 
boy in the war of the Rebellion, but was of course prevented from serving, being 
under age. In November, 1869, he enlisted in the 7th Regt. N. Y. ; in 1873 was 
elected corporal ; was elected first lieutenant of the 71st Regt. in November, 1873, 
and captain in 1875; major in August, 1875; resigned from the 71st Regt. in the fall 
of 1883 to accept a captaipcy in the 7th Regt. : elected colonel of the 71st Regt. in 
May, 1885, and resigned his commission in June, 1888; in the spring of 1888 was 
elected colonel of the 71st Regt. Veterans Association. Gen. McAlpin is a man of 
large fortune and is very liberal. He is director of the Eleventh Ward Bank and 
director of the Sixth National Bank of New York city and of the firm of D. H. Mc- 
Alpin & Co. of New York city. He owns a delightful summer residence at Lake 
Brandreth. Since 1878 Ger.. McAlpin has lived in the village of Sing Sing and he 
has contributed largely to its development. In 1884 and 1888 Gen. McAlpin was up- 
on the Republican electoral ticket in the State of New York and in the year General 
Harrison was elected, he received the largest number of votes. General McAlpin 
was president of the Republican State League for three years, and was appointed by 
Gov. Levi P Morton adjutant-general of this State June 1, 1895. The wife of Gen- 
eral McAlphin was a Miss Brandreth of Sing Sing. 



JOHN R. VAN WORMER. 

John R. Van Wokmer is a member of an old Albany family, the original American 
ancestor of which was Henri Van Wormer, who, with a brother, came from 
Wormer, Holland, about 1655, and first settled in New Jersey, whence he moved to 
thislocality. From here a member of the family removed to the Lake George region, 




JOHN R. VAN WORMHR. 



Ill 

long prior to the Revolution, and there Abram Van Wormer, grandfather of John R., 
was born, his father Henry being a lieutenant in the Continental army during the 
Revolutionary war in a company of the 14th Albany County Regiment. Abram 
served in the War of 1812, on the Canadian frontier, and subsequently settled in 
Jefferson county, N. Y. He had a son Rufus, who married Eunice E. Bullock, of 
Trenton, Oneida county, N. Y., and they were the parents of the subject of this 
sketch. 

John R. Van Wormer was born in Adams, Jefferson county, March 14, 1849, and 
received first a thorough preliminary education in the public schools of his native 
town. There he also attended the Hungerford Collegiate Institute, an academy of 
excellent reputation, and meanwhile learned telegraphing, a business he followed for 
many years in various places. In 1869 he became a member of the faculty of the 
Hungerford Institute, having charge of the military department until 1872, when he 
went to Oswego in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company- The 
same year he was made the Oswego correspondent of the New York Times, which 
supported General Grant for president as against Horace Greeley, the candidate of 
the Liberal Republicans and Democrats. Hon. De Witt C. Littlejohn, of Oswego, 
was an ardent partisan of Greeley's, and became a candidate for member of assembly 
in Oswego with a view to aiding the cause he espoused. He was defeated and Daniel 
G. Fort was elected. This episode terminated Littlejohn's public career. During 
that campaign he was ahso active on the stump, making political speeches which 
attracted wide attention. He had previously had, from youth up, considerable 
experience as a public speaker and debater, and his talents now formed a wider 
field as a campaign orator and correspondent. 

Late in the year 1872 Mr. Van Wormer came to Albany (where he had spent much 
time since 1868) and remained here in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph 
Company until January, 1878, doing also considerable newspaper work and stump 
speaking and taking an active part in Republican politics. When Hon. George B. 
Sloane was elected speaker of the Assembly in 1876 Mr. Van Wormer became his 
private secretary. In the fall of 1877 he was appointed the Albany correspondent 
of the New York Evening Post, but in January following he resigned this position 
to become private .secretary to U. S. Senator Roscoe Conkling and clerk of the Senate 
committee on commerce, of which Mr. Conkling was chairman. He filled these 
positions for about one year. Early in 1879 he was made chief clerk of correspond- 
ence in the New York post-office under Postmaster Thomas L. James, and in 1881, 
when the latter was appointed postmaster-general, he became his private sec- 
retary and soon afterward chief clerk of the post-oflfice department at Washington. 
On January 1, 1882, Mr. James resigned and returned to New York with all the glory 
and distinction he had won in the famous Star route cases, which he had successfully 
carried through, and in the credit for doing which Mr. Van Wormer shared as the 
active executive officer of the Post-office Department during this trying period. 
Mr. Van Wormer returned also, and was made teller of the newly organized 
Lincoln National Bank, which commenced business January 12, 1882, in a build- 
ing opposite the Grand Central , depot. This bank now has deposits aggregat- 
ing about §10,000,000. The Lincoln Safe Deposit Company was organized and 
in July, 1883, occupied the substantial building erected for the purpose at 32-38 East 
42d street, New York city, and since then Mr. Van Wormer has been its secretary 



112 

and general manager. Hon. Thon:as L. James is president of both institutions, 
which now occupy the same structure. The Deposit Company, which has a capital 
of ?1, 000,000, was the pioneer in the United States in the construction of absolutely 
fire-proof safe deposit and warehouse buildings. Besides the building containing 
the huge deposit vaults they have four large warehouses, erected in 1884, 1891. 1894, 
and 1896 respectively. 

Mr. Van Wormer, as general manager of this immense property, has shown marked 
business ability, and has won the confidence and respect of all with whom he has 
come in contact. During an active life he has enjoyed the acquaintance and confi- 
dence of the leading men of the country — of statesmen, financiers, authors, news- 
paper men, lecturers, politicians, etc. He achieved distinction as a correspondent 
and no little renown as an orator, especially on political subjects. He is the vice- 
president and a director of the Brooklyn Warehouse and Storage Company, which 
was organized in 1893, and which has a large building on the site of Dr. Talmadge's 
original t.ibernacle at Schermerhorn street and Third avenue, Brooklyn. He is also 
a director of the Schermerhorn Bank of Brooklyn, and a member of the Union League 
Club, of which he was secretary in 1892 and 1893, and of whose house committee he 
IS now chairman. He is a member of the Lotos Club, the Republican Club, and the 
New York Athletic Club, all of New York city, being a member of the finance and 
building committee of the latter organization, which is erecting a handsome new 
club house at 59th street and Sixth avenue. He is also a member of the St. Nicholas, 
the Holland, the New England, and the Albany Societies, all of New York, and the 
Sons of the American Revolution. 



TIMOTHY L. WOODRUFF. 

Hon. Timothy L. Woodruff was born in New Haven, Conn., August 4, 1858. 
His ancestors fought in the Revolution and he is a member of the Sons of the Revo- 
lution. His father was a member of the House of Representatives from 1855 to the 
close of the Civil war. Mr. Woodruff received his preparatory education at Phillips 
Exeter Academy and entered Yale University in 1875 and was graduated in 1879 as 
Bachelor of Arts, and received the degree of Master of Arts in 1889. After leaving 
Yale he took a course at Eastman Business College in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. In Jan- 
uary, 1881, after a year's clerkship, he was admitted to the firm of Nash, Wheton & 
Co., now the Worcester Salt Company, of which he is treasurer. He took up his 
residence in Brooklyn, N. Y., in the spring of the same year. In 1887 he was the 
proprietor of the Franklin, Commercial, Nye and Waverly stores and two grain ele- 
vators. In 1888 he was made a director and secretary of the Brooklyn Grain Ware- 
house Company. In 1889 he became one of the proprietors of the Maltine Manufac- 
turing Company of New York, of which he is now^ president. He was one of the in- 
corporators of the Kings County Trust Company, the Hamilton Trust Company and 
the Manufacturers Trust Company of Brooklyn. He is a director of the Merchants 
Exchange National Bank of New York and a member of the New York Chamber of 
Commerce. In 1881 and 1883 he was a member of the executive and advisory com- 
mittees of the Brooklyn Young Republican Club. He was a member of the Repub- 




1 



113 

lican State Convention of 1885 and has been a delegate to nearly all State and local 
conventions ever since. In 1888 he was a delegate to the convention at Chicago, and 
in 1889 and 1890 he was a member of the Republican State Committee. Mayor 
Wurster, upon assuming office, appointed him Commissioner of Parks of Brooklyn. 
He was also a delegate to the convention at St. Louis which nominated William 
McKinley. Socially, Mr. Woodruff occupies a very prominent place in Brooklyn and 
is a member of all the fashionable clubs and societies. He is also a member of the 
Union League and University Clubs of New York city. In November, 1896, he was 
elected lieutenant-governor of New York State. His wife was Cora C. Eastman, 
daughter of the late Hon. H. G. Eastman, at one time mayor of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 
They are both members of the Presbyterian church. They have one son, a student 
at Paul's School at Concord, N. H. 



THEODORE E. HANCOCK. 

Hon. Theodore E. Hancock was born in 1847, in the town of Granby, Oswego Co. , 
N. Y. He is a descendant on his mother's side from Roger Williams. His paternal 
ance.stors were natives of Massachusetts, from which State his father emigrated 
about 1836 to Oswego county. He attended the public schools and the Falley Sem- 
inary, where he prepared for college. He entered the Wesleyan University in 1867, 
and was graduated with honors in 1871. While at college he was a diligent stu 
dent of the classics and mathematics and showed great skill in logic and debate. 
After leaving the University he studied law in the office of the Hon. Edward T. 
Bartlett, now judge of the Court of Appeals. He also took a course of study in the 
Columbia Law School of New York and in 1873 was admitted to practice in all the 
courts of this State. He chose Syracuse, N. Y., as his home and commenced his 
practice there. He met with great success and for many years he has been the 
senior member of the firm of Hancock, Beach, Peck & Devine, now Hancock, 
Hogan. Beach & Devine. In 1889 he was elected district attorney for the term of 
three years. In 1893 he was nominated to the office of attorney-general of New 
York State and was elected by a majority of 21,290. He assumed office January 1, 
1894, and in 189.5 was re-elected by a plurality of 94,758. He is a member of the 
Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. 

In 1880 he married Martha B. Connolly, of Pittsburg. Pa., and they have two 
sons and one daughter. 



WALTER DICKSON. 

The subject of this sketch was born at Albany, N. Y. His father, James Dickson, 
.md mother, Margaret Leitch Russell, were natives of Scotland, the former of Peebles, 
near Edinburgh, the latter of Hamilton, near Glasgow. Walter Dickson is the 
eighth successive generation of this old Scottish border name. His mother was a 



lU 

descendant of Major Andrew Leitch, who fell at Harlem Heights in 1776, fighting 
under Washington. Walter's school life was spent at Prof. Anthony's Classical In- 
stitute, and the Albany Academy. He excelled in boy's sports, and very early evinced 
a taste for drawing and construction. William Ellis, then the prmcipal architect 
in Albany, having seen some of the boy's handiwork, prevailed upon his (Walter's) 
father to have him study in his office. Later the boy entered the office of William 
L. Woollett. of Albany, also prominent in his profession, and finally completed his 
studies in New York city. He held the office of resident architect of the new Fed- 
eral Building at Albany for years and it was completed under his s'upervision. 
Ambitious for a greater field, he associated himself in 1887 with Frederick C. Withers, 
an old and well known architect of New York city, their practice being largely in 
public buildings. They are at present erecting many for the city of New York. 

Mr. Dickson isa memberof twenty yearsstandingof the American Instituteof Archi- 
tects, and al.so of the Architectural League, and has been president of the Depart- 
ment of Architecture of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. 

From boyhood he has been a student of history and of places of historical interest 
around him, which his published articles and tales of Old Albany attest to. In fact, 
antiquities are his hobby. He was placed at the head of historical committee of the 
Albany Bi-Centennial Celebration of 1886, and it was through his efforts that the 
memories of many places and events of historical interest in Albany were perpetu- 
ated by the the bronze tablets now seen about the city, the importance of which was 
so eloquently set forth at the time by an eminent Roman Catholic divine, who .said: 
" When the noise of smoke and cannon, and the glitter and music of parade, and the 
brilliant effusions of inspired oratory will have all passed away, these bronze tablets 
indelibly inscribed with history will be the only imperishable thing left to tell the 
story of Albany's Bi-Centennial." 

Mr. Dickson has been identified with many of Albany's institutions. He succeeded 
his father as president of St. Andrew's Society, was president of the Young Men's 
Association, commandant of, and closely identified with the Albany Burgesses 
Corps. He was one of the original curlers of Albany, and one of the citizens who 
introduced the steam fire engine into this city. He was also a member of the Fort 
Orange Club, and the designer of the great Albany Army Relief Bazaar, and the 
first president of the first Electric Illuminating Company in Albany. He is at pres- 
ent an officer in the Albany Society of New York, and in addition to the other or- 
ganizations with which he has been associated, has been for more than thirty years 
a 33° Mason. 

Mr. Dickson married Fanny Louise Guest, of Ogdensburg, N. Y., a descendant of 
an old Albany family, and has three sons and two daughters. His only si.ster, Jean 
Agnes Dickson, was the wife of William H. Tayler, both of whom are now deceased. 



J. TOWNSEND LANSING. 

J. TowNSENi) Lansing is a descendant of (1) Frederick Lansing, of Hassel, Hol- 
land, who came to New Amsterdam (New York) with three sons and three daughters 
and probably settled in Rensselaerwyck about 1650. Gerrit Frederick Lansing (3), 



115 

his son, was no doubt the progenitor of all the Lansings in America. The line is (3) 
Gerrit, born in Hassel, Holland; (4) Jacob Gerritse, 1681-1767, who built the old 
" Peraberton House;" (5) Gerrit J. ; (0) Abraham G., 1756-1844; (7) Gerrit Y., 1783- 
1862, member of the State Legislature, chancellor of the Regents of the University 
of New York, and member of Congress, married Helen Ten Eyck; (8) Charles B.. 
married Catharine Clinton ; and (9) J. Townsend. 

"John Townsend Lansing, born in New Haven county. Conn., was educated in 
Albany and in 1866 engaged in the manufacture of saws with Robert C. Pruyn and 
James Goodwin, under the firm name of Pruyn & Lansing, succeeding the fathers 
iif Messrs. Lansing and Pruyn. They continued this business until 1878 and also 
manufactured files under the name of the Sheffield File Works and were interested 
in the embossing company. 

Since 1878 Mr. Lansing has been interested in the care of trusts, estates and real 
estate and has often acted as administrator. He is a director in the New York State 
National Bank, the Albany Insurance Company, the Public Market Company and 
the Wheeler Rent and Power Company; a trustee of the National Savings Bank, the 
Dudley Observatory, the House of Shelter, the Albany Medical College, the Charity 
Organization Society, the Albany Historical and Art Society, the City Mission, and 
the Young Men's Christian Association; and is a member of the Fort Orange Club 
of Albany, the Reformed Club of New York, the Holland Society and the Old Guard 
Albany Zouave Cadets. He is also identified with several other organizations of the 
capital city. 

In 1870 he married Helen Franehot Douw, daughter of Volckert P. Douw of Al- 
bany. 



JOSEPH ALBERT LINTNER. 

JoMCPH Aluerl Lintnkr, Ph. U., of German descent, is a son of Rev. George 
.\mes Lintner, D.D., who was born in Minden, Montgomery county, N. Y., in 1796, 
was graduated from Union 'College in 1817 and was pastor of the Lutheran churches 
i>f Schoharie, Middleburg and Cobleskill for many years. Prof. Lintner was born 
in Schoharie, February 8, 1822, attended the Jefferson Academy, was graduated 
from the Schoharie Academy in 1837 and spent ten years in mercantile pursuits in 
New York city, where he also prosecuted his studies under the Mercantile Library 
Association. He contributed scientific articles to the Tribune and other newspapers, 
and returning to Schoharie in 1848, engaged anew in mercantile business. In 1853 
he began a collection of insects, and in 1860 removed to Utica, where for seven 
years he manufactured woolen goods. Meanwhile he had steadily pursued his sci- 
entific studies, for which he had a natural taste and unusual capacity. In 1868 he 
became zoological assistant in the State Museum of Natural History at Albany; in 
1880 he was appointed by Governor Cornell State entomologist; in 1883 he was 
placed on the scientific staff of the museum, a position he still holds. He has writ- 
ten about 1,000 papers on scientific subjects, published eleven annual Reports on the 
Injurious and other Insects, of the State of New York, and is widely recognized as 
one of the foremost entomologists of the world. His services in the interest of agri- 



116 

culture and allied pursuits have been of great value to both the State and nation. 
He is a forceful speaker, an accomplished writer and a man of not only high scien- 
tific, but of rare personal attainments. In 1884 the Regents of the University of the 
State of New York conferred upon him the honorary degree of Ph. D. He was 
president of the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science, and the Association of Economic Entomologists, two years each, 
has been president of the department of natural science in the Albany Institute 
since 1879 and is a member of the American Entomological Society, the Entomo- 
logical Society of Washington, D. C, the Entomological Society of Ontario, Canada, 
the New York Academy of Sciences, the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences, the 
Cambridge Entomological Club, the Academy of Natural Sciences of Davenport, 
Iowa, the Oneida Historical Society, the Kansas State Horticultural Society, the 
New York State Agricultural Society, the Mus^e Royal d'Histoire Naturelle de 
Beige, Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou, and Societe Entomologique de 
France, and since August 31, 1873, fellow of the American Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science. October 3, 1856, he married Frances C, daughter of Hon. 
Holmes Hutchinson, of Utica, N. Y. Their children are George A., of Minneapolis, 
and Charles H. of St. Paul, Minn. ; and Mary C. and Laura B., of Albany, N. Y. 



JAMES H. WILSON. 

J.\MEs H. Wilson is one of the foremost temperance leaders in the city of Cohoes 
and a faithful member of the Baptist church, in which he has served as trustee for 
the past three years, and as superintendent of the Sunday school he has been very 
successful. He is prominent in the I. O. G. T., and assisted in organizing the Tem- 
ple of Honor in 1873, and was a charter member of both organizations. He is also 
a member of the A. O. U. W., and is serving as a trustee. As a director of the Y. 
M. C. A. he is serving his fifth year, and also does mission work on Van Schaick's 
Island, where he was one of the early settlers. In politics he is a Republican, and 
is serving his third term as school commissioner, and is also a valued member of the 
Masonic fraternity. 

He was born in 1854 at Lowell, Wis., and is a son of James S. Wilson, a contract- 
ing carpenter. He lived at Clifton Park until twelve years of age, when he came to 
Waterford and assisted his father (who died in 1894. and his mother in 1891). 

He came to Cohoes in 1868, and in 1878 became engaged with Leggett & Son, paper 
bo.\ manufacturers, with whom he remained until May, 1885, -when he purchased the 
business and has since successfully conducted the same. 

In 1893 he organized the Continental Knitting Co., of which he served as president 
until he severed his connection with the company in December, 1894. 

In 1875 he married Adelaide Delanoy, by whom he had two children. The daugh- 
ter, Frances D., died in 1892 at the age of sixteen ; she was a talented musician and 
highly respected. The son, William J., was born in 1887. 




J. H. WILSON. 



A. BLEECKER BANKS. 

Hon. a. 51.EECKKR Banks was born in New York city, March 7, 1837. He comes 
from old Revolutionary stock and is a son of David Banks, who founded a law book 
publishing house in New York city in 1804 and a branch at Albany soon after, of 
which branch Mr. A. B. Banks has been the manager since 1858. Mr. Banks was 
educated at the public and private schools and Columbia College, New York city. 
He was a member of assembly from Albany county in 1863, State senator, 1868-71, 
and mayor of Albany city. 1876 to 1878 and also 1884 and 1885. He was instru- 
mental during his first term as senator in securing the first appropriation for the new 
State Capitol, establishing Washington Park and legislating a new charter for his 
city. When mayor he inaugurated the granite block pavement and improved sew- 
erage systems, which has made Albany one of the best paved and drained cities of 
the State. It was through his plans and management that the Bi-Centennial of Al- 
bany city was carried on to its final success. He was a delegate to the Democratic 
National Convention at Chicago in 1884, and aided in nominating Grover Cleveland 
for president; he was also a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1894. 
He is an active member of the firm of Banks & Brothers, law book publishers, Al- 
bany and New York. 



CHARLES W. LITTLE. 

Qharles W. Little is a descendant of George Little, the founder of the Newbury 
family of this name, who came in 1640 from Unicorn street, near London Bridge, 
England, and settled in Newbury, Mass. Mr. Little was born in Albany, February 
4, 1850. His father, Weare Coffin Little, was the sixth in descent from George 
Little, and was born July 31, 1806, in Maine. In 1827, while acting as the western 
representative of the firm of Little, Brown & Co., of Boston, Mass., he established 
in Albany, the law publishing house of W. C. Little & Co. He died February 20. 
1885, after a long and successful business life; his uprightness and integrity having, 
gained him the regard and esteem of all who knew him. C. W. Little's mother was 
Elizabeth Latimer, and her grandfather. Col. Jonathan Latimer, who served in the 
Connecticut forces during the Revolutionary war, was present at Bunker Hill and 
Stillwater and also fought in the French and Indian war. Mr. Little was educated 
at Professor Anthony's Classical Institute and the State Normal School in Albany. 
After leaving school he entered his father's law book publishing house and upon the 
death of his father in 1885, became the sole proprietor. He is a member of the Fort 
Orange and L^ncondilional Republican Clubs, a life member of the Young Men's As- 
sociation and of the Young Men's Christian Association. December 31, 1872, he 
married Edith, daughter of Samuel B. Herbert, of London, England, who was a 
direct descendant of the Earl of Pembroke. They have three daughters; Milla A., 
Edith H. and Elizabeth W. 



RALPH HORNBY. 

RAi.rn Hornby, now retired from active life, took up the machinist trade upon 
coming to Cohoes from England, where he was born in 1829. His early manhood 
was spent as a cotton weaver, but on coming to America he entered the employ of 
Campbell & Clute, remaining with them twenty-si.\ years, holding the position of 
foreman for the last twelve years. 

Mr. Hornby, from a poor boy, by economy, hard work, and perseverance, has ac- 
cumulated a substantial fortune. He is practically the father of the Fifth ward of 
Cohoes. having built the first house in that ward. He has been largely instrumen- 
tal in the development and upbuilding of that part of the city. 

November 19, 1859, he married, in England, Jane Bell, of Preston, Lancasliire, 
Eng., who has borne hmi six children, but two of whom are living: Elizabeth and 
Ellen. 



FRANCIS H. WOODS. 

Hon. Francis H. Woods was born in Albany, his parents emigrating here from 
county Longford. Ireland, early in the present century. He received his education 
at Capt. Michael O Sullivan's school and the Albany Boj-s' Academy, where he won 
the principal's prize for his essay on " Mahomet." He soon began to take an active 
part in the public duties of life and while a delegate from Engine Company No. 11, 
was elected president of the Albany fire department in 1865 and by his prudent 
management secured the stability of the relief fund. In 1865 he was admitted to 
the bar, having studied in the office of Warren S. Kelly and subsequently going into 
partnership with ex-Judge James A. McKown. 

His political career began in 1867, when he was elected to the Assembly by a 
hand.some majority and served with credit on the committee on judiciary. In 1873 
he was elected a justice of the Justice's Court, to fill the vacancy caused by the death 
of Dennis B. Gaffney. He was again elected for a full term by 3,000 majority and 
again for a third term without opposition, 5,000 Republican ballots being cast for 
him. After an honorable and impartial career, Mr. Woods retired from the Justice s 
Court in 1883. On this occasion many members of the bar united in presenting him 
with a handsomely engrossed testimonial. 

In the fall of 1883 he was unanimously nominated by his party for the office of sur- 
rogate and was elected by a commanding majority. He discharged the duties of 
that office for the full term of six years with credit to himself and satisfaction to the 
public. On his retirement every newspaper in the county made him the subject of 
a laudatory editorial notice, commending him for his industry, courtesy, learning 
and integrity. 

The period of Mr. Woods's incumbency as surrogate is the brightest chapter in his 
career, as it is one of the most honorable and creditable in the county history. In 
1890 he served as a member of the State commission appointed by Governor Hill to 
revise th6 judiciary article of the constitution. He is now serving as postmaster of 




RALPH HORNBY. 



119 

the city of Albany and has shown a progressive spirit in the management of that 
oHice. where his unusual executive ability finds a good field of display. His appoint- 
ment was <made on the suggestion of President Cleveland, with the approbation of 
Senator Hill. 

As a Democratic orator, Mr. Wood's most notable work was in Mayor Nolan's 
campaign, in the various addresses he made while accompanying Mr. Manning and 
the Democratic Phalanx to the Chicago convention which nominated Grover Cleve- 
land ; at the great Fort Plain meeting with Mr. Apgar, being the first Cleveland 
meeting in the interior of the Stale. He displayed great activity, was at his best in 
.scores of out door gatherings in the campaign of 1888, and accompanied John Boyd 
Thacher in a part of the novel cruise of the boat Thomas Jetfer-son down the Erie 
Canal, making speeches of electric power at Schenectady, West Troy and Albany 
from the bow of the boat. In the campaign of 1893, as president of the Mills Club, 
he displayed notable activity on the stump. He is a born orator; his appearance on 
the platform is indicative of power and ability. He is an intelligent lawyer, a lover 
of books and a sound adviser. 



JOHN F. RATHBONE. 

John F. Ratiihonu was born in Albany, N.Y., October 9, 1819. He was educated 
in the Albany Academy and the Brockport Collegiate Institute. His father died 
May 13, 1833. The following year he united with the Baptist church in Brockport, 
and within a year thereafter he left school and became a clerk in Rochester, N. V. 
lu 1837 he returned to Albany, first in the employ of Jared L. Rathbone, and then 
becoming clerk in Joel Rathbone's foundry in the south part of the city. In 1840 he 
went into business with S. H. Ransom, with Joel Rathbone and Jared L. Rathbone 
as special partners. In 1845 he built a stove foundry in Albany, which with the ad- 
ditions since made is one of the largest in the world. He is now at the head of the 
firm of Rathbone, Sard & Co. Early in 1861 Mr. Rathbone was appointed brigadier- 
general of the 9th Brigade of the National Guard, State of New York, and on the 
opening of the Albany depot for New York State volunteers, he was appointed its 
commandant. On being relieved from the command General Rathbone was highly 
complimented, not only by the adjutant-general, but by the commander-in-chief. 
Governor Morgan. In 1867 General Rathbone resigned his position as commandant 
of the 9th Brigade. January 1, 1873, he was appointed adjutant-general by Gov. 
John A. Dix, with the rank of major-general and served with credit to himself and 
advantage to the State. He is one of the founders of the Albany Orphan Asylum of 
which he has been president and trustee for many years; president of the Board of 
Trustees of the Dudley Observatory, also of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Al- 
bany; one of the Park Commissioners, and trustee of the Albany Rural Cemetery; 
and president of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Academy. He was for fifty 
years the superintendent of the Emmanuel Baptist Sunday school and is president of 
the Board of Trustees of the church. He founded the Rathbone Library of the Uni- 
versity of Rochester, of which he is a trustee, and contriliuted 840,000 to its funds. 



ALBERT P. STEVENS. 

Albert Parsons Stevens, son of Isaac and Maria C. (Parsons) Stevens, was born 
in Springfield. Mass., April 10, 1835. and descends from Col. Thomas Stevens, of 
the Devonshire line, through Cyprian Stevens, who came to this country in 1660 and 
was one of five who purchased from the Indians, in 1686, a tract of land twelve 
miles square, comprising what is now the town of Rutland, Mass. Cyprian's de- 
scendants were residents of that town for more than 150 years. On his mother's 
side Mr. Stevens is in the direct line of descent from William Bradford, who came 
over in the Mayflower in 1620, and was the second governor of Plymouth Colony. 
Joseph Stevens, son of Cyprian, was one of the first selectmen and assessors of 
the town of Rutland, was the first town treasurer, one of the committee to set off 
the land, a deacon in the church and a captain in the militia. Isaac Stevens was 
born in Rutland, Mass., August 8, 1795. and died July 31, 1835. 

Albert P. Stevens, his son. came to Albany in October, 1853. and took a position 
as clerk in the Albany Exchange Bank, then in the second story of the Exchange 
building, on Broadway and State .streets, where the present post-office building 
stands. He was connected with several banks in the city until 1869, when he bcr 
came secretary and treasurer of the National Savings Bank at the organization of 
that institution. He has continuously held these positions ever since. He is prom- 
inent in religious and charitable organizations and is a member of both the board of 
trustees and the board uf directors of the Young Men's Christian Association, and 
was the president for four years. He was treasurer of the Albany City Tract and 
Missionary Society for many years, and was treasurer of the Albany County Bible 
Society for nearly twenty years and is now its president. He is a member of the 
First Presbyterian church and one of its trustees, is treasurer of the Presbytery of 
Albany, member of the permanent committee on synodical aid of the Synod of New 
York, and a member of the Fort Orange Club. 

December 30, 1856, he married Emma Henrietta, daughter of the late Thomas 
McMuUen, a prominent citizen of Albany; she died February 13, 1891, and they 
had three sons and two daughters, of whom two sons, Clarence W. and Frederic B., 
are living. 



VERPLANCK COLVIN. 

Veki'LANck CoLviN was bom in Albany, N. Y., Jai'uary 4, 1847. His first name 
is derived from *he family of his father's mother, one of the oldest families of 
Albany county of ancient Dutch lineage, while his family name is of the oldest 
English origin, though his paternal great-grandfather came to this country from 
Scotland. • John Colvin was this paternal great-grandfather. He w'as born in Scot- 
laud in 1752, setthng at Nine Partners, Dutchess county, in 1772, where he married 
Sarah Fuller (descendant of one of the Fullers who came over on the Mayflower) in 
1774, and subsequently removing to Coeymans, Albany county, he purchased a farm. 
In 1810 he was chosen a member of the State Assembly. Johannes Verplanck, also 
a great-grandfather of Verplanck Colvin, was a descendant of Abraham Verplanck, 



121 

who came from Holland when there were only fifteen houses in the present city of 
New York, and was commander of Dutch forces there under Governor Kieft in the 
war with the Indians. It was in the house of the Verplancks at Fishkill that the 
Society of the Cincinnati was formed. Verplanck Colvin's father, Hon. Andrew J. 
Colvin, studied law in the office of Martin Van Buren and Benjamin F. Butler, and 
was corporation counsel of the city of Albany: district attorney of the county, and 
State senator. In 18G1 he was the first State senator to speak for the defence of the 
Union and was chosen by the New York Legislature to be president of the joint 
as.sembly receiving Abraham Lincoln, the president-elect. 

Andrew J. Colvin married as his second wife Margaret Crane Ailing, daughter of 
Prudden Ailing and Maria Halsey Ailing, of Newark, N. J. It was at the residence 
of Col. John Ford, uncle of Maria Halsey Ailing, that Gen. George Washington, by 
invitation, made his headquarters in Morristown, N. J., during the Revolution, and 
John Ailing, of Col. J. Baldwin's Regiment of the Continental army and great- 
grandfather of Prudden Ailing, in another regiment (of whom Mr. Colvin is a lineal 
descendant), assisted in the defence of the city of Nev^-ark, fighting face to face with 
the British. General Prudden and General Ebenezer Foote, who were personal 
friends of General Washington, were also relatives of Mr. Colvin's mother. 

Verplanck Colvin attended the Albany Academy and subsequently studied law 
in his father's office, practicing in the minor courts and was successful in all the 
cases entrusted to him. The law, however, did not please him, as he was mathe- 
matically inclined and preferred scientific research and engineering; and, in 1865, he 
began those scientific explorations of the then unknown Adirondack wilderness which 
became of such importance. In winters he gave more attention to scientific study 
and in 1868 organized a very successful course of free scientific lectures in the State 
Geological Hall at Albany. In 1869 he made a careful study of the topography and 
geology of the Helderberg mountains and published a description of that region m 
Harper's Magazine. In 1870 he explored the Cough-.sa-gra-ge, or Dismal Wilder- 
ness of the Indians, and made the first known ascent and measurement of Mt. 
Seward and other high peaks; and during the winter of this year he traveled exten- 
sively in the Southern States. In 1871 he made the journey across the great plains 
of the far West, passing through Chicago the day before the great fire, and crossing 
Kansas in the midst of the herds of innumerable buffalo. In Colorado he studied 
the geology and mineralogy of the gold and silver mining districts and ascended 
the highest peaks of the Snowy Range, returning through the Black Hills, Wyoming 
and Nebraska. Subsequently he wrote and illu.strated an article for Harper's Mag- 
azine which he entitled the ' pome of the Continent," and from this article arose 
the name of "Dome State" for Colorado. In acknowledgment of his Colorado ex- 
plorations Mr. Colvin was elected an honorary member of the Rocky Mountain Club 
of Denver, an appointment only conferred upon a few of the explorers of the high 
snowy ranges of the Rocky Mountains, being associated with Gen. Philip Sheridan 
in this honor. 

In 1873, recognizing the need of a careful survey of New York, for the preserva- 
tion of its land boundaries and forests protecting the water supply, Mr. Colvin went 
before the Legislature and succeeded in having made the first appropriation for the 
State survey in the Adirondack region, and he thus was the first to make any tri- 
angulation of New York under the authority of the State government. He this 



123 

year traced the Hudson River to its highest poud-soiirce, Lake Tear-of-the-Clouds, 
which he was the first to visit, geographically locate, name and describe. This is 
now accepted as the true source of the Hudson River. In this year, also, Mr. Colvin 
was the first to suggest to the Legislature the construction of an aqueduct from the 
upper Hudson in the Adirondacks as a source of water supply for New York city 
and the cities of the Hudson valley. From this time Mr. Colvin has continued in 
the employment of the State as superintendent of this survey. 

In 1873 he was appointed one of the commissioners of State Parks, Gov. Horatio 
Seymour being president thereof, and Mr. Colvin having been the first to recom- 
mend to the Legislature the Adirondack Park as a forest preserve in a previous 
report made to the Regents of the State University. During this year Mr. Colvin 
e.-itended the exploration of the wilderness over great areas in the western unex- 
plored section : but, in 1874, the work almost ceased, on account of the financial 
panic. 

In 1875 the surveys were continued, Mr. Culviu personally making the first true 
measurement of Mt Marcy, the highest mountain peak in the State of New York, 
with leveling observations on a rod read by vernier to the thousandth part of a 
foot. In 1876 larger appropriations were made and the work continued. During all 
the years following, he has sustained a- reputation second to none for careful and 
systematic engineering and surveying, and his services have been of great value to 
the State and science at large. 

In 1881 he was engaged by the faculty of Hamilton College to lecture on higher 
surveying and Geodetic Engineering, but on completing his first course of lectures 
retired from this work, finding teaching to be a monotonous employment. 

In 1882 he was chosen one of the New York State delegates, with the then Gover- 
nor Cornell, to attend the first American Forestry Congress, where Mr. Colvin read 
one of the most important papers ' 

In 1883 a law was passed by which he was given full charge of the New York State 
Land Survey. 

In 1888, when the ten and twelve-inch cannon for the coast defen.se of the I'nited 
States were ordered by the government. Mr. Colvin showed, in a clearly written 
paper, that Albany was the one unconquered State Capital of the United States, 
and hence, probably the most secure location for the new gun foundries was at the 
Watervliet Arsenal near Albany. The United States Congress adopted Mr. Colvin's 
vieA'S as conclusive, and he was called into consultation by the ordnance officers of 
the U. S. A. and was present 'at the assembling of the first great gun at said arsenal 
by special invitation. The Burgesses Corps of Albany, in recognition of Mr. Colvin's 
services in urging the location of the gun foundry near Albany, presented him with 
a sword which Mr. Colvin justly prizes. 

Mr. Colvin is a member of many scientific societies. He is president of the Albany 
Institute, perhaps the oldest scientific and literary society in New York if not in the 
United States, having held its .sessions while the British flag yet floated over the 
fort at Oswego, and this society having had as its first president Robert R. Livings- 
ton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and of the committee 
which drew that memorable document. Gen. Simeon De Witt, chief engineer on 
the staflf of GenerijJ Washington, Prof. Joseph Henry, the first to send telegraphic 
signals by electricity, Mr. Bloodgood, to whom Ericsson the builder of the Monitor 



123 

attributed the invention of the revolving iron clad turret, the Van Rensselaers, 
Pruyns, etc., were former officers of the Institute. 

Mr. Colvin is a life member of the American Geographical Society and of the 
American Institute of Mining Engineers, and honorary member of the Club Alpine 
Francais of Pans, through his membership in the Rocky Mountain Club, honorary 
member of the Adirondack Club, a foundation member of the Fortnightly Club. He 
is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and an hon- 
orary member of the British Society for the Advancement of Science of London, Eng- 
land, a corresponding member of the Appalachian Mountam Club of Boston, Mass., 
honorary president of the Adirondack Guides Association, etc., as the chief employer 
of the guides. His numerous reports to the Legislature are an authority on the 
(juestions with which they deal. He has delivered numerous lectures and written 
many papers on scientific subjects, engineering, astronomy, geology, chemistry and 
physics, besides articles in the magazines. His portable boat for explorations, his 
improvement in telescopes and his recent discovery of a method of securing the 
mean temperature of the atmosphere independently of thermometer, by observation 
of the velocity of sound, were notable discoveries. 

In 1891 Mr. Colvin was nominated for the office of State engineer and surveyor 
receivmg 538,000 votes and running 4,000 ahead of his ticket. 

In 1893 Mr. Colvin represented the State of New York in the reception of the Duke 
and Dutchess of Veragua, the descendants of Columbus, enjoying the pleasant expe- 
riences of traveling with them among the mountains and lakes of this State, and was 
given a dinner at the Hotel Waldorf in New York by the duke and duchess, on the 
evening of the departure of the distinguished descendants of the discoverer of Amer- 
ica for Europe, Col. J. V. L. Pruyn. of the Governor's staff being the only other 
guest on this occasion. 

In 1895 Mr. Colvin was reappointed superintendent of the State Land Survey, an 
office which he still holds, and in which he is given special power and authority to 
locate the boundaries of lands, especially of the great counties, towns and townships, 
his decisions being prima-facie evidence in the courts. 

Mr. Colvin has never been married. 



LUTHER TUCKER. 

LuTMKK Ticker was born in Brandon, Vt., May 7, 1S02. At the age of fourteen 
lie was apprenticed to Timothy C. Strong, a printer of Middlebury. Mr. Strong re- 
moved to Palmyra, N. Y.. in 1817 and took the young man with him, but they did 
not remain long together, the .separation coming two years later, before Mr. Tucker 
had quite finished his apprenticeship. Mr. Tucker then started out for himself and 
in the prosecution of his work, visited, during five succeeding years, various points in 
the North and East, and the cities of Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington and New 
York. In ftlie spring of 1825 he entered into partnership at Jamaica, Long Island, 
with Henry C. Sleight, whose business was chiefly the publication of standard works 
for New York houses. Some of the volumes then published are now in the posses- 
sion of his sons, bearing the iniinint of Sleight &• Tucker. In 182:! Mr. Tucker had 



passed through Rochester, N. Y., and although the place was then vei')- small, be 
was much impressed with the location. He witnessed there the first crossing on the 
aqueduct, over the Genesee, of the Erie Canal. When looking for a wider field than 
that at Jamaica, he went to Rochester and at the early age of twenty-four he began 
the publication of the Rochester Advertiser, the first daily new.spaper established on 
this Continent west of the city of Albany. Its first number appeared October 27. 
1820, and it at once attracted attention. January 1, 1831, he established the Genesee 
Farmer, while still continuing the Daily Advertiser. The circulation of the (Jenesee 
Farmer rapidly increased, notwithstanding the establishment of the Cultivator at 
Albany, by Judge Buel, under the auspices of the State Agricultural Society in 1834 
Mr. Tucker's paper had the larger circulation of the two. In 1839, after purchasing 
a farm near Rochester, he sold the daily paper, which still exists as one of the lead- 
ing journals of Western New York, under the name of the Rochester Union and Adver- 
tiser. Mr. Tucker then intended that farming and the publication of the Farmer 
should occupy all his tmie, but before a single season. Judge Buel's death at Albany 
left the Cultivator without a head and Mr. Tucker was induced to combine the two 
papers. The number of the paper for January, 1840, was published from Albany 
and bore the title of ■' The Cultivator; a consolidation of Buel's Cultivator and the 
Genesee Farmer." The publication is .still contmued by one of his sons and a grand- 
son, under the old firm name, Luther Tucker & Son, the paper (now called "The 
Cultivator and Country Gentleman"), being very much the oldest agricultural period- 
ical of any class in this country. Mr. Tm-ker died of pneumonia. Sunday. Janii;irv 
26. 1873. 



LUTHER H. TUCKER. 

Luther Henry Tucker, son of Luther and Mary (Sparhawk) Tucker, was born in 
Rochester, N. Y., October 19, 1834. His parents were of English descent and New 
England birth and ancestry dating back into the seventeenth century. At the time 
of his birth his father was engaged m the publication of the Rochester Daily Adver- 
tiser (a journal still widely popular and influential in this, itsseventy first year) and of 
the Gene.see Farmer, both which papers he founded, the Advertiser being the first 
daily established wesfof Albany and the Farmer the first really practical agricultural 
weekly in the world. The death of Judge Buel of Albany, conductor of the 
Cultivator, which occurred in 1839, gave Luther Tucker the opportunity of acquir- 
ing that paper and the good will of the New York State Agricultural Society, of 
which body the Cultivator was regarded as in some sense the organ ; and he estab- 
lished himself at Albany, bringing his family with him, in time to consolidate his 
new purchase with the Genesee Farmer for the first issue of the year 1840, calling 
the remodeled journal by the broader name. Here his son began school life, study- 
ing at the Albany Academy and one or two smaller institutions, and entering the 
sophomore class at Yale College before he had reached his eighteenth birthday. 
Although obliged to leave his college course unfinished, he took high junior honors, 
became eligible to election to the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, and the faculty 
granted him the honorary degree of A. M. with the rest of his class. 



125 

The premature return from college seemed to be necessitated by the state of 
iiiVairs at horne. When, in addition to the monthly Cultivator, Luther Tucker 
started an agricultural weekly, the Country Gentleman, he was not successful in 
securing for the business management of the venture such assistance as he shortly 
found to be absolutely needful. He had himself little aptitude and less liking for 
business details and financial plans. •The son appreciated the situation and felt 
tliere was just one course for him to pursue — abandon his studies and thoughts of a 
strictly professional career and lend his aid to the management of the papers. So 
he left college in the middle of junior year and took charge, in January, 1854, of the 
financial side of his father's affairs, becoming, December 1, 1855, a partner in the 
firm of Luther Tucker & Son. And it was chiefly owing to his efforts that the new 
jiaper, the Country Gentleman (with which the Cultivator was finally merged), proved 
a financial success. 

During the following thirty years he devoted himself to the paper with unremitting 
rnergy, assuming at the death of his father in 1873 the editorial as well as the busi- 
ness management. In the beginning he taught himself bookkeeping by the rapid 
absorption of the contents of one or two manuals of the art that happened to be at 
hand, and ultimately devised a special system of accounts for his special needs 
which has proved in the highest degree satisfactory, though probably quite unlike 
anything in use anywhere. And every department of the business came under his 
scrutiny and largely into his personal care. Economies were rapidly effected, the 
circulation of the papers was pushed by every means then known, order was brought 
out of chaos, and business prosperity began. 

But he also early entered into the editorial part of the work, and found himself 
equally successful in this sphere, and fast winning wide reputation. In the summer 
of 1859, after seeing what he could, in brief visits here and there, of the best Ameri- 
can farming, he spent some months in Europe (agricultural operations m this coun- 
try being at that time modeled on foreign practice after a fashion hardly conceivable 
by the present younger generation of American farmers) and detailed his observa- 
tions, first in letters to the Country Gentleman, and afterwards in a contribution to 
the nineteenth volume of the "Transactions of the State Agricultural Society," and 
in a series of lectures on English agriculture in a course of agricultural instruction 
at New Haven (delivered in 1860) which attracted wide attention and aided ma- 
terially in the subsequent development of the Sheffield Scientific School. It has 
seemed surprising that he was able to collect, in so short a time, and particularly 
in countries like France and Germany, whose languages he was compelled to ac- 
quire by periods of study that most persons would consider utterly inadequate — 
such a wealth of the practical and accurate information on agricultural practice for 
which the trip was undertaken, selecting with rare judgment the points most likely 
to be useful in the LTnited States. 

Of other literary work, outside of that constantly done in the office of the Country 
Gentleman, Mr. Tucker preserved no record, being absolutely careless of his reputa- 
tion as a writer and speaker, and keeping no copies of a number of lectures and 
essays of his that were at one time and another printed. In 1865, at the time when 
Congress distributed the public land fund for the establishment of colleges of agri- 
culture and the mechanic arts, Rutgers College at New Brunswick, N. J., received 
its share, and Mr. Tucker was appointed professor of agriculture in the first arrange- 



126 

ment of the faculty and delivered^a full course of lectures. He was compelled to 
resign his chair, however, at the completion of his course because of more pressing 
duties at home. 

In 1858 Mr. Tucker was elected treasurer of the State Agricultural Society (as had 
been his father, ten years before), and entered at once actively into the management 
of that body. He brought to official duty the same habits of unbounded energy, 
scrupulous accuracy, and the constant aiming at improvement and expansion, that 
characterized his operations as a publisher; and the rapid increase in the financial 
resources of the society which followed his election was certainly due in considerable 
part to the good management of the treasurer's office and to the sound judgment of 
the treasurer himself in the councils of the governing board. He resigned this office 
on the death of his father in 1873, when he became senior member of the firm (the 
original title remaining unaltered), that occurrence throwing upon him the heavy 
burden of the editorship in chief of the paper and adding greatly to his responsibili- 
ties. The executive committee accepted the resignation "with great reluctance," 
according to a minute made at the time, adding that the office had been (illed by 
him "most acceptably and efficiently." 

So passed thirty active and successful years — years however in which there was at 
first no opportunity, and afterwards but little thought, of recreation or pleasure. 
He did, it is true, make two or three fiying visits to warmer climes like Florida and 
Cuba to escape the opening of our northern spring, and he took occasionally a few 
days at the seashore and the springs in summer. But for the most part he was per- 
petually at his post. 

In the autumn of 1884, however, when he had just passed his fiftieth birthday, this 
unremitting application began to tell. A heavy cold, neglected at first, refused after- 
ward to yield to treatment, and brought about a condition of 'general malaise that 
rendered exertion of any kind most irksome; and at last, one gloomy day toward 
the close of the year — a busy day it was, too, when the edi,tor-in-chief had his hands 
and his head especially full — he found himself absolutely unable to go on, and left 
the office for rest and medical advice, expecting that a few days at home would 
make him all right again. 

But his condition had become so serious that a winter in Nassau was neces.sary, 
and even this did not restore his former health. The following winter (1886) was 
spent in Bermuda, and from January to June, 1887, he traveled in Southern Europe 
and Great Britain. For some years following shorter trips were taken ; another 
foreign tour in 1895. So although these years were shadowed by semi-invalidism, 
there were great alleviations in the larger lei.sure and opportunities for travel and 
observation. His life, in short, seemed enviable, and would have been .so indeed, 
had he succeeded in recovering completely his lost health. But this was not to be. 
A complication of disorders caused him trouble, and gave anxiety to those who loved 
him.— sometimes more, and sometimes less, but never entirely absent after the first 
break down. Toward the end of February, 1897, the symptoms of acute Bright's 
disease suddenly developed, and on Tuesday, February 23, he passed away peace- 
fully and painlessly. 

Mr. Tucker was one of the trustees of the Albany Savings Bank, treasurer of 
the board of trustees of the All)any College of Phannacv. and a vestryman of St. 
Peter's church. 



127 , 

November 28, LSGo. at St. George's Manor, L, I., Mr. 'J'ucker was married to Cor- 
nelia Strong Vail, daughter of Harvey Wentworth ^'all and Anne I'dall Vail of 
Islip, L. I. His wife survives him and four children, Lnther Henry, jr., Cornelia, 
Wentworth and Carll. 

The following are among the resolutions passed at Mr. Tucker's death In- the 
various bodies with which he was connected: 

At a special meeting of the board of trustees of the Albany Savings Bank, called 
to take action in regard to the death of Luther H. Tucker, the following minute was 
adopted : 

The associates .)f Luther H. Tueker, who for nearly fourteen years has been a trustee of this 
bank, desire to express their sincere sorrow for the loss of one who has so long and so ably as- 
sisted in the management of this institution, and to bear testimony to the faithfulness with which 
he has met the responsibilities of the position. 

While unobtrusive in manner, he «:i ' -" -acy of every measure which he 

believed would subserve the best ini. : .1 his associates felt that they 

could depend upon him for advice an^l 

To his family, so sadly bereaved, tli' : , . in this hour of trial, and as a 

manifestation of their respect will attend his funeral in a body. 

At a meeting of the vestry of St. Peter's chvirch, Alljany, February 28, 1807, an 
entry was directed on the minutes of the board, in respect to the death of the late 
Luther H. Tucker, as follows: 

The rector, wardens and vestrj'men of St. Peter's church have received with profound sorrow 
the announcement of the death of their friend and associate, Luther H. Tucker. They deeply 
mourn, in this event, the loss of a trusted and greatly esteemed officer of the church, and of a fel- 
low citizen of rare attainments, widely extended influence and estimable life and character, and 
they direct that the following brief record of his earthly career shall be entered in their minutes, 
transmitted to his family, and given to the press for publication. 

Somewhat more than forty years ago Mr. Tucker, then barely twenty years of age, came 
with a brilliant record for scholarship from Yale College, his Alma Mater, back to his home at 
.\lbany, quietly dropped into his seat in the editorial sanctum of the Country Gentleman, by the 
side of that of his distinguished father, Luther Tucker, the founder, proprietor and editor of that 
sheet, and at once addressed his attention diligently, and with great zeal, to the especial news- 
paper work of that agricultural organ. 

Some twenty years later, when Luther Tucker, the senior, having conducted the paper 
through his untiring and determined labors' to a useful a prosperous career, rested from his 
arduous duties, the son stepped from the seat which had been at his father's side into the vacant 
place at the head, and became, as his father before him, manager and editor-in-chief. The enter- 
prise expanded and grew with the efflux of years, under the intelligent management which 
shaped its editorial work, and guided its business affairs, and it became more and more, as it 
continues to be to-day, the most important and reliable of the agricultural periodicals of this 
country. 

In the editorial work of the Country Gentleman; in the study of those branches of useful and 
practical knowledge which were incidental and essential to that work; in literary pursuits, for 
which he had especial fondness and adaptation; in the enjoyment of the pleasures of an affluent 
.and delightful domestic life, and of a generous hospitality; in the pleasure of a constant benevo- 
lence; in travel and in the rational enjoyments of human existence, Mr. Tucker's life was passed, 
and has closed with the record of a career of undev 
although seemingly impersonal influence upon hu 
vidual men to exert. 

The honors which he achieved in more public employments were those obtained through oc- 
casional non-editorial literary productions in the earlier period of his career; by a series of lec- 
tures on agricultural subjects at Yale College; through his connection with Rutgers College as 
its professor, for a brief period, of agriculture, a position resigned as incompatible with his edi- 
torial duties at .'\lbany, and through his connection with the New York State Agricultural 
Society for some time as its most efficient treasurer. 



128 

For fifteen years he had been a member of this board, 
St. Peter's church; a judicious and reliable counselor in it 

At a meeting of the board of trustees of the Albany College of Pharmacy, Feb- 
ruary 25, the following resolution was adopted : 

A'm«/7w/— That in the death of T.uther H. Tucker, who from the founding of the college had 
been a member of this board and its treasurer, we have suffered great and serious loss. Wc 
shall miss his wise counsel, unswerving loyalty and substantial aid. We extend to his bereaved 
family our sincere sympathy, and direct that this resolution be suitably published and spread 
upon the minutes of this board. * 

At a meeting of the Yale Alumni Association of Eastern New York at Albany. 
February 24, the following was adopted: 

The friends of Mr. Tucker entertain pleasant "memories of their associations with him in the 
past, and they appreciate the honor which his literary work has conferred upon his Alma Mater. 
In later years he showed his affection for the college by sending to it his eldest son, to be edu- 
cated there. The association desire to express to his widow and children their heartfelt sym- 
pathy in their hour of trial and loss. 



GEN. JOHN G. FARNSWORTII. 

John (Josman Farnsworth was born in Elmira, N. Y.. January 21, 18:!2. His 
parents were Marshall L. Farnsworth and Joanna B. Gosnian, his wife. His father 
was born March 12, 1798, was graduated at Union College in 1825, and on June 30, 
1830, married Joanna B. Gosman ; he died November 27, 1838. He was a faithful 
minister of the Congregational church. General Farnsworth traced his descent to 
both E;nglish and Holland Dutch sources. On the paternal side he was descended 
from members of that sturdy body of Puritans who made a home on the rugged 
shores of Massachusetts more than two and a half centuries ago, and among 
whose children and children's children were many whose names became prominent 
in the Revolutionary, literary and theological history of the earlj' days of this 
country. On his mother's side he came from the earliest Dutch settlers of New 
York. 

General Farnsworth was the recipient of a practical education, having pursued in- 
telligently and faithfully his studies at the academies iti Ithaca, N. Y.. and Albany, 
supplemented by a course at Pittsfield, Mass., fitting him thoroughly for the active 
duties and responsibilities of life. His first business enterprise was in the wholesale 
lumber trade as a member of the firm of J. O. Towner & Co., which for many years 
carried on an extensive business. Here Mr. Farnsworth found active employment 
for his mind, and gradually absorbed those correct and systematic business prin- 
ciples which in later years made him so valuable a servant in the public service. 

When, in 1861, the crash of civil war pealed over the land, shattering the con- 
lent of thousands of homes, and plunging into chaos the business of the country, 
young Farnsworth felt moving within him a new and theretofore untried sentiment. 
A firm Democrat of the Jacksonian school, he was none the less a patriot and sup- 
porter of the administration to which he was politically opposed. If his country 
needed his services in the suppression of the Rebellion, he was ready to devote them 
to the full extent of his power. 



129 

< )n the 14th of April, 1862, he was appointed by President Lincoln to the post of 
of captain and assistant quartermaster and assigned to duty in the Army of the 
I'otomac. In this position he found ample scope to employ the knowledge gained 
111 his business experience, and so well did he apply it that from July. 1862, to 
August, 1883, he served as chief quartermaster of the Fourth Army Corps under 
.Maj.-Gen. E. D. Keyes. From August, 1863, until January, 1864, as a member of 
the staff of Gen. M. C. Meigs, quartermaster-general of the U. S. army, he accom- 
panied the latter on a tour of inspection through the western departments, and was 
present with him during the siege of Chattanooga and at the desperate battles of 
Mission Ridge and Lookout Mountain. 

From February, 1864, to November of the same year General Farnsworth was in 
command at Wheeling of the principal .supply depot of the quartermaster's depart- 
ment of West Virginia, and from November, 1864. to September, 1865, he was chief 
<iuartermaster of the department of West Virginia with headquarters at Cumber- 
land. October 23. 1865. upon his own application, he was mustered out of the 
United States service and returned home to engage in his former business. His 
record throughout the Rebellion was untarnished ; on the contrary his whole career 
was characterized by faithfulness, energy, and the brilliant faculty of always being 
ready, and his brevets of major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of United States 
Volunteers were but small tokens of recognition of the worth of his devotion and 
labor. 

September 21, 1868, he became connected with the military service of the State, 
and until 1871 was colonel of the 10th Battalion, National Guard. January 1, 1883, 
Governer Cleveland appointed him adjutant general of the State, and in this 
capacity he proved his ability as an administrative military officer. During his in- 
cumbency the National Guard improved m strength, discipline and efficiency, and 
the Camp of Instruction (established by General Townsend in 1882) was made a per- 
manent feature; under General Farnsworth's direction the site near Peekskill was 
purchased for this purpose and is now known as the State Camp; also, during his 
term, a new service uniform was adopted, a new military code became a law and 
new regulations were adopted. On the request of General Farnsworth in 1884, the 
United States War Department permitted the use of one of the forts at New York, 
for a brief period, to be occupied by a regiment from that city, for the purpose of 
instruction in the handling and firing the heavy sea-coast guns, the success of which 
tour proved its wisdom; the practice was continued during his administration. 

At the close of his official term. General Farnsworth was placed on the super- 
numerary list of officers, subject to call to duty when required, an instance of which 
occurred in 1890, when he was sent to Syracuse to take command in suppressing the 
threatened railroad difficulties at that point. 

In 1878 he was appointed one of the commissioners of Washington Park and 
served as such nine years. In 1886 he was placed in charge of the prosecution of 
war claims of the State of New York against the United States, an office he filled to 
the time of his death, and in which he succeeded in collecting about §3,000,000. He 
was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, of 
the Fort Orange Club, the Masonic order, and several other organizations. 

In 18.56 General Farnsworth was married to Miss Sarah V. (^ourlay, daughter of 



130 

William B. Gourlay, of Albany. They had two children; John Farnsworth, married 
and a resident of Plattsburg, and a daughter, Emma. 

General Farnsworth died from a stroke of paralysis, at the Arhngton Hotel, 
Washington, D. C. , April 6, 1895. He contracted a heavy cold the previous winter, 
which developed into a protracted attack of the grip. In the hope of being able to 
drive the disease from his system he went to Washington six weeks before his 
demise, and was followed two weeks later by Mrs. Farnsworth, who was by his bed- 
side when he expired. 

His funeral was notable, not only in the numbers and prominence of those in at- 
tendance, but in the impressive solemnity of the service, and accompanied, as it was, 
with all the honors that should be paid to a gallant soldier, an upright and faithful 
official and good citizen. St. Peter's chttrch never held within its walls a more 
sympathetic body of mourners, and the unspoken sorrow was visibly impressed upon 
the face of every one present. 

The following tribute to General Farnsworth is taken from resolutions passed by 
the Commandery of the State of New York, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of 
the United States; 

"On the evening of April 6, 1895, there passed suddenly from life's activities here to 
the life beyond one whose mainspring of action was intense loyalty to duty and to 
friends. Gentle by nature and simple-hearted, trustful yet cautious, generous of im- 
pulse and with straightforward singleness of purpose, doing the right because it was 
right without thought o'f his own advancement and interest, a lovely, honest, brave 
character, he died deeply lamented by his immediate friends, who were legion, and 
by a greater multitude with whom, through many years, he had been thrown in 
familiar official intercourse. The tributes of intense respect showered upon his 
bereaved family were silent witnesses to the manly life of one who never turned his 
back on a friend nor faltered in the performance of duty or in any proper sacrifice 
to aid others. Unselfish to the last degree, he was blind to the ingratitude of others. 
His eyes beheld always the better and bright side of human nature. 

■' Pleased with his guests, the good man learned to glow. 
And quite forget their vices in their woe; 
Careless their merits or their faults to scan, 
His pity gave ere charity began. 

Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride. 

And e'en his failings leaned to virtue's side." 



GEORGE H. CURREEN. 

Gf.okge H. Curkeen, son of John and Sarah (Moore) Curreen, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., May 27, 1836. His maternal great-grandfather, Hans Collenberg, came from 
Holland and located in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, and built a house 
where the Reformed church school house now stands. His paternal great-grandfather 
came from Nova Scotia. Mr. Curreen attended the public schools of the city of 
Albany, and learned the trade of stonecutter with George Belden in Greenbu.sh, N.Y. 
He remained with him four years and then started in business for himself. The 




(,EOR(,H H. CI RRHHN. 



131 

panic of 18ii7 caused him considerable loss and he moved to Ballston Spa, N. V., 
where he worked for O. D. Vaughn at the trade he had learned, until the breaking 
nut of the war. 

In August. 1802, he enlisted in the 115th N. V. Vols, and was made first sergeant 
upon the organization of Company C. At the surrender of Harper's Ferry, Va., to 
Stonewall Jackson, Sept. 25, 1862, where with his Regiment he was made a prisoner. 
Sergeant Curreen saved the regimental colors, the only colors of the 12,000 troops 
that were saved from the enemy. He was wounded at the battle of Olustee, Florida, 
February 20, 1864, and received promotion to second lieutenant from Governor 
Horatio Seymour, the commission dating from the battle of Olustee. He was again 
wounded June 30, 1864, at the Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va., and thereupon was 
promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. Many times he was sent North by Gen. 
O. A. Gilmore on special service. He was mustered out of the service at Albany, 
N. Y. , in December, 1864, and in 1865 Governor Fenton commissioned him captain 
of the National Guard in recognition of his many noble acts. Mr. Curreen is now 
a member of Post 644, G. A. R. , and has held at different times all the offices of 
the post. He w-as also on the staff of Gen. Lucius B. Fairchild when he was com- 
mander-m-chief of the G. A. R. 

After the war Mr. Curreen located in Greenbush, N. Y., where he had charge of 
the police force, then under the Capital City Police Commission, associated with 
Chief Shepard and Supermtendeut Allen. He subsequently went into business 
again and owned and controlled the Monumental Architectural Works. He re- 
mained in Greenbush until 1891, when he removed to his present location. No. 154 
Madison avenue, Albany. He held public office in Greenbush several times. He 
is a member of the Liederkranz Singing Society and of the Trinity M. E. church, in 
which he has held many important offices. June 1, 1857, he married Sarah A. Near 
of Albany, and they had five children; George B., Lewis M., Grace R., Ida F. and 
Fred M. Mrs. Curreen died May 12, 1895. 



ISAAC H. MAYNARD. 

Hon. Isaac H. Maynard was born in Bovina, Delaware county, N. Y., April 9, 
1888. His paternal ancestry were of English origin, his great-grandfather emigrat- 
ing to this country from the north of England in 1740. His maternal ancestors were 
Scotch. His earlier j-ears were passed on his father's farm and in attendance at the 
district school. In 1854 he entered the Stamford Seminary, where he prepared for 
college, entering Amherst College in 1858 and graduating with honors in 1862. In 
the study of Greek he took one of the Mather prizes and for his proficiency in extem- 
poraneous debate during his college course, he received one of the Hardy prizes. 
He delivered the German oration at the Junior exhibition and was one of the moni- 
tors of his class. He pronounced one of the English orations at the commencement 
and was valedictorian. 

Two months after graduating he entered the law office of the late Hon. William 
Murray, afterwards judge of the Supreme Court at Delhi, N. Y., and was admitted 
to the bar in 1863. He practiced law in Delhi in 1865, when he removed to Stam- 



132 

ford, Delaware county, and formed a partnership with his cousin, F. R. Gilbert, 
afterwards judge of the Supreme Court, which continued until Januar5^ 1878. Mr. 
Maynard was elected supervisor of the town of Stamford, and in 1870 was re-elected 
and made chairman of the board. He was largely instrumental in securing the in- 
corporation of the village by special act of the Legislature and was the author of its 
charter. He was elected the nrst president and was re elected unanimously for ten 
successive years. 

In 1875 he was elected a member of the Assembly and in 1876 was re elected. He 
was an active supporter of Governor Tilden in the presidential contest of 1877, and 
was always among the foremost leaders of the Democratic party. In 1877 Mr. May- 
nard was elected county judge and surrogate of Delaware county and served a full 
terra of si.\ years. In 1883 he was the Democratic candidate for secretary of state. 
January 1, 1884, he was appointed by Attorney-General O'Brien, deputy attorney- 
general, which office he held until the following June, when he was called by Presi- 
dent Cleveland to assume the duties of second comptroller of the United States 
Treasury. April 1, 1887, he was appointed assistant secretary of the treasury, to 
succeed Charles S. Fairchild, who had been made secretary upon the retirement of 
Daniel Manning. He resigned this position March 5, 1889. but remained at his desk 
until April 1. at the request of Secretary Windom. 

On May 22. 1889, he was appointed by Governor Hill, one of the commissioners to 
revise the laws of the State of New York and while engaged in this work, he pre- 
pared the original draft of the revised corporation laws of the State. January 1, 
1890, he was again appointed deputy attorney general by Attorney-General Tabor 
and re-appointed January 1, 1892, by Attorney-General Rosendale. 

On January 19, 1892, he was honored by Governor Flower with the appointment 
as associate judge of the Court of Appeals, in place of Judge Earl, who had been ap- 
pointed chief judge to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Ruger, and he was 
reappomted January 1, 1893, to fill the vacancy caused by the election of Judge Andrews 
to be chief judge. In the latter year he was nominated by the Democrats to succeed 
himself, but was defeated. Upon his retirement from the bench, January 1. 1894, 
Judge Maynard resumed the practice of the law in Albany, in connection with his 
former partner. Judge Gilbert, the firm being Maynard, Gilbert & Cone. He was 
an eminent jurist and a lawyer of great learning, and his native sagacity, his long 
experience and intimate knowledge of men and affairs greatly enhanced his useful- 
ness as a judge of the highest court of the State. He died in Albany June 12, 1896, 
leaving a widow and one daughter, who reside in Stamford, N. V. 



NOEL E. SISSON. 

Noel E. Si.sson was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, N. Y. , on the 23d 
day of January. 1821. In those days in the country it was always a hard struggle 
for a livelihood, and Noel, appreciating this fact, and being slender in physique and 
not very robust, at the early age of fourteen left the farm and parental roof, with 
consent of his parents, and went to work in a store at Hunter s Land,' where his 









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NOHL E. SISSO.N. 



133 

employer, who had been a schoolmaster, promised him teaching in books and instruc- 
tion as his compensation. 

The boy soon found, however, that the promised instructon was mamly confined 
to the manual labor he was expected to perform in the store and daily chores. 

He remained in this place about a year; but during this period young Sisson em- 
ployed all his spare time at his books. 

The next few years of his life were spent in working, going to school and teaching 
school ; always striving to get an education and better his condition in life. With 
this end in view, at the age of twenty-four, in 1845, he did what so many others have 
done, and what so many are still doing; became to the city — to Albany, full of ardor 
and full of hope, with a firm determination to succeed in life 

At this time the method of taking pictures by photography was in its infancy, and 
Mr. vSisson, after carefully studying the process and becoming familiar with the art, 
entered into the business at the corner of Maiden Lade and Broadway. Subse- 
quently he enlarged his business and dealt in photographers' supplies, etc., and 
built up a large trade, which he continued at this place with great success for four- 
teen years. 

About this time Mr. Donald MacDonald, a sturdy, worthy Scotchman and friend, had 
just returned from a vifit abroad, where he had found his brother making gas meters, 
and believing that it would be a profitable venture to enter into m this country, he 
came to Mr. Sisson, his old friend, and asked him to loan him a thousand dollars. 
Mr. Sisson, knowing Mr. MacDonald to be an honest, worthy man, and wishing to 
aid him, kindly advanced the sum required. 

A little later on, another loan was applied for and freely given. Mr. MacDonald 
had started his manufactory in a small shop on Lancaster street, employing but a 
few men. The business grew, but money was wanted, and Mr. MacDonald came to 
Mr. Sisson and asked him to take a half interest in the business and furnish the 
necessary capital. 

The arrangement was made and the firm of D. MacDonald &- Co. was formed in 
18.")9, and still continues. The elder MacDonald is dead, but his son has succeeded 
to his father's interest. 

The little shop of 1859 has grown to a fine stately building, running through from 
Lancaster to Chestnut street, in 1897 giving employment to some 300 men. 

Mr. Sisson has twice married; his first wife was Miss Emaline GriflSn, daughter of 
Dr. Griffin, of Middleburgh, N. Y. He has two children: a daughter, Eleanor, the 
wife of Mr. Daniel C. Bennett, and a son, Frank N. Sisson. The second wife was 
Miss Anna Bogardusof Albany. Mr. Sisson has long resided at 92 Lancaster street, 
in one of the pleasantest residences in Albany, with large grounds in the rear, where 
in the summer time it is his delight to spend a portion of his time in his well culti- 
vated garden and among his beautiful roses and flowers. 

Mr. Sisson is a director of the First National Bank of Albany, and of the Commerce 
Insurance Company of Albany. He is also president of the (Jas Light Company of 
Bath, Steuben county, N. Y., and a charter member of the Fort Orange Club of 
Albany. 

Mr. Sisson is a plain, quiet, unostentatious man, with habits of industry and per- 
severance, genial manners, sturdy honesty and square dealings in all his business 
affairs; whose wonl among his associates is always as good as his bond ; thrifty and 



134 

saving in the early period of his life, and when in after years well earned compe- 
tency came, generous and liberal to old friends and worthy charities; a man of keen 
perception and far seeing intuition in business affairs that has made him a valued 
adviser to many friends, and a wise counselor to his associates in the companies and 
corporations with which he has been officially connected ; upright character, honesty 
and integrity, all these are happily united and firmly welded in the life and char- 
acter of the subject of this sketch. 

Now in his after years, when his sun has passed the meridian, and he looks back 
along the paths of his labor and life's work with supreme happiness and contentment, 
how pleasant must be the satisfaction to him that he has not lived in vain ; that while 
making himself and his family happy and prosperous, he has also contributed to the 
happiness and prosperity of others; that he has been instrumental in giving honora- 
ble employment to thousands of men, with fair and reasonable remuneration, and 
that by so doing he has largely aided in making many happy homes and contributed 
to the prosperity of the city of his adoption. 

This, in brief, is the story of Mr. Sisson's life, and it presents a fruitful chapter to 
the young men of the present age, full of useful lessons and instruction for their 
benefit and guidance. 



DANIEL MANNING. 

Hon. Daniel Man.ning, son of John, was born in Albany, August 16, 1831, and died 
there December 24, 188". He received a good public school education and when twelve 
years of age entered the office of the Albany Argus, where, by his natural abilities, 
lie rose gradually through the various grades until he became manager of the paper. 
In 1873 he was elected president of the Argus Company, which position he held until 
his death. He devoted much study to our banking system, became well versed in all 
great financial matters and was an authority on different questions in this depart- 
ment. He was a trustee of the National Savings Bank, became vice-president of 
the National Commercial Bank in 1881 and at the death of Hon. Robert H. Pruyn 
in 1882, was elected president of the latter institution. He al.sogave much attention 
to railroad matters and was especially interested in the Albany & Susquehanna line. 
His political career was a most brilliant one, beginning about 1872, and for many 
years he was the recognized leader in Albany of the Democratic party. He was a 
member of the State Democratic Conventions from 1874 to 1884, a member of the 
Democratic State Committee from 1874 to 1885, secretary of the same in 1879-811 
and chairman from 1881 to 1884, and a delegate to the National Democratic Conven- 
tions of 1870, 1880, and 1884, serving as chairman of that body in 1880 and of the 
New York delegation in 1884, when Grover Cleveland was first nominated for the 
presidency, an event largely due to the political sagacity and bold leadership of Mr. 
Manning. In March, 1885, President Cleveland appointed him secretary of the 
treasury at Washington, which position he resigned in April, 1887, in consequence 
of failing health. The last official appointment which he accepted was the presi- 
dency of the Western National Bank of New York. As an able and sound financier 
and as a successful politician, his name will live in the pages of American history 



135 

through coming generations. In 1853 Mr. Manning married Mary Little, who died 
in 1882. There were four children: James Hilton Manning, so long identified with 
the Argus, and Frederick Clinton Manning, a prominent engraver of Albany, are 
his sons; and two daughters, Mary E., wife of Jules C. Van der Oudermeuluen ; 
Anna, wife of John A. Delehanty. November 19, 1884. he married Mary Margaretta 
Fryer, daughter of William J. Fryer, of Albany. 



JOHN M. BIGELOW, M. D., Ph. D. 

J.Mi.N M. BiGELOW, M.D., Ph.D., was born in Albany on the 32d day of August, 
1S47, and descends from one of the oldest and most respected families in American 
colonial history. His ancestors migrated from Braintree, Essex county, England, 
and settled near Boston, Mass., soon after the landing of the Pilgrims in 1620. From 
that time until the present they have been conspicuous in professional, commercial, 
civil, military and social affairs, many of them holding high official posts in the array, 
the State and the nation. They were especially prominent in developing the early 
history of New England and in shaping the destinies of the Massachusetts colony. 
Among Dr. Bigelow's ancestors are Dr. Jacob Bigelow and Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, 
D.C.L., of Boston; Hon. John Bigelow, secretary of state; Harriet Beecher Stowe, 
the famous authoress ; and Hon. Alpheus Bigelow, justice of the Supreme Court ; and 
many who were active as soldiers, officers or civiUans during the war of the Revolu- 
tion. On his mother's side he is of pure German stock, being a descendant of Jacob 
von Zimmer, a general in the army of Frederick the Great, who settled in America 
in 1732. Another famous ancestor was Frederick Basslaer, a professor in the Univer- 
sity of Berne, Switzerland, who came to the United States in 1740. The late T. S. 
Doolittle, D.D., LL.D., vice-president of Rutgers College, was also connected with 
the family. 

Dr. Bigelow's great-great-grandfather. Dr. Josiah Bigelow, of Westo'n, Mass., was 
born in 1730 and died in 1810, and was a prominent physician, as was also his son. 
Dr. Uriah Bigelow, of Worcester, N. Y., who was born in 1765 and died in 1842. 
His grandfather, Dr. Uriah Gregory Bigelow, sr., of Worcester, and son of Dr. Uriah, 
was born in 1794, married Miss Henrietta Barnes in 1816, became a member of the 
New York State Medical Society, and died in 1850. Dr. Bigelow's father, Dr. Uriah 
Gregory Bigelow, jr., was born in Worcester, N. Y., in 1821, married Lovina von 
Zimmer in 1843. settled in Albany in May, 1844. and died here in February, 1872; he 
was at one time president of the Albany County Medical Society, curator of the 
Albany Medical College, member of the New York State Medical Society, and was 
one of the leading physicians of the city. 

Dr John M. Bigelow inherited the sturdy characteristics and rare mental endow- 
ments of this splendid ancestry, and ably represents the fifth of five generations of 
talented physicians and surgeons. From early youth he has worked assiduouslv, 
first, to secure an education, and afterward to practice those principles which hard 
and continued study enabled him to master. He was graduated from the Albany 
Boys' Academy with full diploma in 1863 and won several prizes, among them the 
Van Rensselaer classical medal. In 1864 he entered the junior class of Williams 



136 

College, where he made rapid progress in his studies, and from which he was gradu- 
ated with the degree of A.B. in 1866. Soon afterward he began the study of medi- 
cine at the Albany Medical College and later entered the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons of New York city, and received the degree of M.D. from each institution 
in 1870. He became a practicing physician in Albany, by license in 1869. 

Dr. Bigelow was among the first physicians in the United States to make a specialty 
of diseases of the throat and nose, in the treatment of which he has had a wide and 
valuable experience. There are few practitioners in the State who are better known 
or enjoy a higher reputation. His work in colleges and hospitals has been varied. 
He was professor of materia medica and therapeutics and of diseases of the throat 
and nose in the Albany Medical College from 1870 to 1896, when he resigned the 
former chair to devote his attention to the latter. He has been attending physician 
to the Albany City and St. Peter's Hospitals since 1870, and the Old Men's Home 
•since 1874, and is now attending physician and surgeon for the diseases of the throat 
and nose to each of these institutions. In therapeutics he is a recognized authority 
in this country. His lectures, which are mainly extempore, embody the most ad- 
vanced and tenable thoughts and facts of the science and art of medicine of the 
present age, and the remark is often made that they have the finish of a book. They 
are certainly combined with and illustrated by a long and successful practice, and 
are remarkable for their command of language and clear, concise presentation of the 
subject. His connection with the Albany Medical College has been of inestimable 
value to that institution and to the hundreds of students who have pursued their 
professional education under his able and conscientious teachings. 

Ur. Bigelow was county physician in 1871, has been president, and for twenty-seven 
years a member of the Albany County Medical Society, and is a member of the New 
York State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He has been a 
member of the International Medical Congress, was one of the honorary presidents 
of the Pan-American Congress, and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha 
Delta Phi college fraternities, and of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., of Albany. 
He is a life member and ex-president of the Young Merl's Association, an honorary 
member of the Albany Burgesses Corps, a charter member of the Albany Club, an 
associate member of the Albany Press Club, a member of the Unconditional Repub- 
lican Club, and an honorary member of several other organizations. In March, 1893, 
Rutgers College conferred upon him the degree of Ph.D. He is one of the most 
charitable, public spirited and benevolent of men, kind hearted, companionable, and 
sympathetic, and is always ready to relieve distress and encourage worthy enter- 
prises. He is a large property owner, is one of the substantial and foremost citizens 
of Albany, and is universally esteemed and respected as a gentleman and highly 
honored as a physician. 

On February 14, 1874, Dr. Bigelow was married to Miss Sara A., daughter of the 
late Thomas P. and Amelia T. Crook, of Albany, where she was born January li», 
1848. She died September 21, 1879. Their only son and child, Albert Stewart Bige- 
low, died November 26, 1876. 



JOHN H. FARRELL, 

John H. Farrei.i. was born on the banks of the Hudson River, near Albany, Sep- 
tember 1, 1839, and was educated at No. 8 public school in Albany and the 
Christian Brothers' Academy in Troy. When fifteen he entered the employ of 
Hugh J. Hastings of the Albany Knickerbocker and remained with him nearly two 
years; he then entered the employ of Luther Tucker, editor of the Country Gentle- 
man and Cultivator, where he remained until January, 1870. In 1863 he accepted 
an appointment to edit the telegraphic dispatches for the morning and eveninj< 
])apers in Albany and continued to do this until January, 1870, when he resigned 
and succeeded Daniel Shaw as city editor of the Albany Argus. The Sunday Press 
was started m May, 1870, by E. H. Gregory, J. H. Mulligan, John T. Maguire, 
Myron H. Rooker, James MacFarlane and John H. Farrell. In September, 1870, 
the first three named persons sold their interests in the paper to Mr. Farrell and on 
June 1, 1871, he retired from the Argus to devote his energies to the Sunday Press, 
which was in 1877 made a daily. In August following Mr. Farrell purchased the 
Knickerbocker and consolidated it with the Daily Press. In March, 1891, after 
twenty-one years' partnership, Mr. Farrell sold his one half interest in the Press and 
Knickerbocker and Sunday Press to his partners for $50,000 cash, and after a brief 
rest purchased the Evening Union. During the summer of 1891 he purchased the 
Albany Sun and Evening Times and combined the three dailies in one called the 
Times-Union. Mr. Farrell's ability as a newspaper editor has been acquired by an 
exceedingly active daily experience, covering the entire period of his manhood. He 
was one of the founders of the United Press and has been its vice-president, and has 
also been a member of the executive committee of the New York State Associated 
Press. He was one of the founders of the American Newspaper Publishers' Asso- 
ciation and for several years has been a member of its executive committee. He was 
president of the New York State Editorial Association in 1895-96; is a vice-president 
of the Home Savings Bank of Albany; a director in the Albany City National Bank 
and the Commerce Insurance Company; and is a trustee of St. Agnes Cemeteiy, St. 
\'incent Male and Female Orphan Asylums of Albany, and the Albany Hospital for 
Incurables. He was a charter member of the Fort Orange Club, and is deeply inter- 
ested either as officer or stockholder in several enterprises in the city of Albany. 

In June, 1869, Mr. Farrell was married to Miss Mary V. Gibbons, of New York, 
and they have three sons and four daughters; James C. Farrell, the eldest son, is 
manager of the Argus; John F. , the second son, is a lawyer, while Joseph A. is on 
the editorial staff of the Times-Union. 



JAMES W. COX, M. I). 

James William Cox, M. D., son of Thomas and Sally (Bump) Cox, was born Feb- 
ruary 5, 1828, in Gilbertsville, Otsego county, N. V., where his paternal ancestor, 
Joseph Cox, from England, settled in 1787. Thomas was a soldier at Sackett's Har- 
bor in the war of 1812, while his father-in-law, Jacob Bump, of Uxbridge, Mass., 



138 

served in the Colonial war, was present at the assault and capture of Quebec, and 
signed, with others, the "Association Test" of 177G. The Cox famih' were prom- 
inent farmers in Otsego county. 

Dr. J. W. Cox was educated privately under Rev. James Hughes and at the Gil- 
bertsville Academy and when eighteen began teaching school at a salary of 
$10 per month. His father died when he had reached the age of twenty and he was 
obliged to attend to the farm. When twenty-one he was elected superintendent of 
common schools on the Whig ticket and about the same time began the study of 
medicine with Dr. Charles Sumner of Gilbertsville. In the fall of 1848 he came to 
Albany and completed his medical studies with Dr. Henry M. Paine, the eminent 
homeopathist and was graduated as M. D. from the Albany Medical College in Jan- 
uary, 1853. For two years he was associated in practice with his last preceptor. In 
1854 he opened an office on the northeast corner of Maiden Lane and Chapel street, 
and in 1862 moved thence to No. 109 State street, where he died June 9, 1896. 

He was a man of rare mental attainments, ranked high among the leading home- 
opathists of the State and was successful and widely respected. He was a senior 
member of the American In.stitute of Homeopathy, a member of the New York 
State Homeopathic Medical Society, a founder and president of the Albany County 
Homeopathic Medical Society, a prime mover in establishing the Homeopathic 
Free Dispensary in Plain street, and was one of the founders of the Albany City 
Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary, of which he was consulting phy.sician at the 
time of his death. He was continuously in charge of the homeopathic ward at the 
Child's Hospital; was a thirty-second degree Mason, holding membership in Mas- 
ters Lodge No. 5; was a Whig and later a Republican and in 1863 served as United 
States medical examiner in Albany to examine recruits, and was a charter member 
of the Fort Orange Club. 

In 1854 he married Hannah M., daughter of Joseph Thomas and Hannah (Thorpe) 
Gilbert, and granddaughter of Abijah Gilbert, the founder of Gilbertsville. She 
was born in 1830, and died March 16, 1885, leaving four children: Caroline Gilbert, 
wife of Frederick Harris, an attorney; James W., jr., born in April, 1859, now 
president of the Albany Felt Company; and Drs. Frederick J. and Edward G., who 
succeeded their father in practice. 

Frederick Joseph Cox, M. D., born June 27, 1866, was graduated from Greylock 
Institute at South Williamstown, Mass., in 1885, from Williams College in 1889, and 
from the Albany Medical College in 1892, having read medicine meanwhile with his 
father. He is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the New York 
State and Albany County Homeopathic Medical Societies, the sons of the American 
Revolution and the Fort Orange Club, and visiting physician to the -Albany City 
Homeopathic Hospital and Dispensary. 

Edward Gilbert Cox, M. D., was born February 6. 1868, was graduated from Grey- 
lock Institute in 1887 and matriculated at Williams College in the class of 1891. He 
was graduated as M. D. from the Albany College in 1893, is a member of all the 
societies to which his brother. Dr. Frederick J. Cox, belongs and is attending sur- 
geon to the Albany City Homeopathic Hospital and .secretary and treasurer of 
the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society; vice-president New York State 
Homeopathic Medical Society. In October, 1892, he married Mary L. Adams of 
Albany. 



1 



139 
SAMUEL HAND. 

Samuei, Hanii was born in Elizabethtown, Essex county, N. Y., May 1, 1833. He 
acquired his early education from his father, Augustus C. Hand, for a time a justice 
of the Supreme Court, and from Robert S. Hale, who were both men of scholarly 
tastes. At fourteen he entered the college at Middlebury, Vt., which he left after 
two years to go to Union College, from which he was graduated in 1851. He then 
returned to Elizabethtown, studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar, 
where he practiced until 1859, when he went to Albany and formed a partnership 
with J. V. L. Pruyn, who retired from practice, however, a year later. After a short 
time Mr. Hand was taken into the firm of Cagger & Porter, and upon the election of 
Mr Porter as judge of the Court of Appeals, succeeded to the appellate work of the 
/irm which was at the time large, as it was in great measure the inheritance from 
that of Nicholas Hill, when the firm had been that of Hill, Cagger & Porter. Mr. 
Cagger was accidentally killed in 1868 and Mr. Hand again found himself alone, 
though this time with a large practice. 

In 1869 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Matthew Hale, to which 
were added later Nathan Swartz and Charles S. Fairchild. In 1881 Mr. Hand dis- 
solved his partnership with Mr. Hale, who was at the time the only other member of 
the firm, and he continued practice alone until he stopped altogether, shortly before 
his death. May 21, 1886. 

Mr. Hand's practice as a lawyer was almo,st from the first largely confined to ap- 
pellate work, in which he attained great skill and a high repute. During the ten 
years preceding his death it is probable that no lawyer was retained in as many cases 
before the Court of Appeals as he, and he was probably the last of a long line of 
able lawyers in Albany who could devote themselves Vvholly to this cream of legal 
practice in the court of last resort; since by the increased facilities of travel lawyers 
can now take charge of their own work in this court, and so can save the expense of 
counsel to their clients and gain reputation for themselves. It would be needless to 
enumerate the most important cases in which Mr. Hand wasengaged, because nothing 
is more ephemeral than the interest which any individual case occasions, though it 
be of high importance to the parties and involve an important point of law. Perhaps 
the Parish will case and the suit of the State against the canal ring may yet be gen- 
erally remembered. 

In 1863 Mr. Hand was appointed corporation counsel of Albany to succeed Clinton 
Cassidy, and in 1869, reporter to the Court of Appeals, a position which he held until 
1872, when he resigned after reporting six volumes, in order the better to conduct 
his increasing practice at the bar. In 1876 Mr. Hand declined an appointment by 
rJovernor Tilden as justice of the Supreme Court, but in June, 1878, he accepted an 
appomtment by Governor Robin.son as associate judge of the Court of Appeals, in 
the place of Judge Allen, who had died, and he held this office until the end of that 
year, being the youngest man but one who had held the position. He failed of the 
Democratic nomination for the election in the ensuing November owing to the oppo- 
sition of Tammany Hall, of which John Kelly was at the time the leader, and from 
that time he held no further public office. 

Mr. Hand came of a strongly Democratic family and was always a staunch sup- 



140 

porter of that party. He was an intimate friend of Governor Tilden, who wished 
him to run for governor in 1876, after Horatio Seymour had declined the nomination, 
when Tilden was running for president. The leaders decided to nominate Mr. 
Hand, but he declined and Lucius Robison was nominated and elected. In 1875 he 
served as a member of a Commissiop on Reform of Municipal Government, of which 
Senator Evarts was chairman. It was as a member of this commission in advocating 
the restriction of the suffrage in cities that Mr. Hand incurred the enmity of Tam- 
many Hall which proved fatal to his nomination for the position of judge of the 
Court of Appeals. He was also intimate with President Cleveland while he was 
governor and was one of his trusted advisers at the same time. 

In 1885 Mr. Hand was appointed upon a special water commission for Albany and 
was president of the same. He was one of the first vice-presidents of the New York 
State Bar Association and its .second president for two terms. At the time of his 
death he was president of the Chi Psi Alumni Society of this section and a governor 
of the Foit Orage Club. In 1884 he received the degree of LL. D. from Union Col- 
lege. In April, 1863, he married Lydia Learned, daughter of Billings P. Learned, 
by whom he had tv'o children, a daughter and a son. His widow and children all 
survived him. 

Mr. Hand was a man of good scholarly and literary attainments, in this respect a 
distinct exception to many lawyers who attain high eminence at the bar. He accumu- 
lated a large private library, containing some books of rarity and beauty, which 
was particularly strong in history and biography. He delighted especially in fine 
engravings and good editions, of which he acquired a number, and at one time he 
edited De Bury's Philobiblion, a little work in which his own tastes gave him a 
ready sympathy. His conversation was varied and showed humane learning, cer- 
tainly without any pedantry. Particularly obnoxious to him was the loose and 
careless use of language, as for example in th? form of "slang." and perhaps in his 
endeavor to use lauguage with a nice taste and conscientious intelligence did he 
show most that real culture which is seldom a characteristic of men of affairs. He 
took great pleasure also in music and had fine discrimination for that which was 
excellent. It may well be doubted whether at the time of his death there was in his 
city a man who excelled Mr. Hand at once in his professional success and his 
culture. 



JOHN G. BURCH. 

John G. Burch was born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., in 1827. He is a son of 
Henry and Susan (Garvey) Burch, and is descended from a long line of English an- 
cestors. The Burch family left the mother country previous to the Revolution and 
came to America to seek a fortune. They possessed courage and perseverance and 
after settling in New Jersey soon displayed these characteristics. Ebenezer Burch, 
the grandfather of John G. Burch, won distinction as a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. Henry Burch fought in the war of 1812. Both Mr. Burch's grandfather and 
grandmother received a pension and his father received a very handsome bounty, 
richly deserved. Mr. Burch attended the common schools and when just of age re- 




JOHN G. BURGH. 



I 





/^^^t^^^^y/^yi 



iMT^^'^l^-L- 



141 

moved to Albany wheie he cast his first vote for old General Taylor for president in 
1848. Railroading was a new enterprise in those days, and so, anxious to associate 
himself with a growing business, Mr. Burch connected himself with the Central Rail- 
road as a master painter. For twenty-five years he worked for this company and 
was a witness of its steady growth to become the greatest road in the world. Mr. 
Burch was foreman of the first gang of men at West Albany, which has since 
become noted for its large railroad yard, and consequently he was a pioneer of 
West Albany. He has seen West Albany grow from nothing more than a huckle- 
berry bush to its pre.sent size, as he says. Mr. Burch's keen foresight led him to 
believe that in time West Albany would grow to be a prosperous suburb of Albany, 
inasmuch as the railroad business was increasing so rapidly. He therefore decided 
to open a general trading store and in 1873 entered the business of selling groceries 
and provisions and in connection with the store, a coal and wood yard. His was the 
first store of its kind opened on that hill and the first coal and wood yard west of 
Lark street. He was associated with Mr. George W. Gibbons as a partner for eleven 
years. The business increased so rapidly that after a time Mr. Burch gave up the store 
and confined himself to selling coal and wood e.xclusively, which business he is engaged 
in to-day. In 1871 Mr. Burch was elected to represent the Ninth ward in the Com- 
mon Council of Albany. After the expiration of this term, he was re-elected and 
chosen president of the board of aldermen. While Mr. Burch was president of the 
board, occurred the mayoralty election when George H. Thacher, Democrat, ran 
against Edmund L. Judson, Republican. The Democrats counted Mr. Judson out 
and he took it to the courts. Mr. Thacher, then mayor, fearing an unfavorable de- 
cision, resigned. As a consequence, Mr. Burch had the honor of acting as mayor 
until the election of the following spring. Mr. Burch made many friends while act- 
ing as mayor and displayed rare e.Kecutive ability. With the exception of his first 
vote, which was cast for a Whig, Mr. Burch has voted the Republican ticket from 
Fremont to McKinley. Inasmuch as Mr. Burch was one of the first settlers and the 
first storekeeper in West Albany, he has acquired considerable property there. No 
work of a public nature, such as paving of streets or laying of (Jrains or sewers, is 
attempted without first consulting him. He holds a leading place among property 
owners. In 1890 he took his son, George Seward, in partnership with him. He is 
no club or society man, for he believes all his time" belongs to his business and his 
family. He is very domestic in his tastes. In 1853 he married Miss Mary A. tjreen 
of Clinton, Oneida county. Her family originally came from Connecticut Their 
family consists of two daughters and three sons. 



JAMES A. McKOWN. 

Hon. James A. McKown, who has won for himself a prominent position at the Al- 
bany bar, was born- in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, N. Y., March 31, 
1819. His father was Absalom McKown, a prominent and highly esteemed citizen 
of Albany county. His mother's maiden name was Edith Le Grange, daughter of 
John Le Grange, esq., a man of high standing in his day. The advantages of 



142 

young McKown for obtaining an education were confined principally to the ( 
district school. In his youthful days our present system of general education was 
unknown and institutions ranking above the common schools were few, but he 
utilized to the fullest extent every advantage he had. He obtained a very good 
practical education with which he attained his success in life through his own un- 
aided efforts. He therefore belongs to that large and valuable class of men with 
which the legal and generally all professions abound — self-made men. He early de- 
cided to become a lawyer, and to bring that to pass he directed every energy. In 
recognition of bis intelligence, sound judgment, practical good sense and legal in- 
formation, he was quite early in life elected a justice of the peace at (iuilderland, 
serving in a very acceptable manner for the almost unprecedented long period of 
eighteen years. His eminent services as a justice of the peace were fully recog- 
nized, not only by the people or Guilderland, but by the people of the county at 
large, and this, in 1852, brought him forward as a candidate for the office of associate 
judge of Albany county. He was elected by a good majority and took his seat on 
the bench of the County Court and Court of Sessions. In 1853 he was again a can- 
didate and was re-elected. His judicial term extended two years, and was very ac- 
ceptable to the people of the county. Mr. McKown was a close, industrious and 
appreciative legal student, but he did not apply for admission to the bar until 1853, 
when, on motion of that distinguished jurist, Hon. John K. Porter, he was admitted 
to practice in all the courts of this State, and in 1865 he was, on motion of Ira 
Harris, admitted to the United States Supreme Court. In April, 1856, Mr. McKown 
made the city of Albany his residence, where he has continued to reside from that 
thne down to the present. His judicial mind and method prepared the way for his 
election to the office of surrogate of Albany county. This event took place in the 
fall of 1855. The duties of this office are important and difficult. No judicial posi- 
tion is more so than that of surrogate. It requires a peculiar caste of mind and 
much depth of learning to successfully discharge the duties of the office. We can 
truly say that Mr. McKown displayed ability, learning and industry of a high order. 
His administration was therefore very successful and he retired from the office with 
the good wishes and good opinion of the bar and the public. In his practice he has 
no specialty, but has conducted a general legal business with success, and has al- 
ways surrounded himself with- a respectable and profitable clientage. His long 
identification with the Albany bar, his high and upright character, his honorable 
course as a practitioner, have given him an eminent place in his profession. Mr. 
McKown belongs to the Republican party, and though he believes most thoroughly 
in the principles of that party, yet he is not bigoted. He is not nor ever has been a 
seeker after office or place. He favors the Baptist church and is a member of Wads- 
worth Lodge, F. & A. M. In 1837 he was united in marriage to Miss Alida Van 
Valkenburgh, by whom he has one daughter living, Mrs. William A. Amsdell. 




AMASA J. I'ARkhk. 



AMASA J. PARKER. 

1807—1890. 

Amas.v J. P-^RKER was born at Sharon, parish of Ellsworth, Litchfield county, Conn., 
on the 3d of June, 1807, and died at Albany, N. Y., May 13^ 1890. His father, the 
Rev. Daniel Parker, was a Congregational clergyman settled for twenty years in 
Watertown and Ellsworth, Conn. The subject of this memoir was descended, on 
both sides, from families distinguished in the history of New England, that had been 
settled there since the earliest days of pilgrim immigration, sharing in the perils of 
Indian warfare and, at a later day, in our Revolutionary struggle. His maternal 
grandfather, Thomas Fenn, who resided at Watertown, Conn., was for more than 
thirty sessions a representative in the Legislature of his State. 

The Rev. Daniel Parker removed into this State with his family when the son was 
nine years of age, and the latter continued to reside in State of New York afterwards 
during his whole life. 

Great pains was taken by his father with his education and under the care of his 
father and of other eminent teachers, and with very close study on his part, he had, 
at the age of si.xteen, completed with great thoroughness a full collegiate course of 
study, but outside the walls of a college. 

In June, 1823, when but sixteen years of age, though having the personal appear- 
ance of more advanced age, he was appointed principal of the Hudson Academy, 
located at the city of Hudson, an institution chartered by the Regents of the Univer- 
sity of this State, and entered immediately upon the duties of the position. He re- 
mained there four years, and on the 1st of May, 1827, resigned his place to prosecute 
the study of the law and tit himself for admission to the bar. During the last year 
of his service in the academy, he had entered the office of Hon. John W. Edmunds, 
but his duties elsewhere gave him but little time for his legal studies. 

He was eminently successful in his labors as principal of the academy. Under his 
charge the institution rose to distinction and was attended by students from different 
and distant parts of the country, many of whom were prepared for college at an ad- 
vanced standing, and for the business of life under his instruction. He resigned his 
trust with the various departments of the academy full of students and in the height 
of its prosperity, because he felt that the time had come for him to devote his whole 
attention to the necessary preparation for his intended professon. 

An incident occurred when he was in charge of the academy worthy of mention. 
A rival and successful institution existed in a distant town of the same county, to 
promote the interests of which its friends urged that the principal of the Hudson 
Academy was not himself a graduate of any college. To put such an objection at 
rest the subject of our notice in the summer of 1825 presented himself at Union Col- 
lege and submitted to an examination for the whole college cour.se of study, and 
graduated with the clas of 1825. The singular fact occurred, that one of his own 
former students graduated with him in the same class. 

On resigning his place at the academy in May, 1827, Mr. Parker proceeded at once 
to Delhi, Delaware county, in this State, and entered the office of his uncle, Amasa 
Parker, esq., an eminent lawyer, who had been established there many years, and 
continued as a student in that office till his admission to the bar in October, 1828. 



144 

He then entered into copartnership with his uncle, and the firm of A. & A. J. Parker 
became well known to the profession throughout the State, and was not dissolved 
till Mr. Parker was appointed to the bench in March, 1844. 

During all that time, Mr. Parker was engaged in a large professional business, 
perhaps more e.xtensive and varied than that of any other country law office in the 
State. He soon acquired a professional standing that secured him a large practice 
as counsel in the highest courts of the State. He attended quite regularly the Cir- 
cuits of Delaware, Greene, Ulster and Schoharie counties, and occasionally those 
held in Broome, Tioga and Tompkins counties, and sometimes in other counties 
more distant, as well as the stated terms of Chancery and of the Supreme Court, 
as the printed reports of those courts show. It has been said, by those acquainted 
with the subject, that at the time of his appointment to the bench he had tried more 
cases at the Circuit than any other lawyer of his age in the State. 

Mr. Parker always insisted that his success in establishing a large practice as at- 
torney and counsel was owing more to his promptness, system and method than to 
any other peculiar talent. It was the rule of his life never to fail to answer a busi- 
ness letter on the same day on which it was received — to send to his client a check 
for money collected by the first mail, and never to fail to keep an appointment at the 
precise time fi.xed for it ; and this latter practice, he never omitted on the bench, 
having never failed to open his court at the precise hour appointed. In this way, 
he enforced the most punctual attendance of counsel, parties and witnesses, and by 
it he was enabled to accomplish much more business. An incident is related as 
having occurred, which illustrates how well this habit was understood and relied on 
by the profession. Judge Parker was engaged in holding, as vice-chancellor, a Court 
of Chancery at the Capitol, at Albany. The hour of opening was ten o'clock, and 
many counsel were assembled in the court room, seated round the circle of the bar, 
some minutes before the appointed time, occasionally looking at the clock, and as 
the hand came near to the hour of ten, watching to see what seemed to them almost 
certain, that the judge would, for once, be late. It was a matter of discussion, and 
as there was but a minute left, a bet was made by two prominent members of the 
b^r, of whom the late Judge Peckham, then in full practice, was one, that the judge 
would be late. But the judge entered and took his seat as the clock was striking, 
and Judge Peckham won the bottle of wine. 

During the fifteen years that Judge Parker was engaged in practice, before he was 
appointed to the bench, he mingled somewhat actively in the political contests of 
the day. He could not well do otherwise, in a county so famed as Delaware in the 
history of politics, and in which the people had been so long trained by Gen. Erastus 
Root, who was always an active partisan and leader. In the fall of 1833 he was 
elected by the Democratic party to the Assembly without any opposition, and 
served in 1834. In 1835 he was elected by the Legislature of this State a Regent of 
the University of the State. He was then twenty-seven years of age, and was the 
youngest person ever elected to that distinguished trust. He held it for nearly ten 
years, and resigned it when appointed to the bench. In November, 1836, he was 
elected to the Twenty-fifth Congress to represent the district then comprising the 
counties of Delaware and Broome. This time also he ran without opposition, no 
candidate being nominated by the opposite party. He entered upon the duties of 
the office at the extra session held in September, 1837, and served during the three 



145 

sessions of that Congress. These were exciting and sometimes stormy sessions. 
The sub-treasury measure was proposed by Mr. Van Buren at the extra session of 
1S37 and was warmly advocated by Mr. Parker and others, but it did not secure the 
support of all the Democratic members. Upon it Congress was very nearly divided 
and questions were frequently decided by the casting vote of the speaker, Mr. Polk. 
It was not till at a later Congress, when the measure had become better understood, 
that it was passed into a law, and it still remains in force, its wisdom being now ad- 
mitted by all parties. 

During his service in Congress Mr. Parker was actively engaged in the duties it 
imposed, on committees and in the discussions in the House. His speeches on the 
Mississippi election case, on the sub treasury bill, on the public lands, on the Cilley 
and Graves duel and on other subjects are reported in the proceedings of that Con- 
gress. Hiram Gray, Richard P. Marvin, Henry A. Foster, Arphaxad Loomis, John 
T. Andrews and Amasa J. Parker were the last six survivors from this State of that 
memorable Congress. 

Mr. Parker was not a candidate for re-election, and at the close of his term re- 
turned to the practice of his profession. 

In the autumn of 1839 he was nominated as a candidate for the State Senate to 
represent the Senatorial district then corresponding nearly in boundary to the Third 
Judicial district of this State. There were two vacancies to be filled, in addition to 
the term then expiring. There were, therefore, three senators to be chosen. The 
year before, Alonzo C. Paige had been elected by less than fifty majority. But on 
this occasion the three Democratic candidates were all defeated by a majority little 
more than normal. 

In the spring of 1834 Mr. Parker was appointed district attorney of Delaware 
county, which place he held for three years and till the expiration of his term, and 
was not a candidate for reappointment. 

The later incidents of Judge Parker's life are more familiar to our readers. He 
was appointed by Governor Bouck circuit judge and vice-chancellor of the Third 
Circuit, on the 6th of March, 1844, and immediately removed to the city of Albany, 
where he resided till his death. He held that office till the spring of 1847, when it 
was terminated by the adoption of the constitution of 1846. He was then elected in 
the Third Judicial district a justice of the Supreme Court of this State for a term of 
eight years. 

At no time in the history of this State have the judicial labors devolving upon a 
judge been more difficult and responsible than those he was called on to discharge 
during his twelve years of judicial service. It was during this time that the anti- 
rent excitement, which prevailed throughout a large portion of his judicial district, 
was at its height. It crowded the civil calendars with litigations and the criminal 
courts with indictments for acts of violence in resisting the collection of rents. 

The trial of " Big Thunder" before Judge Parker at Hudson, in the spring of 1845, 
lasted two weeks, and the jury failed to agree. When the next Court of Oyer and 
Terminer was held in that county. Judge Parker was engaged in holding the court 
in Delaware county, and Judge Edmonds was assigned to hold the Columbia Oyer 
and Terminer in his place. At that court " Big Thunder" was again tried and was 
convicted and sent to the State prison. 

In the summer of 1845, Osman N. Steele, under sheriff of Delaware county, while 



146 

engaged with a judge in his official duties in the collection of rent due from Moses 
Earle at Andes, in that county, was violently resisted by about 200 men, armed and 
disguised as Indians, and was shot and killed by them. Intense excitement pre- 
vailed in the county. A great struggle followed between those who resisted and 
those who sought to enforce the laws. On the 25th of August, 1845, Governor 
Wright declared the county of Delaware in a state of insurrection, and a battalion 
of light infantry was detailed to aid the civil authorities in the preservation of order 
and the making of arrests. At the inquest held on the body of Sheriff Steele and at 
a county General Sessions, the whole subject was fully investigated. Some indict- 
ments were found for murder, but most of them were for manslaughter and lesser 
offenses. Over two hundred and forty persons were indicted, most of whom were 
arrested and in custody awaiting trial at the then approaching Oyer and Terminer. 
The regular jail and two log jails, temporarily constructed for the purpose, were 
filled with prisoners. Under these discouraging circumstances and with armed men 
stationed in the court room and throughout the village to preserve order, Judge 
Parker opened the Oyer anfl Terminer at Delhi on the 22d of September, 1845. We 
find a brief statement of these proceedings and an extract from the charge of Judge 
Parker to the grand jury in the history of Delaware county, by Jay Gould, published 
in 1856, and dedicated to Judge Parker. 

We have heard Judge Parker .say that, as the time for that court was approaching, 
he hesitated as to whether he should hold the court himself in the county with the 
citizens of which he had so long lived and been so intimately associated, or whether 
he should not rather ask the governar to assign some other judge to the duty who 
was an entire stranger to all concerned ; and, in his doubt, he wrote for advice to his 
former student and life long friend, the Hon. Lucius Robinson. In answer, he was 
urged by all means to hold the court himself, and he was told that if some other 
judge held the court he might, perhaps, adjourn the court after two or three weeks 
of trials, leaving most of the cases untried and the jails still filled, which he was sure 
Judge Parker would not do. Judge Parker hesitated no longer, but proceeded at 
once to the discharge of the duty. 

After charging the grand jury, he gave notice, fhat, whatever lime it might take, 
he should continue to hold the court till every case was tried and the jails were 
cleared. 

The indictments were prosecuted by the district attorney appointed by John Van 
Buren, then attorney-general, and by Samuel Sherwood, a distinguished member of 
the bar, then of New York, but who formerly resided at Delhi, and the prisoners 
were defended by able counsel, among whom were Samuel Gordon, Mitchell Sanford 
and Samuel S. Bowne. 

John Van Steenbergh was first tried and convicted of murder. Edward O'Connor 
was next tried with a hke result. Both men .sentenced to be executed on the 29th of 
November then next. Four others were convicted of felony and sent to the State 
prison for life, and thirteen men sent to the State prison for different terms of years. 
A large number who had been engaged in resisting the sheriff, but who had not been 
disguised, pleaded guilty of misdemeanors. Some of these were fined, but as to 
most of them, and as to some who pleaded guilty of manslaughter, sentence was 
suspended and they were told by the court they would be held responsible for the 
future preservation of the peace in their neighborhoods, and were warned that if any 



147 

other instance should occur of resisting an officer, or of a violation of the statute 
which made it a felony to appear for such purpose, armed and disguised, they would 
at once be suspected and might be called up for sentence. Under this assurance, 
they were set at liberty, and it is but justice to them to say that they became the 
best possible conservators of the peace, and that no resistance of process by violence 
has ever sirrce occurred in that county. 

At the close of the third week of the court all the cases had been disposed of. No 
prisoners were left in jail, except those awaiting execution or transportation to the 
State prisons. The military were soon after discharged and the log jails taken down, 
and peace and good order have since reigned in the county. 

A report of the trial of Van Steenbergh, with a note referring to the business of 
that court, will be found in 1 Park. Cr. Rep., 39. 

The sentences of Van Steenbergh and O'Connor were subsequently commuted by 
Governor Wright to imprisonment for life, and about a year later all those in the 
State prison were pardoned by the successor of Governor Wright. 

Great credit was awarded to Judge Parker for his successful discharge of the 
delicate and difficult duties devolving upon him at the Delaware Oyer and Terminer, 
and the next commencement the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by 
Geneva College. 

As has been stated. Judge Parker's services as circuit judge and vice-chancellor 
terminated in 1847 by the adoption of the new State Constitution of 1846, under 
which an elective judiciary succeeded to the exercise of the judicial power of the 
State. In all the counties of the Third judicial district meetings of the bar were held 
and complimentary addresses to Judge Parker were signed, approving his judicial 
course. 

Judge Parker's term of service as a justice of the Supreme Court expired on the 
i'.lst of December, 1855. His opinions in cases pending in that court will be found 
in the first twenty-one volumes of Barbour's Supreme Court Reports. In the year 
18.54 Judge Parker served in the Court of Appeals and was there associated with 
Judges Gardner, Denio, Alexander S. Johnson, Allen and others. His opmions in 
that court are reported in the one and two volumes of Kernan's Reports. Among 
those most worthy of reference is the case of Snedeker vs. Warring, reported in 2 
Kernan, 170, a case which attracted much attention at the time, for the reason that 
it presented a very nice question and one that had not been before decided either in 
this country or in England. It was finally decided on the authority of cases adjudged 
under the civil law on the continent of Europe. It involved the question whether a 
statue, colossal in size, erected as an ornament on the grounds in front of a country 
residence and securely attached to the earth by its weight, was real or personal 
property. The case was argued by very able coimsel and it happened, by the prac- 
tice of the court in turn to fall to Judges Johnson and Parker to write opinions. At 
the close of the argument, as the judges were separatmg for the day, in a few words 
of consultation that took place between the judges who were to write. Judge Johnson 
said he had an impression that the statue was real property. Judge Parker said 
his impression was that it was personal. A month later, after both the judges had 
spent much time at the State Library in examining the authorities, but without hav- 
ing again spoken together on the subject and after each had written his opinion 
ready to be read and discussed at the next meeting of all the judges, Judge Parker 



148 

met Judge Johnson and said to him, " I have changed ray opinion and have come to 
the conlusion that the statue is veal property;" and Judge Johnson said in answer, 
"and I have changed my opinion and have concluded it is personal property." 
When the meeting of the judges was held for consultation soon afterwards both 
opinions were read and after discussion, the vote stood four and four, and thus it re- 
mained till near the end of the year when on further discussion and consideration, 
five voted with Judge Parker and two with Judge Johnson, and the case was decided. 

Judge Parker was nominated by the Democratic convention for re-election in the 
autumn of 1835. Ambrose L. Jordan was the candidate of the Republican party, 
then newly organized, and George Gould was nominated by the " Know-Nothing" or 
American party. Prominent members of the last named party proposed to nominate 
Judge Parker, but he declined being a candidate for a nomination by that party. A 
very small vote was cast for Mr. Jordan, but Judge Gould was elected. That was the 
year when the American or "Know-Nothing" party, suddenly springing up, swept 
the State by large majorities. Judge Parker ran very largely ahead of his ticket, 
being beaten by the American candidate by only about a thousand votes, while the 
State officers on the American ticket in the same judicial district had a majority 
of several thousand. 

Judge Parker then resumed the practice of his profession at Albany and he con- 
tinued in it. He was repeatedly offered nominations afterwards for the Supreme 
Court and the Court of Appeals, when the Democratic party, to which he belonged, 
was in the majority in his district and in the State, but he always declined, saying he 
had done his share of judicial service and preferred thereafter the independent prac- 
tice of his profession. 

In the fall of 1856 Judge Parker was nominated by the Democratic State Conven- 
tion for the office of governor. The opposing Republican candidate was John A. 
King. Erastus Brooks was the "American" candidate. Though Judge Parker re- 
ceived several thousand majority in the judicial district where he was beaten the year 
before by about a thousand majority, he was defeated in the State and Governor 
King was elected in the State by a heavy majority. Mr. Buchanan, who was elected 
president that year by the votes of the other States and against whom the majority 
in the State of New York vi'as nearly ten thou.sand votes more than the majority 
against Judge Parker, who ran largely ahead of his ticket, tendered to the latter 
offices of distinction, which the latter declined, and later in his administration he 
nominated him for United States district attorney for the Southern District of New 
York, and the nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate, without refer- 
ence, but Judge Parker refused to qualify, preferrmg his own private professional 
practice. 

In the fall of 1858 the Democratic State convention again nominaied Judge Parker 
for the office of governor. His Republican opponent was E. D. Morgan, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan was elected by about 17,000 majority, though Judge Parker was again 
largely in advance of the rest of the ticket. After that time Judge Parker was not a 
candidate for any office, except that he was elected, in 1867, a delegate from the 
county of Albany to the State Constitutional Convention, in which he figured in the 
years 1867 and 1868 as a member of the judiciary and other committees. The judi- 
ciary article framed by that convention was the only portion of the constitution finally 
adopted by the people. 



149 

On Judge Parker's retirement from the bench, he engaged at once in the practice 
of tiis profession at Albany, taking into partnership, in 1865, his only son, Amasa J. 
Parker, jr., and adding to the firm, in 1876, ex-Judge Edwin Countryman, under the 
name of Parker & Countryman. He devoted himself with great industry and success 
to his professional duties. He had a great love for his profession and for the princi- 
l)les upon which the law and its administrations are founded. He was engaged in a 
large professional practice and in many of the most important cases that have come 
into the courts, as is shown by the State and Federal Reports. Among the most 
notable litigations in civil cases was the question of the right to tax National Banks, 
which he argued before the Supreme Court of the United States, on the employment 
()f the city of New York, reported in 4 Wallace Rep., 344, and in this State the title 
of Trinity church to property in the city of New York, the Levy will case, reported 
in 23 N. Y., 97, the famous controversy between the Delaware and Hudson Canal 
Company and the Pennsylvania Coal Company, and that of the boundary line be- 
tween the States of New York and New Jersey, reported in 42, N. Y. Rep., 283. He 
early engaged in criminal cases and his defense of Cole for the murder of Hiscock, 
and his acting in two or three other murder cases were exceptional. He declined a 
retainer of §5,000, offered him to act as council in the defense of Tweed. 

With the late Judge Ira Harris and Amos Dean, he engaged, in 1851, in the found- 
ing of the Albany Law School, which established a high reputation under their 
government and care, and he continued for about twenty years one of the professors 
of that institution, and resigned only because of the pressure of his professional 
practice. He had found time, while on the bench and afterwards, for preparing for 
the press some law books, which he thought needed, among which were six volumes 
of Reports of Criminal Cases. He also, assisted by two other gentlemen of the pro- 
fession, edited the fifth edition of the Revised Statutes of the State. 

He was an earnest advocate of the reforms inaugurated in the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1847, by which the Court of Chancery was abolished and law and 
efjuity powers were vested in the same tribunal, and the practice of the courts sim- 
plified. He visited Europe in 1853, while similar reforms where under consideration 
in England, and at the request of Lord Brougham, he addressed the Law Reform 
Club of England, at its annual meeting, and explained to its members the results of 
his experience on the bench in regard to the changes that had been made in this 
State, and especially as to the administering of law and equity in the same court. 

In politics he was, throughout his whole life, a Democrat, and before he went on 
to the bench, and after he left it, an active member of the party. Believing thor- 
oughly in the principles of that party, as founded by Jefferson, and that their success 
was indispensable to the welfare and prosperity of the country, he advocated them 
with earnestness, and always with due respect for the judgment of those who differed 
from him. 

He labored strenuously to avert the catastrophy of civil war, and presided at the 
famous State Democratic Convention held at Tweddle Hall in Albany, in February, 
1861. He always believed afterwards, as he believed then, that with temperate 
council on the part of the Republican leaders, then about entering upon the control 
of the Federal government, civil war could have been avoided; but when the first 
blow was struck at Fort .Sumter, and the Rebellion was thus inaugurated, he did not 
hesitate to regard the die as cast and became at once an earnest advocate of a vig- 



150 

orous prosecution of the war on the part of the government, and freely contributed 
his own money and time to the raising of men and means for that purpose. 

But while he did that he protested earnestly against what he deemed the gross 
abuse of power practiced for merely partisan purposes, by high Federal officials, in 
the makmg of unnecessary arbitrary arrests of northern men. whose only offense 
was an honest and independent difference of opinions and a free expression of it on 
subjects of mere party differences, in no way involved in the prosecution of the war 
to put down the Rebellion. This tyranical exercise of power and gross violations of 
the right af personal liberty he stoutly resisted and not only denounced it on the 
stump, at the hazard of his own personal hberty, but he freely gave his own profes- 
sional services to obtain redress for such wrongs. 

A notable mstance of this character occurred in the case of Palrie vs. Murray, 
tried at the Greene Circuit in June, 1864, by Judge Parker as counsel for plaintiff, in 
which a jury, composed of men of both political parties, gave to the plaintiff for 
such an arrest and false imprisonment a verdict of §9,000 damages. An attempt 
was made to remove this case, after verdict and judgment, for retrial into the United 
States Circuit Court, under an act of Congress that had been conveniently passed 
for the purpose of defeating such recoveries. Judge Parker insisted that the act 
was unconstitutional, being in violation of the seventh article of the amendments of 
the United States Constitution, and under his advice the State authorities refused to 
make a return to the writ of error. Application was then made to the I'nited States 
Circuit Court to compel the return, and on demurrer peremptory mandamus 
was adjudged. To review that judgment a writ of error was brought by Judge 
Parker and the case was removed into the United States Supreme Court, held at 
Washington. It was first argued in that court in February, 1869, by Judge Parker 
for the plaintiff in error, and Mr. Evarts, then attorney-general of the United States, 
for the defendant in error. The judges were divided upon the question and ordered 
a reargument, which took place in February, 1870, Attorney-General Hoar then ap- 
pearing for the defendant in error. The judgment of the United States Circuit 
Court was then reversed and the unconstitutionality of the act of Congress was 
established. The case is reported in 9 Wallace, U. S. Rep., 274. 

During a long life of professional labor Judge Parker never lost the tastes ac- 
quired early in life for classical study and literary pursuits, and he w^s in the habit 
of setting apart a stated portion of his time for such purposes He enjoyed an oc- 
casional return to the reading of the Greek and Roman authors and those, with the 
attention given to the current literature of the day, and a mingling in the duties of 
social life, afforded him an agreeable relaxation from the severer studies and a 
healthful change to the mind. These tastes brought him into connection with the 
educational institutions of the State, in several of which he served for many years 
as a trustee. 

Among other duties of that character he was for many years president of the board 
of trustees of the Albany Female Academy, president of the board of trustees of 
the Albany Medical College, a trustee of Cornell University and one of the gov- 
ernors of Union University. 

Judge Parker married, in 1834, Miss Harriet Langdon Roberts, of Portsmouth, 
N. H., and of a large family of children— Mrs. John V. L. Pruyn, Amasa J. Parker, 




I 



151 

jr., Mrs. Erastus Corning and Mrs. Selden E. Marvin, all residents of Alliany, still 
survive. 

When a member of the assembly in 1834 Mr. Parker, as chairman of a select com- 
mittee, made an elaborate report urging the establishment of a State hospital for 
the insane, which led' to a more full consideration of the subject by the people, 
though it was not until several years afterwards that the first State hospital for the 
insane was established. Doubtle.ss it was owing to the interest Mr. Parker had 
taken in the subject that he was afterward appointed by Governor Fenton in 18'i7 
one of the managers of the Hudson River State Hospital for the Insane at Pough- 
keepsie, a trust which he held till 1881, when he resigned, and Governor Cornell ap- 
pointed his son, Amasa J. Parker, jr., in his place, who served until January 1, 1807, 
and he was then succeeded by his second son, Lewis R. Parker. 



AMASA J. PARKER. 

Amasa J. P akker, the only surviving son of the late Judge Amasa J. Parker and 
Harriet Langdon Parker, was born in Delhi, Delaware county, N, Y., on May 0. 
1843. In the following year. Judge Parker having been appointed Circuit Judge 
and Vice Chancellor of the Third Circuit, moved to Albany, where the son has 
ever since resided. 

His early education was pursued in the schools of Miss Margaret Cassidy and 
Messrs. Wrightson, and later at the Albany Academy, and in the fall of 1860 he en- 
tered the sophomore class at Union College, graduating in July, 1863. Mr. Parker 
began the study of the law at the end of his junior year at college and in September, 
1863, he entered, as a student, the law oflfice of Cagger, Porter & Hand at Albany, 
with whom he remained for nearly two years. 

Mr. Parker graduated from the Albany Law School in 1864 and in the latter part 
of the same year was admitted to the bar, and became the law partner of his father 
on the first day of May, 186.5, which continued until the death of Judge Parker on 
May 13, 1890, in all a period of over twenty-five years. From 1876 until 1888, ex-Judge 
Edwin Countryman of Cooperstown, N. Y., who had moved to Albany for that pur- 
pose, was associated with them under the firm name of Parker & Countryman. 

In 1891 Mr. J. Newton Fiero of Kingston, N. Y. , came to Albany and became the 
partner of Mr. Parker, continuing as such until 1895. Since that time he has had 
associated with him his two sons, Amasa J. Parker, jr., and Lewis R. Parker, though 
no partnership exists between them. 

Mr. Parker has been very active in the practice of his profession for over thirty 
years, practicing in both the State and Federal Courts and taking part in numerous 
important and well known cases, such as Jackson vs. Lake Shore and Michigan South- 
ern Railroad Company, Hooghkirk vs. the D. & H., Laning vs. the New York Cen- 
tral, Conway vs. Gale, Dunlop vs. Dunlop and McChesney vs. the Panama Railroad 
Company. 

Mr. Parker was one of the organizers of the famous Union College Zouaves, at 
Schenectady in April, 1861, and served in same. After graduating from college he 
was enrolled in the National (Juard at Albany and in 1866 was commissioned aide- 



152 

de-camp, with the rank of major on the staff of (".en. John Taylor Cooper, the com- 
mandant of the Third Division. 

In 1875 he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the Tenth Regiment and tw-o years 
later was unanimously elected its colonel. He was in command of that regiment 
during the railroad riots of July, 1877, and the regiment under him reached a strength 
of eight hundred and fifty men. 

Mr. Parker .served as president of the National Guard Association of this State, upon 
its re-organization, from 1878 to 1880 and is the only officer who has filled the posi- 
tion for more than one year. On the re-organization of the National Guard in Au- 
gust, 1886, he was elected brigadier-general of the Third Brigade N. G. S. N. Y., 
with headquarters at Albany, and served in that capacity until the end of Uecenilier, 
1890. when he resigned. During the period of his command the Third Brigade took 
part in the Washington Centennial celebration in New York City, April 29, 1889, and 
in that great parade of nearly fifty thousand troops, the Third Brigade was awarded 
the highest credit mark for its appearance and discipline by the U. S. Army Board 
sent to New York by the Federal Government. The brigade on this occasion num- 
bered nearly two thou.sand eight hundred men. 

Mr. Parker was elected to the Assembly in 1882, receiving a majority larger than 
the number of votes cast for his opponent, and in 1886 and 1887 served in the State 
Senate, and has since then been tw-ice re-elected to that body, serving in the sessions 
of that body continuously from 1892 to 1895 inclusive, and siibsequently declined a 
renomination. When he entered the Senate in January, 1886, he instituted public 
hearings in the City Hall, Albany, on all local measures in the Legislature before the 
Senator and four Assemblymen from Albany county. This plan enabled every citizen 
to attend and learn all about the measures affecting Albany county or any portion of 
the same and to discuss their merits or demerits. 

Naturally, Mr. Parker, during his legislative services of seven years in Assembly 
and Senate had much to do with military and local matters, as well as with general 
legislation. 

In the Assembly of 1882 he was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs, 
and with the aid of the principal National Guard officers of the State revused and 
greatly simplified and strengthened the Military Code. 

The same year he took a prominent part in the obtaining of appropriations, build- 
ing of State Armories, the adoption of the State service uniform and the establish- 
ment of the State Camp at Peekskill. Later on in the Senate, during his six years 
of service there, he did much for the National Guard in the way of general appro- 
priations, equipment, building and repairing of State Armories, and rifle ranges, im- 
proving the Military Code and in strengthening the military force in many ways. 

He was, in 1887, the originator and principal projector of the new State Armory, 
at Albany, obtaining an official condemnation and sale of the old State Arsenal, 
procuring the first appropriation from the State for the building as well as a most 
liberal sum from the county of Albany for the site for said Armory, and on his return 
to the Senate in 1893, during that and the three subsequent years, he obtained further 
large State appropriations for its extension, completion and equipment. 

In regard to local legislation for his district, Mr. Parker was always active, and 
during his service in the Legislature, never failed to give these matters his best 
efliorts. 



153 

In 1883. in the Assembly, he introduced the first bill foi- the construction of the 
Hawk street viaduct. He introduced later in the Senate the bill for the construction 
of the Northern Boulevard and with others succeeded in passing the bill, and later 
the amended Northern Boulevard law, which obviated the objections of several 
elements, which had been hostile to this great project. 

The Albany Basin bill and many other bills affecting the health and welfare of 
Albany county and the cities of Albany and Cohoes, received Mr. Parker's close 
attention and became laws. 

Mr. Parker is president of the Board of Trustees of the Albany Law School and as 
such one of the governors of Union University; a trustee of the Albany Medical Col- 
lege and also of St. Agnes School; a trustee of the Union Trust Company of New 
York and a director of the Albany City National Bank. He succeeded his father, 
who had .served since 1867 as a manager and was made president of the Board of 
Managers of the Hudson River State Hospital (for the insane) at Poughkeepsie in 
1881, and remained such until January, 1897, when he insisted upon retiring. 

Mr. Parker has been prominently connected with the Young Men's Association for 
many years, and is a member of the Board of Life Trustees and was one of the most 
active Albanians in projecting the plan and in procuring funds to build Harmanus 
Bleeker Hall, and is the chairman of the Hall Committee of that Board of Trustees. 

Mr. Parker married in 1868, Cornelia Kane Strong, of New Orleans, La., who died 
December 17, 1883, leaving surviving six children, two sons and four daughters, of 
whom a son and daughter are married. 



ALBERT VANDER VEER, M. D. 

The subject of this sketch. Dr. Albert Vander Veer, has attained a prominence in 
his profession which places him far along in the ranks of its recognized leaders. He 
was born in the village of Leatherville, town of Root, Montgomery county, N. Y. , 
July 10. 1841. His father was an energetic and successful business man, whose tan- 
neries gave the name to the place. 

Dr. Vander Veer's early education was received at the public schools of Canajo- 
harie and Palatine, and at the Canajoharie Academy. When eighteen years of age 
he began the study of medicine with the late Dr. Simeon Snow, of Currylown, N. Y. 
Alter a year's work on the rudiments he came to Albany and entered the office of the 
late Dr. John Swinburne. During the years 18'U and 1862 he attended the lectures 
of the Albany Medical College, from w'hich so many pliysicians of prominence have 
been graduated. In the spring of 1862 he became one of the original •' one hundred," 
was commissioned as a United States Medical Cadet, and ordered to report for duty 
at Columbia College Hospital, Washington, D. C. While at this post he attended a 
course of lectures at the National Medical College, from which institution he received 
the degree of doctor of medicine in December, 1863, afterward receiving the same 
degree from the Albany Medical College. After graduation Dr. Vander Veer was 
commissioned assistant surgeon of the Si.\ty-si.\th Regiment. New York State Vol- 
unteers, and joined his regiment at Falmouth, \'a. . just after the first battle of Fred- 



154 

ericksburg. During and after the battle of Chancellorsville, he was detailed as one 
of the surgeons in charge of an operating table at the 1st Division, Second Army 
Corps Hospital, having as his assistants men much older than himself, but who were 
not accustomed to surgical work. In June, 1864, Dr. Vander Veer was promoted 
surgeon with the rank of major. He served with his regiment until the close of the 
war and was mustered out September, 1865. Undoubtedly the extensive practice in 
surgery he obtained during this period largely influenced him to make that his life 
work. 

Upon returning to New York he attended a full course of lectures at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons, and in the spring of 1866 established himself in Albany as 
a general practitioner. In July, 1869, he was called to the chair of general and 
special anatomy in the Albany Medical College, and was also appointed attending 
surgeon Albany Hospital. At this time he became attending surgeon to St. Peter's 
Hospital. Several of our leading literary institutions now gracefully recognized his 
intellectual qualities by the bestowraent of their honors. In 1883 Williams College 
gave him the degree of A. M., and in 1883 Hamilton and Union Colleges that of Ph.D. 

In January, 1882, he was appointed professor of surgery in the Albany Medical 
College and at the present time is professor of Didactic, Abdominal and Clinical 
Surgery. He has given much time and study to the advancement of this institution, 
in which he has a keen interest. On the death of Dr. Thomas Hun, in 1896, Dr. 
Vander Veer was appointed Dean of the Faculty of the Albany Medical College, an 
honor worthily bestowed. 

He has spent several months, at various times, in earnest study abroad, visiting 
the great centres of medical instruction, where he watched with absorbing interest 
the brilliant operations of renowned surgeons and specialists. Duringhis last sojourn 
in Europe he was accompanied by his wife, formerly Miss Margaret E. Snow, daugh- 
ter of his old preceptor, and his eldest son Edgar. While in England he was enter 
tained by Mr. Lawson Tait, whose fame as a surgical specialist is known all over the 
world. During this trip he also read a paper before the International Medical Con- 
gress at Copenhagen. 

In addition to being a very active working member, and ex-president of both the 
County and State Medical Societies, Dr. Vander Veer is also a member of the Boston 
Gynecological Society, the British Medical Association, the Southern Surgical and 
Gynecological Association, an active memberof the American Association of Obstet- 
ricians and Gynecologists, an ex-president, one of the executive officers of the Pan- 
American Medical Congress, having attended the recent meeting in Mexico and 
presented a paper. He is also vice-president of the Holland Society of New York, 
Albany Branch, and has had conferred upon him the order of •' Oranje-Nassau " 
by the Queen of Holland. Dr. Vander Veer is also a member of the Military Order 
of the Legion of the United States. He has recently been appointed a delegate 
to the Loyal British Medical Association at Montreal. 

As the power to grant certificates to physicians and surgeons educated in New 
York State is entirely in the bands of the Board of Regents of the University of the 
State of New York, the medical profession were naturally interested in having a proper 
representative of their profession in the board; therefore, the election of Dr. Van- 
der Veer as a Regent of the University in 1895 was hailed with great pleasure by his 
many friends, not only in this locality but in the neighboring counties. Since his 




DR. CHAKLhS b. JONbS. 



155 

election he has still continued to be, as he was previously, an earnest advocate of 
higher education in each and every profession. 

To all of these duties hegives some portion of his time systematically divided. In 
addition he is busily at work every possible moment upon his college lectures or 
gathering in writing the results of his varied surgical experiences for the benefit of 
his professional brethren. 

Among the subjects upon which Dr. Vander Veer has lectured or written are the 
following, most prominent and recent:— " Some Personal Observations on the Work 
of Lawson Tait," "The Use of the Curette in Uterine Surgery," •' Uterine Hemor- 
rhage, Puerperal and Non-Puerperal," " Managementof Cancer in the Uterus, Com- 
plicated with Pregnancy, with Repcrt of a Case," " Hystero-Epilepsy, with Report 
of Ca.ses," "Retro-Peritoneal Tumors; Their Anatomical Relations, Pathology, 
Diagnosis and Treatment," "Tubercular Peritonitis," "Report of Cases of Cho- 
lecystotomy with Special Reference to the Treatment of Calculus Lodging in the 
Common Duct," " The Relation of the Board of Health to the Public," " Appendi- 
citis, the Relation of the Physician and Surgeon in the Care of Cases," " Comparison 
Between Perineal and Suprapubic Cystotomy," "The Medico-Legal Aspect of Ab- 
dominal Section," " E.xtra-Uterine Pregnancy," " Fifty Years in the History of the 
Albany Medical College." "Concealed Pregnancy, Its Relations to Abdominal Sur- 
gery," " The Relation of the Abdominal Surgeon to the Obstetrician and Gynecolo- 
gist," " Intestinal Obstruction," " Report of Cases of Coeliotomy Performed at the 
Albany Hospital from July 15, 1803, to November 1, 18'J5," " Report in Abdominal 
Surgery, Being an Analysis of 145 Operations not Previously Reported, Done Upon 
the Ovaries, and Uterine Appendages, with Special Remarks as to Preparation of 
Patient, Place of Operation, Use of Drainage, Treatment and Results," " Report of 
Seven Cases of Abdominal Surgery in which the Murphy Button was Applied," 
" Tuberculosis of the Female Genital Organs (Including Tuberculosis of the Kidney), ' 
" Uterine Fibroids Complicated with Pregnancy," etc., etc. 

The pressure of increasing professional duties does not 'prevent Dr. Vander Veer 
from taking an active interest in municipal aflfairs, and the value of his services as a 
member of the Board of Health, the Historical and Art Society, etc., is fully recog- 
nized. He is also an elder in the First Presbyterian Church. 

Whatever of eminence Dr. Vander Veer has attained has been secured by close 
application, unremitting labor, and a determined follownig of tho.se inclinations 
which in his youth led him to choose for his own the responsibilities of the silent 
profession. 

Honored by his associates, beloved and respected by his patients, Dr. Vander Veer's 
career may well be emulated by all young men who are ambitious to secure for them- 
selves the approval of their fellows and the emoluments which come, of necessity, to 
the leaders in any profession. 



CHARLES EDMUND JONES, A. M., M. D, 

CiiAKi.Ks El. MiM. Jones, A. M., M. D., is a son of the late Dr. R. Darwin Jones, 
ud was horn in Albany on February 15, ts-1!). After graduating from the Albany 



156 

Academy in 18G0 he entered Hope College at Holland Cit)', Mich., and was graduated 
from that institution in 1870 and also took the degree of M. A. in course in 1873, 
when he delivered the master's oration. He read medicine with his father, was 
graduated from the Albany Medical College with the degree of M. D. in December, 

1872, and subsequently attended one course of lectures at the New York Homeo- 
pathic Medical College, graduating therefrom in March, 1873. He went abroad in 
the summer of 1875 and remained one year, spending the greater part of that time 
in attendance at the Vienna General Hospital, where he pursued special courses of 
study. He visited Europe again in 1878, being absent six months, attending the 
World's Exposition at Paris, and acting as special correspondent of the New York 
Evening Express. 

For many years Dr. Jones has been a greater part of the time officially or semi- 
oHicially connected with various positions of public trust and responsibility, the 
duties of which he has uniformly discharged with fidelity, zeal, and marked effective- 
ness. He became a member of the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society in 

1873, was elected its secretary in 1874, and served as its president in 1885, 1888, and 1889. 
He was elected a delegate from the county society to the New York State Homeopathic 
Medical Society in 1874, 1875, 1876, and 1877. Prior to his last visit to Europe he was 
delegated by special resolution to represent the Albany County Homeopathic Medical 
Society at the World's Homeopathic Congress held in Pans in August, 1878, and also to 
meetings of other homeopathic medical societies which he might have opportunity to 
attend. Since beginning the practice of his profession in Albany in 1873 Dr. Jones 
has taken an active interest in the City Dispensary and Homeopathic Hospital, and 
has devoted to its work and service a large share of his time, money, and influence. 
He has ably assisted in its management, has supported all measures designed to 
promote its financial prosperity, and has been a member of its medical staff since 
1873, and a member of its executive and supervising committee since 1884. Since 
November, 1876, he has had charge of the department of diseases of the throat and 
respiratory organs. 

Dr. Jones has been a permanent member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of 
the State of New York since 1878, and was elected its president in February, 18U5. 
He has been for several years chairman of its bureau on throat and lung disea.ses, 
and has presented reports embodying a vast amount of important data gathered as 
a result of months of original investigation and painstaking research. He became 
a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1874 and of the AUjany In- 
stitute in 1876. He was elected a member of the City Board of School Commission- 
ers for a terra of three years, and during this service secured the appointment of n 
permanent committee on hygiene, which became a very influential branch of the ex- 
ecutive department of public instruction. He was a foundation member of the Fort 
Orange Club, and for a number of years has been a member of its Board of Trus- 
tees. In 1886 he was appointed a member of the Bi-Centennial Committee of 
Albany, which was required to perfect and conduct arrangements for celebrat- 
ing the 2()0th anniversary of the incorporation of the city. Following this he was 
appointed a member of the committee having in charge the preparation, loca- 
tion, and permanent preservation of more than twenty bronze tablets designed to 
identify and describe the history of certain localities and important events. These 
tablets were placed on various buildings, and perpetuate those historic names and 



157 

incidents which mark the growth of Albany as a burgh and city. In 1S80 Dr. Jones 
was made a member of the citizens committee appointed to commemorate the open- 
ing of the new caijitol building, and in 1893 he was appointed by the Civil Service 
Commission a member of a Homeopathic Examining Board to examine and deter- 
mine the fitness of candidates for the position of assistant physicians at homeopathic 
hospitals for the insane. He was appointed by Governor Flower m June, 1894, a 
member of the first board of managers of the Craig Colony for Epileptics and reaj)- 
pointed by Governor Morton in \S9'). He has been a member of Masters Lodge No. 
.5, F. & A. M., since 1873, and is also a member of Capital City Chapter No. 343, 
R. A. M.,and an Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite mason, 32d degree. 

Among the many notable papers and essays which Dr. Jones has contributed to 
the medical literature of his time, the following titles are selected as showing the 
breadth of scope, research, and versatility of his work: "Pathology and Treatment 
of Diabetes," to which the McNaughton prize of .5100 was awarded by the faculty of 
the Albany Medical College; "The Throat in Song and Speech," illustrated by 
photographic slides; "The Differential Diagnosis of Diphtheria and Membranous 
Croup;" "Tubercular Laryngitis and Cancer of the Throat;" "The Climatic 
Treatment of Pulmonary Consumption and Chronic Bronchitis;" " The Treatment 
of Laryngeal Tuberculosis; " and "New York's Leadership in Medical Education," 
the latter being delivered by him as the president's annual address before the New 
York State Homeopathic Medical Society in 1896. 

Dr. Jones has won distinction in his profession because of an inflexible purpose, 
persistently carried out through years of effort, to acquire an exact and thorough 
knowledge of all the practical details of applied medicine. With industry and en- 
thusiasm he has never failed to avail himself of all the resources of standard litera- 
ture, and the best appliances for the diagno.sis and treatment of disease, more par- 
ticularly the diseases of the throat and chest, of which he makes a specialty. He is 
unmarried. 



JOHN PALMER. 

Hon. Joh.n Pai.mf.k, secretary of state, is a son of John, who died in the Civil war 
in 1803. He was born of English parentage in Stapleton, Staten Lsland, N. Y., 
March 22, 1842, and in 1843 went with his parents to England, where he lived ten 
years, two of which were spent with his grandfather on the Black Sea, where he wit- 
nessed the siege of Sebastopol. He spent three j'ears in a semi-military school near 
Liverpool and in 1853 returned with the family to America and learned the trade of 
fresco painting, meanwhile finishing his education at Bryant & Stratton's Busine.ss 
College in Albany September 10, 1861, he enlisted as private in Co. B, 91st N. Y. 
Vols., was commissioned captain March 1, 186.5, and was mustered out with the reg- 
iment July 3, 1865, being brevetted captain N. Y. V. His first service was in the 
department of the Gulf, where he displayed great bravery at Port Hudson in the 
Red River campaign. He was afterward transferred to the Army of the Potomac 
and at Five Forks received injuries from a falling horse from which he has never 
recovered. In 1865 he resumed his trade as painter and frescoer, in Albany, which 



158 

he has since followed. In 1866 he became a charter member of Lew Benedict Post 
No. 5, G. A. R., and in 1884-85 was department commander. He was elected com- 
mander in chief of the National Commandery of the G. A. R. in 1891, when he led 
a column of 60,000 veterans through the streets of Washington. He was prominent 
in the erection of the Soldiers' Home at Bath, N. Y., and is president of the Board 
of Trustees and has been indefatigable in promoting the interests of veterans of the 
war. He has always been an active Republican, casting his first vote for Lincoln in 
1860, and in 1893 was unanimously nominated by his party for secretary of state and 
elected over Cord Meyer, Democrat, by 34,484 plurality. In 1895 he was re-elected 
to this high office over Horatio C. King by a majority of 90,146. 

In 1867 Mr. Palmer married Maggie Moore of Albany and they have one daughter 
and three sons. 



JOSEPH W. TILLINGHAST. 

Jusiir-H Wii.HER TiLi.iNGiiAST, SOD of William Tilliughast, was born in Albany, 
January, 18;!5, and descends from an old New England family. William Tillinghast, 
a native of Wickford, R. I., was for many years a well known business man of 
Albany, where he died in 1881. As a member of the firm of Wickes & Tillinghast, 
he was engaged in the manufacture of sperm oils, and individually he waS a director 
in the National Commercial Bank. J. W. Tillinghast was educated in the Albany 
Academy, was a clerk for Wickes & Tillinghast from 1852 to 1870, and from time 
until 1886 was engaged in the malting business, as a member of the firm of Tweddle 
& Co. On June 24, 1868, he became a director in the Merchants National Bank of 
Albany; on April 17, 1875, he was chosen vice-president; and on May 1, 1880, he was 
elected president, which office he still holds. He is also a trustee of the Albany 
Savings Bank, a foundation member of the Fort Orange Club, and prominently con- 
nected with several other corporations and institutions. He is in every sense of the 
word a representative business man. In 1859 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of 
the late John Tweddle, one of Albany's most enterprising citizens. They have three 
children; Frederick, William and a daughter. 



GEORGE N. BEST. 

(Jkorge N. BKsr, son of Thomas and Magdalene (Roseuberger) Best, was born in 
the province of Quebec, Canada, June 13, 1845. His parents were natives of the 
United States and moved to Canada to engage in farming. Mr. Best attended the 
public schools and at the age of seventeen moved to New York State, settling at 
Saratoga Springs. He worked on a farm one year and desiring to enter commercial 
life he availed himself of an opportunity to go into the lumber business. He made his 
home with his brother and engaged in transporting lumber from the western part of 
New York State to New York city. His abilities were soon rec(jgnized and war- 
ranted his filling, for several years, the position of foreman for C. U. & R. English, 




GtORGH N. BhST. 




THUHLUW Whhb BARNhS. 



l.JO 

timber dealers and lumber forwarders. Subsequently, Mr. C. D. English died and 
Mr. Best entered into partnership with Mr. R. English. The name of the firm re- 
mained the same as it was before Mr. English's death. This firm earned on an ex- 
tensive business, doing government contract work on Lake Champlain and also en- 
gagmg in the ice business. While connected with this work, Mr. Best made his home 
in Schuylerville for five years. In 1878 he moved to Castleton, N. Y., and English, 
Best, and a Mr. Washburn bought Campbell Island in the Hudson River opposite 
Cedar Hill. Here ice houses were erected and a large ice business was carried on. 
In 1881, English and Best bought the property on which Mr. Best now lives and 
erected a mammoth ice house on the bank of the Hudson. In 1884 Mr. Washburn 
sold out his interest in the island to English and Best, who thereupon formed a co- 
partnership. In 1887 this firm commenced doing business in New York city under 
the name of the Cedar Hill Ice Company. In 1890 Mr. English sold his interest in 
the ice business to a Mr. Sherman and a Mr. Carmen, who became partners with Mr. 
Best. In 1894 Mr. Best bought them out and continued the business alone. In Feb- 
ruary, 1896, he discontinued the New York business, having sold it to the Consolidated 
Ice Company, who contracted with him to purchase his ice for a term of years. Mr. Best 
is now enjoying a large, well paying business and lives in a palatial residence over- 
looking the Hudson River at Cedar Hill. He has twenty-five acres of land, used for 
gardening, and also owns considerable property in Saratoga county. He is president 
of the Albany and Castleton Ferry Company, and is an elder in the Reformed church 
of Bethlehem. October 15, 1867, he married Ursula Lockrow of Saratoga. They 
had one son, Harvey A., who managed the New York office and who died in 1894 
in his twenty-sixth year. 



georgp: s. haswell, m. d. 

I)k. George S. Haswell was born in 1868 and is a son of Isaac M. Haswell, who 
is a farmer. Dr. Haswell was graduated from the Troy High School in 1889, and 
then from the Albany Medical College in 1893. He began his practice in New York 
and then settled in Watervliet, where he has won the confidence of a large circle of 
people of his native town. Dr. Haswell, although so young, is a Mason of the Order 
of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. He was 
elected coroner of Albany county in November, 1890. In 1893 he married Alice, 
daughter of Edward H. Wiswall, of Colonic, by whom lie has one daughter, Mil- 
.Ircd. 



TIIURLOW WEED BARNES. 

Till Ri.ow Wkki) Bakm:s is a lineal descendant in the seventh generation from 
Thomas Barnes, who came from England and distinguished himself in the Indian 
wars around Hartford, Conn., about 1630. On his mother's side he is descended 
from Nathan Weed, a Revolutionary soldier of Stamford, Conn., and the grand- 



ir.o 

father of Thurlow Weed, a soldier of the War of 1812. Mr. Weed was distinguished 
as the great Whig and Republican leader of New York and the life-long friend of 
William H. Seward. His services are well remembered as a member of the .so-called 
political firm of Seward, Weed, and Greeley, and also in connection with the admin- 
istration of President Lincoln, who sent him to France and England in 1861 to avert 
the recognition by those countries of the Southern Confederacy. 

Mr. Barnes is a son of William Barnes, sr., and Emily Weed, his wife, and was 
born in Albany, June 38, 1853. On graduating from Harvard University in 1876 he 
took an editorial position on the Albany Evening Journal, and soon afterward was 
elected president of the Young Mens As.sociation of that city and also of the Albany 
County Repubhcan Committee. He held the latter position two terms, and took an 
active part in politics and in the management of the newspaper, which was founded 
by his grandfather as a political organ in 1830. Mr. Barnes was one of the founders 
of the Fort Orange Club, in which he still retains his membership. He was active 
in the National Guard as a member of the 10th Regiment, and held the position of 
first lieutenant on the staff of Gen. Amasa J. Parker In 1886 Mr. Barnes took up 
his residence in Boston, Mass., where he lived for five years as a member of the 
well known publishing firm of Houghton, Mifflin & Co., his work in the firm being in 
the department of literary criticism. 

Mr. Barnes has made extensive journeys, including a trip around the world, and 
has s])ent two winters in India. Soon after the death of his grandfather he wrote a 
Memoir of Thurlow Weed, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. He is 
the owner of the published works of William H. Seward that were originally edited 
by George E. Baker. Of late years Mr. Barnes has been a resident of New York 
city, where he is a member of the Republican County Committee and of the Harvard. 
Metropolitan, and other prominent social organizations. He was a delegate to the 
Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1896. 



HENRY LUEKE. 

TntRE are few residents of the city of Albany of German birth and parentage 
who have done more for this city and whose name and memory will live longer than 
that of Henry Lueke. He was born in Brakel, Westphalia, Prussia, February 1, 
1808, and is a son of George and Margaret Liieke. George Liieke was a custom tailor 
by trade and it must be borne in mind that the trade of his choice in those days de- 
manded more care and study and closer application than the same trade does to day. 
In the making of fine habits and uniforms George Liieke was looked upon as the 
leader in the town of Brakel. The first eleven years of Henry Liieke's life were not 
very promising. He was a sick boy during that time, but the tenderest care of his 
loving parents and the best medical attention overcame the ravishes of disease. 
When he became sufficiently strong he began his studies at the public school and con- 
tinued them until he was fourteen years of age. During those few years he was 
very attentive and ranked with the highest in his class, displaying both docility and 
ability, characteristics which went a great way toward forming a suitable founda- 




HHXRV I.I i:kl: 



IGl 

tion for his later years. It was contrary at that time for those learning a trade in 
Europe to travel about from one country to another. Henry Liieke chose his father's 
trade and in accordance with the custom above mentioned, he started at the early 
age of fifteen to thoroughly acquit himself for his trade. He traveled through Ger- 
many, Austria, Hungary and Poland, apprenticing himself to the best custom tailors, 
and then went to London to put the finishing touches on his education. While 
at London he learned how to make the most exquisite habits then in vogue, 
and the dazzhng uniforms then used in the army and navy. But while preparing 
to earn a livelihood he did not forget to educate the other sides of his nature. He 
learned the English language and studied the customs of the people and in every 
way sought to ennoble his character. The styles of England were not the only ones 
he studied. During the three years spent in London he visited Paris and acquired 
the language and styles of dress there. He therefore had visited the three greatest 
cities for setting the style to the world — Berlin, London and Paris. With the knowl- 
edge of his business thus acquired Mr. Lueke felt competent to carry it on anywhere. 
America, to which many of his fellow-countrymen had gone and succeeded, appealed 
to Mr. Liieke as being the most desirable place to start in business. Consequently 
in 1837, he left London and sailed for the New World. He arrived at New York city 
and spent si.K years there following his favorite vocation. He did a magnificent 
business making uniforms for the army and navy officers and ladies' riding habits. 
In those days a New Yorker was not considered well dressed unless his suit was from 
Liieke's. In 1843 Mr. Liieke removed to Albany, N. Y., and located on Liberty 
street as a custom tailor. Subsequently he moved to South Pearl street shortly be- 
fore the war broke out. In 1848, at the time of the great fire, he lost almost every- 
hing, and again in the panic of 1857 he had considerable trouble, but despite these disas- 
ters his fine work brought him custom and he was able to recover his losses. April 7, 
1871, he retired from business at the age of si.xty-three with a substantial competence. 
He had friends by the score He was very saving, yet at the same time liberal in his 
gifts to the worthy distressed. He invested largely in real estate in Albany, the in- 
come from which now supports him. He is temperate in his habits, yet withal en- 
joys the good things of life which he has so hard earned. So strict was he in his business 
that when asked to go out for a few moments' enjoyment during business hours his 
answer always was, " No, I am expecting a customer." Mr. Liieke possesses a very 
strong constitution, and even to-day reads the daily paper by gaslight without 
glasses. He is actively identified with Holy Cross church and was its treasurer for 
thirty-four years. He has never meddled in politics, but has always voted the Demo- 
cratic ticket and has been a subscriber to the Argus ever since he came to the city. 
He is at present a member of the board of trustees of St. Agnes Cemetery and is the 
(mly surviving member of the original board which was composed of sixteen mem- 
bers. In 1837, in New York city, Mr. Liieke married Miss Catharine W. Rodemeir, 
who was a schoolmate of his. In October, 1887, Mr. and Mrs. Liieke had the 
pleasure of celebrating their golden wedding. Mrs. Liieke died in December, 1890. 
Two daughters survive her, Adelaide, the wife of Rupert Spang of Syracuse, N. Y., 
and Gertrude, who ably manages her father's property. Mr. Liieke prefers his home 
and church to any club life and derives most of his enjoyment from reading history. 
He is a very fluent speaker on this, his favorite topic. He knows the history of 



162 

Europe thoroughly for the past two hundred years and prides himself on being able 
to trace the relationship between all the royal families. 



SIMON W. ROSENDALE. 

Simon W. Rosendalk was born in Albany in 1841, coming of a German family, 
and reads and speaks German lluently. His father, Sampson Rosendale, was a 
native of Bavaria, and his mother of Saxony. His parents came to this country in 
1837, and made Albany their home. Mr. Rosendale was educated in one of the 
public schools and became a student of the Albany Academy and by his aptness for 
learning and geniality of his disposition and his successful application he gained the 
highest esteem of his teachers and cla.ssmates. In 1857 he entered the law office of 
Courtney & Cassidy, then an important legal firm, suspending his law studies to 
finish hisgeneral education in the hallsof the Barre,Vt., Academy, from which he grad- 
uated in 1861, and on his return to Albany was admitted to the bar in 1862. Within 
a year he was appointed assistant district attorney of Albany, and rendered valuable 
aid to that office. In 1868 he was elected recorder by a large majority. He was ap- 
pointed by Mayor Nolan corporation counsel, resigning the office in 1882 on account 
of his extensive law practice. He has been a member of the law firm of Peckham, 
Rosendale & Hessberg, which upon the election to the Supreme Court of Hon. Rufus 
W. Peckham became and now remains the well known firm of Rosendale & Hess- 
berg. In 1884 he was again appointed corporation counsel by Mayor Banks. He is 
prominently identified with the legal and commercial interests of the Slate and with 
many local organizations, being a director of the National Commercial Bank, tlie 
National Savings Bank, the Albany Railway Company, the Albany Hospital, and 
was for years treasurer of the New York State Bar Association. He is also a trustee 
of the Albany Medical College (Union University). He has long been a representa- 
tive of his people, willing to give his time, talents and money in aid of Jewish char- 
itable and religious interests, and has been identified with many movements in 
prominent organizations connected with Judaism. He was for many years promi- 
nently identified with the order of Benai Berith, and for ten years the president of its 
National Court of Appeals. He has presided over the convention of the United He- 
brew Congregations of America, and is a member of its National Executive Com- 
mittee. He is a member of the executive committee of the Jewish Publication Soci- 
ety of America, and presided at its initial meeting in Philadelphia. He is also vice- 
president of the recently organized American Jewish Historical Society. 

In 1891 he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention for attorney gen- 
eral of the State of New York, on the same ticket with Governor Flower, and was 
elected by a very flattering majority. He is now engaged in the practice of the law. 
In the discharge of the manifold and arduous duties of attorney-general, it may 
at least be said that Mr. Rosendale's administration was successful and met with 
public approval. 




GEORGE A. HOUSE. 



GEORGE A. HOUSE. 

George A. House, well known in both business and political circles, is one of the 
most enterprising men of Cohoes, his native city. After graduating from the High 
School in 1870. he at once accepted a position with H. R. Grant & Co.. in the hard- 
ware trade. In connection with his duties in the store he acquired a knowledge of 
telegraphy. On the dissolution of this firm he was appointed manager of the West- 
ern Union Telegraph office at Cohoes, which position he held until 1883. In that 
year he resigned and became the Cohoes representative of Samuel Blaisdell, jr., & 
Co., cotton and wool dealers, Chicopee, Mass. Almost immediately perceiving the 
necessity of a warehouse in Cohoes he perfected his plans and then forming a co- 
partnership with C. M. Blaisdell, a member of the firm of S. Blaisdell, jr., & Co., 
carried the new venture to a successful issue. In 1894 C. M. Blaisdell disposed of his 
interest to his wife, Mr. House retaining his equal position. In 1895 Mr. House 
mdividually built the Younglove Avenue Warehouse. Mr. House is a very influential 
political leader, standing unswervingly in the Republican party. He has served as 
fire commissioner, filling the vacancy caused by the death of the Hon. D. J. John- 
ston, general superintendent of the Harmony Mills. He is a member of Cohoes 
Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M., life member of Cohoes Chapter, R. A. M., life member 
of Bloss Council of Troy. R. and S. M., past orator of Royal Arcanum, past grand 
Cohoes Lodge, I. O. O. F., member of Cohoes Business Men's Association, member 
of Cohoes City Club, and Pafraets Dael Club of Troy. 

He was born in 1853 of Holland ancestry and was the son of Moses House, who 
came here as early as 1850, a shoemaker by trade. He was also a private banker 
and real estate dealer. 



WINFIELD S. HEVENOR. 

WiNKiELD S. Hevenor (of the firm of Van Alstyne & Hevenor) is the eldest son of 
Robert D. Hevenor and Eliza C. Folger, his wife, and was born at Rhinebeck, N.Y., 
June 24, 1831. On his father's side he is a lineal descendant from some of the 
earliest Gc-man settlers of Dutchess, Columbia and Ulster counties, and of the 
mountainous regions of Pennsylvania and Virginia; on the side of his mother he is 
a descendant from Peter Folger, the brother of the mother of Benjamin Franklin, 
and also from one of the original Van Loons, who were among the earliest and most 
prominent settlers of Greene county, N. Y., and from whom the present village of 
Athens took its ancient name of Loonenberg. Mr. Hevenor was educated in the 
common schools of the town, and at Rhinebeck Academy, under the instruction of 
Professors Bell, Marcy, Dow, Schuyler, Smith and Covert, all foremost, in their 
time, among the educators of Dutchess county. No academy in the State, in those 
days, turned out better scholars than did Rhinebeck Academy; and many of the 
young men educated there have become prominent in professional and business life, 
and in the military service of the country. At the age of sixteen Mr. Hevenor had 
been fitted in the ordinary English branches, in higher mathematics and the 



164 

as then taught, as well as in Latin and Greek, to compete creditably with 
many graduates of the colleges of the day, and under the tuition of Mr. Covert 
especially, had acquired a taste for, and a knowledge of, the rules of composition 
and declamation, which have since proven of great value and assistance to him. 
Thus equipped, and determining to waive the opportunity offered him by his father 
and friends to proceed with an advanced college education, he commenced, and for 
two years was engaged in, teaching common schools in the neighborhood of his 
birthplace; and then, in September, 1849, upon the urgent solicitation of his old 
schoolmate, Hon. (Jeorge Wolford (formerly county judge of Albany county, and 
afterwards deputy superintendent of insurance), he came to Albany and took up the 
study of law with Messrs. Tabor & Joyce, and continued his studies with them, and 
with Messrs. Learned & WiUson, until he was admitted to practice in September, 
1852. During his studentship with the latter firm he was also an attentive member 
of the first class of the Albany Law School (now merged in the Law Department of 
the University of Albany), under the instructions of Hon. Ira Harris, Hon. Amasa 
J. Parker and Amos Dean, esq., the founders and first professors of that now noted 
school ; and he refers with conscious pride to the fact that the recommendation for 
his admission to practice as a lawyer bears the signatures of those eminent men. 
Mr. Hevenor's life, since his admission to practice, has been an active and busy one. 
professionally and otherwise. He served as assistant district attorney of Albany 
county under Hon. Andrew J. Colvin and Hon. Samuel G. Courtney during their 
respective terms as district attorney; afterwards filled one term as justice of the 
peace of the town of North Greenbush ; was three years a member of the Board of 
Education of Union Free School District No. 6 of that town, serving one year each 
as clerk and president of the board; was afterwards for two years president of Bath- 
on-the-Hudson, and for several years served as attorney for the village of Green- 
bush. This constitutes his official life. In each position he was faithful, energetic 
and competent, and met the approval of the public. In the spring of 1858 Mr. 
Hevenor, after having been a partner of Mr. Colvin for several years, entered into 
copartnership with Hon. Thomas J. Van Alstyne (afterwards county judge of Albany 
county, and later a member of congress from the Albany district), under the firm 
name of Van Alstyne & Hevenor. The firm located in Douw's building, in Albany, 
and has ever since continued, as a firm, in the practice of law in the same building. 
It is now the oldest unbroken law or business firm in the city of Albany, and prob- 
ably the oldest in the State. Messrs. Van Alstyne and Hevenor are the oldest sur- 
viving tenants of the building. Their practice has been large, varied and usually 
successful. la 1878 Mr. Hevenor married Christina Pottenburgh, eldest daughter of 
Capt. Henry Pottenburgh, who for many years was connected with the Old Night 
Watch, and afterwards with the uniformed police of the city of Albany. Four 
daughters are living, born of this marriage, to wit: Mrs. Maria Folger Colman, 
wife of Rev. Charles Colman, Baptist clergyman, of Germantown, Pa. ; Mrs. Nancy 
Eliza, wife of Dr. J. Wilton Barlow, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; Ina Van Alstyne, unmar- 
ried; and Mrs. Robertina L. Leech, artist, widow of the late Samuel D. Leech, 
journalist; the latter two children are now residing with their parents. The only 
son of the marriage, Robert Henry Hevenor, vi'ho died in early childhood, had he 
lived till this time, would have been about thirty-three years of age. Although Mr. 



i 




ELIAS SWEET, Jr. 



I 



165 

■ received his first Sabbath school instruction from the noble daughter of the 
pioneer Methodist minister. Rev. Freeborn Garretson, he early in life, after investi- 
gation, adopted the creed of his paternal ancestry, that of the Lutheran church, and 
still holds the same religious views. In politics he has been for many years, and still 
is, an active and unswerving Democrat, and has many times advocated the principles 
of his party with tongue and pen. During the war of the Rebellion he was a "War 
Democrat," and was often called upon and found ready to address large gatherings 
of people in favor of "a vigorous prosecution of the war." In family and social life 
he is genial, social and kindly hearted, and has many friends. As a public speaker 
he is plain, argumentative and forcible, rather than ornate or sophomoric. Among 
his published addresses several orations delivered by him in his younger days, at 
different times, and a few memorial addresses delivered at meetings of the bar oi 
Albany, have received great commendation; and his eulogy upon General Grant, 
pronounced at Round Lake, N. Y , shortly after the death of the general at Mount 
McGregor, was said to be among the finest and best addresses delivered in memory of 
the great chieftain. As a writer, Mr. Hevenor wields a facile pen, and his many 
contributions (political, historical and literary) to newspapers of Albany and other 
counties, have been warmly welcomed by the publishers, and read with pleasure 
and approval by their readers. Mr. Hevenor's present residence is at Bath-on-the- 
Hudson, N. Y. 



ELIAS W. SWEET. 

Ei.iAs W. Sweet, son of Albrow and Mary (Wickham) Sweet, was born in the town 
of Coeymans. Albany county, N. Y., September 16, 1830. Mr. Sweet enjoyed the 
limited education of the public school of his day and took up farming as his life work. 
He lived at Baltimore, N. Y., for fifteen years on a farm of sixty acres and subse- 
quently purchased 'a farm at Stanton Hill, where he resided two years. In 1867 he 
moved to a farm adjoining the one where he now lives in Aquetuck, town of Coey- 
mans. In 1869 he purchased the farm on which his residence stands and since that 
time has worked the two farms, comprising 163 acres. September 30, 1852, Mr. 
Sweet married Eliza Ann Armstrong of the town of Coeymans. She died January 
3, 1888, leaving four children: Elias, jr., Phoebe, Maria and Charles. Mr. Sweet is 
a Methodist by profession. 



JOHN BOYD THACHER. 

John Bovd Thachkr, mayor of the city of Albany, was born on September 11, 
1847, at Ballston Springs, N. Y., and is the eldest son of George H. Thacher, who 
was for many years mayor of Albany. 

John B. Thacher, was educated under private instruction, and in 186.T entered 
Williams College, and was graduated therefrom with honors in 1869. He then en- 
tered his father's foundry at Albany and learned the trade of moulder. He also 
learned bookkeeping in Folsoms Business College. Mr. Thacher, in company with 
his brother, George H. Thacher, still continues to operate the extensive foundry, 
known as the Thacher Car Works, being one of Albany's leading industries. 



166 

Mr. Thacher began his public career in 1883, when he was elected to the State 
Senate from Albany county, and during his term of office was an active supporter of 
all labor measures. Since that time Mr. Thacher has been constantly in the public 
eye as a politician, having taken the stump during both of the Cleveland campaigns. 
He conducted the Albany bi-centennial with great success, and in 1895 became 
mayor of the city of Albany, of which office he is now the incumbent. 

Mr. Thacher was united in marriage in 1872 with Emma, daughter of George C. 
Treadwell, esq., of Albany. 

Mr. Thacher holds high rank in the Masonic fraternity, and is one of the few men 
in Albany who have attained the thirty-third degree. He is past master of Masters 
Lodge No. .5, and has held e.xalted positions in the other Masonic bodies of Albany, 
and is also a member of the Democratic Phalanx. Mr. Thacher gained considerable 
prominence during 1893 as a commissioner of awards at the World's Fair at Chicago. 
He is also the author of '• Charlecote, ' a work treating on Shakespeare and the 
drama, and several other works of merit. 



BAREXT T. E. BRONK. 

Barent T. E. Bronk was born in the town of Coeymans, Albany county, N. Y., 
June 1, 1834. He is a son of John Bronk and Gerritie V'anderzee, and comes from 
two of the oldest families in Albany county, the Ten Eycks and the Coeymans, after 
whom the place Coeymans is named. Mr. Bronk's paternal grandmother and great- 
grandmother were Ten Eycks. and his great-great-grandraother was a Coeymans. 
On the maternal side the line of descent is also through the families of Ten Eyck 
and Coeymans. The records of the town show that Andres Ten Eyck married Ann 
Margreta Coeymans, whose daughter Charlotte married Conrad Ten Eyck, whose 
daughter Maria married Jonas Bronk, grandfather of the subject of this sketch. In 
1636 Barent Pieterse K->yemans (Coeymans) entered the service of the first patroon 
and from this Koyemans Mr. Bronk is descended in the way above shown. The 
founders of this republic always strove to perfect methods for educating the voung 
and when practicable every son was sent to the best school that could be 'found. 
Inasmuch as the facilities were so meagre at the place of his birth, young Bronk 
was sent away to school. He attended the academies at Westfield and Leno.x, Mass. , 
and there obtained a magnificent preliminary education that was to fit him to acquire 
the position he later attained in the business and social world. After leaving school 
he returned to his fathers farm opposite where the Pulver House is now located at 
Ravena, N. Y., and here he conducted the farm with his brothers Jonas, Xoble H 
and Eugene. Eugene, filled with an ardent desire to serve his country, enlisted in 
the Northern army during the Rebellion and his life paid the penalty. There is now 
a G. A. R. Post m Coeymans named after him. In 1860 Mr. B. T. E. Bronk moved to 
his present farm about one mile north of Coeymans. This farm, consisting of 
four hundred and seventy-five acres, he .subsequently inherited from his great-uncle 
Barent Ten Eyck. Since 1860 Mr. Bronk has lived on this farm enjoying a true! 
simple life. He is a home-loving man and divides his time between his home and 
his church, the Reformed church of Coeymans, of which he is an elder. January 18 
180a, he married Sarah Ann Mull, who died leaving one daughter, Elizabeth' the 



mmmmmmiimm^ 




BARHNT T. b. BRONK. 




F. H. FISK, M. D. 



wife of Dr. Powell of Coeymans. February 13, 1880, Mr. Bronk married his present 
wife, Melissa Van Vliet. 



D. CADY HERRICK. 

The Hon. D. Cady Herrick was born in April, 1847, at Esperance, Schoharie 
county, N. Y., and is a son of Jonathan R. Herrick. 

D. Cady Herrick was educated in the public schools of Albany. N. Y., whither his 
parents had removed in 1853. He was later sent to boarding school, and finished his 
studies at Anthony's Classical Institute. He then studied law with Gen. Lyman Tre- 
main, and the elder Peckham, at Albany, then took a course in the Albany Law 
School, from which he was duly graduated, and was admitted to the bar of the State 
of New York in 1868. 

From that year until 1870 he was engaged in the offices of Hungerford & Hotaling 
in the further prosecution of his studies of the law. In the latter year (1870) he en- 
tered upon an active career in the practice of his profession at Albany. He first 
became prominent in his defense of the murderer, Emil Lowenstein, receiving the 
highest of praises for his powerful and eloquent appeal to the jury, from the judge, 
jury and the public. Although the prisoner was convicted, Mr. Herrick gained 
through this case a reputation which brought him clients in numbers and laid the 
foundation of what promised to be a successful practice. 

In 1880 Mr. Herrick entered politics and was nominated for and elected district 
attorney, and renominated and re-elected to that office in 1883. In 1886 Mr. Herrick 
resigned his position as district attorney to accept the appointment of justice of the 
Supreme Court of the State of New York to fill a vacancy and is still serving in that 
capacity, his term of office expiring in 1905. Mr. Herrick has held prominent posi- 
tions in the Democratic party ever since his entrance into politics in 3880. 

In 1873 he was united in marriage with a daughter of Daniel Salisbury. 



FRANK H. FISK, M. D. 

Fr.\nk H. Fisk, M. D., son of Daniel, was born in Salisbury, Conn., August 6, 
1854, and when young removed whh his parents to Bridgeport, in the same State. 
He descends from an old Massachusetts family, and on his mother's side is descended 
from the Chambers of Greenfield, Mass. He attended and was graduated from the 
public schools of Bridgeport, and then entered and was also graduated from Barnum's 
Academy, a celebrated institution for higher learning in that city. Later he was a 
student for a time in the academy at Wilbraham, Mass. Deciding upon medicine 
as a profession he went, while yet a youth, to Springfield, Mass., and entered the 
office of a leading practitioner. He subsetiuently studied with physicians in New 
Haven, Boston, and Albany, and was graduated from the Albany Medical College 
with the degree of M. D. in 1881, since which time he has been in active practice in 
this city. As a surgeon he has won a reputation, and has performed many diflicult 
and dangerous operations. Dr. Fisk is a member of the Albany County Medical 



168 

Society and of the several Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternal organizations of 
Albany. 



GEORGE STORY. 

George Story is the son of Richard J. and Elizabeth (Rix) Story, both natives of 
England, and was born in Albany, N. Y., December 15, 1854. His father came to 
Albany about 1835 and early engaged in the grain trade; eventually he established 
himself in the malting business, and died in 1892 at the age of eighty-six. His 
mother also died in 1892, aged eighty. 

Mr. Story was educated in School No. 14. on what is known as Trinity place, 
Albany, and commenced to earn his own livelihood at the age of fifteen. Since then 
his career has been one of almost unceasing activity and constant effort. With 
indomitable perseverance, combined with good judgment, sound common sen.se, and 
excellent business ability, he rose step by step in responsible capacities and event- 
ually achieved a high place as an enterprising and successful citizen. He overcame 
difficulties with remarkable adroitness, filled important positions with great credit 
and satisfaction, and won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in 
contact. His independent disposition, his great firmness and directness of purpose, 
his executive ability, and his energy and force of character enabled him to surmount 
all ob.stacles and attain distinction in financial and bu.siness affairs. 

In 1869 he entered the employ of Churchill & Dennison, photographers, and after- 
ward of Frank Chamberlain, commission merchant, in Albany. In 1873 he entered 
the Merchants' National Bank of Albany, where he remained until 1885, being ad- 
vanced through the various positions to that of paying teller. He then engaged in 
the brewing and malting business in his native city as a member of the firm of 
Granger & Story, (rom which he withdrew in 1891 to accept the position, in New 
York, of first assistant national bank examiner, which he held until 1893, when he 
was made assistant cashier of the National Bank of Deposit of that city. Soon after, 
this institution succumbed to the financial depression of that year and went into the 
hands of a receiver, with whom Mr. Story remained until the business was wound 
up and every depositor paid in full, with interest. He then became chief clerk of 
the Third National Bank of New York city, but resigned that position July 1, 1894, 
to accept a responsible post in the State Banking Department at Albany. His ex- 
perience in banking affairs, and his thorough knowledge of finance, enabled him to 
meet and discharge every demand upon his services with unusual satisfaction, 
especially in the examination of savings banks, to which he was assigned. In the 
fall of 1895 he again went to New York city and established himself in the manufac- 
turing business, at 62 Reade street, as president and treasurer of the firm of Story, 
Barber & Co., manufacturers of bicycle lamps, in which he has since continued, 
maintaining his residence, however, in Albany. 

Mr. Story, in connection with Dr. M. J. Lewi and Frank Sabold. founded, in about 
1893, the Albany Club of New York city, composed of Albanians, and now one of the 
prominent social organizations of the metropolis. In 1896 he met with a serious 
affliction in the loss of his eyesight, caused no doubt by his conscientious devotion to 
work in the banking department and its action upon his naturally nervous temper- 
ament, and since then he has been obliged to relinquish active business. 




GEORGH STORY. 



EUGENE BURLINGAME. 

NoTHiNC. in the catalogue of "civic virtues" has, perhaps, so largely contributed 
to the high municipal reputation of the city of Albany and enabled her to conserve 
her status, in a moral as well as in a geographical sense, as Capital of the Empire 
State, as the recognized ability and exemplary character of its legal fraternity. No 
higher standard of forensic excellence is anywhere exhibited, and nowhere else are 
the hands of counsel cleaner or freer from taint. No suspicion of shadiness or 
questionable methods in the practice of the profession is here permitted and nothing 
in the nature of the shyster's business is allowed to hamper the proceedings of court. 
Here the annual reunion of the State Bar Association occurs and here the Albany 
lawyer is justly presented as the exemplar and ideal of all that is admirable and 
imitable in the profession. The leaders of the bar in Albany have erected this 
standard in themselves and the names of many of national reputation may be found 
upon the guidons that mark off the avenues of fame and fortune in this free republic. 

Among them, occupying an honored position in the working and active ranks of 
the body as well as in the counsels of the leaders is found the name of Eugene 
Burlingame. 

With as much the force of fact as that of incidence it was observed by a reputable 
journal of Albany in reference to his nomination for the position of district attorney 
at the last State election: " The election of Mr. Burlingame means for Albany city 
and county honest elections and the capable and efficient administration of the duties 
of the office." The moral of this significant utterance is found in the fact that 
Eugene Burlingame is now (in 1897) serving the third year of his term of district 
attorney. This expression of public opinion might serve as the epigraph of his 
memoir, though it would not cover or include all his higher characteristics. It is 
not as the prosecuting attorney of a district or the representative in that capacity 
of a political party that he is best known, but as the conscientious advocate, the 
able counsel and the scholarly gentleman. In manj' other ways is he known in 
social and domestic life and all redounding to his credit, but they do not come within 
the scope or necessary limitations of this article. 

Eugene Burlingame was born in Willett, Cortland county, N.Y., January 24, 1847, 
and is the son of Westcott and Melinda (Eaton) Burlingame, and is descended of 
good New England stock both on the paternal and maternal side. The genealogical 
tree is of no fanciful growth, for its roots "spread deep and wide through pilgrim 
.soil." His earliest American ancestor of the male line was Roger Burlingame, who 
came from England some time prior to 1650 and was known to be a resident of 
Stonington, Conn., as early as 1654. He resided at Warwick, R. I., in 1660, and 
later at Providence, in the same State. The line is followed from Roger Bur- 
lingame through Thomas, Joshua, Eleazer and Altitius to his father, Westcott, and 
himself, while the history of his grandmother's ancestry in the same line runs back 
into many of the old and prominent Rhode Island families. She was the daughter 
of Augustus Ellis and Desire Slocum. and was the sixth in descent from the family 
of the latter name. The subject of this sketch also traces his descent through his 
grandmother on the paternal side, through the Hull and Dyer families to Mary 
Dyer, who suffered martyrdom at Boston " for conscience sake" in 1660. Thomas 



170 

Burlinganie, the son of Roger, married Martha Lippitt, daughter of Moses and Mary 
(Knowles) Lippitt, and Eleazar, Mr. Burlingame's great-great-grandfather, married 
Rhoda Briggs, of an old Rhode Island family. His mother was Melinda Eaton, a 
descendant of William and Jane Eaton, of Dover, England. Nicholas, the son of 
William, who was born in 1573, was warden of St. Mary's church, Dover, and mayor 
of his native city. His son John, Mr. Burlingame's first ancestor on the maternal 
line who came to this country, was born at Dover in 1611 and with his wife and chil- 
dren came to America in 1635, settled in Dedham, Mass., and became the founder 
of the " Dedham Batons." The descent in this line is continued through John to 
his son Thomas, who married Lydia Gay in 1697, settling in Woodstock, Conn., to 
Nathaniel, who married Esther, daughter of Capt. John Parry, in 1704, to Elijah, to 
John, who married Lydia Preston, to Melinda, the mother of our district attorney. 

In a single maternal line the ancestry of this distinguished Albanian is traceable 
to George Bunker, after whom Bunker Hill was named, for he was the owner of the 
top of that historic mound one hundred years before it had been made memorable 
by the famous battle of the Revolution. This is history to be proud of. The lineage 
in this direction is followed from George to Martha Bunker, who married John 
.Starr, to Lydia Starr, who married Nathaniel Gay, to Lydia Gay, who was married 
to Thomas Eaton. The late Prof. Amos Eaton of Troy, N. Y., identified with the 
earlier history of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his son, the late Gen. Amos B. 
Eaton, U. S. A., his grandson, the late Prof. Daniel C. Eaton, of Yale College, 
Hon. Dorman B. Eaton, of New York, and Gen. William Eaton, distinguished for 
services at Tunis, were all descended from this stainless stock. 

Coming to his immediate, ancestors it will be of interest to state that his grand- 
father, Altitius Burlingame, was born at West Greenwich, Rhode Island, September 
27, 1790, and with his great-uncle, Arnold Thomas and their families, removed from 
their native place to Willett in the State of New York in 1809. They were among 
the earliest settlers of that town. Mr. Burlingame's father, born in 1806, was, con- 
sequently, only three years old at the time. Grandfather John Eaton — the other 
side — and great-uncles Peter Eaton and Robert Tennant with their families removed 
to Willett from Cherry Valley, N. Y., about 1814. His mother, Melinda Eaton, was 
born at Cherry Valley, November 6, 1812. The locality where they settled has since 
been known as " Eaton Hill." The marriage of Melinda Eaton and Westcott Bur- 
lingame took place at Willett, N. Y., March 27, 1836, and the issue included five 
children: Miles Eaton, Ogden, Lydia, Lucy Agnes and Eugene (all now living, 
June, 1897.) The late Anson Burlingame was descended from the same stock. 

Although the early training and subsequent career up to the time of his entrance 
into public life, of Eugene Burlingame, had not been unusually eventful, they were 
not unmarked by circumstances that were, in a measure, in the nature of events that 
" cast their shadows before." In all were evinced the " mens proposititenax"— the 
quiet determination to prove worthy of the best traditions of family and race. His 
early education was received in the public schools of his native town, followed by a 
two years course at the Cincinnatus Academy in Cortland county. In 1866 he en- 
tered the State Normal College at Albany and was graduated with honor in July, 
1868. It is worthy of record that at the close of his studies in this institution he 
accepted the position of principal of the Athens Union School, and though hardly 
yet having attained the years of manhood conducted it so successfully for a period 



171 

of two years thai his resignation at the end of that time was a source of general 
public regret in that section. 

But the ambition of the young teacher soared beyond the contracted limits of the 
class hall, and within the vast domain of the legal profession he discerned a broader 
view for his aspirations and a wider field for his talents. In the general scope of 
his earlies studies the literature of the law had for him a peculiar fascination, and it 
was not as a callow or uninformed neophyte that he entered the Albany Law School 
in 1870, being then in the twenty-third year of his age. As it always happens with 
the adventurous soldier of fortune in any field, he found competent helps at hand. 
Among them was the eminent Isaac Edwards, then dean of the college, and Judge 
Ira Harris, a famous lecturer on constitutional law. Among the existing faculty 
also were numbered Judge Amasa J. Parker and Judge William F. Allen of the 
Court of Appeals. Under such distinguished instructors the earnestness and apti- 
tude of young Burlingame were brought into play and so rapidly responded to their 
broad and liberal treatment that in a little over a year he obtained the degree of 
LL.B., and was ready for practice. But with the wisdom so rare at his years he 
realized the importance of the most thorough preparation before entering upon his 
professional work, and entered the law ofhce of Newkirk & Chase at Hudson, N. Y.. 
an admirable school for a young lawyer, where he thoroughly familiarized hmiself 
with the business features of his calling. By his ready intelligence and willingness 
to work he won the confidence of his associates and was intrusted with much im- 
portant business of the concern. Thus, fully equipped for the forensic arena, he 
entered, in 1872, on the full and formal practice of the profession, in partnershijj 
with Charles W. Mead of this city. After five years of legal collaboration, during 
which he performed very important professional work, he opened an office for him- 
self at No. 452 Broadway. It may be noticed in this connection that while he is 
frequently consulted and as counsel tries many cases for other attorneys, he has 
made it a custom to try and argue his own cases and generally with pronounced 
success. He enjoys at present one of the largest and most lucrative practices in this 
part of the State, being engaged on one side or the other in most of the important 
causes tried in our courts. 

March 29, 1875, he married Emma Patten Watsun, the accomplished daughter of 
the late Hon. Rufus W. Watson, a prominent lawyer of Catskill, N. Y. They have 
four children living; Eugene Watson, Elizabeth Jenkins, Francis and Westcott. 
A fifth, Harriette Sylvia, died in infancy. 

There is little room to touch upon the manners or methods by which Mr. Burlin- 
game has attained his remarkable eminence at the bar, but through each and all of 
them is discerned the dominant note of carefulness and the abiding sense of respon- 
sibiHty. " For conscience sake " appears to be his motto as well as that of his mar- 
tyred ancestor and he is prompt to apply it to the light as to the weightiest case with 
which he may iic entrusted. In direct and cross examination his questions are form- 
ulated with scholarly precision. Impressed with the conviction that truth and accu- 
racy are one and indivisible and that the gravest issues often hang upon apparently 
the most trivial questions, he is wont to weigh his words with the greatest delibera- 
tion and insist upon the most direct and definite answers. Although a master of 
technique he treats the witnesses with the utmost fairness. His end and aim is to 
get at the truth and elicit it in the interests of justice. Even in his capacity of Dis- 



172 

trict Attorney he has been known to turn the search light of truth upon the case of 
the people and by interposing on behalf of the accused, but with no diminution of 
the dignity of the office, has often stopped an expensive and unjust prosecution. In 
the less restricted sense of speaker and advocate his language is refined and elegant 
but always within the comprehension of his hearers. His reasoning is logical 
and incisive, but he has never recourse to glittering sophisms to compass the end of 
the public prosecutor. His eloquence is the eloquence of truth; his force the force 
of conviction. In bearing he is calm, dignified and impressive and entirely free 
from any of the ad captandum methods sometimes known to the profession. He is 
the type of the classical orator cast in the practical mold of the modern lawyer. His 
oratory is aided by a charming personality, graceful action and quietly fervid man- 
ner. He is, altogether, an attractive and commanding figure in the front rank of his 
profession. 

Mr. Burlingame's position in politics is somewhat unique. While distinct iu char- 
acter from the hustling partisan, he is looked upon by his party as the ideal repre- 
sentative of Republican polititics and is highly trusted and esteemed in that capacity. 
This is exemplified by the fact that in 1884 he was chosen chairman of the Albany 
County Republican Committee and in 1887 was elected a member of the Republican 
State Committee. In 1891 he was one of the Republican counsel in the celebrated 
election cases of that year, involving as they did the election of four State senators 
and the consequent control of the State Senate, and rendered valuable and efficient 
service in the interest of honest elections and good government. "Certainly," said 
Mr. Burlingame, in the course of an able argument during these remarkable trials, 
"as citizens, not as partisans, we are all interested in keeping those avenues that 
lead up to the exercise of the greatest right and duty of an American citizen pure 
and undefiled." 

As an evidence of his influence in literary, social and religious circles it goes in 
the record that he was President of the Young Men's Association of Albany in 1884 
which is justly regarded as a great honor, inasmuch as the society with its library 
and hall, has, for many years, been intimately associated with the literary life of 
Albany. He is also a member of the Albany Historical and Art Societj-, President 
of the Burns Club and member of the Fort Orange and Press Clubs and member of 
the State Bar Association. He is Past Master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., 
and also trustee of that Lodge. He is a director and counsel for Fairview Home for 
Friendless Children, a director of the Charity Organization Society of Albany, and 
Vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal Church of Albany. He is a Curator of the Albany 
Institute, the leading literary and scientific society of Albany, and member of the 
faculty of the Albany Law School, lecturing on Real Properly and Criminal Law. 

Physically Mr. Burlingame is slightly above the middle size, of a compact and well- 
knit frame and with clean cut regular features. His bright blue eyes have a direct 
and searching light in them that seek first to know you and being satisfied beam 
kindly upon you His manner is courteous and cordial with a very nice sense of 
situation and a blending of dignity and benevolence that impresses the stranger and 
endears him to his friends. Albany is justly proud of Mr. Burlingame, as a citizen, 
lawyer and public official. 



PART III. 

FAMILY SKETCHES. 



FAMILY SKETCHES. 



Stark, Moses, son of Myer and Barbette (Nussbaum) Stark, was born in Albany, 
February 11, 1851. His parents came from Germany in 1840 and first settled in 
North Adams, Mass., whence they moved about 1842 to Albany, where the father 
(lied in 1889. Myer Stark was for many years a dry goods merchant. Of his seven 
children four sons are living; Bernard, born January 1, 1846, now a manufacturer of 
ladies' wrappers; Moses, the subject of this sketch; Leopold, born in October, 1854, 
a bookkeeper for his brother Moses ; and Louis, born May 24, 1856, a member of the 
New York Tailoring Company. All reside in Albany. Moses Stark was educated 
m the public and German schools of Albany, was for three years a clerk for Mann, 
Waldman & Co., and in April, 1868, formed a partnership with his brother Bernard, 
under the firm name of B. Stark & Co., and engaged in the fancy dry goods business 
in the old Tweddle Hall building. In 1882 they removed to No. 13 North Pearl 
street, where they made extensive improvements, putting in a large millinery de- 
partment, and where they were burned out in the fall of 1895. The business was 
then divided, Moses Stark continuing the millinery branch, which is located in the 
Y. M. C. A. building at the corner of North Pearl and Steuben streets. It is one of 
the best known establishments of the kind in Albany. He is a member of Wash- 
ington Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., and Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B., and a 
charter member of the Adelphia Literary Club. March 22, 1874, he married Minnie, 
daughter of Morris Herman of Albany, who died August 26, 1889, leaving three 
children: Herbert M., Mae and Hattie. 

Seelmann, Andrew G., was born in Albany, N.Y., May 6, 1861. His parents were 
George and Rosa (Drach) Seelmann, natives of Germany. Mr. Seelmann was edu- 
cated in the Holy Cross School and Christian Brothers' Academy of Albany and 
took an evening course at the Albany Business College. After finishing his educa- 
tion he entered the law office of Wickes & Gutmann and while there was admitted to 
the bar in 1882. June 8, 1885, he was appointed superintendent of the money order 
department at the Albany post-oftice and held the position until March 1, 1890. He 
then opened a law office at No. 93 State street and later moved to No. 69 State 
street, where he is now located. In 1891 Mr. Seelmann was clerk to the Assembly 
Committee on Judiciary and Codes, and in 1892 was clerk to the Committee on 
Judiciary and Railroads. He was president of the German Lyceum during its ex- 
istence and was one of the organizers and is now president of the German Young 
Men's Democratic Club. He is a member of the executive committee of the Dem- 
ocratic Association of Albany county and is also a member of the Democratic Pha- 



lanx, the Catholic Union and the C. B. A. Alumni. His business is chiefly real estate 
law, and Surrogate's Court practice. 

Brewster, Frederick C, son of Cortland and Rachel (Mors) Brewster, was born in 
Waterford, Saratoga county, N. Y., August 11, 1860. He was educated in private 
schools and was graduated from Claverack College in 1879 and from the Troy Busi- 
ness College in 1880. He then went as bookkeeper to the office of his uncle and 
grandfather, lumber dealers. West Troy, where he rapidly rose to the position of 
confidential clerk. In January, 1894, he opened a real estate office at No. 1595 
Broadway, West Troy, and purchased the insurance agency of Clute & McAllaster. 
Mr. Brewster has been a member of the Troy Citizens Corps for fifteen years, having 
served ten years as an active member in the National Guard and five years as a 
member of the Old Guard. July 20, 1887, Mr. Brewster married Eliza, daughter of 
John H. Crocker of West Troy. 

Armstrong, Rev. J. B., was born at Johnsburg, N. Y., in 18.54, and a son of 
J. W. Armstrong, who was a farmer of Scotch-Irish ancestry. He was twenty years 
of age when he decided to enter the ministry, and was graduated in 1876 from 
Fort Edward Institute. He taught several years in the public schools, and then 
natural science at the Troy Conference Academy, and also taught higher mathe- 
matics. In 1883 he took his first charge at Ames, Montgomery county, where he re- 
mained for three years. Thence he proceeded to East Greenbush, then to Johnson- 
ville and to West Troy in 1891, where he is pastor of the Third Avenue M. E. church. 
He is a man of rare attainments, of liberal views, and is an eloquent speaker. Dur- 
ing his sojourn here he has labored faithfully and effectually for the upbuilding of 
the church of God. Among the fruits of his pastorate may be noticed a vigorous 
growth in all departments of the church work, largely increased membership and a 
new and modernized temple of worship. 

Toner, J. Seymour, was born in Green Island, Albany county, in 1860, and has 
always been a resident of that village. He was educated in the public schools there 
and at an early age became a member of the village fire department, of which he 
has filled all the positions connected with same and for one year was chief engineer. 
He served four terms (eight years) as village trustee, the longest term .served by any 
man, although a Democrat in a village having a large Republican majority, he re- 
ceived flattering majorities at each election. He has been connected with the account 
department of Cluett, Coon & Co., of Troy, for sixteen years, and is now occupying 
the position of paymaster for that concern. 

Dayton, Lewis W., son of Jesse C. and Carrie L. (Weed) Dayton, was born in 
New York city, March 34, 1866, and is of English descent, his original paternal an- 
cestor in this country, Ralph Dayton, having come from Bradfordshire, England, in 
the seventeenth century and settled at East Hampton, L. I. Major Nathan Dayton 
moved from Long Island in 1800, and settled on a farm near Rensselaerville, Albany 
county. Lewis W. Dayton's grandfather, Samuel, lived at Rensselareville until 
1850, when he moved to Watervliet, now the town of Colonie, and established the 
old homestead where Lewis W. Dayton now lives. His son, Jesse C, was engaged 
in business in New York city when Lewis W. was born and moved to Watervliet, 
Albany county, in 1870. IJe was a staunch Democrat and represented Albany 



county as State senator for one term and was supervisor of the town of Watervliet 
from 1872 to 1878. Lewis W. Dayton was graduated from the Albany Academy in 
1884 and spent one year as clerk in the Anchor Iron and Steel Works in Kentucky. 
He returned to Albany county and engaged in farming in the town of Watervliet 
until 189.5, when he was elected justice of the peace of the town of Colonic. He is a 
member of the Citizens Corps of Troy and also a member of the Sixth Separate Com- 
pany, N. G. S. N. Y., and is an active member of the Farmers' League and was its 
corresponding secretary for two years. Mr. Daj-ton was very active in the dividing 
of the town of Watervliet into the town of Colonic and has always been an earnest 
worker in the Republican party. 

Carroll, George H., owns and conducts a grocery at No. 74 Oneida street, which 
his father, the late William C. Carroll, established in 18.J0. The latter, a pioneer 
here, came from New Hampshire, and was the leading grocer of his day. He was 
also a central figure m the development of the city of Cohoes, and an advocate of all 
matters pertaining to the advancement of his fellowmen. His death occurred in 
1884, aged seventy-four years. George H. is a native of Cohoes, born in 1851, and 
was associated with his father in the grocery business, and .since his death has con- 
tinued in the mercantile business. His wife was Sarah Harwood of Schaghti- 
coke, N. Y. 

Reavy, Frank C, has been one of the leading undertakers of Cohoes since 1870. 
His father was John Reavy, a merchant who went from Montreal when Frank was 
born in 1843, to Chicopee, Mass., in 1844, coming here in 1858. Mr. Reavy began 
business life at fifteen years of age. After remaining in the cotton mills for a few 
years he learned the carpenter's trade, spending three years in New York at the 
business before establishing for himself. He served as school commissioner, super- 
visor, city hall commissioner, and many minor offices. He is a member of the Busi- 
ness Men's Association, of the A. O. U. W., the A. O. H., and K. of C. 

Courchaine, William, was born ia St. George, P. V., in 1856, and is a son of Will- 
iam Courchaine, coming here in 1863. In 1865 he entered Harmony Mills, remain- 
ing until twenty-two years of age as a weaver, later he peddled vegetables, and in 
1880 established his present grocery. He served his first public office as hospital 
commissioner. Mr. Courchaine is president of St. Jean Baptist Society ; it is a 
social and benevolent organization. He has for nine years been trustee of the 
Church of Sacre Coeur. He is supervisor of the Sixth ward of tlie city of Cohoes, 
and proves a very efficient and popular official. 

Conway, Cornelius, is the elder son of the late Hugh Conway, a life-long resident 
of Cohoes. The latter at the time of his death, January 14, 1896, was operating in 
the partnership of Mr. Hugh Graham, the largest and finest grocery in the city. 
They came to the present location, 13 and 15 Willow street, in 1884, and erected the 
large and commodious double store. Mr. Conway began business as a humble clerk 
for (Sraham & Stanton, but in 1871 he purchased Mr. William Stanton's interests. 
Mr. Graham retired soon after the death of Mr. Conway and the firm is now known' 
as Conway & Co. 

Heney. William H., was born in Oldham, Fngland January 31, 1863. Two years 
later he came with his parents to this country ; after a two years' residence in Water- 



ford, N. y., they removed to Troy, N. Y., remaining there about five years. They 
then took up their residence in Cohoes, which has since been the home of the subject 
of this sketch. At the age of nine years he entered the Harmony Cotton Mills as an 
apprentice, continuing his education in the night schools. Mr. Heney has since been 
employed in various mills in various capacities, and since 1893 has been superintend- 
ent of The Hudson Valley Knitting Co., of Waterford, N. Y. He was inspector of 
election of the Fourth ward for two years, and in 1893 was elected supervisor, being 
re-elected in 1895. Mr. Heney is a member of Egberts Lodge No. 50, Knights of 
Pythias, having served as chancellor commander, also as district deputy of the 
Twenty-eighth District in 1894. Rejoined the Seventh Separate Co., N. G. S. N. Y., 
in 1883; after serving five years as quartermaster-sergeant and the same length of 
time as first sergeant, he applied for and received an honorable discharge in 1892. 
In 1888 Mr. Henry won the Woodward competitive drill medal, the presentation 
speech being made by Hon. D. B. Hill, then governor of the State. 

Sessions, Charles E., and Lewis E. Sessions, are residents of Cohoes for half a 
century and are sons of the late John B. Sessions, who by trade was a mason and 
who came here in 1847. Charles E. was born in Troy in 1842, and in his early years 
worked in the Harmony Mills. Lewis E. was born in 1846 in Troy, and in his early 
years was a butcher. In 1859 Philip, an elder brother, established the business at 
the present location. 

Canton, Charles N., late postmaster of the city of Cohoes, and for twenty years 
past a prominent citizen of that city, was born at West Troy, February Hi, 1853. 
His first American ancestor was Albert Canton, who emigrated from Bordeaux, 
France, about 1811, and settled at Brattleboro, Vt. He was a soldier of 1812. Mr. 
Canton is one of five sons of the late Louis Canton, a contractor, who located at 
West Troy about 1836. He, himself, lived at West Troy until about twenty-one, 
having learned the builder's trade. In 1875 he married Miss Mary F. Carpenter, of 
Cohoes, lately deceased. In 1884 he was appointed sealer of weights and measures, 
and was postmaster of the city from 1890 to 1894, being succeeded by James B. Mc- 
Kee, the present incumbent. Mr. Canton is largely interested in the wholesale trade 
of ice. In 1895 he purchased the Peltier hotel property in Colonie, on the beautiful 
and historic Loudonville road, transforming it into the " Cottage Lawn," a pictur- 
esque and popular summer resort. 

.Smith, Oscar, Capt., was born in Howard, Steuben county, N. Y., June 15. 1S4(;. 
He received a public school and academical education. In 1861, when only fifteen, 
he enlisted in Co. G, 13th N.Y.Vol. Inf., and served eighteen months; he re-enlisted 
in January, 1864, in Co. H, 13th N. Y. H. A., as sergeant and served until the close 
of the war in June, 186.5. He was in many engagements of the armies of the 
Potomac and the James; wounded at the first battle of Fredericksburg, December 
13, 1862. Returning from the war, then but nineteen years of age, he engaged in 
the .sewing machine business in New York city, but removed to Albany in 1868. 
Here he continued a large wholesale sewing machine and lumber business until 
June, 1893; since then, he with his son, under the firm name of Oscar Smith & Sou, 
have carried on a successful wholesale wood, baled shavings, excelsior, sawdust .iiul 
charcoal trade. Mr. Smith is connected with several of Albany's business, political 
and social organizations; is president of the Novelty Knitting Co., a trustee of the 



Tennessee Land Company, a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., a cliar- 
ler member of Chancellors Lodge, K. P., a charter member of the Albany Club, a 
past commander of Post No. 5, G. A. R., ex-president and member of the Albany 
Unconditional Republican Club ; a member of the Press Club ; also for about eight 
years commander and now a life member of the Albany Burgesses Corps. 

Harris, Melville A., is a native of Albany, born January 16, 1857, and a son of 
Samuel C. Harris, who came to Albany from New York city in 1833, and for many 
vears was engaged in the manufacture of woodenware. His father was alderman of 
llie Thirteenth ward for six years and president of the Common Council. His mother 
was Sarah, daughter of Abram Staley of Albany. Mr. Harris was educated at the 
public schools and Free Academy, now known as the High School, and first asso- 
ciated iiimself with his father as a manufacturer of and dealer in woodenware. In 
1880 he accepted a clerkship in the street commissioner's office and shortly afterward 
in the corporation counsel's office and so continued until May 1, 1894. In June fol- 
lowing he was appointed by Louis W. Pratt to his present position of United States 
ganger. He is an active Democi-at and a member and for several years financial 
secretary of Fireman's Lodge No. 343, A. O. U. W. In 1878 he married Louisa E., 
daughter of Henry Launsbach of Albany, and their children are Annie Louise, 
Frederick Staley and Sarah. 

Muhlfelder, Isidor, was born in Albany, December 34, 1858. His father, Louis 
Muhlfelder, who was a native of Bauerbach, Germany, came to Albany about 1850; 
engaged in mercantile pursuits and subsequently removed to Ballston Spa, N. Y., 
where he was a merchant and one of the proprietors of the Ballston Spa tannery. 
Later on he again removed to Albany and became a member of the wholesale millin- 
ery firm of S. Nusbaum & Co., and in February, 1884, was one of the founders of the 
present wholesale dry goods firm of Heiser, Muhlfelder & Co. He died February 23. 
1893, leaving him surviving four children, namely: Joseph Muhlfelder. who is con- 
nected with the above firm ; David Muhlfelder, a well known attorney of Albany ; 
Bell Pareira, wife of Aaron Pareira; and Isidor Muhlfelder, the subject of this 
sketch. Isidor Muhlfelder was educated in the public schools of New York city and 
Albany, and was in 1874 engaged as a salesman with S. M. Valkenburgh & Co., of 
Albany, with which firm he remained for ten years and in 1884 he, together with 
Solomon A. Heiser and Louis Muhfelder, founded the present firm of Heiser, Muhl- 
felder & Co., of which he is one of the two surviving members. In March, 1889, he 
married Pina Fleischman, and they have two children, Leo and Elsa, and he resides 
with his family at 126 Lancaster street in Albany. He is a prominent member of 
several clubs, lodges and societies and is one of the leading business men of the city 
of Albany. 

Williams, George A., M. D., was born in the town of Columbia, Conn., March 13, 
1851. His parents were George and Jerusha (Cohn) Williams, and both were the 
youngest of seven children, respectively. Dr. Williams is descended from a long 
line of ancestors, among whom was Roger Williams. Dr. Williams spent many 
years in preparation for his profession and studied at Yale University, New Haven, 
and Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. He also received instruction 
under Dr. Kingsley, the founder of the New York Dental College, and he has two 
dental diplomas, one from the New York Dental College, conferring upon him the 



decree of D. D. S., and the other of Master of Dental Surgery, from the New York 
State Censors. In 1890 Dr. Williams was graduated from the Albany Medical Col- 
lege, receivmg the degree of M. D., and since then he has practiced in Albany. He 
is a thirty-second degree Mason and has all of both the York and Scottish Rite de- 
grees. He is also a member of the A. A. O. N. M. S. and is a member of all the 
Odd Fellow orders, having passed all the chairs. For two years he was instructor on 
the heart and lungs at the Albany Medical College and also instructor in materia 
medica in that institution. Dr. Williams is also a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa 
Society and the Albany County Medical Society. 

Tibbitts, Lorenzo B., son of William and Abigail (Seaman) Tibbitts, was born in 
Ballston, Saratoga county, N. Y., November 12, 1847, was educated in the Jonesville 
Academy and came to Albany in 1866 as superintendent of the gardens and grounds 
of Moore & Furgeson. In 1867 he was appointed a member of the Albany police 
force and served for fifteen years. In 1882 he engaged in the milk and dairy produce 
business on the corner of Green and Division streets, where he has since continued. 
In 1891 he started his present livery and boarding stable on Liberty street, succeed- 
ing M. H. Teater, and since July, 1893, has also had a contract with the United 
States Government for the transfer of mails between the Albany post-office and the 
various stations. He has been an active Republican, was for a time vice-president 
of the Consumers' Ice Company, and is a member of Wadsworth Lodge F. & A. M., 
Capital City Chapter R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., and Cyprus Tem- 
ple N. O. M. S. In 1869 he married Matilda A., daughter of Sylvester Van Home, 
of Oneida, N. Y., and their children are William S., Cora B., Lorenzo J., Arthur 
and Lotta. 

Shaw, Andrew, son of John and Elizabeth (Moore) Shaw, was born in Albany, N. 
Y., October 12, 1846. He is of Scotch ancestry, his father having come from Scot- 
land to America in 1836. Mr. Shaw received his education in the public schools and 
in Prof. Lawson's Classical Institute, after which he started to learn the plumber s 
trade with Edward Kearney, with whom he remained one year. In 1864 he enlisted 
in Co. A, 91st N. \'. Regt. N. Y. Vols. March 31, 1865, he lost an arm at the battle 
of Gravelly Run, Va., which necessitated his returning to Albany, where he remained 
in Harris Hospital three months. In 1868 Mr. Shaw was made tallyman at the 
building of the stock yards at West Albany. After a short time he obained a situa- 
tion as gate keeper at the Capitol building, then just commenced. From there he 
went into the employ of the Albany Gas Light Company, where he served as valve- 
man for twenty years. In March, 1888, he resigned that position and formed a 
partnership for carrying on the coal business, with William L. Dresser, of Lee, Mass. 
They located at No. 150 Grand street. Subsequently Mr. Dresser sold his share to 
William McArdle. and for two years the firm was Shaw & McArdle. In 1894 Mr. 
McArdle withdrew and since that time Mr. Shaw has conducted the business. He is 
a member of the Unconditional Club, Lew Benedict Post No. 5 G. A. R., and the 
Jackson Corps. He was married m 1886, his wife being Maude C. Chamberlain, of 
Morris, Otsego county, N. Y. They have one son, William Reid Shaw. 

Pratt, Louis W., a brilliant young lawyer and collector of internal revenue, is a 
son of Daniel J., and A. Eliza (Whipple) Pratt, was born in Fredonia, Chautauqua 
county, N. Y., August 14. 1862, and moved with his parents to Albany in 1865, 



Daniel J. Pratt was assistant secretary of the Board of Regents of the University of 
the State of New York from 1864, until his death September 12, 1884. He was the 
founder and developer of the present system of regents examinations and was the 
author of "Annals of Public Education of the State of New York" and " Bound- 
aries of the State of New York," two works of wide importance and usefulness. He 
was secretary of the New York State Boundary Commission and the Albany Insti- 
tute, the first secretary of the New Capitol Commission, and the secretary of the 
Commissioners of the New York State Survey from its organization until his death. 
He was graduated from Hamilton College in 18.il as valedictorian of his class, and 
the prizes on that occasion were divided between him and Charles Dudley Warner. 
Louis \V. Pratt was educated in the Albany public and high schools and was gradu- 
ated from Williams College, of Williamstown, Mass., with honors in 1883. He be- 
came a student in the law offices of Parker & Countryman, took a course of lectures 
at the Albany Law School, w-as admitted to the bar and began the practice of his pro- 
fession in 1885. In 1888 he formed a law partnership with Gaylord Logan, with 
whom he is still associated. Mr. Pratt is one of the editors of the revision of the 
New York Court of Appeals Reports. In 1888 he was elected alderman at large and 
in 1890 was re-elected. In November, 1893, he was appointed by President Cleve- 
land collector of internal revenue, which office he now holds. During the last few 
years he has made more political speeches than any other local politician. He is a 
lover of good books in all departments of literature and science, a thoughtful student 
and an accomplished scholar, and well versed in all the intricacies of the law. Mr. 
Pratt is a member of the Fort Orange and Orange Clubs, of Masters Lodge No, 5, 
F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter, R. A. M. and the Albany Lodge of Elks. 
November 5, 1885, he married Geraldine F., youngest daughter of the late Thomas 
Schuyler, president of the First National Bank and a prominent citizen of Albany. 
They have four children ; Marion, Helen, Schuyler and Geraldine. 

Bayard, Andrew Herbert, M. D. , only son of Augustus Willard and Isabella 
(Browne) Bayard, was born at Leeds, Greene county, N. Y.. October 11, 1867. The 
Bayards came to America about 1630 and are direct descendants of the renowned 
French warrior De Chevalier Bayard. When an infant his parents removed to 
Cohoes, N. Y., and his home was there until 1880, when he moved to Albany, N. Y. 
He was educated in the Albany Academy, was lieutenant in the military department 
and received the principal's prize for English composition, three consecutive years, 
and graduated in the class of 1886; he then took up the study of medicine in the 
Albany Medical College, receiving the degree of M. D. in 1889, was president of his 
class in 1886-7 and is now historian. Dr. Bayard subsequently took a post-graduate 
course at the New York Polyclinic and was assistant to Dr. R. C. M. Page, professor 
of the practice of medicine, and other special training under prominent teachers, 
served as assistant surgeon in the old Chambers Hospital, N. Y., since then he has 
practiced in Poughkeepsie and Bath-on-the-Hudson, N. Y. In 1892 he returned to 
Albany, N. Y., and at present is recognized as one of the leading young practition- 
ers in the city, enjoying a lucrative practice and was elected county physician in 
May, 1896. Dr. Bayard is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity of Union 
University, Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Albany Council No. 1,560, Royal 
Arcanum, surgeon of the Albany Burgesses Coq)s, Capital City Republican Club 



10 

and the Albany County Medical Society. October 15, 1890, he married Orlena A. 
Hunting, eldest daughter of Dr. Nelson Hunting of Albany, N. Y., and they have 
one son, Roy Hunting. 

Ainsworth, Danforth E.. the subject of this sketch, was born at Clayton, Jefferson 
county, N. Y., November 29, 1848. He was educated at Pulaski Academy and Fal- 
ley Seminary, and in the early years of his life was a teacher in the common schools 
of the State. He read law with the Hon. Henry L. Howe, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1873. He then resided at Sandy Creek, Oswego county, N. Y., where he con- 
tinued in the active practice of his profession as a partner of Hon. Henry L. Howe 
until 1878 when the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Ainsworth continued the prac- 
tice of law at Sandy Creek until the year 1885 when he was elected to the Legisla 
ture, representing the second district of the county of Oswego. He represented 
that district in the Legislature during the years '86, '87, '88 and '89, during the two 
latter years serving as chairman of the Committee upon Appropriations in that body. 
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1892, and served during the years of '93, 
'94 and '95, the two latter years being chairman of the Ways and Means Committee 
and Republican leader of the House; also serving upon the Committee of Judiciary, 
where his experience as a lawyer made him a strong man upon the committee. He 
was always a forcible and ready speaker, taking an active part m all debates of the 
House. It was largely owing to his support and advocacy that the reform legisla- 
tion of the city of New York passed the Legislature in the session of 1894. The 
policy of the two parties as represented by the passage of this legislation and its 
veto by Governor Flower contributed in no small degree to the Republican tidal 
wave of 1895. Upon the election of Hon. Charles R. Skinner as State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction, Mr. Ainsworth was selected as his deputy, and is at pres- 
ent serving in that capacity. 

Victorin, Anthony, was born in Vienna. Austria, in 1850, of French parentage. 
His early education was obtained in Vienna and later he completed a course in the 
Polytechnic of Vienna, in the mean time devoted two years to practical work. After 
leaving the Polytechnic he was engaged in an extensive establishment at Gratz, 
Austria, for the manufacture and repair of locomotives, railroad cars, etc., as 
draughtsman, foreman and superintending engineer: later he was in the employ of 
the Austrian government as inspector of railway material. The last few years of 
his residence in Europe were devoted to the construction and equipment of industrial 
establishments in Austria and France. In 1880 he came to the United States where 
he has been eminently successful. His first engagement here was as civil and me- 
chanical engineer in the construction of the buildings for the Chicago Sugar Refin- 
ing Company. In 1884 he accepted the position as mechanical engineer at the West 
Point Foundry, where his duties were the designing and constructing of factories for 
the production of machinery and heavy ordnance, and in the early part of 1886 he 
was engaged as mechanical engineer of the Army Ordnance Bureau in Wa.shington. 
In the fall of 1887 Mr. Victorin was transferred to Watervliet Arsenal, where his 
knowledge and skill have been devoted to the building and development of the pres- 
ent great gun factory, and designing, constructing and perfecting the gigantic ma- 
chinery for the manufacture of heavy ordnance. His well known work here ranks 
him as second to none in the engineering fraternity. Mr. Victorin is a member of 



11 

the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Society of Mechanical Engi- 
neers, the Franklin Institute of Philadelphia, the Engineers Club of New York, the 
I'afraets Dael Club and Laureate Boat Club of Troy, and the Fort Orange Club of 
Albany; he is also an honorary member of the Troy Citizens Corps. Socially he is 
a man of great popularity, a gentleman of pleasant manners and an entertaining 
conversationalist. He is proud of his allegiance to his adopted country and is a 
thorough American in his citizenship. 

Gartland, John L., son of James and Elizabeth Gartland, was born in Manchester, 
England, July 4, 1853, and was graduated from Kneller Hall, a military school of 
music in Hounslow, in 1872. Meanwhile he was for ten years a member of the 2d 
Battalion, l.lth Regiment of Foot, English army, which he entered in 1863 and in 
which he served a part of the time as musician, bemg stationed at Gibralter, Malta, 
Jersey (Channel Islands), Aldershot and Gosport. In 1878 he came to Portland, Me., 
where he followed his profession as a band musician. In 1874 he removed to Johns- 
town, N. Y., and became leader of the Johnstown Band and a dealer in books and 
stationery. He came to Albany in 1881 as a member of the old Austin Band and in 
1M84 was elected leader of the IDlh Regt. Band, a position he held ten years. In 
1894 he organized Gartland's Military Band of twenty five pieces and has since been 
its leader and conductor. January 1, 1896, he formed a partnership with Joseph 
Gioscia and organized Gioscia & Gartland's orchestra of twenty-five members. 
These two bodies are the leaders in military band and orchestral circles in Eastern 
New York and have filled many noted engagements. Mr. Gartland is also musical 
director of the First Lutheran church, and a member of Wadsworth Lodge, Temple 
Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Commandery and Cyprus Temple of 
Masons. In 1879 he married Josephine, daughter of Charles E. Peckham, of Johns- 
town, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Elizabeth Peckham Gartland. 

Payn, Edgar M., son of Samuel N. and Margaret (Merrifield) Payn, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., in December, 1838. Mr. Payn's ancestors were English and settled 
near Lake George, N. Y., before the Revolution and took a very active part in the 
war. He was educated at Professor Anthony's Classical In.stitute in Albany, and 
before completing the course, left the institution and went South, where he was em- 
ployed as an assistant laying out and superintending the dredges improving the 
James and Appomatto.x Rivers, in Virginia. When the Rebellion broke out he was 
obliged to return North and entered the employ of his father, a contractor for river 
and harbor improvements. Mr. Payn was also in the employ of the State of New 
York superintending the building of dykes and dredging on the Hudson River. In 
1871 he formed a partnership with William Bruce, the firm name since that time 
being E. M. Payn & Co. They have improved many harbors and rivers in the east 
as far as the Capes and in the South more extensively. In 1871 Mr. Payn married 
Ida Schermerhorn of New Baltimore, N. Y., and they have three daughters: Edna, 
Cora and Florence. 

Hallenbeck, William Henrj-, son of John Henry and Mary (Beebe) Hallenbeck, 
was born in the town of Kno.x, Albany county, July 30, 1859, and is of Holland 
Dutch descent. His great-grandparents were early settlers of Albany county and 
his father, a son of Abraham, was born in Guilderland ; all were farmers. Mr. Hal- 
lenbeck finished his education in School No. 8, Albany, whither his parents moved 



12 

in 1868, and where they still reside. He clerked in a grocery store for about five 
years and on August 13, 1876, became a clerk for J. & J. Doran, woodenware dealers, 
with whom he remained until February, 1889. In March, 1889, he established his 
present wholesale and retail millinery business at No. 92 South Pearl street. He is 
a member of Peabody Lodge No. 32, K. P., Albany Division No. 3, Uniform Rank, 
K. P.,Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F.&A.M., Mountaineer Lodge No. 321, I. O.O.F. ; 
he is also a member and was formerly trustee of the Odd Fellows' Mutual Aid and 
Accident Association of Piqua, Ohio. February 34, 1880, he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of John William Schweiker of Albany and they have two children: Sadie 
Louise and Robert William. 

McDonough, Joseph, so widely known throughout the country by antiquarians and 
lovers of valuable books as " ye old booke man" of Albany, was born in 1834 in Kil- 
kenny, Ireland. His rare taste for books was inherited from his father, James Mc- 
Donough, a man of vigorous intellectual powers, who after extensive travels abroad, 
became a school teacher and finally drifted mto the second-hand book trade. About 
184.5 he opened a book stand in Liverpool, England, and continued there until his 
death in 1860. The maiden name of the mother of Joseph McDonough was Mary 
Hawthorne, a descendant of one of Cromwell's soldiers who had become proprietor 
of some land in the vicinity of Kilkenny, where young McDonough was early in- 
structed in the elementary branches of knowledge by his father. He first entered 
his father's bookstore and when about nineteen started out with a book stall for him- 
self in Liverpool. His financial success was assured from the first and in a few 
years he accumulated a large stock of books. When Henry G. Bohn, the eminent 
old bookseller and publisher of London visited Liverpool in 1858 he complimented 
Mr. McDonough by saying that he had the best store of the kind in England. In 
1S70 he came to America and soon settled in Albany, where he began business with 
a small book stall on State street. He moved several times from small stores to 
larger ones, and was very successful. In 1886 he started a branch in New York city 
and issued catalogues of old books regularly. In 1890 he returned to Albany and 
established himself in his present elegant quarters at Nos. 53 and .55 State street. 
Much of Mr. McDonough's stock of books is secured by his attendance at auction 
sales of private libraries in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, and the regular 
book trade sales in those cities. He deals extensively in general literature, making 
a specialty of books relating to America, and has a large trade with the numerous 
public libraries and historical societies in the West and South. One of the grand 
secrets of his success as an accomplished bookseller is his wide knowledge of bibli- 
ography, a science which he carefully studied in England as early as 1860. Perhaps 
there is no man in Albany better acquainted with this subject than he. With the 
date of pubhcation, the best editions and real value of the vast collections of literary 
treasures from the earliest periods down to the present time, he is perfectly 
familiar. 

Courtney, Dickinson, son of Jcseph and Mary (Gray) Courtney, who came to Al- 
bany from Ireland about 1830, was born in the capital city, August 10, 18.50. His 
father, who died in 1854, was a prominent Democrat, served as alderman of the 
Second (now the Fourth) ward and several terms as city assessor and was engaged 
in the grocery and building stone business. His mother died in 1882. Mr. Courtney 



13 

attended the public schools and the Albany Academy and in 1865 entered the attor- 
ney-general's office, where he remained seven years, becoming chief clerk. In 
February, 1872, he entered the employ of Hiram E. Sickels (who died in July, 1895), 
State reporter, and has ever since been connected with that office. In 1877 he mar- 
ried Louise A. Weaver of Albany, and they have one son living: Dickinson Court- 
ney, jr. 

Gutmann, John, a native of Albany, born December 14, 1853, is the son of John L., 
who was born in Doerbach, Prussia, Germany, came to Albany in 1851 and died here 
in July, 1889; he was a moulder, superintendent and director of the Albany Stove 
Company and president of St. Joseph's Benevolent Association ; his wife, Elizabeth 
Hensel, died March 8, 1870. John Gutmann was educated in German private 
schools and the Christian Brothers' Academy, graduating in 1869, and al.so attended 
the Albany Business College. He read law with Henry N. Wickes, was graduated 
from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1874, and practiced in 
l)artnership with Mr. Wickes until 1882. Since then he has followed the profession 
alone. He was justice of the Justice's Court about four and a half years, police jus- 
tice from 1884 to 1894, has been delegate to several Democratic conventions and is a 
member of various German organizations. In January, 1876, he married Theresa 
Kresser af Albany, who died in 1880, leaving two children: John H. and Julia T. 
He married second, in 1883, Christine E. Weber, a native of Kingston, N. Y., and 
their children are: Loretta C, Anna M. and Elizabeth C. 

Oppenheim, Leo, born in Albany, July 4, 1856, is a son of Gerson Oppenheim, who 
died in 1886. highly respected by his fellow-townsmen and deeply mourned by his 
appreciative children, who have since been singularly fortunate in carving out for 
themselves enviable names in their respective lines of endeavor. Gerson Oppenheim 
was a successful merchant, a well known Odd Fellow and occupied many positions 
of trust in the community and in the synagogue of which he was one of the helpful 
pillars. During the panic of 1857 many of the senior Mr. Oppenheira's co-religion- 
ists withdrew their money from the banks and placed it in his hands for safe keep- 
ing; that he was scrupulously faithful to the trust thus forced upon him was one of 
the reasons for the esteem in which he was held. Leo Oppenheim is up to date, 
fin cle sih/f, as a merchant and as an artictic designer of men's wear; his store is 
said to be the most tastefully arranged, luxuriously fitted up and bountifully stocked 
tailoring establishment north of New York city. With other environments, Leo 
Oppenheim might have made name and fame as an artist; as it is, his love of the 
beautiful as the highest principle and the highest aim of art, expends itself in en- 
deavoring, artistically, to clothe his fellow men, in hiding their deformities and in 
bringing out their silent good points. His ambition is to dress people well in har- 
mony with their form aud build; that he succeeds is evidenced by the increasing 
number of his fastidious patrons. 

Rogers, W. Seymour, son of Samuel and Gertrude A. (Snyder) Rogers, was born 
in Hudson, N. Y., July 12, 1854. He is of Holland-Dutch descent on his mother's 
side and English on his father's side, being a descendant of the original Rhode Island 
Rogers, who came to America early in the fifteenth century. He received his educa- 
tion at the Hudson River Institute and Claverack College and subsequently worked 
three years in a paper mill owned by his uncle, Harper W. Rogers, at one time 



14 

mayor of Hudson and member of assembly. Mr. Rogers moved to Albany in 1876 
and engaged in the poultry and game business, which he has since followed. In 
1876 he married Maggie Miller, daughter of W. Ellsworth Miller, of Claverack, Co- 
lumbia county, and they have two children: Elsie D. and Lola. 

True, George M., is a descendant of Puritanancestorsand was born in Holderness, 
N. H., Augusts, 1856. His parents were Joseph F. and Mary B. (Watson) True. 
He received his education in the common schools and at the New Hampton Literary 
Institution, after leaving which he was superintendent of schools in the town of 
Holderness, at the same time studying law with James L. Wilson of Ashland, N. H. 
He was graduated from the Albany Law School in May, 1881, and has since prac- 
ticed law at No. 82 State street, Albany. He was married August 39, 1881, to Mary 
A, Wood, of Albany. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 4.')3, F. & A. M., 
and Albany Senate No. 641. Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. He is one of 
the attorneys for the State Department of Agriculture. 

Stern, Henry E., son of Emanuel and Clara (Kaufman) Stern, natives of Germany, 
was born in Albany, April 8, 1857. His father, a shoemaker and later a real estate 
dealer, who died in 1877, settled in Albany about 1843 and became a prominent Re- 
publican, being a member of the general committee of the old Whig party. Mr. 
Stern was educated in the public schools and Free Academy, was graduated from 
the Albany Business College in 1873, read law with I. & J. M. Lawson and was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Saratoga in September, 1878. Since then he has been in the 
active practice of his profession. In 1878 he became a member of Mount Carmel 
Lodge No. 76, I. O. O F., and rapidly rose in the order to vice-grand in January, 
1879, and noble grand in June following, being the youngest man ever elected to the 
latter post in Albany. He has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge of the 
State since 1880. He is a past master of Washington Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., 
past president of Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. (). B. B. , and Albanian Lodge No. 102, 
I. O. S. B., a member of the Adelphi Club, a manager of the Jewish Home Society, 
and was for several years a member of the finance committee of congregation Beth 
Emeth. In 1888 he was nominated by the Republicans for justice of the city court, 
but was defeated by a small majority. October 30, 1883, he married Fannie Kas- 
tanienbaum, of Albany, and they have one son. Manning Nathan Stern, born De- 
cember 18, 1884. 

Kimmey, Edson. manager of the Postal Telegraph Company at Albany, is of Hol- 
land Dutch descent and was born March 15, 1867, being the son of Philip and Jane 
A. (Hotaling) Kimmey. His father, an eminent citizen of Albany, was born in 1810 
and died in 1893; he was State boiler inspector under Gov John A. Di.x and in the 
fifties was a large property holder at Kimmey's Corners, in South Bethlehem, where 
he built the first saw and grist mill, the tall chimney of which, recently blown up by 
dynamite, was a landmark for many years. Edson Kimmey was graduated from 
the Albany High School in 1885 and shortly after took up telegraphy being first em- 
ployed by the Commercial Union Telegraph Company, under whose direction he 
opened several branch offices in Northern New York. Later he accepted the man- 
agership of the Baltimore & Ohio Telegraph office at Long Branch and soon after- 
ward became operator and clerk for the district superintendent of the same company, 
in New York city. Later he and several others incorporated the New York and 



15 

Long Island Telegraph Company, which was the first extension of telegraph facili- 
ties ever put on Long Island in opposition to the Western Union. He was shortly 
afterwards chosen a director and still holds his interest in this capacity. He soon 
accepted a position as chief operator and was made district manager of various pos- 
tal oftices in New York city. When the latter company absorbed the Commercial 
Union, he was selected as manager of the Albany office, which position he now holds. 
Mr. Kimmey was married in 1892. He has been prominently connected with the 
political interests of Albany. He is a member of Masters Lodge, F. & A. M., and is 
identified with the business affairs of the city. 

Butler, Walter Burdett, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., November 17, IS'iT, and is a 
son of Benjamin Francis Burdett Butler, who was born in Stroud, Glouce.stershire, 
England, in 1810, came to America in 1840, and died in Brooklyn June 16, 1874. 
The latter was professor of languages in the Brooklyn Female Academy, Flatbush 
Institute, and the author of Butler's Spanish Teacher, French Speaker and several 
other educational works. Mr. Butler was educated in the grammar and private 
schools of Brooklyn, came to Albany October 1, 1872, and was graduated from the 
Albany Business College in 1875. He was bookkeeper for W. F. Hurcomb & Co. for 
si.x years. In 1879 he went to Colorado and spent one year in mining, being assist- 
ant secretary of a mining company in the Ward di.strict. In 1880 he returned to 
New York city as bookkeeper for D. W. Richards & Co., and in the fall of that year 
came to Albany, where he was made cashier of the old Commercial Telephone Com- 
pany. In 1883 this company was merged into the Hudson River Telephone Com- 
pany and Mr. Butler was continued as cashier until 1893, when he was made the 
secretary and auditor. He is secretary of the Albany District Telegraph Company 
and a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 252, 
R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M.. Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., 
and Cypress Temple N. of S. M. ; he is also a member of Co. A of the Old Guard, 
.Mbany Zouave Cadets, the Young Men's Democratic Club and the Albany Masonic 
Relief Association. He has often appeared as expert accountant before courts and 
in other capacities. In October, 1882, he married Adda May, daughter of Jnhn 
Kennedy, jr., of Albany. 

Fitzsinimons, James J., is the son of James, a native of Ireland and was born De- 
cember fi, 1852, in Albany, where his father, a blacksmith, settled in 1826. The 
latter died here in 1882. Mr. Fitzsinimons attended the public schools, and also the 
Christian Brothers, was for two years employed in a leather store, and in 1870 was 
graduated from the Albany Business College. After teaching for a time be entered, 
in 1872, the employ of the Howe Sewing Machine Company, with whom he remained 
until 1885, as cashier of the Albany and later of the Bridgeport, Conn., offices. He 
was then engaged in the retail shoe business in Albany three years. In 1890 he be- 
came cashier of the Westchester Telephone Company and in 1893 was elected treas- 
urer of the Hudson River Telephone Company, which position he still holds. He 
has also been treasurer of the Albany District Telegraph Company since its organ- 
ization. He was school commissioner from 1889 to 1892; is a member and vice- 
president of the Catholic LTnion; and is financial secretary of Cathedral Council, 
No.|55, C. B. L., and a deputy state chancellor of that order, and a director in the 
Safety Loan and Building Association. November 30, 1876, he married Margaret 
T., daughter of John Lamb, of Albany and they have six children living. 



16 

Wagner, John, son of J. George and Nancy Wagner, was born in Rochester, N. 
v., Jan. 31, 1858. He received a public school education and became a clerk in a hat 
store in his native city, and later was made manager of the hat and cap department 
of the Bronner Clothing Company, of Buffalo, where he remained five years. In 
January, 1884, he came to Albany and formed a partnership with Joseph Belser, sr., 
as Belser & Wagner, and engaged in the retail dry goods business. Five years later 
he withdrew and bought out John M. Foil, furniture dealer at No. :!()8-310 South 
I'earl street, which he has since continued. In 1890 he started a branch furniture 
store under the style of the Albany Furniture Company; in 1895 he also opened a 
furniture store in Troy. He is president of the Commercial Co-operative Union Bank 
of Albany, of which he was one of the founders, and the first vice-president. He is 
a Republican and was alderman of the 5th ward one term. He is member of Gut- 
tenberg Lodge, F. & A. M. and Temple Chapter, R. &• M. In 1883 he married 
Catherine, daughter of Joseph Belser, sr., of Albany. 

Hartnett, Daniel J., son of William, was born in Albany. November 7, 1845. His 
father came from Ireland to Albany in 1825 and was engaged in the meat business 
until shortly before his death in 1876, owning at one time the Fishslip Market at the 
foot of Columbia street and was burned out in the big fire in 1848. When fourteen 
Mr. Hartnett associated himself with his father and continued thus most of the time, 
until 1870. when he engaged in the meat business alone. In 1878 he moved to the 
corner of Chapel and Canal streets and in 1890 to No. 95 North Pearl street, where 
he carries on a large retail business. He was one of the organizers of the Retail 
Merchants Association and served as its vice-president and secretary; he was one of 
the organizers of the Retail Butchers Association, was president during its existence, 
and was one of the principal organizers of the reorganized association ; he is also a 
member of the Knights of Columbus, and is well and favorably known to or by cit- 
izens of the city, has repeatedly refused political positions preferring to devote his 
entire time to the furthering of his business. 

North, Charles F., of the firm of North & Doyle, proprietors of the well-known 
Anchor Hosiery Mills. The family is of English origin. In 1640 two brothers first 
settled in Connecticut, where Mr. North was born in 1844, at Collinsville, a son of 
Morris North. He never entered school after seven years of age, the time when he 
came to Cohoes, but worked in a mill until twenty years of age. He then sold ma- 
chinery to the mills, in exchange for knit goods, which he again sold. As a demand 
for ])aper boxes in which to ship knit goods increased, he began the manufacture of 
them, conducting an extensive factory. Later he became a partner of the Anchor 
Hosiery Mills, and with Charles F. Doyle built mill No. 1 in 1881, and in 1887 mill 
No. 2, and in 1890 mill No. ;^. Mr. North also carries on a stone and sewer pipe 
yard, building a large store house in 1884 and another in 1894. He has also served 
officially in county affairs, and was the first alderman under city government in 
1869. He later officiated as alderman for two years, and in 1874 as city chamberlain 
for four years. In 1879 he was appointed fire commissioner, which appointment he 
has since held. He has been a member of the Reform church since 1869. 

Weidman, Reuben L. , is a descendant of Jacob Weidman of Switzerland, who 
was one of the first settlers in Berne, Albany county, N. Y. , where he built the first 
house, the town being named after his native city, Berne, Switzerland. He also 



17 

built a saw and flouring mill at what was long known as Weidman's Mills. Jacob 
Weidman was the father of one son Felix, who was the father of Daniel, Jacob, 
Paul and Felix. All these four generations lived in Berne. Daniel Weidman when 
fifteen became clerk in a general store in West Berne, and when sixteen came to Al- 
bany as clerk for Peter Van Wormer, and later for F. W. Ford & Son. Afterwards 
he attended the Knoxville and Gallupville Academies, was clerk in a dry goods store 
in New York city, joined his uncle in mercantile business in Gallupville for six years 
and thence came to Albany in 184.i and was the founder of the present house of 
Weidman & Co. He remained in the wholesale grocery business until his death. 
May 13, 1886. His son George D. was born June 29, 1842, entered the army in 1801 
as orderly sergeant, became brevet major of volunteers and captain of Co. F, Iflth 
Regt., N. G. S. N. Y. He died March 17. 1883. Reuben L. Weidman is a son of 
Felix Weidman, a physician and surgeon whose practice extended over a period cov- 
ering about forty-five years. He was one of the best known and most successful 
practitioners in his section of the county. The subject of this sketch was born at 
Central Bridge, N. Y., October 1, 1848. For a number of years he was engaged in 
the grocery business in Gallupville, N. Y., and was also for a time in the employ of 
1). Weidman, Sons Sc Co., as traveling salesman. A short time previous to the death 
of his uncle, Daniel Weidman, he became a member of the firm. October .5, 1888, 
Mrs. E. Eugenia Daw, a daughter of Daniel Weidman, was admitted under the 
present firm name of Weidman & Co. Thomas R. Ward, jr., was admitted March 
1, 1894. Mr. Weidman enlisted August 17. 1864, in Co. I, loth N. Y. Cav., and did 
special duty until discharged May 8, 1865. He is a member of George Dawson Post 
No. 63, G. A. R., and also of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M. He was married 
October 4, 1870, to Miss Helena Hunting. They have one daughter. Miss Caroline 
Weidman. 

Menand, Louis, has been a commanding figure in horticultural circles for a num- 
ber of years. He has been named " The Grand Old Man" of the gardener's craft 
in this county. He is now in his eighty-ninth year. He came to America in 1837 
and enjoys a retrospective view of American horticulture, extending over a period of 
sixty years. Mr. Menand continued to reside among his beloved flowers at Albany. 
He is mentally alert and active as ever. His personal recollections as originally 
published in the American Florist, from which we quote, are overflowing with a 
personality which is both charming and unique. Mr. Phelps says well of Mr. Me- 
nand's autobiography that contains "the natural philosophy of one who was always 
a lover of liberty, and a student alike of books and nature." His life has shed fra- 
grance and beauty that will endure as long as flowers grow and gardens bloom. 

McElveney, Daniel, was born of Scotch-Irish ancestry in the province of Ulster, 
north of Ireland, in 1839, came to Quebec, Canada, with his parents in June, 1841, 
and when thirteen was apprenticed to the confectionery trade in that city. After 
serving three years of his seven years as apprentice, he came in August, 185.'5, to 
Albany, where he entered the confectionery establishment of Benjamin M. Briarc, 
the famous caterer. In 18.58 he entered the employ of S. De Lagrange, confectioner 
and fancy cake baker, with whom he remained fifteen years. In the spring of 1874 
he purcha.sed the old John Martin bakery cm the corner of South Pearl and Herki- 
mer streets and six years later bought the property No. 97 South Pear! street, where 



18 

qe has since conducted a fancy bakery, confectionery and catering establishment 
with marked success. A few years later, having associated with him his two sons, 
he purchased the property No. 105 North Pearl street and opened a branch store. 
Mr. McElveney has been for forty-four years connected with the various branches of 
the catering business and throughout his active career has been uniformly suc- 
cessful. 

lyaventall, Julius, born in March, 1832, in Bovendon, Hanover, Germany, came to 
America in August, 1854, settling in Albany and opened a small jewelry store on 
South Pearl .street, in 1857. In June, 1865, having sold this business, he bought of 
S. M. Valkenburgh the Ladies' Bazaar, on the corner of South Pearl street and 
Hudson avenue. In 1857 he also purchased the property, and in 187(i, built the 
present building, where he carries an extensive line of ladies and children's furnish- 
ings and shoes. He is a member and ex-president of Shiloh Lodge, I. O. of B. B. 
and of Arnon Lodge, I. O. of F. S. and has represented both in their respective 
Grand Lodges of the United States. He is a member and past noble grand of Mt. 
Carmel Lodge, I. O. O. F., member of Washington Lodge, No. 85, F. & A. M., was 
manager of the Jewish Home and has been a trustee of the Congregation of Temple 
Beth Emeth since 1873, and was its vice-president for eight years, its president in 
1883, and chairman of the building committee during the erection of the present 
temple, on the corner of Lancaster and Swan streets. He was also one of the 
organizers and for the first two years a director of the South End Bank. In 1858 he 
married Miss Sarah Swartz of Albany, who died, leaving two daughters: Mrs. H. W. 
Foreman of Albany, and Mrs. Daniel Stern of Brooklyn. In 1863 he married 
second, Hannah, daughter of M. Hydeman of Albany, and they have two sons: 
Louis Julius, born January 28, 1866, and Edward Simon, born June 13, 1874, both of 
whom are associated in business with their father. 

Romeyn, Theodore F., born in Amsterdam, N. Y., is a son of Henry S. and Agnes 
(Van Epps) Romeyn, and was educated in the public schools and academy of his 
native town. He spent two years in Canada and nine years in 'VVMsconsin, as abridge 
builder. In 1865 he came to Albany and engaged in box manufacturing at No. 214 
Hudson avenue; he manufactured all kinds of wooden boxes, cases, etc. He was 
one of the organizers of The Pure Baking Powder Company and its secretary. He 
married Mary Conde, of Glenville, Schenectady county. 

Star Knitting 'Company, The, was established in 1866, and its products have at- 
tained the highest reputation for superiority of material fashion and finish. The 
Star Mills are comprised m a group of substantially constructed brick buildings, ar- 
ranged with special reference to convenience and dispatch of work and economy of 
production. The main building is four stories high and 65x105 feet in dimensions, 
and the other buildings adjoin the main structure. Water power is used to drive the 
machinery and an auxiliary steam engine is also employed. The mechanical equip- 
ment includes nine sets of cards, 2,160 spindles, 38 knitting cylinders, and forty 
sewing machines, and all the appliances in use are of the latest improved character, 
employment being given to one hundred and seventy-five skilled operatives. The 
products consist of fine wool, worsted and merino knit underwear of the best grades 
for both ladies and gentlemen, and the output averaging about 40,000 dozen per 
annum, is distributed direct to the trade through the United States. Medals and 



19 

diplomas were awarded this company for superiority of knit underwear exhibition. 
The officers of the company are Messrs. Andrew M. Church, president ; Thomas 
Dickson, treasurer; A. I. Whithouse, secretary, and Charles T. Boughton, general 
manager. An office is maintained at No. 43 Leonard street. New York city. 

Swatling, James H., the well known wholesale and retail dealer in paints, wall- 
paper, and decorations, located at No. 50 Oneida street, Cohoes, established the 
business here in 1868. He is of English descent, born in the town of Watervliet in 
1848. His early manhood was spent on a farm, but he acquired the painter's trade 
at Saratoga Springs, where he resided four years. In 1890 in association with A. G. 
Tanner, he erected the " E.xcelsior Knitting Mill," devoted to the manufacture of 
ladies' and children's ribbed underwear. He has been on the Board of Health and 
served in many minor offices. 

Fletcher, Jones A., son of Benjamin and Polly (Kidder) Fletcher, was born April 
2, 1835. in Woodstock, Vt. He was educated in the public schools and seminary of 
Woodstock and learned the trade of painter, which he followed until 1861, when he 
enlisted in the 8th Conn. Regt., in which he was a sergeant. After the war he set- 
tled in Troy, N. Y., where he followed his trade until 1873, when he moved to Green 
Island, Albany county, and opened a grocery store nearly opposite where he is now 
located. In 1886 he erected the building in which he is now doing business. Mr. 
Fletcher is a member of Post Tibbitts G. A. R., of Troy, and Green Island Lodge 
No. 360, I. O. O. F. In 1860 he married Rachel Van Leuvan, of Troy, N. Y., and 
they have one son, Fred. 

Hickey, William F., the well known attorney, was born at Moriah, N. Y., in 1857. 
He was the son of Thomas Hickey, a contractor, who was largely interested in local 
mining. William was educated in the Sherman Academy, at Moriah, and about the 
time of attaining legal majority began the study of law with B. B. Bishop, at Moriah, 
forming a law partnership with him three years later which existed for three years. 
Then Mr. Hickey practiced his profession at Port Henry until 1889 when he located 
in Troy. Mr. Hickey resides m Green Island and has taken an active interest in 
local affairs, especially in opposing the recent threatened annexation of Green Island 
to Troy, and in the erection of the new town of Green Island. Mr. Hickey is now 
village attorney for the village of Green Island, having held that office for ten terms. 

Met; rath, Michael, was born in Ireland in 1835. His father was Thomas McGrath, 
by trade a blacksmith. Michael learned the same trade in the old country, and when 
a young man emigrated to America. He settled in Green Island, where for the past 
lifty years he has been a prosperous man in the grocery business and at his trade, 
and has been a familiar figure. He has served his town as trustee and was treas- 
urer of the Board of Education, and has for many years been a pillar of St. Patrick's 
church, and a lifelong Democrat. 

Becker, De Witt E., son of Francis and Almira (Torrey) Becker, was born in Gal- 
lupville, Schoharie county, August 0, 1863, and finished his education at Hartwick 
Seminary in 1881. Coming to Albany in that year he was employed by Burhans 
& Sutherland and two years later by Burhans, Sutherland & Co. In 1883 Mr. 
Burhans severed his connection with the above firm and started in business again 
with Mr. Becker as partner. In 1887 the firms of David Bradt & Co. and Burhans 



& Becker consolidated, making the firm of David Bradt, Becker & Co., carrying on 
a general produce commission business, dealing specially in poultry, eggs and butter. 
Mr. Becker came to Albany without any capital and with the combined efforts of his 
partners, David Bradt and William J. Skillicorn, a very large and lucrative business 
was built up at their present place of business, 386 Broadway. The building is a four 
story brick and contains the latest improved cold storage and freezing rooms. In 
addition to their cold storage plant the firm rent cold storage rooms in Chicago, Buf- 
falo and New York, the building in which they are located not being large enough 
to accommodate their business. The firm is considered by all who know them to be 
the largest wholesale dealers in poultry in Albany. Mr. Becker was elected two 
terms in succession president of the Albany County Wheelmen without opposition. 
He ie also director and secretary of the Consumers Ice Company. In 1887 he mar- 
ried Emma E. A., daughter of David Bradt, of Albany, who died in 1890. In 1893 
he married her sister, Harriet Myers Bradt. Mr. Becker has just finished a hand- 
some residence on Western avenue, corner of Allen street where he now resides. 

Van Meter, Archibald, son of Edmund and Jennett (Loyd) Van Meter, was born 
in New Scotland. Albany county, March 13, 182,5, and about 1828 moved with his 
parents to the city of Albany, where his father died soon afterward. The family 
originally came from New Jersey ; the father of Holland and Scotch descent, and the 
mother of Scotch descent. Mr. Van Meter was educated in the public schools of 
Albany and as a youth, first engaged in gardening. In 1844 he engaged in the meat 
busmess, in which he has ever since continued, being located at No. 378 Hudson 
avenue, since 1877. For several years he has had a large wholesale trade, but now 
carries on a retail business exclusively. He is member of Wadsworth Lodge, No. 
417, F. & A. M. 

Palmer, Frank Rockwell, son of Amos P. and Martha E. (Newton) Palmer, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., November 21, 1868. He is descended from alongline of New 
England ancestors, the first of whom came to America early in the seventeenth cen- 
tury, and all of whom served most gallantly in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars. 
He was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1888 and entered the employ of the 
Albany City Savings Institution, where he rapidly rose to his present position of 
teller. Mr. Palmer inherits a great liking for the military, as his record shows. In 
the Albany Academy he was first sergeant of Co. A, later captain of Co. A, and 
upon graduation was major of the battalion of Albany Academy Cadets. In No- 
vember, 1888, he enlisted in Co. A, N. G. N. Y., in 1889 was promoted to sergeant, 
in 1898 to lieutenant and in 1896 was elected captain. Mr. Palmer is a member of 
Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M. 

Hendrie, James H., born in Albany, October 19, 1855, is a son of George and 
Margaret (Haddow) Hendrie, the former of whom came to Albany from Scotland 
about 1853 and died here in 1892, being for many years foreman with Smith & Covert, 
leather dressers. When fourteen Mr. Hendrie began learning the trade of book- 
binder and blankbook manufacturer of his uncle, Robert G. Hendrie, who had es- 
tablished business on the corner of Broadway and Hudson avenue in 1867. He re- 
mained there until 1879, when he went to Cape Colony, South Africa, and engaged 
in gold and diamond mining. Returning to Albany in 1887 he bought out his uncle, 
gradually increased the manufacturing capacity fourfold and now carries on a large 



21 

business as a bookbinder and stationer and blankbook manufacturer. He is a mem- 
ber of the Albany Caledonian Club and was its secretary three terms. In Septem- 
ber, 18H9, he married Emily E., daughter of Henry Miller of Albany, and they have 
one daughter: Emalie Miller Hendrie. 

Cook, John B., was born in Troy in 1856, and was a son of Robert Cook, who 
came from Scotland in 1854 and was in the employ of the Burden Iron Company, 
then H. Burden & Sons, in the capacity of foreman until his death in 1873. Mr. 
Cook served an apprenticeship to the machinist trade with that company. He re- 
ceived his education in the public schools of Troy, and later took private lessons in 
mathematics, mechanical engineermg and drawing. Mr. Cook has been associated 
with the Watervliet Arsenal for twelve years as foreman of the metal work carried 
on in the shops east of the canal, and has had charge of the construction of the 
])lant at the gun shop under the supervision of the constructing engineer. 

McNab, Dr. Duncan, son of Duncan and Sarah (Osborne) McNab, was born June 
(i, 1870, in Troy, N. V., where he was educated in the High School. He was grad- 
uated from the Albany Medical College with the degree of M. D. in 1892, and then 
took an eight months' course in the New York Polyclinic Hospital and Medical Col- 
lege. In 1893 he began his practice in Green Lsland, Albany county, where he has 
since resided. He is a member of the Troy and Vicinity Medical Society, King Sol- 
omon's Primitive Lodge No. 91, F. & A. M., and Watervliet Lodge, Knights of 
Pythias. April 20, 1896. Dr. McNab married Millie, daughter of John B. Groat, of 
Green Island. 

Soderstrom, Charles E., came from Sweden to America in 1881, then about thirty- 
three years of age. In his native country he had learned the trade of machinist, 
and soon secured a position with the Albany Iron Works, with whom he remained 
for three years. In 1884 he went to Watervliet as a machinist. He was a a member of 
the Free church of Sweden, and here in America belonging to the Methodist Epis- 
copal church, which granted him the freedom of speaking for his country-people. 

Lenway. W. A., was born in West Troy, December 11, 1849. The late Alexander 
Lenway, his father, came to West Troy about 1835. The paternal grandfather of 
W. A. Lenway came from France. Mr. Lenway was carefully educated at select 
schools and at the Troy Business College. He has been officially connected with 
canal admmistrations since 1880. at which date he was appointed chief clerk to 
John H. Hulsapple, then a canal collector. Before his a.ssociation with the canal 
departments he was associated in a clerical capacity with F. B. Durant and William 
Hollands in the fire insurance line. He spen' five years in the I). & H. freight oflFice 
as clerk and was for a time mate of a river steamer plying between Troy and New 
York. 

Pickett, Robert, youngest son of William and Mary (Egan) Pickett, both natives 
of Ireland, immigrating to America about 1823 and 1820 respectively, was born in 
West Troy, Albany county, March 9. 1850, and received his education at the parochial 
school of St. Bridget's church. His father died in West Troy in 1858, aged fifty- 
three, and his mother in April, 1889, aged eighty-seven. They had six sons and 
three daughters. When nine years old Mr. Pickett entered the factory of Roy & 
Co., and in lS(i3 began making cartridges in the Watervliet Arsenal. In 1865 he re- 



22 

turned to the employ of Roy & Co. ; in 1869 he was employed on a Hudson River 
dredge; in 18T0 he entered what is now the Troy and Rensselaer Iron Works; 
in 1873 he found employment in the machine shop of the Arsenal; in 1874 he re- 
turned to the steel works; and in 1876 he engaged in the grocery business in 
West Troy. In 1883 he became a State patrolman under James Shanwahan, and six 
years later again opened a restaurant, a business he had followed in 1881-82. No- 
vember 18, 1894, he was appointed to his present position as inspector of customs 
under John P. Masterson. October 11, 1878, he married Katie, daughter of John 
Shaffer of Troy. 

Visscher, Edward W., was born in Albany, April 5, 1870, and is descended from 
one of the oldest families in this section. Bastiaen Visscher came from Hoorn, Hol- 
land, to America, prior to 1644 and settled in what was then Rensselaerwyak, now 
Albany. His son, Harmen B., was born there and had a son. Manning Visscher, 
whose son Barent J. was baptized in Albany, March i:!. 1737. Johannes B. Visscher, 
son of Barent J. was born here September 4, 1769 and died April 15, 1825. His son, 
John B. Visscher, was born here August 31, 1825, and married first, Ann, daughter 
of Abraham R. and Annetje (Visscher) Ten Eyck, and second, Alida, daughter of 
Douw and Jane Ann (Lieverse) Lansing. He died January 31, 1890. and was 
survived by Edward W. Visscher and William L. Visscher. Edward W. Visscher 
was educated in the Albany Academy and in 1887 entered the Mechanics' and 
Farmers' Bank, with which he has since been connected. He is a member of tlie 
Holland Society of New York and of the Fort Orange Club. In January. \x\t!>, lie 
married Miss Mame E., daughter of Eugene P. Palmer of Chicago, 111. 

Colburn, E. S. , & Son. — Edwin S. Colburn, scm of Jonathan Colburn, was born in 
Jewett City, Conn., January 5, 1829, and for about thirty years was engaged in farm- 
ing at New Baltimore, N. Y., where he still resides. In 1884 he was engaged in the 
commission business under the firm name of Colburn & Smith ; in 1886 he purchased 
part of the present confectionery and ice cream business in ^'l^^i^y. and a partner- 
■ ship was formed under the firm name of Rawson & Colburn, which in 1888, became 
Rawson, Colburn & Co. In 1888 this firm was succeeded by Mr. Colburn as sole owner 
and in 1894 he admitted his son, Edwin E. to partnership, under the pre.sent style of 
K. S. Colburn & Son. 

Hills, James W., was born in Watervliet, now Colonie, in 1841. He is the son of 
the late John Hills, of English descent. He has always been engaged in farming 
and gardening, and in 1875 purchased the farm of Newton, known as the Newton 
I)lace, from whom the hamlet of Newtonville took its name. Mr. Hills is an up-to- 
date and enterprising farmer, finding market for his product chiefly at Troy. Mrs. 
Hills is a daughter of the late James McDonald of Delhi, Delaware county, brother- 
in-law of the late Assemblyman John McDonald of Delaware county. Mrs. and Mrs. 
Hills have two sons. Goldsmith and Donald E. Hills. They were educated at the 
Troy Academy, State Normal and Albany Business College. 

Heidrich, Charles A., born November 18, 1856, in Albany, is the son of John 
Heidrich, a native of Germany, who came to Albany about 1854 and died here 
in 1886, being a mason by trade and a prominent contractor and builder. After 
finishing his education at the Albany Academy, Mr. Heidrich entered the architect- 



23 

ural office of John Cornelius and remained there five years. Meanwhile in 1H80 he 
had associated himself with his father under the firm name of Heidrich & Son and 
continued as a contractor until the latter's death in 1886, when he opened an 
architectural office. Since then he devoted his whole time to architecture and 
building and since 1882 has done a large amount of contracting, numbering among 
his chief efibrts the Fourth Reformed and St. Matthew's churches. He is a member 
of Guttenberg Lodge No. 737, F. & A. M, Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M. and 
l)e Witt Clinton Council No. 22 R. & S. M. July 19, 1882, he married Elizabeth 
llerzog of Albany and their children are Dora Elizabeth and Victor Carl. 

Waters, M. B. , was born in Duxbury, Plymouth county, Mass., in October, 1831. 
and is a descendant of good old Puritan stock. He had none of the advantages of 
education so liberal in tbis day, but he was a great reader and seeker after knowl- 
edge and always had a book with him, to which he applied himself durmg leisure 
moments. His mind therefore became stored with very useful information, for he 
read only those books from which he could derive practical knowledge and which 
tended to strengthen his mind. He began railroading in 1851 on what was then the 
Hudson River Road, now the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R., and leaving there he went to 
the Troy & Boston Railroad, now the Fitchburg Railroad, where he filled such posi- 
tions as baggagemaster, ticket agent and freight and passenger train conductor. 
He was also the first passenger agent and during the war was stationed in New 
York with an office on Broadway. That office was abolished after the war and he 
became connected with the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. as passenger train conductor. The 
genial disposition and courteous manners which he showed in that capacity, emi- 
nently qualified him for advancement and to-day he holds the position of general 
passenger agent of the People's Line Steamers on the Hudson River. He has 
traveled extensively throughout the United States, Mexico and the West Indies. Mr. 
Waters is also a very interesting correspondent and has many times favored the 
general public with letters to newspapers describing his travels. He was formerly 
[iresident of the Railroad Conductors' Insurance Company of the United States and 
Canada and is now an active member of that body. He is also a life member of the 
various Masonic bodies, from the Blue Lodge to the Mystic Shrine, and is also a 
member of the International Association of Ticket Agents, also a member of the 
American Association of General Passenger Agents. He is a very public spirited 
citizen and nothing which will improve his home city, Troy, escapes his notice; and 
he has written many articles setting forth his views on public matters which have 
always carried great weight. Mr. Waters was married October lo, 1866, at North 
Dorset, Vt., to a daughter of the Hon. Welcome Allen. 

Gleason, James M., was born in Troy, N. Y., August 25, 1860, and removed to 
WestTroy and Watervhet in 1865, where he has since resided. He was educated in the 
public schools, Troy Christian Brothers' Academy and Troy Business College. At 
an early age he became an active member of the West Troy Old Volunteer Fire De- 
partment and served as foreman of the J. C. Dayton Hose Company, and as assist- 
ant chief of the department until its disbandment in 1883, and is an exempt fireman. 
Before and since attaining his majority he has taken an active part in politics as an 
enthusiastic Democrat and is prominent in his party organization in city and county. 
Al the Watervliet town election in 1885 he was nominated and elected to the re- 



24 

sponsible office of collector of taxes and was re-elected in April, 1886. On January 

1, 1887, he was appointed deputy court clerk by Hon. Robert H. Moore, county clerk, 
and served for three years to January 1, 1890, when he was promoted and appointed 
by Hon. A. C. Requa, county clerk elect, to the position of deputy county clerk, 
which he held until the expiration of Mr. Requa's term of office December 31, 1892, 
On December 4, 1893, he was appointed by Hon. Frank Campbell, State comptroller, 
a commissioner to make an examination of the papers, books, records and docu- 
ments in the office of the surrogate of Kings county, N. Y., relating to the enforce- 
ment of the inheritance tax laws of the State of New York, and at the expiration of 
his commission he retired to private life and engaged in business in Albany, N. ¥., 
where he is still located. Mr. Gleason was married February 16, 1886, and resides 
with his wife, two sons and three daughters, on Sixth avenue, in Watervliet, N. Y. 

Godfrey, James H., was born on the site of his beautiful home, in 1841. He spent 
his whole life with his father, the late George A. Godfrey, one of the first settlers. 
Mr. Godfrey is a farmer and a dairyman, and his home is located so as to command 
extended views of the lovely landscape, of which the Mohawk Valley is widely famed. 

Baldwin. H. W., the shoe dealer of 29 North Pearl street, is, like a large projior- 
tion of Albany's prominent merchants, a self-made man. His business career com- 
menced in New York city, where, when quite a young man, he laid the foundation 
for the knowledge which was to be of great benefit to him in conducting an estab- 
lishment of his own. He came here from New York in 1888 and started in business 
at his present location, succeeding Sherman & Green. By close application and 
acuteness in buying goods, he built up his trade to such an extent that up to the 
present time he has had to enlarge his store three times, until now he occupies com- 
modious quarters fitted up in the most modern style. Mr. Baldwin's last improve- 
ment was made about a year ago when he nearly doubled the space of his main 
floor. Mr. Baldwin's business acumen is hereditary. His father was one of the 
largest lumber dealers in Buffalo and built one of the first houses on the famous 
Delaware avenue of that city. Mr. Baldwin was born in Buffalo in 1855, and spent 
his boyhood there. 

McNeil, Thomas J., was born in Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, in 1860. He is the 
son of John McNeil, a linen manufacturer, who came to America with his family 
in 1866, and located in the city of Albany, N. Y. In 1872 they moved to Cohoes, 
N- Y. McNeil, the elder, was employed by the Harmony Company as an overseer 
and cloth expert ; he remained with that company for twelve years, when he re- 
signed. After that time, and until his death in September, 1894, he was employed 
by the Tivoli Knitting Mill Company. Thomas J. enlisted in the 7th Separate Com- 
pany, State Militia, in 1880, being that time twenty years of age. His record in 
that company is as follows; Private, May 15, 1880; sergeant, April 18, 1883; first 
sergeant, June 18, 1884; second lieutenant, June 20, 1884; first lieutenant, March 15, 
1889; resigned (honorable discharge), December 30, 1890; re-enlisted, January 12, 
1891; corporal, February 16, 1891; sergeant, November 9, 1891; first sergeant. May 

2, 1892. At the present time he is first sergeant of the company and also drill, 
master. His rating as drillmaster and tactician is of the highest. He received the 
appointment as armorer of the above named company in 1883, which position he 



now so capably and acceptably tills. He was married January 21, 1885. to Elizabeth 
Fisher Hume, a daughter of George Hume of Cohoes, N. Y. 

Targett. Alfred E., is a pioneer in the laundry business of Cohoes. his establish- 
ment being the first of its kmd here. It was first an adjunct to his hat and furnish- 
ing goods business organized in 1873, and the washing was done by hand. Now the 
extensive establishment contains all the modern machinery of an up-to-date laundry. 
Mr. Targett was born in England in 1842 and was the son of Charles Targett. He 
came to this country in 1846 and with his parents settled in Danbury, Conn. In 
185;! he moved to Wisconsin, where he worked on a farm about two years, when he 
returned to Danbury, Conn., and worked for a while in a fur factory; then went to 
Bethel, Conn., and learned the trade of hat finishing, after which he returned to 
Danbury and attended the academy and prepared for college, which he entered in 
18G2 and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1866 with the degree of 
A. B., being a classmate of Hon. George Raines of Rochester. After graduation he 
returned to Danbury, Conn., went into the music business and also taught singing 
in the public schools, an accomplishment he had acquired with his other studies. 
He came to Cohoes in 1872, where he has ever been highly esteemed as a man, and 
appreciated for his musical talent. He is an accomplished tenor singer, and sings 
m various churches. He served for several years as alderman of the Third ward. 

Wheeler, Frederick F., son of John C. and Adahne (Freeman) Wheeler, was born 
in Oshkosh, Wis.. February 25, 1859, and was educated at the Vineland, N. J., 
Academy, where the family settled in 1864. In 1882 he came to Albany and the 
same year established his present furniture business. He was one of the organizers 
of the Albany Chamber of Commerce in 1890, and has since been a director and the 
secretary. He organized the South End Bank, was continuously one of its directors 
and during the first five years was its first vice-president. He is an associate director 
of the National Life Association of Hartford, Conn., was one of the founders and is 
vice-president and director of the West End Savings and Loan Association of Albany 
and was an originator and officer of the West End Association, designed to effect 
improvements in the western part of the city. In politics he has been from youth up 
a Prohibitionist, casting his first vote (the only Prohibition vote cast in Cumberland 
county, N. J.) for Neal Dow for president in 1880. He has never voted any other 
ticket. In 1884 he was elected chairman of the State General and State Executive 
Prohibition Committees and served five years, declining further service in this 
capacity. During that period the Prohibition ticket received the highest vote ever 
given it in this State. He is still a member of the Prohibition State Executive 
Committee and in 1896 was elected a member of the National Prohibition Commit- 
tee. December 24, 1879, he married Alice Am.sden of North Walden, Vt., who died 
July 22, 1891. leaving four children : Herbert A., Fannie A., Alice A., and Effie A. 
June 6. 1893, he married, second, Hattie Hall of Leslie, Mich. 

Long & Sil.sby. — The carriage manufacturing firm of Long & Silsby was founded 
ill 1847, by James Long and Henry W. Silsby, who succe.ssfully carried on an exten- 
sive business until 1888, when Mr. Long purchased his partner's interest and became 
sole owner. Mr. Silsby was a blacksmith and was born at sea about 1815. Mr. Long, 
a native of Ireland, came to America in 1824 and spent his active life in Albany. He 



was a practical vvagonmaker and after the retirement of his partner, carried on the 
business alone until February, 1892, when his sons, Le Roy Y. and John S. , were 
admitted. He died in November, following, and since then his two sons have con- 
ducted the establishment, which is one of the oldest of the kind in this city. The 
original firm name has always been retained. This concern is widely known, has 
continuallv enjoyed an extensive trade of the best class and makes a specialty of the 
finer work. 

Keeler, John, son of Daniel and Margaret (Murphy) Keeler, was born in Albany. 
N. v., January 7, 1843. He received a common school education and in 1865 went 
to work in the restaurant of his brother William, on Green street. In 1871 he suc- 
ceeded his brother in the management of the Green street restaurant and remained 
there until July, 1884, when he and his brother formed a partnership and opened a 
restaurant at No. 56 State street. In 1890 Mr. Keeler again assumed management 
of the Green street restaurant and since then his sons, William H. and John, have 
been the proprietors of the State street restaurant. 

Harris, Julius F., son of Marvin C. and Huldah (Dickinson) Harris, was born in 
the town of yueensbury, Warren county, N. Y., January 3, 18311. Thomas Harris, 
born in 1576, came from England and ran the ferry from Boston to Winnisimmet and 
Charlestown. Joseph Harris, who was directly descended from said Thomas Harris, 
the great grandfather of the subject of this sketch lived in the town of Queensbury, 
served in the Revolution and originally came from Dutchess county. William D. 
Harris, the grandfather of Julius F., was a prosperous farmer living in the town of 
Queensbury. Julius F. Harris was educated at the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, 
from which he was graduated in 1863. Soon after he removed to Albany, N. Y., 
studied law with Col. William H. King, was graduated from the Albany Law School 
in 1882 and was admitted to the bar in the same year. He has since practiced law 
in Albany. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and is a class 
leader in the Ash Grove M. E. church. 

Dreis, L. Theodore A., son of Anthony and Catherine ((ieimer) Dreis. was born in 
Albany, N. Y., January 24, 1868. He was educated in the public and private 
schools and at the age of eleven years was apprenticed to W. H. Slingerland & Sons, 
civil engineers, with whom he remained eighteen years and in addition carried on 
quite extensively the real estate and insurance business. August 1, 1896, he went 
with the Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie Railroad, with whom he is at present. 
He is secretary of Co. D, 10th Battalion, N. G. N. Y., and was for three years 
financial and corresponding secretary of the Capital City Club and is at present. In 
1895 he represented the Capital City Club at the convention of the National League 
of Republican Clubs at Cleveland, Ohio, as delegate. He is at present orator 
of Germania Council No. 110, C. B. L., recordmg secretary of the City Club and 
president of the Young Men's Society of the Holy Cross church and was the organ- 
izer of that body. He has been for four years the Republican president of the Third 
district of the Second ward, and at the last primary was re-elected by a vote ot 64 to 
25. He is also a prominent member of the Republican League. That he is prom- 
inent among the young men is assured by the great esteem he is held in and in 
society he is a. prominent figure. Invit.itions are refused owing to the surplus of 
meetings. 



Burdick G. Dudley, son of G. W. and Mary Elizabeth (Van Antwerp) Burdick, was 
l)orn in Albany, July 19, 1842. He was educated in the public schools and learned 
the trade of mason, which he followed until 1878, when he engaged in his present 
business of contractor and builder. He built the Tweddle Building, the Dudley Ob- 
servatory, the Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Building, the Madison Avenue 
Presbyterian church and Wolferfs Roost and many other notable structures. Mr. 
Burdick is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M. and of the board of 
deacons of the State Street Presbyterian church. He served seven years in the old 
volunteer iire department and in Co. B, 10th Regiment, N. Y. N. G. December 26, 
1876, he married Emma Havard, daughter of John Havard of Brooklyn, N. Y. , who 
died November 24, 1881, leaving a son and daughter, Clarke Havard and Mary 
Louise. Clarke Havard died March 6, 1883. October 10, 1884, he married Juliette, 
daughter of Epraim Hotaling, of Albany, N. Y. 

Wands, John B., was born in the town of New Scotland, N. Y., June 13, 1833. The 
first of the Wands to come to America were two cousins, James and John Wands; 
they were Scotch Highlanders, and were weavers by trade. They enlisted in the 
English army and came to Canada to take part in the French and English war 
(1754 to 1762), having enlisted as volunteers for three months; they served their 
time, and upon their discharge started as pioneers through the woods of New York 
State, toward Albany, and finally located in what is now New Scotland; their settle- 
ment dates about 1763. Ebenezer Wands, the grandfather of our subject, was 
another of these hardy Scotch pioneers ; he was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and was 
also a weaver by trade; he was a cousin of James and John, who had preceded him 
a few years to America; he married Mary Ann Miller, and came to America imme- 
rliately after, probably about 1780, and settled on a tract of land, about 400 acres, 
which he purchased for two dollars per acre, and began clearing him a home, and 
jilied his trade winters. He reared eight sons and three daughters; the sons all be- 
came tradesmen, some blacksmiths, wagonraakers, carpenters, weavers, etc., and 
among them they grew and manufactured everything needed on the farm. He died 
when eighty eight years of age. Benjamin Wands, father of our subject and the 
fourth son of his father's children, was born in New Scotland in 1797. He learned 
the weaver's trade from his father; he afterward became a farmer, owning a farm of 
si.xty acres, which he operated, and plied his trade winters. In politics he was first 
a Whig, later a Republican, and, though not an aspirant to public office, he mani- 
fested an active interest in the electing of his party ticket. His wife was Margaret 
Wands, who was born in New Scotland in 1797, daughter of James 2, who was the 
son of James 1, the pioneer; they reared five sons and five daughters. He died in 
1865 and his wife in 1873. John B. Wands worked on his father's farm until he was 
seventeen years of age, when he went to Albany and engaged as cartnian, which 
position he occupied for five years; he then accepted a position as porter in a whole- 
sale grocery store, where he remained six years, and in 1864 engaged with Mather 
Bros., as shipper in their wholesale grocery; he remained with them over twenty- 
four years, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to resign his position. 
In 1888 he moved to Voorheesville, where he engaged in the retail general mercantile 
business, and where he has since remained. Mr. Wands is a Republican in politics. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Wadsworth Lodge, Albany, in which he 



28 

often officiated. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, American Lodge, 
No. 33, of which he is past noble grand, and was also on the di.strict grand commit- 
tee for years. In addition to his other interests Mr. Wands has been for a number 
of years interested in the manufacture of soap in Kingston, N. Y. In ISS.t he mar- 
ried Sarah J. Drew, of Albany, daughter of Robert and Sarah Drew, natives of 
London, England, by whom he had three children: Emma, wife of Slater Swift, of 
New Scotland ; Grace, wife of Carey Martin ; and Robert B. Wands. 

Lord, Edmund J., was born in Lancashire, England, in 1820. At an early age he 
came to America and settled in Albany, where he engaged as a clerk in a grocery 
store, winning the respect of his employer by constant attention to business and 
those traits which foretold his later success. After years of hard work, in which 
pluck, perseverance and rigid economy played active parts, he succeeded in saving 
sufficient money to start the business with which he has been identified, and in 1841 
established a grocery on the northeast corner of Washington avenue and Hawk 
street, opposite where the capitol now stands. Possessed of unusual business qual- 
ifications, it was not surprising that the work which he had begun on a small scale, 
should, in the course of a comparatively few years, increase to such a degree as to 
prove highly profitable and remunerative. In 1870 he moved to larger and more 
commodious quarters at the northwest corner of Washington avenue and Hawk 
street, where he continued in business until his death, September 22, 189.5. The 
business since then has been conducted by his son, Edmund W. Lord, who inherits 
much of his father's business ability. In the constant rush and excitement attend- 
ant upon a business life, Mr. Lord never forgot the important duties to be performed 
in his home, and it was there the amiable disposition and kind heart were ever mani- 
fest. He was a devoted Presbyterian and while he loved his Creator and served 
Him as best he could, he did not neglect to practice that charity without which there 
can be little religious sincerity. He was also a member of the St. George Benev- 
olent Society and several fraternal organizations. As a citizen, Mr. Lord was 
highly esteemed and respected. A Republican in principle, he stood ever ready to 
give his undivided and active support to his party when the exigencies of the hour 
demanded. 

Hendrickson, Howard, was born in Albany, November 20, 1859, and is the son of 
the late Jacob Hendrickson, who for many years kept a large wholesale grocery on 
the dock and died in July, 1879. Mr. Hendrickson was educated in the public 
schools of Albany and subsequently entered a job printing office, where he worked 
for three years. .He then entered the law office of S. W. Whitmore, meantime tak- 
ing a course of lectures at the Albany Law School, from which he was graduated 
May 25, 1882, being immediately admitted to the bar by the General Term of the 
Supreme Court. Opening a law office he commenced the active practice of his pro- 
fession, which is varied and extensive. In 189.5 he was elected alderman of the Six- 
teenth ward and during that year served as president of the Common Council, 
receiving the largest majority ever given a candidate in that ward. In politics he is 
an influential Republican. He was the organizer of the Commercial Union Co- 
operative Bank and at present is its attorney and a member of the board of man- 
agers. He is the owner of considerable Albany real estate. He is a member of 
Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., and has passed through all its chairs. He is 



a member of Capital City Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, De Witt Clinton Council 
of Royal Select Masons, Temple Conimandery No. 2, K. T. , and of Cypress Temple, 
Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; he is also a member of Will- 
iam Lacy Lodge No. 93, I. O. C). F. 

Geer, Robert, son of James L. and Prudence Almira (Gallup) Geer, was born m 
Norwich, Conn., March 23, 1837. His mother died in 1847. His father was a 
cabinetmaker, a builder, and later was engaged in the aviction and commission busi- 
ness. About 1873 he retired and now lives in Norwich. Mr. Geer received a public 
school education ; when fifteen he became a clerk in a drug store in Norwich, and 
three years later its owner. In 1861 he removed the stock to Syracuse. N. Y., and 
m 1864 sold out. April 20, 1864, he came to Albany as the local representative of the 
Salt Company of Onondaga, whose business he has managed ever since, becoming 
proprietor in 1871. In 1879 he also engaged in the flour and feed trade with Chester 
F. Bouton, as Bouton & Geer, and continued until Mr. Bouton's death in 1886. Three 
years later he discontinued this business. In 1892 he formed the Robert Geer Salt 
company, incorporated, and has since carried on the old salt business under that 
name as vice-president and manager. Mr. Geer has been prominently identified 
with several enterprises. He has been a trustee of the Home Savings Bank since 
1884 and president of the Homestead Savings and Loan Association since its organ- 
ization in 1888. A Republican in politics, he was supervisor of the Fourteenth ward 
of Albany from 1880 to 1886, was candidate for member of assembly in 1885, but 
withdrew because of a split in the party, and was candidate for senator in 
1886. but was defeated by Hon. Amasa J. Parker, although he ran ahead of 
his ticket. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City 
Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Tem- 
ple Conimandery No. 2, K. T., Cypress Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and all the Scot- 
tish Rite bodies 32°. He is a trustee of the Y. M. C. A., a member and for four 
years master workman of Capital City Lodge, A. O. U. W., senior vestryman of 
St. Paul's church, for fifteep j-ears treasurer and trustee of the Albany Hospital for 
Incurables, and for the past ten years secretary of the Board of Albany Pier Pro- 
prietors. In October, 1860, he married Mary Sophia, daughter of William Gere of 
Syracuse, who died in 1886, leaving two children: Frederick Lewis and Clara Lovisa. 
In October, 1869, he married, second, Rhoda Kellogg Shedd. daughter of Ephraim 
Shedd of Jordan, N, Y. She died in December, 1882, leaving one son, Arthur Ham- 
ilton. In April, 1884, Mr. Geer married, third, Julia, daughter of Henry Richmond 
of Albany. 

Flanders, George Lovell. son of Arthur and Mary (Lovell) Flanders, was born in 
the town of Parishville, St. Lawrence county, February 29, 1856. He received his 
education in the Potsdam Normal School and during the years of 1881 and 1882 he 
was a teacher in the Madrid Union School. He studied law in the ofifice of Parker & 
Mclntyre in Potsdam, and later was graduated from the Albany Law School and 
admitted to the bar and to practice in the United States Circuit Court. In the fall 
of 1883 he removed to Albany and in May, 1884, was appointed assistant state dairy 
commissioner, at the time of the creation of the department. The title of his office 
. has since been changed to that of assistant commi.ssioner of agriculture, an office 
which he has retained under every commissioner appointed. Mr. Flanders was one 



of the first to advocate the creation of the department. He is a member of Ancient 
City Lodge, F. & A. M., and of the Royal Arcanum. In April, 1885, he married 
Catharine Soiithwick, daughter of Wilham Keeler, of Albany, and they have two 
daughters : Lillian Lovell and Marian Southwick. 

Friend, Charles M., was born in Albany, November 10, 1869, and is a son of 
Meyer and Caroline (Goodman) Friend. Meyer Friend, born in Saxemeinegen, 
Saxony, Germany, December 4, 1809, came to Albany about 1838, among the first 
Jewish settlers and died here in 1890. He was a jeweler, one of the organizers, vice- 
president and trustee of the old Jewish synagogue and a prominent citizen among 
his race. He had eight children, the younjjer being the subject of this sketch. 
Charles M. was graduated from the Albany High School in 1888, read law with and 
became managing clerk for Eaton &- Kirchwey, attended the Albany Law School 
and was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in 1891. He remained with his preceptors 
until January, 1893, when he was made assistant to the second deputy under Attor- 
ney-General Simon W. Rosendale, a position he held until December 81, 1898. He 
was then associated with Hon. James M. Eaton, district attorney of Albany county, 
until March, 1895, when he opened an office for himself. He is an active Democrat, 
a member of the Albany Democratic club, secretary of the Adelphi Club, president 
of Gideon Lodge, No. 140, L O. B. B., a member of Capital City Lodge, No. 440, I. 
O. O. F. , and treasurer of Beth Emeth Sunday School. In 1896 he was appointed 
special law examiner in the civil service department of the State of New York. 

North, Howard C, has been a railroad man since he was twenty-four years old, 
and has steadily climbed the ladder of advancement. He entered the service of the 
New York & Oswego Midland, now the Ontario & Western, as clerk and telegrapher 
in 1874, and in 1875 came to Green Island as an operator for the Delaware &■ Hud- 
son Canal Company. In 1880 he was appointed assistant train dispatcher, and in 
1883 chief dispatcher. In 1887, after acting as agent in Green Island for about a 
year, he was appointed assistant superintendent of Saratoga & Champlain division, 
the important position he now so acceptably fills after a quarter of a century asso- 
ciation with the company. He was born at Guilford, N. Y.. July 4, 18.12. He was 
the son of Erastus B. North, of old English ancestry. 

Wiswall. — Among the old families of the town of Colonie, few have been longer 
or more favorably known, or more associated with the business and social life of the 
locality than Ebenezer Wiswall sr., and his sons Ebenezer Wiswall, jr., and John 
Parker Wiswall. Of puritan stock Ebenezer Wiswall, sr., came from Boston about 
1810 and became a member of the Farm Companies of South Troy, West Troy, and 
Cohoes; his connection with which for nearly fifty years gave him the wide ac- 
([uaintance with the business men of his time which his descendants still enjoy. 
John Parker Wiswall, who died in 1875, the father of Edward H. Wiswall of the 
present time, married Sarah Mark, a member of another old English family in 
Watervliet. His widow is still living with a married daughter at the old homestead. 

Tupper, Horace D., one of the most estimable, enterprising and public spirited 
citizens of the town of Colonie. Mr. Tupper's .surroundings at his place of business, 
at the junction of the two canals above West Troy, attest something of his energy 
and originality. He was born at Gler.s Falls, September 20, 1844, and l)y the death 



31 

of his father, wheu yet a little buy, was thrown very early upon his own resources, to 
which event perhaps must be ascribed some of his rugged and indomitable charac 
ter. In his early years of manhood, he followed boating on the canals, and is still 
largely interested in that line of business, but his interests are multiplied. He 
operates two saw-mills, two large farms, a brick yard, and the " Crescent" drydock, 
lieside timbered lands near Lake George and a line of boats, employing 10.5 men, 
also two large wholesale ice houses, one on Mohawk Basin and one at Crescent. In 
the midst of all these bustling, exacting interests, Mr. Tupper has found time for 
much in the way of practical benevolence. 

Mills, Charles H., son of Borden H. and Harriet N. (Hood) Mills, was born in 
Knowlesville, Orleans county, N. Y., June 31, 1851, and moved with his parents to 
Albany in 1857. Borden H. Mills was a member of the wholesale flour nrm of Mills 
& McMartin, on Broadway, and died here in 1873. He was a prominent Republican 
leader and alderman of the Tenth ward. Charles H. Mills attended the Albany High 
School, was graduated from Union College in 1872, and read law with John M. 
Carroll, of Johnstown, N. Y., and was graduated from the Albany Law School and 
admitted to the bar in 1873. He practiced in Johnstown until 1875, and since then 
in Albany, being since 1889 senior member of the law firm of Mills &• Bridge (Charles 
F. Bridge). He is a Republican, was president of the Albany Board of Excise in 
1895. This board raised the license from sixty dollars to §300, and thereby increased 
the city's income from licenses from §47,000 to §114,000. He was president of the 
Y. M. C. A. two terras, 1883-84, when funds were raised for the present building, 
and during this period was interested in liquidating the old debt and in creating a 
large surplus for the association, which he has served as a director since 1882, being 
now the oldest member of the board. He is the editor and author of several law 
books, a member of the Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Capital City Chapter. 
No. 242, R. A. M., and a member of the Sons of the Revolution, through his great- 
grandfather, George Mills, who served under Arnold, was captured at Quebec and 
after six months a prisoner was exchanged, was one of the guard at the execution 
of Major Andre, and was with Sullivan through the New Jersey campaign and for 
two years United States pensioner. 

Macfarlane, William D., son of Robert, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y.. June8, 1853. 
Robert Macfarlane, born in Rutherglen, Scotland, came to America in 1835 and died 
in Brooklyn, December 20, 1883. He was originally a dyer, but later was senior 
editor of the Scientific American for over .seventeen years. In 1864 he came to Al- 
bany and bought of Mrs. John McDuft'y, the old Albany Dye Works, which he con- 
tinued until 1874, when he returned to Brooklyn. He was prominent in Albany as 
a Scotchman, was president of the Burns Club and St. Andrews Society, and a mem- 
ber of the 1. O. O. F. and Albany Institute. William D. Macfarlane was graduated 
from the Albany Boys' Academy in 1872, afterwards learned the business of dyer 
with his father, and in 1874. with his brother, Robert F., succeeded to the proprietor- 
ship of the old Albany Dye Works at No. 24 Norton street. This was the first dye 
house in Albany, being established by Peter Martin in 1823. Robert F. Macfarlane 
withdrew in 1891 and since then William has continued the business alone. He has 
about twenty-three branches, of which all but three are located outside the city. He 
is a member of St. Andrews Societv, the Burns Club, and was for .seventeen vears a 



member of the Albany Burgesses Corps, is now and has been a director of the Albany 
Musical Association since its reorganization in 1891, also a member of the Uncon- 
ditional Club. He is married and has a family of three children two sons and one 
daughter. 

L\indergan, John, is one of the most respected and oldest residents of the locality. 
The trite saying. " that he is a .self made man," became invested with fresh signifi- 
cance, when applied to Mr. Lundergan. He was born in Ireland, March 16, 1831, 
and came to America when four years of age. In 1832, after the death of his mother, 
at Montreal, he came to the vicinity of Albany, and has lived here for sixty-four 
years. He began life in the most humble way as a farm hand, but was very frugal 
and had no, bad habits. He was enabled to rent a small tract of land and became 
his own master in 1845. In 1848 he went to California via Cape Horn, and returned 
via the isthmus. Here he obtained the nucleus of his present considerable fortune, 
and soon began to purchase additionals to his original homestead. His most recent 
acquisition was the extensive fair grounds situated opposite his home, on the Troy 
road. Mr. Lundergan devoted his time to the business, which has occupied most of 
his long and useful life, that of extensive market gardening. His youn.gest son, 
Frank, is a di-y goods merchant, at New York city. His oldest son. Adrian, man- 
ages home affairs. Mr. Lundergan is held in the highest esteem wherever he is 
known. 

Hobbs, Edward A., sou of David and Abigail (Pratt) Hobbs, was born in the town 
of Charlton, Mass., August 15, 1838. Mr. Hobbs's ancestors came to America from 
England in the early part of the eighteenth century and located m Massachusetts. 
His grandfather. Joseph Pratt, was the captain of a Massachu.setts company in the 
war of 1812. Mr. Hobbs attended the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, \'t., 
in the winter of 1857, and afterward attended the State Normal School for one term. 
For three winters he taught school in Columbia county, and in May, 1861, removed 
to Albany, N. Y.. where he was for nine years engaged in the grocery business at 
No. 5 Clinton avenue, the firm name being Hobbs & Bedell. He then moved to No. 
7 Clinton avenue, where he was also located nine years, from 1870 to 1879. For four 
years he was in partnership with Frank Van Salisbury. Since 1874 Mr. Hobbs has 
been engaged in the grocery business alone. In the fall of 1878 Mr. Hobbs bought 
the property on the corner of North Pearl street and Clinton avenue and in 1879 he 
occupied it and has ever since been located there. He is an active member of the 
Fourth Presbyterian church and on May 13, 1889, was elected an elder and has held 
the ofhce ever since. He was elected a tru.stee in 1884, 1887, 1890, 1893 and 1896. 
October 21, 1862, he married Celestia A., daughter of Palmer Miller of Schodack, 
N. Y. 

Grady, Thomas G.. is one of the leading merchants of West Troy. In 1881 he 
first began the merchant tailor business here, where he has since carried on a large 
enterprise. In 1886 he opened a new store, which has advanced his interest in a 
most satisfactory manner. He was born in Cincinnati, O.. in 1859, and is a son of 
John A. Grady, a hotel keeper, now of Toronto. At the age of sixteen he learned 
the tailor's trade at Xenia, O. Mr. Grady is collector of the Society of Royal Arca- 
num and enjoys wide popularity among his fellowmen. 



33 

Gallien, Henry, son of Henry and Eliza M. (George) Gallien, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., December 3, 1861. His father was born on the Isle of Guernsey and when 
sixteen years of age came to America and located in Albany, where for thirty years 
he was in the canal department and State comptroller's office, and for the last fifteen 
years that he was there held the offices of second deputy and deputy, holding the 
latter office at the time of his death in 1883. Henry Galhen was educated in the 
Boys' Academy, State Normal School, Public School No. 11 and the Albany High 
School, after which he was for a time in C. H. Van Benthuysen's paper warehouse. 
Subsequently he went to the Albany County Bank and the National Commercial Bank, 
where he remained eight years, and later was teller at the Park Bank of Albany for 
two years. From the Park Bank he went to the Exchange Bank, where be held the 
position of teller for three years, and left in 1894, to engage in business with his 
brother, E. J. Gallien, dealing in investment securities, with whom he remained one 
year. Then after a few months' experience as an expert accountant he was ap- 
pointed by Commissioner Lyman, in April, 1896, auditor of the State Excise De- 
partment. Mr. Gallien is a member of Ridgefield Athletic Club, of which he is a 
trustee, and has held the office of secretary for three years. He was for one term 
financial secretary of the Albany Bicycle Club and organized the Albany County 
Wheelmen. He held the office of secretary and treasurer of the organization and 
subsequently held the offices of president and captain. He represented the Albany 
Bicycle Club and the Albany County 'Wheelmen for several years in the National 
Assembly, L. A. 'W., and is a member of the auditing committee of that body. For 
two years he has been treasurer of the Albany Press Club and is a director and 
member of the Albany Musical Association. Mr. Gallien is also a Mason, being a 
member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M. 

Blair, Elmer, son of Robert S. and Jane E. (Steen) Blair, was born in Fort Hun- 
ter, N. Y., May 13, 1862. He was graduated from the Cobleskill Academy in 1881, 
when he removed to Albany to continue his studies, where he became an expert 
stenographer. After a short time spent in the office of M. 'V. B. Bull, he entered 
the service of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company as stenographer, and sub- 
sequently became confidential clerk to Dudley Farlin and H. S. Marcy, general 
freight agent and traffic manager, respectively, of that company. He held this 
position for five years, when he became the private secretary of Dudley Farhn, hav- 
ing charge of the private interests of that gentleman, vphich embraced operations 
on a large scale in the Lima, O., oil fields, and the developing of the electric light- 
ing business in various parts of this State. During this time Mr. Blair personally 
established and installed the electric lighting plants of Norwich and Cooperstown, 
N. v., and became the treasurer and general manager of the corporation in each of 
those places which controlled its gas artd electric lighting facilities. LTpon the re- 
tirement of Mr. Farlin from active business, Mr. Blair accepted a position, in 1893, 
with the Adirondack and St. Lawrence Railroad Company, having charge, under 
Chief Engineer William N. Roberts, of the business department of the construction 
force of that road, and upon its completion he became the private secretary to Ed- 
ward M. Burns, its general manager, and later his confidential agent, having 
charge of Dr. William Seward Webb's Adirondack camp site properties, until Jan- 
uary 1, 1895. Mr. Blau- then turned his attention to the study of law and removed 



34 

to Rochester, N. Y., where he read law in the office of Harris & Harris and prac- 
ticed stenography in the courts until the following September, when he returned to 
Albany and became the private secrerary of Col. William Gary Sanger, member of 
assembly from the Second Oneida district. He continued in Colonel Sanger's em- 
ploy during the legislative .session of 1896, and after the passage of the liquor tax 
law was appointed chief stenographer to the State Department of Excise. Mr. 
Blair was treasurer of the Young Men's Association of Albany in 1888, collecting 
during his incumbency the §100,000 building fund for Harmanus Bleecker Hail. On 
the expiration of his term as treasurer he was elected manager of the association 
for three years. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M. ; Tem- 
ple Chapter. R. A. M. ; De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M. ; Little Falls Com- 
mandery; Ziyara Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Utica; and Mount Herman Lodge, 
I. O. O. F., of Albany. On October 22, 1895, he married Ella L. Holliday of 
Oneida, N. Y. 

Jewett, Frederick G., son of Harry and Loraine (Goodsell) Jewett, was born in 
Owego, Tioga county. New York, in 1846. His ancestors on both sides were from 
New England, though his father was born in Putnam county, and his grandfather 
and great-grandfather in Dutchess county, New York, the latter (John) having been 
a Revolutionary soldier. Frederick was educated in the public .schools and at the 
Owego Academy. His first employment after leaving school was in the Owego 
post-office, which position he left to accept one on the United States Military Rail- 
roads m 1864. At the close of the war he accepted service with what was then the 
Atlantic and Great Western Railway, now a part of the Erie system, where he re- 
mained in various capacities until 1883 ; residing the greater portion of the time at 
Jamestown, N. Y. Having been engaged in railroad work in Ohio in the mean 
time, he went to Syracuse, N. Y., in 1890 as manager of the Central New York Car 
Service Association which was organized by the railroads of the State at that time, 
and in 1893 came to Albany, the offices of the association having'been removed here 
in September of that year. He is a member of various Masonic bodies ; the A. A. 
O. M. S., and of other fraternal organizations. Mr. Jewett married Lucy, a daugh- 
ter of Doctor David and lyouisa (Ransom) Earll of Tioga county. New York, Mrs. 
Jewett being a descendant of Samuel Ransom, a captain in the Continental Army, 
who was killed at the massacre of Wyoming, Pa., July 3, 1778. 

Sanders, Eugene, son of David I?, and Elizabeth (Bennis) Sanders, was born in 
Fort Edward, N. Y., February 8, 1864, and received his education in his native vil- 
lage. In 1889 he came to Albany as traveling salesman for Rogers & Ruso, dealers 
in typewriters and supplies, and two years later engaged in that business for him- 
self, continuing until the spring of 1894. In 1893 he also engaged in the bicycle and 
supply trade, and since 1894 has given this his whole attention, handling a number 
of high grade wheels. He is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, F. & A. M., the 
Ridgefield Athletic Club and the Albany County Wheelmen. In October, 1890, he 
married Clara R., daughter of Oramel E. Bostwick of Stillwater, N. Y. 

McHench, David B.. born September 21, 1826, in Albany, is the only son of Will- 
iam McHench, born in Hudson, N. Y., in 1789, died in Albany in 1873. WiUiara 
and his brother ran a grist mill for some years at Kenwood, afterward was connected 
with the Mechanics' & Farmers' Bank for forty-two years. He married Margaret 



35 

Boyd of Schenectady, daughter of David Boyd, the first president of the Mohawk 
Bank and was president until his death in 1834. Four children are now living. 
David B. McHench, attended the Albany Academy, and when nineteen became a 
clerk in a wholesale dry goods house in his native city. Ten years later he entered 
the office of a stove foundry and remained about nine years, and for fourteen years 
afterward was bookkeeper for a charcoal blast furnace at Richmond, Mass. In 
1877 he returned to Albany and shortly afterward established his present business, 
paper box manufacturing. He is one of the oldest and best known paper bo.x man- 
ufacturers in the city. In 1857 he married Sarah E. , daughter of the late Charles 
Dillon of Albany, the first manufacturer of fire brick in the State, and they have had 
two daughters, Laura (Mrs. Franklin H. Jones also of Albany) and Margaret Boyd, 
deceased. 

Ellis, Joseph, Whitcomb, son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Whitcomb) Ellis, was born 
in Springfield, Vt., September 18, 1839. His ancestors were English and lived in the 
vicinity of Boston, Mass. He began his school education early and at four years of 
age was a pupil in a family boarding school in Perkinsville, Vt. He completed his 
preparation for college at the Wesleyan Seminary in Springfield, Vt., and was gradu- 
ated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1858, ranking first in mathe- 
matics. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society and three years later re- 
ceived the degree of M. A. After his graduation he engaged in teaching and soon 
acquired a reputation as a superior teacher of mathematics. For thirty-five years he 
has been teaching continuously in the educational institutions of the State of New 
York. He taught in the seminaries at Fairfield, Oneida, Whitestown and in Cook 
Academy at Havana, N. Y. (now Montour Falls). While at the latter place he was 
appointed examiner of mathematics and science in the New York State Board 
of Regents at Albany, N. Y., which position he still holds. Professor Ellis is a mem- 
ber of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. February 5, 1863, he married Philena J. 
Knox of Knoxboro, Oneida county, N. Y. They have had three children, Mary, now 
on the staff of the New York State Library, J. William, a lawyer in Buffalo, and 
Clara. 

Dwight, Harvey Lyman, son of Harvey A. and Mary I. (Burton) Dwight, was 
born in Albany. N. Y., September 14, 1871. He is descended from an old line of 
ancestors, the first of whom in this country being one of the settlers of Dedhani, 
Mass., in 1634. Mr. Dwight received his education in the Albany Academy and was 
graduated from that institution in 1888. He then entered into business with bis 
father at No. 117 Pier, Albany, where he is now employed. December 5, 1889, he 
enlisted in Co. A, 10th Batt., N. G. N. Y., and so well did he acquit himself as a 
soldier, that he was very rapidly promoted. December 3, 1891, he was appointed a 
a corporal; January 25, 1892, a sergeant; and on June 5, 1893, he was appointed ad- 
jutant of the Tenth Battalion. 

Van Antwerp, Daniel Lewis, son of William and Sarah (Meadon) Van Antwerp 
(see sketch of John Henry Van Antwerp for genealogy), was born in Albany, Octo- 
ber 6, 1826, and received a public school and academic education. He learned the 
trade of bookbinder with A. L. Harrison, who had established himself in Albany 
about 1843, and whom Mr. Van Antwerp succeeded m 1852. This is one of the old- 
est, as well as one of the best equipped bookbinding and blank book manufacturing 



36 

establishments in the city, and under Mr. Van Antwerp's able management has en- 
joyed a prosperous career. The business for many years has been located at No. 16 
James street, where a large trade in all kinds of mercantile and other stationery is 
conducted and where printing and engraving are also done. 

Angus, Charles H., son of Charles and Mary (Pearl) Angus, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., in 1868. He attended the Albany public and High Schools and learned the 
carpenter trade with the firm of Gick &• Sayles, with whom he remained five years. 
In 1888he entered theemploy of the Albany Venetian Blind Co. as superintendent and 
manager, and soon after became a stockholder. In 1889, however, owing to the 
pressure of personal business, he sold his interest in the latter business and confined 
his attention to overhauling property at Castleton, N. Y. In October, 1890, Mr. 
Angus bought from the estate of E. S. Foster, the nickel plating works established 
in 1884 by George F. Dodge, and located on Pleasant street. In 1894 Mr. Angus 
moved the plant to Nos. 317 and 319, North Pearl street and changed the name to 
the Albany Nickel Plating and Manufacturing Works, where he does a general 
foundry, machine and plating business, and manufacturing hardware specialties. 
August 26, 1889, he married Phoebe M. Vose of Albany, and they have one daughter, 
Helen. 

Sabin, Charles H., was born in Williamstown, Mass., August 24, 1868. His father 
was Thomas Sabin, and his mother, Cordelia Eldridge, was the daughter of Col. Reu- 
ben E. Eldridge. The Sabins were early settlers in America, the first coming to America 
early in the seventeenth century. Charles H. Sabin received his education at Grey- 
lock Institute in South Williamstown, Mass., and in 1886 removed to Albany, 
N. Y. For two and one^alf years he was employed in the office of Henry Russell, 
flour merchant, and for the two years and one-half following, held a clerkship in the 
National Commercial Bank. He left the latter institution to accept the position of 
teller in the Park Bank of Albany, which place he filled for five years, and on 
February 1, 1895, he was appointed cashier of the bank. At the time of his appoint- 
ment he was the youngest cashier in New York State. Mr. Sabin has been prom- 
inently identified with the Ridgefield Athletic Club as treasurer for four years and as 
captain of the foot ball eleven. He is a member of the Young Men's Association 
and has been its treasurer for three years; he is also a member of the Fort Orange 
Club and of the Old Guard, Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y. 

Allen, Gen. D. Frank, is the son of William and Catharme (Wadleigh) Allen, and 
was born in Boston, Mass., December 25, 1843. He is a descendant of English an- 
cestors who took part in the founding of the government of the United States. He 
lived and worked on a farm until 1860, when he moved to New York and obtained 
employment in the house of Elias Howe, the first manufacturer of the sewing ma- 
chine, where he was second operator at the time of the breaking out of the war. 
General Allen enlisted in New York city and on April 27. 1861, was mustered for 
two years as a private in Co. G, 10th Regt. National Zouaves. He served his time 
and was discharged May 6, 1863, disabled by a broken down constitution. He was 
in the engagement at Big Bethel and took part in the defence of Fortress Monroe, 
during the battle of the Merrimac and Monitor. He was on the e.\pedition from 
Fortress Monroe to Norfolk, Va. , took an active part in the famous Seven Days' 
battle in Porter's Corps to the final battle at Malvern Hill, and fought at the battles 



37 

of Gaines Mill, White Oak Swamp, Second Bull Run, Antietam and Fredericksburg. 
In 1863 he removed to Albany and entered the pharmacy of Dr. Aaron Griffin and 
.subsequentlv acquired the possession of it. He remained there twelve years, when 
having sold out, he went into the employ of Judson, Parsons & Haskell, dealers in 
spices, and was with them five years, when the company went out of existence, suc- 
ceeded by Stephen H. Parsons. After two years spent in the packing department 
of Maurice E. Viele's hardware store, Mr. Allen went back to the employ of Stephen 
H. Parsons, with whom he remained until May, 1895, when he was appointed as- 
sistant adjutant-general of the department of G. A. R., and in May, 189(5, he was 
appointed acting assistant quartermaster-general of the department of N. Y. G. A. 
R. During Albert C. Judson's incumbency of the office of county clerk, Mr. Allen 
was a clerk in his office. He has been a member of Lew Benedict Post, No. 5, G. 
A. R., since 1884 and has passed all the chairs, being now past commander. He is 
a member and past grand of Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 38, 1. O. O. F. In 18G4 he 
married Mary E. Reynolds and they have nine children. 

Daring, Stephen J., son of Henry and Catharine M. (Beller) Daring, was born in 
the town of Wright, Schoharie county, September 15, 1862. He is of German descent, 
his great-grandfather having settled in Schoharie county shortly after the Revolu- 
tion. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Albany Normal 
School in 1883. After graduation he taught school for two years at his native place 
and was for four years the principal of public schools at Stuyvesant, Columbia 
county. In 1890 he began the study of law with Thorne & Beekman, at Middle- 
burg, Schoharie county. Subsequently he took the course at the Albany Law 
School and was graduated from that institution in 1893. Since then he has prac- 
ticed law in Albany and has his residence at Voorheesville, Albany county. In 
1895 he formed a copartnership with N. B. Spalding, the firm name being Spalding 
& Daring. Mr. Daring is a member of Vorheesville I^odge No. 668, I. O. O. F. 
June 13, 1893, he married M. May, daughter of Charles G. Clow, of Stuyvesant, and 
they have one son. 

Garvin, Martin L. R., son of Martin and Mary (Harvey) Garvin, was born in 
Charlton, Saratoga county, December 36, 1856. His father was of Irish descent 
and his mother of New England ancestry. Mr. Garvin was educated in the com- 
mon schools and worked on a farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he 
moved to Schenectady, N. Y., and took a course in Professor Bennett's Business In- 
stitute, afterward becoming associated with Professor Bennett in conducting the 
Institute, having charge of the bookkeeping department. In 1881 he removed to 
Albany, N. Y.. where he obtained a position with E. J. Larrabee & Co., bakers, oc- 
cupying successively the positions of shipping clerk, foreman and salesman, re- 
maining with them nine years. Subsequently he was salesman for Squire, Sherry 
& Galusha of Troy, N. Y. , and later had the State agency for Barlow Brothers, print- 
ers and publishers, of Grand Rapids, Mich. In 1894 Mr. Garvin was made assistant 
manager of the Albany Terminal Warehouse Company and recently he was .elected 
manager. He is an elder and deacon in the Sixth Presbyterian church of Albany 
and is a member of the board of managers of the Albany City Tract and Missionary 
Society. March 16, 1881, he married Rebecca Hogan of Troy and they have one 
son, Elmer B. 



Swett, Dr. Joseph B., jr., son of Josepl) B. and Emily C. (Gilson) Swett, was born in 
Brookline, N. H., March 5, 1865. He is descended from John Swett, who in t643 
came from Oxton, Devonshire county, Ehgland, and settled in Newbury, Mass.. and 
who was also a grantee of the town of Newbup'. Captain Benjamin, son of John, 
was killed in 1677, in the French and Indian war at Scarborough, Maine. Joseph 
Swett, grandson of Benjamin, settled in Marblehead, Mass., and was the first to en- 
gage in foreign trade and laid the foundation of the great commercial prosperity 
which Marblehead enjoyed before the Revolution. His son Samuel married Anna 
Woodbury, niece and adopted daughter of Rev. John Barnard in 1716, and their son 
Samuel was also engaged in foreign trade. His son, Henry Jackson Swett, a ven- 
erable citizen of Marblehead, was the grandfather of Dr. Joseph B. Swett, jr. 
The doctor attended Gushing Academy at Ashburnhara, Mass., and graduated 
from there in 1890. He then attended the Albany Medical College from which he 
graduated in 1893, receiving the degree of M. D. Since then he has practiced in 
Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Masters Lodge 
No. 5. F. & A. M., and Co. B, 10th Batt., N. G. N. Y. He is also instructor in 
Obstetrics at the Albany Medical College and attending physician at the Albany 
City Hospital Dispensary and to the Dispensary of the Albany City Mission. 

Blessing, Adam J. , M. D., was bom in McKownsville, Albany county, N. Y., 
September 5, 1864. He is a son of Martin M. Blessing and Elizabeth McKown, 
daughter of John McKown, who was one of the first settlers of McKownsville. The 
place was named McKownsville in his honor. Dr. Blessing passed through the 
public schools of Albany and attended the Albany High School for three years. He 
thereupon commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Vander Veer and in 1886 
received his diploma from the Albany Medical College, together with an appoint- 
ment to St. Peter's Hospital. He served one year at the hospital and immediately 
commenced the practice of medicine, with office at No. 114 (Jrand street, where he 
is now located. Dr. Blessing is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, the 
Albany County Medical Society, Clinton Lodge I. O. O. F., Ancient City Lodge F. 
& A. M., and Temple Chapter R. A. M. April 5, 1893, he married Lillian R., 
daughter of John L. Staats, and they have one son, A. Vander Veer. 

Wadsworth, Paul, was born in Auburn, N. Y. , June 13, 1854. His parents came 
from New England and he is descended from Christopher Wadsworth who landed 
at Duxbury, Mass., in 1630 and to whom was given by Miles Standish one of the first 
deeds executed by him, which now hangs in Plymouth Hall. The Wadsworth fam- 
ily is very prominent in New England history and Paul Wadsworth, the subject of 
this sketch, is a direct descendant of Captain Samuel Wadsworth, who with his com- 
pany of one hundred men, was massacred by Indians at Sudbury, Mass. Mr. Wads- 
worth received an academic education at the Auburn Academy and Geneva High 
School and in 1868 he entered the telegraph service at Saratoga, N. Y. He held the 
positions of operator and manager at different places in the State until the fall of 
1871, when he entered the service of the D. & H. C. Co., as operator at Cooperstown 
Junction, N. Y., from which point he was transferred to Binghamton, N. Y., as op- 
erator and ticket agent, and when the division superintendent's office was moved to 
Oneonta in 1873, Mr. Wadsworth was given the position of train dispatcher. He 
was made local freight agent at Albany, N. Y., in 1877 and remained at this post for 



39 

thirteen years when be was appointed assistant general freight agent and a few 
years later general freight agent, which position he now holds. In point of service 
Mr. Wadsworth is one of the oldest employees in the railroad department of the 
company. He held the position of president of the General Freight Agents Associa- 
tion of New England for one 3'ear and was also secretary for the same term. He is 
a member of a number of traffic organizations and his name appears upon important 
committees of same. Mr. Wadsworth is also a member and trustee of the Fourth 
Presbyterian church of Albany and is actively identified in church and Sundav school 
work. He is a member of the Albany Club, the Transportation Club of New York, 
and Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., of Albany. In 1876 he married Susie Walker 
of Pittsburgh, Pa., and they have one son and two daughters. 

Phisterer, Frederick, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 11, 1836. He 
enjoyed a liberal education in the high schools of his native country and while pre- 
paring for a course of law study at the University in Tubingen, emigrated to the 
United States in May, 1855. He joined Co. A, 3d U. S. Artillery, as a private on 
December 6, 1855; was promoted corporal October 12, 1858; sergeant, July 10. 1860, 
and was honorably discharged December 6, 1860. He was appointed sergeant major 
Eighteenth United States Infantry, July 31, 1861; promoted second lieutenant 
October 30, 1861; first lieutenant February 27, 1863; captain February 15, 1866; trans- 
ferred to 36th U. S. Infantry July 28, 1866; transferred to 7th U. S. Infantry March 
3, 1869, and was honorably discharged at his own request. August 4, 1870, received 
the Congressional Medal of Honor for special service at the battle of Stone River, 
Tenn., December 31, 1862, received brevets for the battles of Chattanooga, Tenn., 
and Resaca, Ga. His service in the National Guard began as captain of- the Gov- 
ernor's Guard Ohio National Guard, August 27, 1817, from which position he re- 
signed January 27, 1879. He was appointed acting assistant adjutant-general of 
New York January 1, 1880, and assistant adjutant-general November 22, 1892. 

Norton, David J., son of David and Catharine (Putnam) Norton, w^s born in the 
town of Buel, Montgomery county, August 12, 1832. The first Norton who came to 
America, landed at Martha's Vineyard during the early settlements in the sixteenth 
century. He subsequently moved into Connecticut, where he became a large land 
owner. Some of his descendants are now living in the town of Hebron, Conn. The 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a sharpshooter in the Revolutionary 
war, was taken prisoner by the Indians and later was imprisoned by the British. 
Toward the latter part of the war he was exchanged. For eight or ten consecutive 
terms he was a member of the Connecticut Assembly. David J. Norton was educated 
at the district schools and completed the course at the Cherry Valley Academy, after 
which he taught school in Schoharie county, N. Y., anc\ in Illinois. He returned 
East and after practicing law for a few years, was admitted to the bar in Februarv, 
1806, while residing at Sharon Springs. Soon after he moved to Albany, N. Y., and 
practiced law with ex-judge Voorhees. This partnership was dissolved after a time 
and another formed with William F. Beutler, which continued until Mr. Beutlerwas 
appointed assistant district attorney of Albany county. Since then Mr. Norton has 
practiced alone. He has traveled extensively and is a writer of great merit. He is 
the author of " Enid. " an opera given in Albany by the Albany Opera Company. 
He has also written many very entertaining stories for Frank Leslie's and 



40 

other papers and magazines, He represented the Sixteenth ward on the board of 
supervisors for one term and was alderman from the Fourteeuth ward for two terms, 
and while serving as alderman was chosen one of the members of the Committee of 
Albany's bi-centennial celebration in 1887. He was also a member of Beverwyck 
Lodge I. O. (). F. November 10, 1863, he married Almira Voorhees and they have 
two daughters: May and Margaret B. 

Walters, Charles, was born at the Watervliet Arsenal, Watervliet, Albany county, 
in 1845. He is a son of the late William Walters, captain and ordnance storekeeper, 
U. S. A., who died at New York Arsenal, Governor's Island, New York harbor, m 
1864,. whilst on duty at that station. Mr. Walters now occupies the position of chief 
clerk at the Arsenal; he is an unpretentious citizen, taking no active part in the 
affairs of the city of Watervliet, where he now resides. He entered the service of 
the government in 1861, and in 1870 came to Watervliet Arsenal to his present posi- 
tion, succeeding Isaac I. Fonda, deceased, late of Watervliet. 

Wight, Edward, was born in Belfast, Me., in 1835, and is a son of Samuel 
Wight, a captain of merchant ships, who died at sea. Mr. Wight was twenty-one 
years of age when he became a resident of West Troy. He has been one of the 
leading grocery dealers of West Troy for nearly half a century. His first grocery 
and market was located on Canal street, and is now at Twenty-third street, dealing 
in hay, grain and cordage, besides the grocery business, and is very successful. 

Reiley, Patrick, came to West Troy when twelve years of age, and is one of the 
older citizens of this city. He has always resided in tlie same block, and has conducted 
a grocery store here for forty-nine years. He has led an active political life and is 
now postmaster. Among the many public offices he has held are school trustee, 
village trustee, supervisor, overseer of the poor, and many others. Mr. Reiley was 
born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1822, coming to America when seven years of age, and 
settling in Troy. He has served thirty-si.x years as treasurer of St. Patrick's church, 
and forty-two years as trustee. 

Hart, John W., has been lifelong resident of West Troy, coming here in 184'Jfrom 
County Tipperary, Ireland, vi'here he was born in 1842. His father, Patrick Hart, 
now dead, was street commissioner here from_1869-70. Mr. Hart was educated at 
St. Patrick'sparochialschool, and first peddled papers, learning the cooper's trade later, 
at which he worked for fifteen years. He entered the baking business, in which he 
is so successfully engaged, in 1892. Mr. Hart has always been interested in the 
local affairs of West Troy, and served his fellowmen in many offices of trust and 
honor. His first office was that of village trustee from the Fourth ward in 1867-70. 
He was village collector in 1878, and chamberlain in 1879, being the first one to hold 
that office, as the office of treasurer was abolished. He held that office from 1879 to 
1885 inclusive, then resigned to take that of county sheriff for three years. 

Haswell, John L.. is the only son of the late Joseph M. Haswell, who died Janu- 
ary 6, 1872. J. M. Haswell came to West Troy from Waterford, Saratoga county, 
and took a prominent place in business. He was largely interested in lumber, being 
the senior member of the firm of Haswell & Mosher, and at the time of his death was 
president of the West Troy National Bank. J. L. Haswell was born at West Troy, 
January 1, 1866. He is not at present engaged in any active business, but has large 
real estate interests in the West. 



41 

Hudson, Charles D., born in Troy, N. Y.. August 26, 1853, is a son of Daniel 
Hudson, who married Mary A. Henry, of Schenectady, N. Y., and who moved in 
1837 from Schoharie county to Troy, where he lived to the time of his death. Mr. 
Hudson was educated in the common schools of Troy, but when a young man went 
to work in his father's box factory and afterwards in the Manufacturers' National 
Bank. He subsequently accepted a position as shipper in a collar factory, keeping 
up his studies as best he could. In 1868 he entered the law office of Smith, Welling- 
ton & Black of Troy, and was admitted to the bar in 1881. He at once commenced 
practice in the village of West Troy (now the city of Watervliet), Albany county, 
where he has been ever since, occupying the same office. He has been reasonably 
successful, having in both Rensselaer and Albany counties been engaged in some 
important litigations involving large amounts of property. He has conducted a 
general law business but has given special attention to the preparation and trial of 
causes. He is a Democrat in politics, but never held office. Having a taste for 
literature, he has written and published articles on historical and other subjects. 
He was married in Troy to Ruth M. Hudson and has one daughter, Mabel R. He is 
a memberof the Watervliet Club and an attendant of the First Avenue M. E. church. 

Scott, Jacob C. E., is of Scotch and Holland Dutch descent, his great-great-grand- 
father, John Scott, of New York, being a soldier in the Revolutionary war. John, 
.son of the latter, 1763-1817, was a soldier m the Revolutionary war, married Deborah, 
daughter of Jacob Klock and settled in Coeymans. Jacob Scott, son of the last 
John, was a resident of Albany, born 1793, died 1877, and served in the war of 
1813. He married Susan Varian Smith, cousin of Isaac L. Varian, mayor of New 
York and State senator. William J. Scott, son of Jacob, was born in New Balti- 
more, N. Y., in 1817, and has spent his active life in Albany as a gun manufac- 
turer and dealer, of the old firm of W. J. & R. H. Scott. He was for many years 
prominent in Democratic politics and was foreman of Steamer No. 11. of the Volun- 
teer Fire Department. He married Martha Jane Waters, who died in 1880, leavmg 
six children who survive her. Jacob C. E. Scott, son of William J., born in Albany, 
January 13, 1865, was graduated from the Albany High School in 1884, spent some 
time at Cornell University and finally entered the employ of the Morning Express, 
becoming successively reporter, exchange editior, editor of the Sunday edition and 
assistant associate editor. While discharging these duties he attended the Albany 
Law School, registering as a law student with Hon. John C. Nott, and received the 
degree of LL. B. in 1889. He spent one year as law reporter on the Albany Argus 
and in 1890 became private secretary and chief clerk to Mayor Manning, which posi- 
tion he held four years. In 1892 he also began the practice of law and since 1894 has 
given his whole time to his profession. In 1894 he was appointed a police commis- 
sioner and has since been the secretary of the Board of Police. He was president of 
the Albany High School Alumni Association in 1895-96. In 1891 he married Irene, 
daughter of John Weller Embler, of Walden, Orange county. 

Hessberg, Albert, was born December 13, 1856, in Albany, where his parents, 
Simon and Hannah Hessberg, settled in 1845, coming here from Germany. His 
father, a retired shoe merchant, is still living at the age of .seventy-three. Mr. Hess- 
l)erg on finishing his academical course at the High School, entered the law office of 
Peckham & Tremain. the firm consisting of Hon. Rufus W, Peckham, Hon. Lyman 



42 

Tremain and his son Grenville. He remained several years with this firm, acting as 
its managing clerk. In January, 1878, he was admitted to the bar at the General 
Term in Albany, at the first written examination under the new Code of Civil Pro- 
cedure. During 1878 death closed the career of both the Tremains, when Rufus W. 
Peckham associated himself with S. W. Rosendale and Mr. Hessberg, and the firm 
of Peckham, Rosendale & Hessberg maintained a high reputation. In 1883 Rufus 
W. Peckham was elevated to the Supreme Court bench, when the firm dissolved, and 
that of Rosendale & Hessberg formed, which has continued a successful law prac- 
tice. In April, 1881, Mr. Hessberg was appointed assistant corporation counsel of 
the city of Albany and served during the terms of Mayors Nolan and Banks. In 
the winter of 1884 he was named by the Common Council one of the commissioners 
to draft new laws and ordinances for the city. In the spring of 1888 he was elected 
recorder by a majority of 3,000 and served until 1892, when he was re-elected by a 
majority of 6,000 and served until May, 1896. He is public spirited and proud of 
the advancement, development and beauty of his native city. He was one who ren- 
dered valuable assistance in raising funds for the construction of Harmanus Bleecker 
Hall. He is a director of the Park Bank of Albany ; trustee of the Albany City 
Savings Institution ; manager of the society for providing a home for aged and des- 
titute Israelites; treasurer of the Xew York State Bar Association; a director in the 
Cohoes City Railway; vice-president of the United Charities Organization of Al- 
bany; president of the Watervliet Turnpike and Railroad Company; one of the 
managers of the University Centre; member of all the leading Albany clubs and 
ex president of the Bena Berith organization. On the 19th of June, 1889, he mar- 
ried Miss Irederika Cohn of Albany and they have two children: Rufus R., and 
Ruth C. 

Oothout, Volkert J., born in West Troy, N. Y., July 6, 1855, is a son of Jonas V. 
and Helen M. (Lobdell) Oothout. Mr. Oothout entered the law office, as a student. 
of Elias Van Olinda, counselor at law, of West Troy, and also attended the Albany 
Law School, from which he was graduated on May 27, 1881. He was admitted to 
the bar on May 28, 1881, and ever since that time has been engaged in the practice 
of law at West Troy, now the city of Watervliet. June 30, 1896, he was married to 
Sarah E. Blunn. Mr. Oothout is a descendant of Hendrick Oothout, who came from 
Holland and settled in Albany, and in 1713 purchased a large tract of land on the 
west side of the Mohawk River and settled there. A greater part of the land has 
been sold and is now populated with residences and manufactories, and includes the 
lands now comprising the village of Green Island, also a portion of the lands lying 
between the cities of Cohoes and Watervliet. 

Fennelly, P. E., M. D., a well known and prominent physician of West Troy, be- 
gan the study of medicine in his native country, Ireland, where he was "born in 1848. 
He was educated at St. Kyran's College. Kilkenny; in 1867 became to Americaand en- 
tered the Albany Medical College, graduating in 1869. He began his successful 
career as general practitioner here in 1870, and early reached the front rank of 
the profession. He is a valued member of the various medical societies and has 
been health officer here many years. 

Tracey, James F., son of John, was born in Albany, May 30, 1854. John Tracey, 
a native of Ireland, settled in Canada when he was fourteen years old. During the 



i 



43 

Canadian rebellion, or " Patriot War," of 1837 he removed to Albany, where he died 
July 12, 1875, in his sixty-sixth year. He was a successful merchant and a leading, 
respected citizen, and served, as a member of the Common Council, the Board of 
Education, the Board of Police Commissioners, a governor of the Albany City Hos- 
pital and a trustee of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. St. Agnes Ceme- 
tery, St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum, and the Albany Savings Bank. He was also a 
member of the Board of Trade. James F. Tracey was educated partly in the Albany 
Academy and partly abroad, and was graduated from Georgetown University at 
Washington, D. C, in 1874. He read law with M. T. & L. G. Hun and at the 
Albany Law School, class of 1875, and upon his admission to the bar began active 
practice in Albany. In 1877 he formed a copartnership with James Fenimore Cooper 
and his father, Paul Fenimore Cooper, which continued until 1893, when Albert 
Rathbone was admitted under the present firm name of Tracey & Cooper. Paul F. 
Cooper died in April, 1895, leaving the three surviving partners to continue the firm's 
large law practice. This firm is a continuance of the old law firm of Charles M. 
Jenkins and Paul F. Cooper, which at the time of the latter's death was believed to 
be the, oldest law partnership that had continued without change of name in the 
United States, it having existed without the admission of new members for about 
forty years. Mr. Tracey has conducted a general law practice with a specialty of 
business for banks and estates. He is an active Demcorat and during the first 
Cleveland campaign was president of the Young Men's Democratic Club of r\lbany. 
He was president of the Catholic Union two terras and is a trustee of various charita- 
ble and other societies. May 10, 1893, he married Lucianne Bosse, of Quebec, Can- 
ada, and they have one son, Walter. 

Robinson, Walter Foote, M. D., son of Albert David and Helen (Fay) Robinson, 
was born in Albany October 13, 1860. His father was appointed paymaster in the 
army and moved the family to Washington, D. C, where Dr. Robinson prepared 
for Princeton College in Mr. Young's Academy. After graduating from Princeton 
with the degree of B. S., he entered the Albany Medical College and was graduated 
therefrom in 1884 with the degree of M. D. He spent one year in the Albany Home- 
opathic Hospital and two years in general practice and then for three years made a 
specialty of the study of mental and nervous diseases, attending lectures in all the 
])rincipal hospitals of Pans, Vienna, Berlin and Heidelberg. In October, 1890, he 
returned to Albany, where he has since practiced his specialty of mental and ner- 
vous diseases. Dr. Robinson has perfected a number of electrical appliances of 
value to the medical profession. He is a member of the American Electro-Thera- 
peutic Association, the Albany Medical Society and the Albany Country Club. 

Stillman, Dr. William O., of Albany, N. Y., son of Rev. Stephen Lewis and 
Lucretia (Miller) Stillman, and grandson of Ethan Stillman, was born September 9, 
1856, at Normansville, a suburb of Albany. Dr. Stillman's paternal ancestry were 
Puritans, having come to this country in 1686 from England, and early took an active 
part in colonial life in Connecticut and Rhode Island. His mother's family came 
from Holland a little later and were numbered among the Dutch settlers of the Hudson 
River valley. During and subsequent to the Revolutionary war, Eihan Stillman, 
who owned a gun factory, manufactured large quantities of rifles for the Continental 
army, and a number of members of the family on both sides served in its ranks. 



44 

Dr. Stillman was educated in his native city and leceived the honorary degree of A. 
M. from Union College in 1880. He commenced the study of medicine in 1874, his 
medical preceptors being Drs. James H. Armsby, Samuel B. Ward and John P. Gray. 
He attended four courses of lectures at the Albany Medical College and received his 
degree February 3. 1878. taking the highest honors of his class and several prizes. 
Dr. Stillman was associated with the Drs. Strong in the management of their sani- 
tarium at Saratoga Springs from 1878 to 1883: at the end of that period he visited 
Europe and spent a year and a half in study in the universities of Berlin, Vienna 
and Paris and in the London hospitals. Returning to the United States m the autumn 
of 1884, he began the practice of medicine and surgery in Albany, which city has 
since been his residence. The project of a loan exhibition in 1886 to celebrate the 
bi-centennial of Albany's city charter, was first proposed by Dr. Stillman and he was 
most active in making it a success, as a member of the board of directors and chair- 
man of the building committee. From this exhibition he conceived the idea of a 
permanent museum, and mainly owing to his initiative, the Albany Historical and 
Art Association was incorporated, which institution will soon have a fine building 
of its own. As president of the Mohawk and Hudson River Humane Society, his 
philanthropic instincts have found full play, and much needed legislation has been 
secured throgh his efforts to promote humane work in the State. He is also a vice- 
president of both the State and National Humane Associations.. Dr. Stillman has 
been a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Albany Academy of Med- 
icine, the.Medical Society of the State of New York, the Association of American 
Anatomists, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the American 
Sociological Society and the Albany Institute ; trustee of the Albany Historical and 
Art Society; director of the Fairview Home since 1888; president of the Mohawk and 
Hudson River Humane Society since 1892; an officer of the Vigilance and Civic 
Leagues of Albany; a member of various social and political clubs; and of the order 
of Masons and Odd Fellows. He was physician to the Open Door Mission and Hos- 
pital for Incurables in 1887 and 1888; to the Babies' Nursery and Bathrop Memorial 
from 1888 to 1892; to the Home for Christian Workers since 1892; and to the Do- 
minican Monastery since 1887. He has delivered several courses of medical lectures 
before various bodies and is the author of many contributions to medical literature, 
notably on "Neurasthenia," "Cholera," "The Mineral Springs of Saratoga," and 
many others. Dr. Stillman married Miss Frances M. Rice, of Boston, in 1880, but 
has no other family. He is still engaged in the active practice of his profession in 
Albany. 

Walker, William J., is a son of John and Frances (Ginn) Walker, natives of the 
north of Ireland, who came to Albany about 1843. John was engaged in the cattle 
business and died in 1876, aged forty-nine. William J. Walker, born in Albany Feb- 
retary 13, 1853, attended public school No. 11 and when fourteen entered the law 
office of S. W. Rosendale and in 1869 the store of A. McClure & Co. , wholesale drug- 
gists. In 1882 he was admitted a partner in this firm, the name of which was changed 
in 1889 to McClure, Walker & Gibson, and in 1893 to Walker & Gibson, which it still 
bears. Theirs is strictly a wholesale drug business, covering the territory within a 
radius of about 200 miles of Albany. Mr. Walker has been police commissioner since 
1894, was the Republican candidate for mayor in 1895, was a delegate to the Rei)ub- 



45 

licau National Convention at St. Louis in June, 1896, and has frequently been a 
delegate to local and State political conventions. He is a member of the Fort Orange 
Club, one of the governers of the Albany City Hospital, a director in the National 
Commercial Bank and a trustee of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank, the 
Madison Avenue Reformed church and the Albany College of Pharmacy. In 1882 
he married Ada, daughter of John Craig of Fultonville, N. Y., and they have four 
children: William J., jr., Esther, Francis and Helen. 

Culver. Charles M., M. D., son of Cyrus L.'and Mary (Bullock) Culver, was born 
in West Troy, N. Y., September 38, 18.56. His father, a lumber merchant, was born 
in Sandy Hill, Washington county, March 29, 1824, came to West Troy in 1850 and 
now lives in Albany. Dr. Culver was educated in the public and high schools of 
Troy, and was graduated as B. A. from Union College in 1878; while there he was 
prominent in athletics and won several prizes. He received the degree of A. M. 
from Union College in 1881, read medicine in Schenectady and Albany with Dr. 
Thomas Featherstonhaugh (now medical referee in the Pension Department at 
Washmgton, D. C), and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1881. 
He then went to Europe and studied ophthalmology with Dr. Schweigger, general 
medicine with Dr. Frerichs, and general surgery with Dr. Langenbeck, in Friedrich 
Wilhelm University, Berlin. In 1882 he went to Paris and studied ophthalmology 
with Drs. Galezowski and Landolt, and later pursued the same study in Loudon, re- 
turning to America in 1883. He began the active practice of his profession in Al- 
bany, where he has since resided. His translations of Dr. E. Landolt's "Refrac- 
tion and Accommodation of the Eye and Their Anomalies" was published in Edin- 
burgh in 1886; of Landolt's "Cataract-Operation, in Our Time" in Nashville, Tenn., 
in 1892; and of Landolt's work on Strabismus is in course of publication in Phila- 
delphia, in the System of Ophthalmology to be edited by Drs. Norris and Oliver. Dr. 
Culver has written several articles which have been published in leading medical 
journals. He is ophthalmic surgeon to the Albany Orphan Asylum, member of the 
Ameritan Ophthalmological Society, the Medical Society of New York State and 
the Albany County Medical Society, historian of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of 
the Revolution, and a member through three ancestors, and a member of the So- 
ciety of the Colonial Wars through four ancestors. May 10, 1887, he married Jessie, 
daughter of the late Joel Munsell of Albany, and they have two children: Cyrus L. 
2d, and Mary. 

Crawford, Charles H., M. D., son of Isaac and Hannah (French) Crawford, the 
former a native of Scotland and the latter of Massachusetts and a descendant of 
John French of Revolutionary fame, was born March 17, 1851, and was graduated 
with the degree of A. B. from the Maryland University at Baltimore in 1873. He 
read medicine with the late Dr. Frank Hamilton in New York city for four years, 
taking lectures in ihe mean time at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He 
came to Albany in 1879 and entered the office of Drs. Swinburne and Balch, and 
graduated from the AlbanyjMedical College in 1881 ; since then he has practiced his 
profession in Albany, giving special attention to diseases of women and children; 
his office is located at 218 Hudson avenue. He is energetic and a hard worker and 
enjoys a wide practice among the best people of the city and vicinity, and whose 
judgment is considered equal to any in his profession. He is a member of the Al- 



bany County Medical Society, Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M.. Clinton Lodge 
No. T, I. O. O. F., Chancellor Lodge No. 58, K. P., and Clan Macfarlane No. '22, 
O. S. C. 

Curtis, Frederic C, M. D., born at Unionville, S. C. October 19. 1843. is of New- 
England parentage and a descendant in the seventh generation of Henry Curtis, 
who was born at Stratford-on-Avon, England, in 1621 and came to America in 1643, 
settling in Wethersfield, Conn. For three generations the family resided in Connec- 
ticut and subsequently removed to Stockbridge. Mass. , where they have since lived. 
Rev. L. W. Curtis, father of Dr. Curtis, went South on account of his health when 
he was a young man and soon after settling in South Carolina was married to Eliza- 
beth Colton, of Lenox, Mass. Two sons were born to them ; The eldest. Frederic 
C. Curtis, passed his early days in South Carolina, but while a lad removed to 
Canaan, N. Y., and subsequently entered Beloit College, Wisconsin, from which he 
was graduated in 1866, and in 1869 was awarded the degree of M. A. In 1864 he 
entered the U. S. army as a private in the 41st Wisconsin Regiment, Co. B, which 
was chiefly composed of Beloit College students. After completing his college 
course. Dr. Curtis began the study of medicine at the University of Michigan and 
finished it at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, from which 
institution he received his degree of M. D. in 1870. He subsequently pursued his 
medical studies for a year in Vienna. In 1872 Dr. Curtis began the active practice 
of his profession in Albany, in partnership with Dr. W. A. Bailey. He also, the 
same year, became a member of the Medical Society of the County of Albany and 
was its secretary from 1873 to 1874 and its president in 1878. In 1888 he was elected 
by the County Society a delegate to the Medical Society of the State of New York, 
of which he became a permanent member in 1882. He was made its .secretary in 
1889 and still retains the office. In 1883 he became a member of the American Pub- 
lic Health Association. He was appointed physician to the Albany Hospital Dis- 
pensary in 1872, a member of the medical staff of St. Peter's Hospital in 1874, 
of the medical staff of Albany Hospital in 1876, lecturer in the summer course of the 
Albany Medical College in 1877 and professor of dermatology in the college in 1880. 
He is a trustee of the Albany Female Academy and of the Albany County Savings 
Bank, and a member of the Sons of the Revolution. In 1884 he married Charlotte 
E., daughter of Royal Bancroft of Albany. He has made a number of valuable 
contributions to current medical literature. 

Davenport, Samuel J., son of Valentine and Maria (Palmatier) Davenport, was 
born in Schoharie, N. V., June 3, 1834, and is a grandson of Samuel Davenport, who 
was master mechanic at the Greenbush barracks during the war of 1812. The fam- 
ily came from England very early and settled originally on Long Island. Mr. Dav- 
enport received a public school education and remained on the paternal farm in 
Schoharie county until he reached the age of eighteen, when he came to Albany and 
was employed in the lumber district until 1870, being lumber inspector for about 
eighteen years. He then engaged in paving streets, as a member of the Scrimshaw 
Paving Company, which in 1876 became S. J. Davenport & Company. In 1880 this 
firm was dissolved and continued by S. J. Davenport until 1892, when it was 
reorganized by Mr. Davenport and his brother, George W., of Altamont, under 
the old firm name of S. J. Davenport & Company, which still continues. In 



1872 he began street sprinkling on contract, and the firm now carries on a large 
business in both lines and also in general contracting. He had the contract for 
improving the capitol park in October, 1888, and the following year took up the 
business of transplanting large trees. He occupied the "Old Elm Tree Corner" 
building at the junction of North Pearl and State streets when it burned and 
was the first to occupy the new Tweddle building after its completion. He was 
one of the principal founders of Grace M. E. church, has been a trustee since its 
organization and president of the board since 1876, and was chiefly instrumental 
in erecting the present edifice. He is an active Republican and a veteran member 
of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. He has a fine and valuable collection of geo- 
logical specimens from all parts of the world. In 1858 he married Eliza A. Bur- 
banks, who died in 1871, leaving one son, Frank R., who died in 1894, aged thirty- 
five. Mr. Davenport married again in 1872 Isabella Wayne, of Iowa. 

Davis, Charles Edmond, M. D., son of Thomas D. Davis, was born near Montreal. 
Canada, November 10, 1867, and when young moved with his parents to Waterford, 
N. Y. , where he was graduated from the Waterford High School. He then engaged 
in the drug business, receiving a State drug license in 1889. He read medicine witli 
Dr. Zeh of Waterford and the late Dr. Swinburne of Albany, and was graduated 
from the Albany Medical College in 1891. In 1889 and 1890 he was resident physi- 
cian to the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital and in 1891 he began the active practice 
of his profession in Albany. Dr. Davis is secretary of the Albany Board of Pension 
Surgeons, instructor in the Albany Medical College, and a member of the City Board 
of Health. He served a membership in Co. A, 10th Battalion, N. G. N. Y., and is 
now a member of the Old Guard of Co. A, and Hospital Steward of the Battalion. 
He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, a delegate elect to the New 
York State Medical Society, a member of Masters Lodge, F. & A. M., Temple 
Chapter, R. A. M., Flower Lodge, K. P., and the Fort (Grange and Albany Camera 
Clubs, and a member of the board of directors of the last named club. 

Boardman & Gray. — This well known piano firm was founded in Albany in 18S7 
by William G. Boardman and James A. Gray. Mr. Gray was the practical member 
of the concern and was born in New York city in 1814. After serving a regular ap- 
prenticeship in piano forte making, he worked for several years as a journeyman 
and finally joined Mr. Boardman, who, as a business man, had begun the manufac- 
ture of pianos on a small scale. They established a factory, over which Mr. Gray 
had the practical supervision, until shortly before his death in 1889, Mr. Boardman 
retiring about 186(i, and died in 1880, Mr. Gray was among the leaders in develop- 
ing the American piano and bringing it to its present high standard of perfection. He 
probably contributed more improvements than any other maker in the United States, 
and the firm has always made every part of the instrument. The original name of 
Boardman & Gray has been continued unchanged and the business is now carried 
on by James S. and William J. Gray (sons of James A.), and William H. Currier, of 
Toledo, Ohio. From 1877 to 1885 the firm was composed of James A. Gray and his 
eldest son, William J. Gray ; at the death of the father in 1889 the present partner- 
ship was formed. Their pianos have from the first taken a foremost rank among the 
best instruments of the kind in the world and are found in almost every civilized 
country on the globe. 



48 

Bacon, Allen H., is a member of the wholesale coffee, spice and tea firm of Bacon, 
Stickney & Co., whose business was started at Nos. 7 and 9 Exchange street in 
1835 by William Froment and William Prentiss, under the firm name of Froment & 
Co. In 1838 they sold out to George L. Crocker, who was succeeded in 1845 by 
Luther A. Chase and Moses W. Stickney. The firm of L. A. Chase & Co. continued 
the business until 1851, when Mr. Stickney retired and Samuel N. Bacon and Leander 
Stickney (brother of Moses W.) were admitted, the name remaining unchanged. 
March 21, 1857, S. N. Bacon, M. W. Stickney and L. Stickney became sole proprie- 
tors under the firm name of Bacon & Stickneys, and in 18(il they erected a new 
building, forming a part of the firm's present quarters on Dean street. On the 
admission of James Ten Eyck, March 1, 1865, the name of Bacon, Stickneys c& Co. 
was adopted. Moses W. Stickney died in February, 1879, and his brother, Lean- 
der, in January, 1883. In 1888 a five story building was added to their plant on 
Dean street, where a large wholesale trade in coffees, spices and teas is conducted, 
being one of the oldest of its kind in the State. The same year Herbert W. Stick- 
ney, son of Leander, was admitted. Milton W. Stickney, son of Moses W. , was a 
member of the firm from March, 1879, to March, 1882, and on March 1, 1888, Allen 
H. Bacon (son of Samuel N.) and Samuel W. Brown became partners. Samuel N. 
Bacon died September 11, 1889; on October 1, following, the firm was reorganized 
and now consists of James Ten Eyck, Herbert W. Stickney. Allen H. Bacon and 
Samuel W. Brown. 



Cohn, Mark, born in New York city, November 20, 1852, removed with his parents 
about 1861 to Albany, where his father, Louis Cohn, was engaged in the wholesale 
and retail clothing business until his death in 1877. He was educated in the public 
schools and Levi Cass's private school of Albany, read law in the office of Hand & 
Hale, Hon. Jacob H. Clute and Peckham & Tremain. He attended the Columbia 
Law School and received the degree of LL. B. from the Albany Law School in 1873 
and was admitted to the bar in 1874. Since them he has been in the active practice 
of his profession. He is a Democrat, a member of the Albany Press Club and in 
1892 was appointed assistant district attorney. In 1878 he married Sara Oppenheim 
of Albany, and they have two daughters, Olma and Therese. 

Foster, Henry S., is a son of John Newton Foster, who was born in Utica, N. Y., 
June 28, 1836, and came to Albany about 1838, his parents having died while he was 
an infant. John N. was apprenticed to the gilding trade in the family of Lawson 
Annesley, and later engaged in the picture frame business under the firm name of 
Chapin & Foster. From about 1873 he was connected with the fire insurance patrol, 
as superintendent. He was member of assembly in 1878, superintendent of the 
poor two years, member of Co A, of the Old Guard, and during the panic of 1873 
conducted a store for the relief of distres.sed families. He died April 13, 1895. He 
married Mary A. Snyder, who survives, and of their six children Fred H. died De- 
cember 27, 1895. Henry S. Foster, born in Albany, July 16, 1865, became a clerk at 
the age of fifteen in the oflSce of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Albany 
(incorporated 1836), with which he has ever since been connected, serving as book- 
keeper, cashier, etc. On the death of George Cuyler in November, 1893, he was 
elected secretary and general manager. He also represents a number of other large 
American and foreign fire insurance companies as well as life and accident insur- 



49 

auce. He is a local director of the New York Mutual Savings and Loan Associa- 
tion, a charter member (188(i) of the Empire Curling Club, and has been secretary of 
the latter since its incorporation in 1891. He has been prominently identified with, 
and a subordinate officer in, the Grand Lodge, I. O. O. F., is a member of Temple 
Lodge. No. U, F. & A. M., the Albany Club, and other local institutions. The fol- 
lowing in relation to the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Albany is quoted from 
•' The Industries of Albany " : 

For sixty years the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of this city has ably demonstrated the 
beneficence and usefulness of its policy of fire insurance, which being divested of the purest 
commercial element that attaches to that of the great majority of insurance companies, results 
in a great saving to its patrons, while at the same time affords them equal safety and positive in- 
demnity in case of loss and damage by fire. This company was organized in 18.36, and its busi- 
ness is a purely mutual one, every policy-holder being a beneficiary in the profits arising from 
the business. What the savings bank is in banking, the Mutual Fire Insurance Company is in 
fire insurance, and during its l9ng and honorable career it has saved to its cu.stomers over $500,- 
iMX). while it has paid all just claims for losses that have been incurred. The company insures all 
desirable property for one or three years on the cash or note plan, and all its risks are carefully 
placed, the business being conducted with the greatest caution. From the last public statement 
ulated January 1, 189T, we note that the net cash assets of the company were $1&3,H8.21, which 
amount would be entirely used for the payment of claims before the premium notes of $319,- 
iMJS.Sl would be resorted to. Thf^'n.ss .ivailabk- assets are $50-2,IHia.03.) The company's rates are as 
low as any other first-class th lupany, and as the profits are divided among the 

policy-holders, are in fact in.. -..■ obtainable elsewhere. The company's line of 

business under the able maiia, utive committee and of Mr. H. S. Foster, secre- 

tary and general manager, ha^ .iiile. 

Mullenneaux, Marcus H., of French Huguenot and English stock, son of Tunis T. 
and Mary Wright, was born near Newburgh, N. Y., January 5, 1852; passed his 
boyhood on the the farm untir fifteen years of age, then taught school several years; 
was graduated from the Albany Normal School in the spring of 1873. He taught 
natural science and mathematics in Claverack College and Hudson River Insti- 
tute until 1877 ; was graduated with the degree of LL.B. from the Albany Law School 
in 1878, read law with Newkirk & Chase of Hudson, and was admitted to the bar in 
the fall of that year at the General Term of the Supreme Court in Brooklyn. He prac- 
ticed law in Newburgh until 1885, when he accepted the general agency for Eastern 
New York of the National Life Insurance Company of Montpelier, Vt. , which po.si- 
tion he has since held. He is a member of the e.xecutive committee of the Life Un- 
derwriters' Association of Eastern New York and a director of the Albany Musical 
Association. Mr. Mullenneaux has built up a large and satisfied constituency for 
his company in the Hudson River valley, notwithstanding the company had not 
before been represented by a general agency in this part of the State. In the spring 
of 1893 he moved his general office from Newburgh to Albany. In 1880 he married 
Ella, daughter of Elbert Verity of Brooklyn, and they have two sons; Elbert V. 
and Marcus H., jr. 

Hollands, William, was born November 4, 1887, in the town of Watervliet, Albany 
I I'lmty. and is the son of William and Mary (Palmer) Hollands. He was educated 
m the public and private schools of West Troy and was graduated from the Albany 
Law School in 1862. After the death of his father in 1853 he assumed the con- 
trol of the West Troy Advocate, which his father had successfully conducted 
prior to his death, and continued the publication until its abandonment in 1864. 



50 

He was elected justice of the peace of the town of Watervliet for an unexpired 
terra 1863 to 1865, and from 1865 to 1873 he was engaged in mercantile business with 
Thomas and James Scarborough. Mr. Hollands was postmaster of West Troy from 
September, 1865, to March, 1878. In 1873 he began the practice of law, which he has 
since continued, and is also engaged in the fire insurance business. He is a member 
of the Watervliet Social Club and warden of Trinity Episcopal church. October 
3, 1867, he married Harriet N., daughter of Thomas S. Truair, of Syracuse, N. Y. 

Hickey, Dennis, jr., is the representative of one of the oldest families of the south 
end of Albany, is a son of Dennis Hickey, for forty years a wholesaleliquor dealer here, 
and who died in 1893. Mr. Hickey vi'as born in Albany in 1867, and was educated at 
the Christian Brothers' School. He first entered the grocery business, the manage- 
ment of which in 1889 he gave over to a younger brother. In 1890 he opened a large 
store in Gloversville, then retured to Albany, locating at the corner of Elm and Swan 
streets ; after one year he came to West Troy, and is now proprietor of the United 
States Grocery and Provision Co., situated on Broadway and Nineteenth streets. 
The success of this establishment attests the energetic capabilities and shrewd busi- 
ness policy of its manager. 

Hessberg, Samuel, son of Simon and brother of Albert Hessberg, was born in Al- 
bany, June 13, 1859, was educated in the public and high schools and in 1876 entered 
the telegraph department of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. under Henry R. Pierson, 
who was the resident director of the road at that time. In 1879 he became superin- 
tendent of the telegraph lines between Albany and Buffalo, a position he resigned 
in 1881 to enter the employ of Mr. Pierson, who had engaged in the banking and 
brokerage business In September, 1889, as manager, he opened a banking and 
brokerage office in Albany for J. S. Bache & Co., and in April, 1893, became a mem- 
ber of the firm. As a business man Mr. Hessberg's career is one of uninterrupted 
success. In financial matters his opinion is often sought and highly valued. He 
was especially active in reorganizing the Distillers and Cattle Feeding Company in 
March and April, 1895. He has been for a number of years a manager of the Young 
Men's Association, a member and ex-president of the Adelphi Club, and a member 
of the Albany Club. He is prominently connected with several charitable organiza- 
tions. February 5. 1896, he married Rose G., daughter of Isaac Brilleman, one of 
the leading jewelers of Albany. 

Viele, Maurice Edward, is descended from Cornelius Cornelison Viele, who fled 
from France to Holland to escape persecution, came to Fort Orange, now Albany, 
and subsequently removed to Schenectady, where he resided when that place was 
destroyed by the Indians, and whence he returned to Albany in 1670. His son, 
Ludovickus Viele, born 1709, married Maria Frear; their son, Jacob, married Eva 
Le Fort; and their son, Ludovickus, married Effie Toll. Hon. John L. Viele, son of 
the latter, 1788-1832, married Cathalina, daughter of John and granddaughter of 
Col. John Knickerbocker, of Schaghticoke, where Col. John raised and commanded 
a regiment in the Revolution, participating in the battle of Saratoga. She died in 
1837. Hon. John L. Viele was assemblyman from Saratoga county, senator from the 
Fourth district, two terms each, and was a Regent of the University of New York at 
the time of his death. Maurice E. Viele, his son, born in Waterford, N. Y., May 17, 
1823, attended the academy at Lansingburgh and in 1837 came to Albany to finish 



51 

his education in the academy here. After clerking in Albany and New York, lat- 
terly for Boorman, Johnston, Ayers & Co., iron merchants, he formed in November, 
1845, a partnership with Alexander Davidson, and as Davidson & Viele purchased 
the hardware store in Albany of M. Van Alstyne & Co. Mr. Davidson died in ltr59 
and Mr. Viele continued the business with other parties until 1864, when he became 
sole owner. In 1891 he transferred the stock to the Albany Hardware and Iron 
Company and retired from active life, being at that time the oldest hardware mer- 
chant in the capital city. During his career he bought out six different hardware 
concerns. He was an organizer and long a director of the Merchants Bank of Albany, 
was for several years a director in the Commercial National Bank, was an organizer 
and president of the old Albany Agiicultural and Art Association, and has been a 
trustee of Rutgers College since 18.J3, being the second oldest member ot that board. 
He has been a trustee of the Albany Orphan Asylum since about 1850 and of the 
Albany Academy since 1872, was president of the Albany County Bible Societ\ , and 
Albany City Tract and Missionary Society several years, and was an incorporator 
in 1876 and since 1892 president of the Home for Aged Men. For eight years he has 
been a trustee of the Berkshire Industrial Farm at Canaan Four Corners, Columbia 
county, and in politics has been a Republican since the formation of that party. In 
1850 he married Maria, daughter of Charles De Kay Townsend, M. D., of Albany. 
She died in 1889. 

Wing, Albert J., was born in Albany, N. Y., September 18, 1859. He was gradu- 
ated from Cornell University in 1880, and subsequently entered business life as a 
member of the firm of Albert Wing, Sons & Co., wholesale grocers. He was for 
several years actively connected with the N. G. S. N.Y., being a captain in the 10:h 
Battalion, when he received his honorable discharge in 1889. He is a member of 
the Fort Orange Club, of which he has been a trustee, and is a trustee of the Albany 
City Homeopathic Hospital. Albert Wing, his father, born in Dutchess county 
in 1815, came to Albany about 1836 and in 1841 founded on Quay street the pres- 
ent wholesale grocery business of Wing Brothers & Hartt. His first partner was 
William Cook, the firm being Cook & Wing. They were followed successively 
by Cook, Wing & Wooster, Cook & Wing again and Wing & Wooster. On Mr. 
Wooster's death in 1871, Mr. Wing became sole owner. In 1873 his son, James 
C, was admitted under the firm name of Albert Wing & Son, vchich in 1876 
became Albert Wing, Son & Co., and in 1881 Albert Wing, Sons & Co., by 
admitting Albert J. into the firm. Mr. Wing died in May, 1887, and the present 
firm name of Wing Brothers & Hartt was adopted. Albert Wing was a director in 
the First National Bank and one of the leading business men of Albany. He mar- 
ried Maria Carle of Charleston, Montgomery county, N. Y., who died November 
16, 1895. They had three children ; Kate A., James C. (who died in March, 1893) 
and Albert J. 

Goold, James, was born in Granby, Hartford county. Conn., in the year 1789. 
When he was four years of age his parents removed to Stephentown, Rensse- 
laer county, where he remained until he was ten or twelve years of age. In the 
winter of 1804 he went to Troy, N. Y., as an apprentice in the bookbinding es- 
tablishment of Obadiah L. Penniman & Co. " He left Troy shortly after and removed 
to Pittsfield, Mass., where he entered the carriage factory of William Clark and 



52 

commenced to learn the trade that was to be his life work. After eighteen months' 
service, Mr. Clark failed and Mr. Goold engaged himself to Jason Clapp and com- 
pleted his trade. In August, 1809, he went to Coxsackie, N. Y., where he worked 
for JohnR. Vandenburgh. The following winter he attended school at Lebanon, 
N. Y., and in May, 1810, after visiting New York, Newark and other places, in search 
of employment, he reached New Haven and worked with various firms until the 
following December. After a brief visit to his home in Stephentown, he worked for 
L. Thrall in Troy. April 15. 1813, he moved to Albany, N. Y., and commenced 
business on the corner of Maiden Lane and Dean street, on ground now occupied by 
Stanwix Hall. The building was leased from the late Peter Gansevoort; two years 
afterward, owing to increased business, Mr. Goold leased premises on Division 
street, below Broadway, then known as South Market street. In 1833 he moved part 
of his business to new buildings on Union street and in 1836, after having erected a 
sufficient number of buildings, he moved the entire plant thither. May 25, 1838, 
the works on Union street were totally destroyed by fire, and such was the feeling 
of sympathy that a meeting of citizens was called, at which meeting a committee 
was appointed which tendered to Mr. Goold a loan of a large amount, without in- 
terest, to enable him to re-establish his business; needless to say, all this money was 
duly paid back, in the required time. Since the rebuilding at that time the business 
has been continued uninterruptedly, with the exception that after Mr. Goold'sdeath, 
the plant was moved from Union street t.^ lower Broadway, where it is now located 
and doing business under the name of the James Goold Company, William D. Goold 
being president. In 1814 Mr. James Goold was married to Elizabeth, daughter of 
Samuel Vail. They lived together to celebrate not only their golden wedding, but 
the sixtieth anniversary as well. Such was the feeling existing between Mr. Goold 
and his employees, that when he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of the establish- 
ment of the business, they presented him with a silver service. He was one of the 
oldest members of the Young Men's Association and served one term in the Common 
Council as alderman, having been elected by the Whigs. He was a prominent 
member of the Second Presbyterian church. He died October 1, 1879, in his ninetieth 
year, having won the respect and esteem of all who met him, and many were the 
hearts saddened by his demise. 

Jones, Andrew B., son of Benjamin G. and Almira E. (Morhouse) Jones, was born 
in Whallonsburg, Essex county, N. Y., May 19, 1840, and when very young moved 
with his parents to Clintonville, Clinton county, where he received a district school 
education. When thirteen he entered a general store as clerk, and when sixteen 
spent about six months at the- Keeseville Academy. In 1858 he becfime a clerk in a 
general store in Shushan, Washington county, and later was a clerk for George Bristol 
& Co., dry goods dealers in Troy, where in 1862 he became bookkeeper and cashier 
for Moore & Nims, booksellers, with whom he remained eight years. In the spring 
of 1870 he engaged in the whole^le millinery business in Albany, as a member of 
the firm of Heller & Jones, but five years later sold out and became a partner in the 
Hudson Valley Paper Company, wholesale paper dealers. In the year 1862 Mr. 
Jones enlisted as a member of Co. G, 24th Regt. N. G. N. Y., and was later appoint- 
ed successively quartermaster-sergeant, commissary of subsistence, and quarter- 
master of the regiment. He is a vestryman of St. Paul's P. E. church of Albany. 



53 

In 1871 he married Alice Louise, daughter of Pomeroy Tucker of Pahiiyra, N. Y. ; 
she died June 10, 1891, leaving four children: Lucy Elizabeth, Alice Frances, Flor- 
ence Juliette and Sydney Tucker. 

Johnson, James C, is of English and Dutch descent and a son of Peter and Abigail 
(Verplank) Johnson, and was born in Greene, Chenango county, N.Y., August 28, ISiJO. 
His grandfather, Isaac I. Johnson, was a farmer m New Scotland. His mother was 
a daughter of David I. and granddaughter of Isaac Verplank and a cou.sin of Hon. 
C. J. Colvin, the father of \'erplank Colvin, the present State surveyor. Mr. Johnson 
was educated in the common schools of New Scotland, Albany county, where the family 
settled about 1837, and in Albany, whither they moved in 1843. His father died at 
Schodack Landing in February, 1881. Pursuing his studies at the Albany Academy he 
finished his education at a private school kept by Mr. Helm. He read law with Craw- 
ford & Phelps of Cohoes, and with Cole & Geissenheimer of New York city, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1853, in the same class with Chester A. Arthur. He practiced 
law in New York and Cohoes until 1856, when he came to Albany, where he has since 
resided, being associated at different times with W. C. McHaig and Hon. Galen R. 
Hitt. In politics he is a Democrat. In October, 1857, he married Lydia A. Palmer- 
ton of Ballston, N. Y., who died in 1866, leaving one child, since deceased. He 
married, second, in January, 1871, Loretta C. Markle, of New Salem, Albany county, 
and they have two children : James Howard and Mary Loretta. 

Lawyer, George, is a descendant of Johannes Lawyer, who came from Holland to 
Schoharie, N. Y., about 1700 on a surveying expedition, and whose son, Johannes 
H., was granted 36,000 acres of land in what is now Schoharie county, by King 
George II. The latter was commissioned by Governor Tryon in 1772 ensign in 
Shaffer's Company of Foot and by Sir Henry Moore, Bart., ensign of Grenadiers. 
He served as lieutenant in the 15th N. Y. Regt. through the Revolutionary war, as 
did also his son Jacob, who was an ensign. Jacob I. Lawyer, son of Jacob, suc- 
ceeded his ancestors as a large land owner in Schoharie, and married Nancy Spraker, 
who died in 1.S84, aged 101. Their son, George, who is living at Schoharie Court 
House at the age of ninety, owns much of the ancestral grant. Dr. James Lawyer, 
son of George, practiced medicine in New York city and at Middleburgh, N. Y., and 
was for SIX years treasurer of Schoharie county, where he died November 26, 1890. 
During the Rebellion he was assistant surgeon in Bellevue Hospital. He married, 
first, Eliza J. Irwin, who died in 1880, leaving an only son, George, of Albany. He 
married, second, her sister, Mrs. Marion K. Case, who survives. George Lawyer, 
born in New York city, September 34, 1864, attended Schoharie Academv, was 
graduated from Hamilton College in 1885, vvi'.h membership in Phi Beta Kappa, and 
read law with Judge S. L. Mayham, of Schoharie Court House. He was graduated 
from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in May, 1887. spent two years 
in the office of Clark Bell in New York city, and in 1890 began the practice of law in 
Albany as partner of F. E. Wadhams. Since 1893 he has practiced alone. He is a 
foundation member of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution, and has 
been its secretary since 1895. He is one of the first members of the Military Order 
of Foreign Wars of the United States and of Troop A, Cavalry of New York (in 
which he served two years), and of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. He was ad- 
mitted to practice in the Ignited States courts in ls90. In 1S93 he married Agnes 



54 

Estelle, daughter of David B. Pershall, of New York city. Their children are James 
Pershall and George Irwin. 

Moore. Charles H., M. D., was born in Albany December 7, 1857, and ou his 
father's side is of Quaker descent. His great-grandfather, James Moore, was born 
in Albany county in 1750; his grandfather was Joseph Moore, also a native of this 
county. His father. Dr. Levi Moore, was born in the village of Quaker Street in Al- 
bany county, January, 1837, graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1851 and 
practiced medicine in Albany until his death, June HO, 1880. He married Georgenia, 
daughter of Adam Todd, the builder of Geological Hall and a prominent Albanian of 
Scotch descent. Dr. Levi Moore was one of the best known physicians of his day, 
and was president of the Albany County and a member of the New York State Med- 
ical Societies. Dr. Charles H. Moore was educated in the public schools and High 
School at Albany, read medicine with his father, and later with Drs. William H. and 
Theodore P. Bailey, and graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1887. He be- 
gan practice in Albany and since June, 1889, has been associated with Dr. C. S. Merrill. 
In 1888-8!) he took a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic, and was also 
connected with the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, where he spent much of his 
time. Since then he has made a specialty of diseases of the eye and ear. He is a 
member of the Albany County Medical Society and was made its secretary in 1896; 
he is a member of the Albany Camera Club, is assistant eye and ear surgeon to the 
Albany City Hospital and the Child's Hospital, and eye and ear surgeon to the Troy 
Hospital, also instructor in ophthalmology in the Albany Medical College. In 1892 
he married Emma A. . daughter of Walter Gaige, of Albany ; they had one son, Walter 
Gaige Moore, who died in August, 1896. 

Wackerhagen, William B., is a grandson of Augustus (lunther George Wacker- 
hagen, a Lutheran clergyman, who came to this country from Hanover, Germany, 
in the latter part of the last century. The latter's son Edward, born in Clermont, 
N. Y., in 1825, was a merchant and manufacturer in Greenville and later a manu- 
facturer of agricultural implements in Albany and in Racine, Wis., and died in 
Albany in 1890. Of his seven children, six are living: Charles Edward of Canaan 
Four Corners, N. Y., Charlotte Antoinette of Chicago, William Burroughs of Albany, 
Philip Mayer of Racine, Wis., Henrietta Litell of Albany. Kate King of Elyria. 
Ohio; Susan Elizabeth, deceased. William B. came to Albany with his parents and 
with them removed to Racine, Wis., where he graduated from the high school in 
1873, returning in the same year to Albany with the family. After a course in the 
Albany Business College he entered in 1874 the employ of Maurice E. Viele, a whole- 
.sale hardware dealer. Rising rapidly, he was promoted in 1878 to position of buyer, 
remaining with Mr. Viele till June, 1891, when with his present associates he helped 
organize and incorporate the Albany Hardware and Iron Company, who purchased 
the stock and fixtures and succeeded to a business which had been carried on with- 
out interruption for over one hundred years. Of this company Mr. Wackerhagen 
has since been secretary, the other officers being Charles H. Turner, president, and 
James K. Dunscomb, treasurer. He is a member of the Fort Orange Club, the Mo- 
hican Canoe, the Albany Whi.st & Chess, the Empire Curling and Albany County 
Wheelmen's Clubs, the Ridgefield Athletic and American Canoe Associations of 
which he was secretary atod treasurer in 1893, and a member of the Board of Man- 
agers of the Young Men's Association. 



55 

Bedell, Edwin A., who comes of Huguenot stock on his paternal and of English 
and Dutch stock on his maternal side, is a son of Edwin T. and Rachel A. Bedell, 
both of whom died while he was very young. He was born in Albany, October!), 
1853, and was reared in the home of his grandfather and the late Philip Phelps, for 
more than fifty years the deputy comptroller of the State and well known in financial 
and religious circles throughout the country. Mr. Bedell's school life was commenced 
under Professor Anthony, continued at the Boys' Academy and completed at the 
Western College of the Reformed Church in Michigan, of which his uncle. Rev. 
Philip Phelps, jr., was president. His preparation for college was under the private 
tutorage of Professor Swan. Graduating in 1873 as the salutatorian of his class, he 
entered the Albany Law School and also the law office of Peckham & Treniain, and 
was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1874. After spending some time in travel, 
he began the practice of his profession. He served five years as one of the assist- 
ants to the attorney-general of the State, leaving in 1889 to become one of the assist- 
ants reporters of the Court of Appeals. He has had a large experience in the law 
and is an expert in the law of copyright and trade marks In 1883 he married Car- 
oline E., eldest daughter of Hon. Hiram E. Sickels, the late reporter of the Court of 
Appeals. He has liad two children, one of whom survives. He is a member of the 
Fort Orange Club and is a man of rare literary ability. When twenty years old, he 
l)egan to devote his leisure time to the study of sacred music in all its branches, and 
later he began the study of hymnology. For many years he has been an active 
member of the Madison Reformed church and for twenty-three years has had charge 
of Its music and been its organist. Some years ago he compiled a hymnary for the 
exclusive use of his Sunday school. This was so great a success that he prepared in 
1891 the " Church Hymnary," for the church at large, which has met with warm 
approval throughout the religious world, its sales running up into the thousands. 

Bridge, Charles F., son of Charles and Lucy M. (Tinker) Bridge, was born in 
Albany, February 26, 1865. His great-grandfather. Col. Ebenezer Bridge, born 
February 3, 1743, died February 13, 1823, served at Lexington as captain of the 
Fitchburg Minutemen, and is mentioned by Bancroft as a general at Bunker Hill. 
He served through the Revolution and in the Massachusetts Legislature, and was 
the grandson of Matthew Bridge, a soldier in King Philip's war. A monument to 
Ebenezer Bridge stands at Fitchburg, Mass. The first American ancestor was John 
Bridge, of England, who settled in Cambridge, Mass., in 1632, and was one of the 
founders of Harvard College, where a monument stands to his memory. Charles 
Bridge settled in Albany about 1859 and in 1860 became one of the wholesale beef 
and pork firm of Hawkins Van Antwerp & Co., which was later changed to Van 
Antwerp, Bridge & Co., and .still later Bridge & Davis, from which Mr. Bridge re- 
tired in 1884. Charles F. Bridge was educated at the Boys' Academy, received the 
degree of A. B. from Union College in 1887, was graduated from the Albany Law 
School with the degree of LL. B. in 1889, read law with 1. & J. M. Lawson, and was 
admitted to the bar in September, 1889. In December following he formed the ' 
present copartnership of Mills & Bridge (Charles H. Mills). He is a Republican, and 
a member of the I. O. O. F., K. A. E. O., and B. P. O. E., the Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, the Order of Founders and Patriots, the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and the legal 
fraternity of Phi Delta Phi. October 14, 1891, he married Elizabeth B., daughter 
of Franklin D. Tower, of Albany. 



56 

Whipple, Walter, was born in the village of Berne in 1846. Malachi Whipple, his 
grandfather, was a representative man who came from Stonington, Conn., in 1793, 
settling in what is now the town of Knox, and purchased what has ever since been 
known as the Whipple farm. His farm in 1820 took the premium as the model farm 
in Albany county ; the premium consisted of two solid silver pitchers, silver tea- 
spoons, and five silver cups, which are still in possession of different members of the 
family; he afterwards received premiums on his sheep and viool and on cloth of his 
own manufacture. In 1835 he removed to the village of Berne, purchased a mill 
privilege and erected a grist mill. While residing in the town of Knox he repre- 
sented that town in the board of supervisors and subsequently represented Berne in 
the same capacity. He was also one of the foimders of the Reformed (Dutch) church 
of Berne. His wife was Percilla Brown and they had thirteen children ; Amos, 
Polly, William, Diana. Lois, Ann. Ethan. Abel. Sarah, Lucy, Parmelia. Allen and 
Esli. Esli, the father of Walter Whipple, was born in Knox in 1820. He learned 
the harnessmaker's trade and followed it throughout his enter life. He was five 
years old when his father moved to the village of Berne and he spent his life there, 
with the exception of five years spent in Cohoes. In politics he was a Republican 
and was often proffered nominations for public offices, but always declined the honor. 
His wife was Angelica Rosekrans. daughter of Dr. Holmes Rosekrans. of Berne, 
and they had one child, Walter. Esli Whipple died in February, 1892, and his wife 
m October, 1887. They were both members of the Reformed church, in which Mr. 
Whipple had been an oflScer for many years, and was an elder m the church at the 
time of his death. Walter Whipple attended the common schools of the village and 
finished his education by attending select schools for several terms. When sixteen 
he entered a store at Rensselaerville as clerk, where he remained three years; the 
next two years were spent in Albany as a clerk. He then returned home and engaged 
in harness-making with his father, with whom he remained until the latter's death ; 
since the death of his father he has continued the business alone. Mr. Whipple is a 
Republican and like his father always refused all public offices. In 1871 he married 
Miss Josephine Ball of Berne, daughter of Paul and Maria (Moore) Ball. Mr. and 
Mrs. Whipple are both members of the Reformed church, of which Mr. Whipple is at 
the present time an officer. 

Selkirk, William, was born in 1828 and is the son of Robert and grandson of James 
Selkirk, who came from Scotland and settled at what is now Selkirk Station, where 
he died leaving six sons : Robert, Charles, Francis, James, William and John. Robert 
Selkirk remained on the homestead as a farmer, and was for twenty years one of the 
assessors of the town. He died in 1870 leaving four sons: James. John, Jacob and 
William, who has been assessor for eighteen years and still holds that office. 

Rundell, Darius, born in Westerlo, September 3, 1832, is a son of Jeremiah and 
Eliza (Lockwood) Rundell, both natives of Westerlo, where she died in 1849. He 
removed to Columbia county, where he died in 1892. He was a Republican and a 
member of the Masons in Columbia county. The grandparents of Darius, Isaac 
and Hannah (Scott) Rundell, came to Westerlo from Dutchess county and settled on 
the farm now owned by Darius Rundell. Darius Rundell was educated at Charlott- 
ville Seminary, and farming has been his principal business. He has two farms, 
one of 126 acres and one of 128 acres, and a gravel bank at South Westerlo. He is 



57 

a Republican and held theoflfice of justice for eight years, was elected supervisor in 
188(i and has been elected at each succeeding election since (was president of the 
board in 1894). having held the office longer than any one man ever did in Albany 
county. He is president of Greene County Mutual Insurance Company, director of 
Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of four counties, also director in the Village 
Fire Insurance Company and a notary public. Mr. Rundell is a member of James 
M. Austin Lodge No. 557, F. & A. M., and of Chapter No. 283, R. A. M., and has 
been master of lodge ten years. In 1853 Mr. Rundell married Ann Eliza, daughter 
of Adam and Eliza (Hunt) St. John, farmers of Westerlo. Mr. and Mrs. Rundell 
attend the Christian church at South Westerlo. 

Zeller, A., is a son of John Zeller, who came from Germany and settled at Indian 
Fields in the town of Coeyraans in 1853. Mr. A. Zeller married Henrietta, daughter 
of Egbert Stanton, who was a grandson of Reuben Stanton, one of the early settlers 
of Westerlo, who had four sons, David, Benjamin, Joseph and Reuben. Reuben 
Stanton, jr., had three sons, Egbert, Luman and Reuben W. Egbert Stanton in 
early life came to Coeymans, where he married Jane, daughter of Dr. Moses Clement ; 
and after carrying on a store for some years, he was engaged the last thirty years of 
his life as bookkeeper and salesman of the various freighting firms of Coeymans. 
lie died in 1880, leaving a widow, one daughter and a large circle of friends. Mr. 
.Stanton was a representative man of the town. 

Conyes, L. E., was born in RensselaerviUe in 1849. He is the son of Garret and 
the grandson of James Conyes, who came from Germany. Mr. Conyes followed 
farming in RensselaerviUe until 1886. when, after spending two years in Florida and 
California, he came to Ravena and opened a hotel opposite the depot which he now 
runs. Since 1893 he has also been in partnership with C. L. Diston in the coal busi- 
ness, and also handling brick, sewer pipe and fertilizers. He is a member of Cas- 
cade Lodge F. & A. M., and of the Capital City Chapter of Albany. 

Baumes, Mrs. Mary E., is the daughter of John, and the grand-daughter of Am- 
brose Wiltsie, who was among the first settlers of Bethlehem, and had nine sons. 
John settled on a farm near his father's and died there in 1860, leaving three sons 
and six daughters, one of whom, Mary E., married Peter H. Baumes, who was a 
farmer of Bethlehem until 1888. when he sold his farm and settled at Ravena, where 
he died in 1891, and left three sons: Howard, Hiram and Omar, and two daughters, 
Katie and Mary. 

Denison. Edward M. — John Denison, after being discharged from the army in the 
war of 1813, came to Albany county from Stonington, Conn., and settled in the town 
of Knox. In 1818 he married Mary Che.sebro, moved to Schoharie county near 
Cobleskill, went into the wool-carding and cloth-dressing business, and raised a 
family of six children: Gilbert W., Julia A., Mary J., Charles M., Eli and Andrew. 
In 1831 he returned to Knox and went on a farm; in 1841 his wife died, and his 
death occurred in 1854. In 1843 Gilbert W. Denison came to Watervliet to work at 
gardening; in 1847 he married Sarah Swan; then had no children; in 1869 he bought 
a farm near Newtonville; he died in 1895, and his wife in 1896. Julia never married, 
but lived with her father, Gilbert, and died in 1892. Mary J. married Petet Chick- 
man and died in 1875, leaving a family of four children. Charles M. went west in 



58 

1844, returned in 1858, married Sarah M. Chesebro in 1864, bought a farm in the 
town of Guilderland; had three children: L. Augusta, Edward M. and William C. : 
in 1880 he sold his farm, moved to Newtonville to work his brother's farm ; in 1885 he 
bought a farm adjoining his brother's on the east and went into the milk business. 
Edward M. lived with his uncle until the latter's death, and then bought the farm ; 
in 1885 he married Miss Ida, daughter of Sylvester Pitts of Colonic; by her he has 
four children. L. Augusta and William C. are with their father. In October, 1896, 
William C. married Jessie Furgurson. Eli served in the war of the Rebellion, was 
taken prisoner and died on Belle Island. Andrew is still in Knox engaged in 
farming. 

Fuller, Aaron, a prominent landmark, was born in the town of Guilderland, 
within a mile of where he now resides, in 1832. He is the son of Major John 
Fuller, who was born in New Scotland ; one of the four sons and two daughters born 
to Aaron, and of Scotch ancestry. He was a farmer in New Scotland and his wife 
■was Margaret McMillin. Major John was a great military man and a member of 
the State militia. By vocation he was a farmer. He settled in the town of Guilder- 
land and on this land was later located Fuller's Station. He was an active and pub- 
lic spirited man and was interested in all town enterprises, and was the founder of 
town insurance, and through his efforts were established the first town insurance 
organizations in the State of New York. He was a member of assembly in 1847; 
his wife was Harriet Moak, daughter of William Moak; she was born in New Scot- 
land ; they reared six daughters and one son. Mr. Fuller died m 1883, aged eighty 
and his wife in 1861, aged fifty-eight. Aaron Fuller attended the common schools 
and spent two years at the Schoharie Academy, and as he was the only son, he re- 
mained with his father for many years, and then embarked for himself by purchas- 
ing his present farm, and for the past thirty years has been engaged extensively in 
the hay and straw business at Fuller's Station, where he now resides, having leased 
his farm. He has held many important town offices, having served as supervisor 
of the town for four years, and one term as commissioner. In the fall of 1881 he was 
elected to represent the Second Assembly district of Albany county in the Assembly. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge, No. 754, and was formerly 
a member of Temple Lodge, No. 14, of Albany, and has been a member for forty 
years. In February, 1862, he married Ada Fitch, who was born in New Scotland, 
a daughter of Ebenezer A. Fitch ; she died in August of the same year. 

Ryall John.— This honorable gentleman was born in Wales, August 3, 1839. He 
is the sou of James and Margaret (Kerwick) Ryall, natives of the county of Tipper- 
ary, Ireland, who went to Wales in early life shortly after their marriage, and 
returned to Ireland about six months after the birth of the son, John. James was a 
farmer and spent his early life as a farm foreman. He was one of four sons, George, 
Michael, John and James. George went to Australia and the others came to America. 
In 1851 Margaret, the mother of John, left her home in Ireland without the knowl- 
edge of her husband and came to America. She communicated her intentions to 
her husband as she was about to board the ship in Liverpool; after arriving in 
America she worked, accumulated money, and assisted her husband and family to 
join her, which they did in 1853. They spent their remaining days in the town of 
New Scotland where he died in 1857, four years after their arrival in America. His 



59 

wife died February 23, 1895, at the age of eighty-six. To them were born seven 
children: John, James, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Thomas, Edward and Margaret. 
Elizabeth and Mary died in Ireland at the residence of their grandmother, aged 
respectively nine and eleven. John spent his early life at farm work and attended 
the common district school winters for a limited number of terms; he being the 
eldest, it fell upon him to care for his mother and younger brothers and sisters. In 
the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Co. D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and later re-enlisted in the 
same company and served until the close of the war. He was at the siege of Port 
Hudson, Five Forks, Petersburg, and Appomattox. His brother James was also a 
soldier in the army from the beginning until the close of the war, enlisting as a private 
in the 3d N. Y. Vols., and being promoted to a captain; he died in 1881. Mr. Ryall 
again engaged in farm work, which he has followed more or less to the present time. 
He was elected and re-elected four succe.ssive terms of four years each as justice of 
the peace. The years 1893-94 he was justice of sessions; he is a United Stales loan 
commissioner for the county of Albany. He is a member of the G. A. R., Lew Bene- 
dict Post No. 5 of Albany, also a member of the Veteran League of Albany. In 1864 
he was married to Miss Mary Stapleton, daughter of John Stapleton of New Scot- 
land, by whom he has had six children: Mina, wife of Garret Bradt, Idella, Mary, 
Lillie, who died when seventeen, Estella and Gertrude. 

Strevell, A. M., was born in the town of Berne in 1830. He is the son of Harvey 
and grandson of Mathias Strevell, who came from Dutchess county to Berne about 
1800. Harvey Strevell had three sons; Jason W., who is a prominent lawyer; 
Estus H. , who was for some years a merchant at Ravena and died there May 22, 1896 ; 
and A. M. Strevell who, in 1857 went to Albany where he was in a store until 1873, 
when he returned to Berne and engaged in the farming business until 1885 when he 
moved to New Scotland, and in 1889 came to Ravenna and opened a hardware store, 
which he has since carried on. He has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of 
his town, and for nine years served as highway commissioner, and was also a mem- 
ber of the State Constitutional Convention in 1874. 

Slingerland, Henry, was born in Albany county in 1830, and began his business 
life as a clerk in New Baltimore, Greene county, N. Y., and after six years began 
business for himself in New Baltimore, which he carried on until 1867, when he came 
to Coeymans where he has since conducted business, buying, selling and shipping 
hay and other farm products. In 1852 he married Charlotte Houghtaling, whose 
father was Anthony C. Houghtaling; her paternal grandfather was Conrad and great- 
grandfather Thomas Houghtaling, a pioneer of Albany county ; and her maternal 
grandfather was Jasper S. Keeler. Mr. and Mrs. Slingerland have had five chil- 
dren ; two died in infancy, and their three sons are now associated with their father 
in business. 

Willis, Mrs. Alexander, was the widow of A. E. Willis, who died in 1895. Mrs. 
Willis was the sister of Fletcher Blai-dell and Dr. Wesley Blaisdell, and a daughter 
of Levi Blaisdell who died in 1833; he was a .soldier in the Revolutionary war, and 
afterwards came and settled in Coeymans; he was a ship builder, and had two sons 
and one daughter: Dr. Wesley Blaisdell, and Fletcher Blaisdell, the daughter being 
Mrs. Willis, who was married in 1841 and had the following children: David B., of 
New York; Alexander B., who died in 1890; Henrietta and Henry, who died in in- 



fancy ; Charles, who died in 1891 ; Wilbor, who is a bachelor of Castleton ; Sarell, 
who is a bachelor and lived with Mrs. Willis, and two daughters, Harriet and Min- 
nie. Mr. Willis was a merchant and speculator of Coeymans. Mrs. Willis died No- 
vember 27, 1896. 

Martin, Peter W., was born in New Scotland in June, 1834. John, the great- 
grandfather, was born in Coxsackie; he was left an orphan when quite young; he 
was a mason by trade and was a soldier in the English array during the Revolution- 
ary war ; he settled in the town of New vScotland, before the war, there he worked 
at his trade and died in New Salem in about 1816; his wife was Maria Fralick, by 
whom he had thirteen children, of whom four were boys. Peter, the grandfather, 
was born in this town in December, 1781 ; he was a farmer, and a soldier in the war 
of 1812; his wife was Christiana Allen, daughter of William and Jennie (Drummons) 
Allen, both born in Scotland; they had seven children: Margaret, Isabella, Mary, 
Jennie, William, Avery, and John; he died in June, 1852. and his wife died in 1839. 
William, the father, was born in New Scotland, October 18, 1806, and came on the 
farm he now owns with his parents when he was six years of age ; when he was 
thirty years of age he purchased half of his father's farm of ninety-four acres, and in 
1851 purchased the other half; since then he has devoted himself to farming; he 
erected all the buildings and made many other improvements; in October, 1829. he 
married Mary, daughter of William Moak and granddaughter of Robert Taylor, a 
native of Ireland, and their children were Mary, Jane, Peter W., William M., Rob- 
ert, Harriet A., Rachael, andAlden, who died when twenty-two years of age ; his 
wife died April 19, 1880. Peter W. remained on the farm with his father until he 
was twenty-four years of age, when he engaged in farming for himself; in ISHS he 
moved to Guilderland and bought a farm, where he resided until 1883; he then .sold 
the farm and moved to Guilderland Center and embarked in the general mercantile 
business with J. H. Oggsbury. They continued for several years until the store was 
destroyed by fire and his partner went to Meriden, Conn. In 1893 he opened the 
store where he is now located. He was elected inspector and is now filling the office 
of town clerk. In October, 1858, he married Sarah Ann Perry, daughter of Casper 
Perry, of New Scotland, by whom three children have been born: Elveretta, Emma 
J., who died when ten years of age, and Levi W. 

Leonard, Daniel, was born October 3, 1839, and came to Albany in 1854 frcmi 
Springfield, Mass., in which neighborhood his family resided" from the settlement of 
Springfield in 1636, and where John Leonard, his ancestor, was killed in King 
Philip's war in 1676. The family was allied to many of the early Connecticut and 
Massachusetts families, Mr. Leonard being in direct descent from Governor William 
Bradford of Plymouth. On commg to Albany he took a position in the Mechanics' 
and Farmers' Bank, in the building then standing next north of the site of the post- 
office, and was made teller of the bank before reaching his majority. In 1867 he 
entered the firm of J. G. Cotrell & Co., and in 1878, after the death of J. G. Cotrell, 
Edgar Cotrell and Daniel Leonard, who were brothers-in-law, formed a partnership 
and continued the business under the style of Cotrell & Leonard until Mr. Cotrell's 
death in 1890. The firm now consists of Mr. Leonard and his two sons, Edgar C. 
and Gardner C. Leonard and the firm name is retained as Cotrell & Leonard. In 
1867 the business required only a three story building at 46 State street and was 



61 

purely local. In 18T0 the firrn erected a five story building on the same lot, made 
necessary by the growth of its wholesale business. Still larger quarters being neces- 
sary the firm purchased and removed to the present location, 472 and 474 Broadway, 
in 1884 ; and from year to year have been compelled to connect upper stories in the 
liuildings on either side of them until now their business occupies space equal to ten 
stories of their present store. Mr. Leonard is president of the Albany Safe Deposit 
and Storage Co. ; vice president and treasurer of the Mutual Fire Insurance Co.; 
treasurer of the State Street Presbyterian church ; a charter member of Fort Orange 
Club; a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, and a trustee of the Mechanics' 
and Farmers' Savings Bank. He is a man of quiet and reserved manner who finds 
his greatest recreation in his family and home life. 

Harris, Morris, was born in Albany in 1857, a son of Ale.xander, who was a native 
of Russia, born in 1820; he was an only child and came to the United States when a 
young man and settled in Albany. He soon engaged at selling goods throughout 
the county, which he followed with success until his death in 1877. His wife was a 
native of the same place ; they reared si.x children ; his wife now resides in New York 
city. Morris, the subject of this sketch, was the fourth of his father's children. He 
attended the public schools in Albany until fourteen, when he engaged in the ton- 
sorial business, and four years later in partnership with a younger brother, under the 
firm name of M. Harris &- Co., he engaged in the manufacture of cigars, Mr. Harris 
acting as traveling salesman, while his brother superintended the manufacturing. 
Their business increased in small proportions until they employed from twenty to 
thirty makers. This business they followed successfully for seven years. In 1884 
lie purchased a hotel interest in Voorheesville, closed his cigar business, and since 
that time has spent his time catering to the public as hotel proprietor. In 1889 he 
purchased his present building, which he converted into the hotel he now conducts. 
His house is well known to public travelers, from which he enjoys a most liberal 
patronage. His hotel hall has always been used as a court house in that village, 
and is noted for the many political conventions held in it since his proprietorship. 
In the spring of 1896 Mr. Harris was one of the promoters of the shirt factory in his 
village, the capital being subscribed by the residents; he readily became one of the 
stockholders, and was elected treasurer of the company ; also a stockholder in the 
Voorheesville Canning and Preserving Co. He is one of the five charter members 
who organized the Odd Fellows Lodge in Voorheesville. He was the first represen- 
tative of the lodge in the Grand Lodge in October, 1886; also a member of Noah 
Lodge F, & A. M.,Altamont, N. Y. He married Miss Elizabeth Mendelson. who 
was born in Ulster county, a daughter of Jacob Mendelson. 

Emery, John W. , son of John P. and Betsy (Thing) Emery, was born in Kennebunk, 
Me., October 29, 1856. He is a descendant of English ancestors who .settled in York 
county. Me., early in the seventeenth century. He was educated in the public schools 
and in 1874 completed the course of instruction at the Boston Business College. 
For the two years following he engaged in the real estate business at Hyde Park, 
Mass., and at the end of that time he entered the establishmentof S. B. Thing& Co.. 
shoe dealers of New York city. He was subsequently sent to branch stores at Syr- 
acuse, Auburn and Binghamton. In the latter city he was given the management 
of the store and was al.so manager of the Elmira store for five years, from which city 



he moved to Troy, N. Y., where he entered the partnership of S. B. Thing & Co., 
and had at that time the supervision of fifteen retail stores. While at Troy Mr. 
Emery resided in Lansingburgh, and was elected a member of the Board of School 
Trustees of that village. August 1, 1896, he retired from the firm of S. B. Thing & 
Co., and purchased the Albany and Schenectady branches, which are now conducted 
in his name. July 20, 1881, he married Bessie Linaberry of Binghamton, N. Y., and 
they have three children: Wesley M., Samuel B. and Angle E. 

Ogsbury, Junius D., and John D., comprise the Enterprise Company, editors and 
proprietors of the Altamont Enterprise, and are kinsmen. Junius D., the senior 
member of the company, was born in the town of New Scotland, February 14, 1857. 
James, the father of Junius D., was born in Guilderland in 1832; his wife was 
Almira Wands and their children were Junius D., Maggie, Stanley, William, Ella, 
George and Jennie. He died in 1890 and his wife survives him and resides in Alta- 
mont, where they were both members of the Lutheran church. Junius D. was reared 
in the village of Altamont, attended the village school, and when eighteen spent a 
year in Michigan with an uncle who conducted a printing office, where he acquired 
his first practical knowledge of the art of printing. Upon his return he engaged in 
school teaching and clerking for a few years, and in 1885 purchased the Enterprise, 
which was then but sixteen months old and known as the Knowerviile Enterprise. 
A year later he associated with him his present partner, a cousin, John D. He is an 
Odd Fellow and one of the consistory of the Lutheran church. In 1880 he married 
Anna, daughter of James Ostrander of (luilderland, and they have five children: 
James, Nettie, William, Junius, jr., and Charles. His wife died in November, 1893, 
In August, 1896, he married Margaret J. Bell, a daughter of the late Chauncey Bell, 
of Rensselaerville. John D. Ogsbury was born in the town of Guilderland, August 
31, 1856. His father. John P., was born in Guilderland, November 7, 1818. In 1839 
he married Margaret J. Van Valkenburgh, a daughter of Johoicam Van Valken- 
burgh, and their children were Charles A. (who died when two years old). Peter J., 
Mary C. (who died when twelve years old), David Clayton (who went west and be- 
came city marshal of Silverton, Col. ; he was called upon in August, 1881, to make 
an arrest of a party of ruffians and was fired upon by one of the party and killed; 
his body was brought back for interment and now lies in the family cemetery in the 
old Helderberg Cemetery), Ella (wife of Peter Vanderpool), and John D. John D. 
received a common school education and his life was spent on the farm until twenty- 
six years of age, when he went on a canvassing tour through the South and We.st. 
In 1885 he engaged in the furniture and undertaking business in Altamont, and in 
December, 1886, he purcha.sed a half interest in the Enterprise. He is a Republican 
and filled the office of the first village tax collector. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and the Altamont Reformed church, in which he is deacon. June 1, ' 
1885, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Francis Brunk of Guilderland, and 
their children are Bessie Margaret, De Witt Clayton, Milton J., Merlin L., John P., 
and Howard F. 

Haswell, Leah E., is the widow of John B. Haswell and daughter of Albert I. 
Slingerland, who was one of the builders and promoters of the growth of Slinger- 
lands, where he was a farmer and large real estate owner. He was for some years 
engaged in the lumber business in Albany, Vnit returned to Slingerlands in 1875, 



where he remained until his death, in June, 1890. He left two daughters: Catherine 
(Mrs. Ur. Frasier of Amsterdam), and Leah E. (Mrs. John E. Haswell), who has re- 
mained on the old homestead since the death ot her husband in 1880. Mr. Haswe[l 
was a son of Joseph and grandson of Edward Haswell, who was among the early 
settlers of Albany county, 

Mann, Benjamin A., born in Albany June T, 1854, entered in the employ of Mann, 
Waldman & Co. in 18(i8. The firm then consisted of Aaron Mann. Isaac Waldman 
and Joseph Mann, who founded the business in 1851. In 1884 Benjamin A. Mann 
was admitted to the firm. The business originally comprised both dry goods and 
millinery; about 1857 the latter department was discontinued, and in 1860 the manu- 
facture of cloaks was commenced, and the business was placed upon broader lines, 
a wholesale branch being added and the retail and wholesale business was continued 
to January, 1896, with unvarying success. In the spring of 1896 the stock was com- 
pletely sold and was marked by the retirement from active business of the three 
original members of the firm, Aaron Mann, Isaac Waldman and Joseph Mann. The 
retail business of the firm was given up and the wholesale only is to be carried on 
by Benjamin A. Mann, under the old style and firm name of Mann, Waldman iV 
Co. The business will make a specialty of hosiery and underwear of all kinds, 
domestic and foreign ; Mr. Mann's connection with mills for the many past years giv- 
ing him exceedingly favorable opportunities to make satisfactory arrangements. Mr. 
Mann is a director of the Alpha Knitting Co., Schenectady, N. Y., and is secretary 
of the Hudson River Aniline Color Works of Greenbush, Mass. Mann, Waldman & 
Co. will occupy the old quarters of the wholesale department, namely the third and 
fourth lofts over 54, 56 and 58 South Pearl street, which are connected by a passen- 
ger elevator with their sample room, 75 Hudson avenue. 

Slingerland, Hon. William H., of Slingerlattds, Albany county, is descended from 
Tunis Cornelius Slingerland, who came from Amsterdam, Holland, to what is now 
Bethlehem in 1650, (see sketcl. of the late Hon. John I. Slingerland in this volume), 
is a son of John A. and Leah (Brett) Slingerland, and was born November 13 1820, 
and has always lived in his native town, Bethlehem. His chief occupation has been 
that of an e.xpert civil engineer and surveyor. He was member of assembly in 188(1 
and originated and successfully carried through several local and general laws of 
great benefit to the people. He was subsequently three times unanimously nomina- 
ted for the assembly, but declined the nomination each year, preferring to follow his 
profession to entering the field of politics. He was civil engineer of the United 
States government building in Albany, and when the stability and permanency of 
the beautiful assembly ceiling was in question in 1881-83 and 1887, he was appointed 
by the Legislature to take measurements of the new Capitol, make examinations 
and report upon any possible defects in the structure. In each of his reports he 
challenged the stability of the assembly ceiHng, and in the last one warned the as- 
sembly of its dangerous condition and requested its removal, while other experts 
claimed its permanency. These reports were afterward verified, the ceiling was re- 
moved and a new one ai recommended by him was substituted. Mr. Slingerland 
was also, in 1890, appointed and authorized by the War Department of the United 
States government to negotiate for the purchase by optional contracts of the farmers 
for one year, of a territory of about ;),500 acres, being one mile in width by ten 



64 

miles long, comprising parts of the towns of Watervliet and Guilderland, to be used 
by the ordnance department for a proving ground in connection with the Watervliet 
Arsenal, and his report and map of the territory as selected by him, and options 
taken for the same, were unanimously adopted by the War and Ordnance Depart- 
ments of the United States government, and Major Scofield of the army, and unan- 
imously recommended by them to Congress and for an appropriation to pay for the 
land so taken by him ; but Congress at that time failed to make the appropriation, 
yet It is still thought by the authorities that these lands will yet be taken for that 
purpose in connection with Watervliet Arsenal in place of Sandy Hook. He was 
one of the chief originators and founders in 1850 of the village of Slingerlands, 
named after the family, and secured a post-office and other improvements there. 
During the historical pageant of 1894 in Albany, he represented the great ancestor 
of the Slingerlands in the reproduction of the installation of the first mayor of that 
city. In 1842 he married, first, Elizabeth Wayne, and had five children: John H., 
assistant engineer on the New York Croton Aqueduct, who married Alice Preston ; 
George W., superintendent and assistant general manager of the National Express 
Company of New York, who married Rosalia Mattice ; Helene. who married Hiram 
Bender in 1882 and died in December, 1884; Lizzie W.. who married William H. 
Coughtry in 1895, and William H., jr., a civil engineer and surveyor, who married 
Alice Bullock in 1896. Mr. Slingerland married, second, in 1868, Maria, daughter of 
Andrew Whitbeck. 

Cary William M., is a native of West Troy, and was born May 28, 1866. He is the 
son of Joseph C. Cary, who served in the Rebellion in the 104th N. Y. Vols., and has 
been a compositor on the Times for thirty years. William M. Cary began the up- 
holstering business in 1890, which he continued for two years, when he engaged in 
undertaking in which he has been successful. He received his education in West 
Troy, and is an exempt fireman, and is held in high repute both in social and busi- 
ness circles, as a man worthy of the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens. 

Tompkins, Charles M., is the .son of Alva C, grandson of Abraham W., and great- 
grandson of William Tompkins, who came from Dutchess county to Albany county 
about April, 1788. Mr. Tompkins, after graduating from the Normal School in 1879, 
entered the law office of Newcomb & Bailey, January, 1881, where he read law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1884. He then came to the village of Coeymans and entered into 
a law partnership with Stephen Springstead, and .since the death of Mr. Springstead, 
in 1891, has continued the business alone. He married Margaretta, daughter of 
Francis Nodine, and has two children: Alva M. and Frances J. 

Thayer, Hon. Lewis V., was born at Glens Falls. N. Y., April 28, 1862. His 
father was Lewis Thayer, born in Luzerne, Warren county, N. Y. , and is now en- 
gaged in active business in the city of Troy. His mother was Catherine Van Huesen, 
a native of Rensselaer county, who died at the age of forty-four. Lewis V. Thayer 
was a studious boy; he first attended the public schools of Troy and afterward the 
Business College in that city. After completing a practical education he entered the 
employ of the National Express Company as a messenger boy in the cashier's office, 
from which humble position he rose to higher positions, finally establishing and 
managing express agencies at Plattsburg and Glens Falls, handling large amounts 
o£ money, of which he never lost a dollar. In this capacity he served several years, 



05 

when, in 1887, he was seriously injured in a raih-oad accident, which confined him to 
his bed for two years and nine months. His recovery, through the aid of the noted 
Dr. Sayre, was complete, and was considered almost miraculous, so severe was the 
injury to his spine. He ascribes much of the success of his cure to the tender and 
faithful care of his devoted wife. After his recovery he engaged with his father in 
the livery business, in which he is still interested, with stables and offices in Troy. 
Mr. Thayer ha#always been a firm Republican, though not a politician. In Octo- 
ber. 1894, he was nominated for sheriff of Albany county, and was elected by a 
plurality of .5,784, and entered upon his duties January 1, 1895. Sheriff Thayer 
])(>ssesses e.xcellent executive ability, and is endowed with the best traits of character 
as displayed in the various walks of a useful, honorable life. He is a member of all 
the Masonic bodies, the Elks, the Red Men, the Troy Yacht Club, the Y. M. C. A. of 
West Troy and of the Presbyterian church of the latter place. He married on April 
;!0, 1884. Miss Elizabeth A., daughter of Robert Hunter, an influential citizen of 
West Troy. They have one daughter, and reside at Twenty-fourth street and 
Eleventh avenue. West Troy. 

Gleason, John H., was born in the city of Troy, February 25, 1857, and was edu- 
cated at the Academy of the Christian Brothers, supplemented by a course at Troy 
Business College. When about nineteen he began the study of law with A. D. Lyon, 
of Troy, afterward entering the office of Judge Landon in that city. After three 
vears' association with Hon. Galen R. Hitt, he was admitted to the bar early in 
1880, and opened an office at West Troy, where his manifest abilities received earlj- 
recognition by an appointment to the position of corporation attorney of West Troy, 
which he filled for three years with much credit. Joining the ranks of the Albanian 
legal fraternity in January, 1892, he continues the active practice of his profession 
in the capita! city and is now the city attorney of the new City of Watervliet, where 
he resides. 

Graham, Hugh, one of Cohoes's most prominent business men, began life without 
a dollar. He was born in Belfast, Ireland, in 1844. He vifas brought up to the 
hardware, seed and grocery business, a son of a farmer in his native county, and 
upon coming to Cohoes in 1864 he accepted a confidential clerkship in a wholesale 
grocery. In 1868 he began business for himself on Willow street, as Stanton & Gra- 
ham. The grocery business became so extensive that a large, handsome store was 
erected. Later his partner sold out to Mr. Conway, who died in 1896 when Mr. 
Graham also left the business. In 1888 he purchased the plant of the American 
Soap Company, and with Mr. Andrae the industry has become an extensive one, 
now known as the "American Soap & Washoline Company," of which Mr. Graham 
is president. He is a trustee of the Manufacturers Bank, a member of the City Hall 
Commission, one of the first commissioners of the Hospital Commission, an organ- 
izer and director of the Cohoes City Railway, president of the New York State Re- 
tail Busine.ss Men's Association, 1888, and was re elected again in 1892, and presi- 
dent of the Cohoes Business Men's Association four years, 1888 to 1892. 

De Freest, Charles R., was born in Troy, N. Y., July 24, 1852, and is a .son of 
David De Freest of North Greenbush, Rensselaer county, N. Y. He attended the 
public schools of North Greenbush and Troy, and graduated from the Troy High 



School in 1869. He first engaged as a reporter on the Troy Daily Press, where he 
he remained two years, resigning to accept a similar position on the Troy Daily 
Times. For a number of years he was the city editor of the same paper. Subse- 
quently he became editor of the Troy Northern Budget. When the Hon. Edward 
Murphy, jr., was elected mayor of Troy, in 1875, Mr. De Freest was appointed city 
clerk. He was afterward made deputy comptroller and was connected with the Troy 
city government during Mr. Murphy's mayoralty. For eighteen years he was a 
member of the Democratic Central Committee from the Third ward in Troy. In 
1887 he was made clerk of the Democratic State Committee, which position he re- 
signed in 1896. In 1891, '92 and '93, he held the Assembly clerkship. On January 
1, 1894. Mr. De Freest was elected secretary of the Board of Railroad Commissioners 
and has since held the position with ability and success. He is a vice-president of 
the Holland Society of New York city, a life trustee of the Young Mens Association 
of Troy and an active member of a number of social organizations. 

Flagler, Peter H., was born in the town of Westerlo. in 1840. John, his grand- 
father, came from Dutchess county to Albany county and settled in Westerlo on a 
farm about 1800. He reared seven children: Peter, Daniel, John, EH, Julia, Kate, 
and Elizabeth. Peter, the father of Peter H., grew to maturity in the town of 
Westerlo and was a farmer by occupation. In 1840 he represented his district in the 
Legislature. He died in 1866 ; his wife was Letta Lawrence, daughter of William 
Lawrence of Westerlo. Their children were Chester, Morgan, John, William. Julia- 
ette, Peter, H., and Almira. The mother died in 1893 at the age of eighty-nine. 
Peter H. spent his early life on his father's farm, and attended common schools and 
Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. He began for himself as a farmer, which he fol- 
lowed until 1882; in 1866 he came to the town of New Scotland, and removed from 
his farm to the village of Clarksville in 1882, where he has since resided. For a num- 
ber of years he was a dealer in agricultural implements, and for five years manu- 
factured shirts by contract, in the village of Clarksville. By profession he is an auc- 
tioneer of about thirty years' experience. During President Harrison's administra- 
tion he received his appointment as postmaster at Clarksville, which came as a surprise 
to him as he had not applied for it. He takes great interest in educational matters 
and is school trustee of his district. He is one of the most active workers on the 
proposed Albany, Helderberg, and Schoharie Electric Railroad, and is also one of 
the promoters and stockholders of the Canadian Pacific Railroad, from New York to 
Ogdensburg. In 1860 he married Miss Julia A., daughter of Elsbree Jones of New 
Scotland, by whom one child has been born, Millie, wife of R. Clinton Bagley, who 
is a merchant of Clarksville. Mr. Flagler has been superintendent of the M. E. 
Sunday school for over twenty years, and is also president of the town of New Scot- 
land Sunday School Association. In 1895 he received the appointment of deputy 
sheriff and court officer of his town for k terra of three years, wh'ch duties he per- 
formed to the entire satisfaction of all. Mrs. Flagler is a member of the Ladies' 
Aid Society. 

Hallenbeck, John E., was born in 1845. He was the son of Abraham and the 
grandson of Ephraim Hallenbeck, who came from Holland and settled in Bethlehem, 
and died leaving three sons; John, Charles, and Abraham, who came to Coeymans 
in 1857, and settled on the farm that J. E. Hallenbeck now owns. Mr. Hallenbeck 



(17 

remained on the homestead and farmed it until 1882 vvhen he moved to Coeymans 
Landing, where he has since carried on a delivery and express business. Mr. Hal- 
lenbeck has been deputy sheriff of the town for nine years, and is also special trans- 
fer officer for the West Shore Railroad. He has one son, G. W. Hallenbeck, who 
is associated with him in business. 

Lockvi-ood, Leander S., born in the town of Westerlo, November 4, 1833, is the 
son of Samuel and Margaret (Swope) Lockwood, both natives of Westerlo. The 
parents of Samuel, Ira and Betsey (Utter) Lockwood, came from Connecticut and 
were pioneers of South Westerlo. He was a farmer and wheelwright. The mater- 
nal grandparents were Frederick and Adria (Whitmarsh) Swope. who lived in 
Westerlo and removed to Oneida county, where Mrs. Swope died, when he moved 
to Herkimer, then to Oneida county, where he died. The parents of Frederick, 
John and Katie (Teeter) Swope, came from Germany when young and settled in 
Eastern New York. Samuel Lockwood was a farmer of Westerlo, born in 1800 and 
died May 31, 18^5. In politics he was a Whig, then a Republican, and a member of 
the Christian church. Mrs. Lockwood was born in 1803 and died in 1897. Leander 
S. Lockwood was educated at Troy Academy and in 1860 married Hannah, daughter 
of Benjamin and Avis (Hunt) Green, of Westerlo; they have five children: Marga- 
ret, Ella, Alida, Lillian, and Anna, who died aged nine years. Mr. Lockwood com- 
menced his business career as a clerk for S. I. Peabody & Co. of Troy, where he re- 
mained four years, then one year for T. Saxton of South Westerlo. He then, in 
partnership with Robert S. Cryne, bought out Mr. Saxton in 1859. In 1860 his part- 
ner died, and he was then five years associated with J. B. Taetsin the same business. 
In 1865 he bought out Mr. Taets and has since conducted the business at the old 
stand, where he carries a general line of goods found in country stores. He owns 
the old Lockwood homestead of 106 acres, which he carries on. He is a Republican 
and a member of J. M. Austin Lodge, No. 557, F. & A. M. 

Relyea, Abram, was born in Guilderland, November 19, 1835. David D., his 
grandfather, was a native of Guiiderland and a farmer by occupation. He reared 
five sons and si.\ daughters, all of whom he provided liberally for. Peter D., his 
father, was also a native of Guilderland, born in 1808. He came in possession of 
his father's homestead, where he spent most of his life. His wife was Magdalen 
Mann, and their children were Mrs. Sarah Miller, Abram, Mrs. Adeline Van Patten, 
Mrs. Mary Jane Schermerhorn of Schenectady, Mrs. Catherine Van Buren, and 
Emma. He died in 1848 and his wife died in 1883. Abram attended the common 
schools, and at his father's death he was twelve years of age. and was obliged to 
care for himself. He then went to Cato. Cayuga county, and engaged at farm work, 
and also lived in Onondaga county. He later worked at blacksmithing for a short 
time and spent five years in Schenectady, and in 1862 came to New Scotland, where 
he was on a farm until 1864. He then enlisted in the 11th New York Independent 
Battery and served until the close of the war. Upon his return to Voorheesville he 
engaged in the meat business and later engaged in carpentry and followed contract- 
ing and building until 1893. He erected the Presbyterian church in Voorheesville, 
several of the prominent residences, and some of the stores. He was elected justice 
of the peace in the town of New Scotland in 1880, being the first Democratic justice 
elected in thirty years. He was constable for some time and was deputy sheriff for 



68 

nine years, and was also court crier in 1895. He has often been chosen delegate to 
County and Assembly Conventions, and was chairman of the Democratic town or- 
ganization, and is now a member of the general Democratic county organization. 
He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge No. 754 of Altamont, and is 
also a member of Temple Chapter No. 5, Commandery No. 2, and the Shrine of 
Albany. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity. No. 068 of Voorhees- 
ville, in which he has passed through several of the chairs and is now trustee and 
treasurer, and at one time was treasurer of the Presbyterian church and also of the 
Driving Association. In 1868 he married Amelia M. Earl, born in New Scotland 
and daughter of Benjamin and Margaret (Stalker) Earl. Their children are Charlie 
A. and Grace. The Relyeas were originally French Huguenots, who fled from 
France to Holland, whence they came to America. 

Huested, Dr. Alfred B., son of Reuben (died 1841) and Mahala (Birch) Huested, 
was born in the town of Clifton Park, Saratoga county. May 15, 1840, and came 
with his mother in 1852 to Albany, where he was educated in the public schools and 
Boys' Academy. He read medicine with Drs. Arrasby and Pomfret and in 1862 be- 
came hospital steward of the 113th N. Y. Inf. (afterward the 7th N. Y. Heavy Art.), 
with which he remained until 1863, when he returned home, resumed his studies and 
was graduated as M. D. from the Albany Medical College. He then passed his ex- 
amination before the State Military Examining Board, returned to his regiment 
(the 7th H. A.) and in March, 1864, was commissioned assistant surgeon, a position 
he held until he was mustered out in Denver, Col., in 1866. Returning to Albany 
he entered upon the active practice of his profession, but in 1867 engaged in the 
retail drug business on the corner of Hudson avenue and Eagle street, whence he 
moved in December, 1886, to his present location on the corner of State and Eagle 
streets, admitting at the same time Garrett V. Dillenback as a partner under the 
firm name of A. B. Huested & Co. He has been president of the State Board of 
Pharmacy since 1884, is a member of the American and New York State Pharmaceu- 
tical Associations, was president of the latter two years, and is a member of Temple 
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. He was appointed professor of botany and materia 
medica in the Albany College of Pharmacy in 1883, and still holds that position. In 
186'? he married Margaret A., daughter of Dr. James E. Pomfret of Albany, and 
they have three sons: Frank P., James E. and Alfred B. 

Witbeck, Andrew H., was born in 1824, and is the son of John W. Witbeck ami 
grandson of Walter Witbeck, who was one of the early .settlers in the northern part 
of Coeymans, in Manhattan Hook. John W. Witbeck was born April 10, 1773, at 
Manhattan Hook, a little valley in the northern part of Coeymans. about four miles 
from where Andrew H. now lives. On the 20th of May, 1795, in company with his 
father (grandfather of Andrew H.) he purchased the farm, now the homestead of his 
■ son, Andrew H. The latter lives on the farm where he was born, and where his 
father settled, when married, and lived until his death in 1853. He left five sons: 
Walter, John, Jasper, Peter and Andrew H., as above, w^ho married Lidia E., 
daughter of Frederick and granddaughter of John E. Powell. They have one .son, 
John W., and three daughters, Hannah E., (Mrs. Clifton Bedell) Sarah E. and Jen- 
nie, (Mrs. A. C. Koonz.) 

Baker, George Comstock, was born in Comstock N. Y,, Aiiril 29, 1868. He is a 



60 

son of Isaac V. and Laura D. (Clark) Baker, and is a descendant of John Baker, who 
was a soldier in King Philip's war and who lived in Swanzey, Mass. George C. 
Baker is the seventh in direct descent from John Baker, the names of those inter- 
vening being John (2), John (3), Reuben (1), Reuben (2), Isaac V. (1), Isaac V. (2). 
Mr. Baker received his preparatory education in private schools and was graduated 
from the Granville Military Academy in 1885. The year of 1886 he spent at Will- 
iams College and the years of 1887 and 1888 at Union, taking a partial course in 
the arts and literature. While at Union he was class poet and a member of the 
Psi Upsilon fraternity. He vi'as graduated from the Albany Law School in 1889, and 
in 1891 was graduated and received the degree of LL. M. from Cornell Universit}\ 
During 1892 and 1893 Mr. Baker was in the law department at the attorney-general's 
office. He is vice-president of the Society of the War of 1812 in the State of New 
York ; registrar of Philip Livingston Chapter, Sons of the Revolution ; treasurer of 
the Albany Chapter Society of the Colonial Wars; member of the Sons of the Amer- 
ican Revolution ; member of the Society of the Old Guard, and a member of the 
Fort Orange and Albany Camera Clubs. Mr. Baker is also a thirty-second degree 
Mason and holds office in several Masonic bodies. In 1895 he married Mary Louise, 
daughter of Jasper Van Wormer of Albany. 

Ball, David, was born in the town of Berne in December, 1817. His grandfather 
was a native of Berne and his parents were immigrants to America from Switzer- 
land. John Peter Ball, the father, was also a native of Berne, born in 1788, and 
spent his life as a farmer. Once while plowing in his field, during the war of 1812, 
he was suddenly confronted by Indians and taken prisoner on his own horse; after 
being gone some time he persuaded the Indians to release him and he returned 
home with his horse unharmed. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Ephraim Bo- 
gardus, and their children were Robert, Ephraim and David. He died in 1865 and 
his wife survived him several years and died when seventy-eight years of age. 
Mr. Ball is one of the leading farmers of the town of Berne. He received a very 
limited district school education and when a lad of but fifteen, began life for him- 
self. Having a natural mechanical turn of mind, he engaged to learn the carpenter's 
trade; this he followed as a journeyman until twenty-five years of age, when by the 
financial failure of others, he lost what he had earned. He then married and be- 
gan life anew, this time as boss or contractor of carpentry jobs, which he succeeded 
in and followed the business over forty years. In connection with this business he 
also conducted a farm, and during forty years (from the time he was thirty-five 
years of age) by hard and industrious work and practice of strict economy, he 
amassed a fortune of over §40,000; from time to time he has added to his real estate 
possessions, until he now owns some 590 acres, his homestead containing 200 acres. 
I'Vn- many years he vi'as an extensive sheep grower, turning off large wool clips. Mr. 
Ball was elected commissioner of highways and filled the office for nine consecu- 
tive years. His wife was Louise M., daughter of Peter Reinhart, and they had 
live children: Caroline (wife of Hiram Wilsey), Christana (wife of Luzene Deitz), 
Catharine (wife of John D. White), Ephraim, and Theodora (wife of Dr. Wallace K. 
Deitz of Berne); Ephraim resides on the home farm and assists in its management. 
His wife was Esterloa Delemarter, and they have two children: Louisa and Mertie. 

Albright, Peter S., was born in New Scotland, near New Salem, on the Albright 



70 

homestead, February 8, 1821. Hendrick Albright (or Albrecht), his great-grand- 
father, was born in Germany in 1716 and came to America in 1740 and settled on a 
farm of 400 acres, which he afterward divided between his four sons. One of the 
farms (the homestead), now owned by Jacob Albright, brother of Peter S., has 
ever since been in possession of the Albright family. He (Hendrick) married Han- 
nah Poland in 1742, by whom he had seven children. As an instance of his aversion 
to the Tory element of his time, it is related that a son-in-law named Strauss joined 
the British army during the Revolution. At the close of the war on his return to his 
family he was emphatically ordered by his father-in-law to quit America, and 
evidently considering discretion the better part of valor, he withdrew to Canada for 
the remainder of his days. Hendrick erected a large store house on the homestead 
in 1783, which stood for over a hundred years and was finally destroyed by fire in 
1894. He died in 1783, and was succeeded on the homestead by his son Jacob, who 
was born there in 1762, and where he spent his whole life. Jacob was twice married, 
first to Hannah Arnold, by whom he had three children. His second wife was 
Elizabeth Wheeler, by whom he had fourteen children. He died in 1829. Isaac, his 
son, was born in the old stone house June 11, 1797, and was married in 1820 to Sicily 
Simmons, daughter of Peter Simmons of Clarksville, by whom seven children have 
been born: Peter S., Jacob, Harriet, Sarah, Emeline, Mary and Isaac. Isaac 
Albright, sr., in early life united with the Reformed church of New Salem and was 
a faithful attendant until a few weeks before his death. Although a firm adherent 
of the doctrine of his own church, he was free from the bigotry common in churches 
years ago, and was a firm friend of the persecuted Methodists of the early days. 
Following his father and grandfather, he allied himself with the Democrats and was 
a firm adherent to the party of his choice, casting his last vote with them. He gave 
to each of his sons a farm, and after a long and honorable career died January 21, 1888. 
Peter S. remained on his father's farm until twenty-five years of age, when he and 
his brother Jacob took the homestead farm to work, and were later given each a farm 
by their father. In 1854 Mr. Albright purchased another farm of ninety acres ad- 
joining the homestead, on which he erected fine and large buildings, where he has 
ever since made his home and conducted a successful mi.\ed husbandry. His son is 
now occupying one of his farms. In March, 1846, he married Catherine Ellen Hal- 
lenbeck, who was born in Bethlehem in 1828, and was a daughter of Ephraim G. 
and Mary Magdelene (Bartlett) Hallenbeck. Mr. and Mrs. Albright have eight 
children living: Mary M. Moak, born in May, 1848; .Sarah M. Jones, born in Novem- 
ber, 1849; Isaac S., born in July, 18.52; Emeline Fowler, born in March, 1858; Rocelia 
Hurst, born in February, 1860; (ieorge H., born in February, 1862, died November, 
1882; Catherine, born in March, 1864; Adelbert, !)orn in March, 1871; and Cordelia 
Finch, born in September, 1873. 

Boardman, George, born August 10, 1834, in Albany, is the son of William Boardman, 
a native of Wethersfield, Conn., who was supervisor of the Fourth ward of Albany for 
several years. George Boardman was educated at the Boys' Academy under Dr. 
Beck, and at Prof. Anthony's Classical Institute, and immediately after leaving 
school he became a clerk in a hardware store in New York city. After two years he 
returned to Albany and entered the employ of N. B. Miles, a hardware dealer, and 
three years later became bookkeeper for Warner Brothers & Co.. manufacturers of 



ri 

lime and cement in Troy and Albany. Later he was engaged in mercantile business 
in Buffalo and subsequently in Troy until 1877. Meantime he had established, with 
his brother Albert, a successful wholesale tea and coffee business in Albany, 
and in 1877 removed hither to give it his whole attention. Afterward another 
brother, Frank, was admitted under the firm name of George Boardman & Brothers, 
which is now styled George Boardman & Brother, the junior ^jartner, Albert, having 
died in 1891). They employ a number of traveling salesmen and have a large trade 
in the city and vicinity. 

Blodgett, William, was born in Coeymans and is the son nf Wolsey Blodgett, 
whose father settled in Coeymans at an early day and was a farmer. Wolsey Blod- 
gett had five sons, and died on the homestead in 1887. William Blodgett married 
in 1874 and in 1877 settled at Bethlehem Center, where he is a farmer and has always 
been prominently identified with the town affairs, being elected assessor in 1885, 
which office he held for three years. In 1886 he was appointed justice and at the 
following' election was re-elected and held that office until he resigned in 1896, to 
take the office of supervisor of the town, which office he now holds; he was also as- 
sociate judge. His wife is Emma, daughter of Frederick Hungerford, and they 
have si.\ sons: Burton E., Frederick, Samuel, Charles, Mosher and Arthur. Mr. 
Blodgett is master of the Bethlehem Grange No. 137, P. of H. 

Classen, Frederick Luke, M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., July 7, 18.57. He is 
of Holland-Dutch and English descent. His grandfather, Hermann Classen, was a 
distinguished soldier in the German army, and after the battle of Waterloo, was by 
the Emperor Frederic decorated with the Iron Cross, a mark of the greatest honor. 
This cross descends to the oldest son of each generation and is now in the possession 
of Dr. Classen. Dr. Classen received his early education in the public schools and 
the Albany High School, after leaving which be entered the drug store of Dexter & 
Nelligar, and while learning pharmacy there attended the Albany Medical College, 
from which he was graduated, receiving his degree in 1881. He immediately opened 
an office and began the practice of medicine. In November, 1888, he was appointed 
coroner's physician and held the place for three consecutive terms. Dr. Classen is a 
member of the New York State Medical Society and the Albany County Medical 
Society. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, being a 32° Mason. He 
is also a trustee of the First Presbyterian church. In July, 1891, he made an e.N- 
tended tour through Europe. Dr. Classen married Ella J. McCracken, and has one 
son, Philip Luke Classen. 

Felter, James, was born in Rensselaerville, August 3, 1840. and is a son of Andrew, 
born April 27, 1S08, and Jemima Felter, he born in Rensselaerville and she in West- 
erlo, Albany county. The grandfather was William, a son of Jacob Felter, a native 
of Holland who came to America before the French and Indian war and fought in 
that war; he died in Kingston, Ulster county. The grandfather of Mr. Felter came 
to Rensselaerville and took up land and there died ; his wife was Jane Joy, of Eng- 
lish descent, a daughter of John Joy of England, and died in Ulster county. The 
father was a farmer and lived in Rensselaerville. He sold his first farm and about 
1853 bought the farm now owned by Mr. Felter, and died in the village of Rensse- 
laerville in 1894, at the age of eighty-six, and his widow now lives at Rensselaer- 
ville, aged eighty-two. He was supervisor for two terms, 1858 and 1859, and was 



also commissioner of highways and assessor. Mr. Felter was reared on a farm and 
educated in the common schools. He is a farmer on the old homestead of 160 acres. 
In 1868 he married Mary Eckerson of Seward, Schoharie county, by whom he has 
one son, Charles H., born July 39, 1869, educated in the common schools, and is a 
farmer by occupation, and also an engineer. February 6, 1892, he married Mary 
Brown of Albany, and has one son, Frank, born August 18, 1893. Mrs. Feltur is a 
daughter of William Ecker.son and Jenette Miller, who lived and died in Schoharie 
county. 

(jove, Ralph A., son of Aurelius Gove, the oldest resident of Loudonville, and one 
of the oldest residents of the old town of Watervliet, was born at Loudonville, July 
37, 1849. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm; he attended district 
school No. 11 from six years of age until old enough to work. He worked on the 
farm in the summer and attended school in the winter until 1867, when he attended 
the Literary and .Scientific Institution of New London, N. H. In 1868 he entered 
the grocery store of James Seamans of Brookline, Mass., as clerk and worked for 
$100 a year. In 1869 he attended Fulsom's Business College of Albany. In 1871 
he opened a grocery store at Loudonville. In 1873 he vv-as appointed postmaster and 
has held the office until the present date. In 1882 he was elected commissioner of high- 
ways for the town of Watervliet; for three years he was elected supervisor, and 
again in 1889, but prevented from holding office by a fraudulent vote. In 1876 he 
married Miss Matilda Van \'ranken of Watervliet, by whom he has had two chil- 
dren. Florence M., born in 1877, and Ralph, born in 1888. Aurelius Gove, the 
oldest resident of Loudonville, was born of Quaker parents at Montpelier, Vt., March 
28, 1820. His parents moved to Watervliet in 1823 and three years later to Albany, 
where his father engaged in the stoneware business. In 1832 they moved to Duane, 
Franklin county; returning in 1832 they moved to Watervliet, of which town Mr. 
Gove is still a resident. He was educated in the public schools in Albany and was 
married in 1843 to Hannah S. Everett, and has Hved on the farm for fifty-two years 
which he purchased shortly after his marriage. Mr. Gove has taken an active part 
in the affairs of the town and has been for several years president of the Colonic 
Farmers' League, an organization which was largely instrumental in the division of 
the town of Watervliet, and which has done much for the good government of the 
new town. Mr. Gove is also well known among boatmen on the Hudson, having 
been for many years engaged in buying produce for the Ne.w York markets, also in 
bringing glucose meal from Long Island to Albany and Troy. 

Hartman, Christian, was born in Hessen-Darrastadt, Germany, in 1830. He was 
a son of Peter Hartman, who was one of three sons born to Peter Hartman. He 
was a blacksmith by trade, and his children were Christian, Peter and Henry, the 
two former coming to America. Peter came over in 1851 and Christian came in 
ISiil. Mrs. Hartman died when Christian was three weeks old, and his father lived 
to be sixty-seven years of age. Mr. Hartman learned and worked at the blacksmith 
trade with his father until he came to America. He came direct to Albany county, 
where he worked for three years at his trade in the railroad shops. In 1860 he re- 
moved to the village of Guilderland, where he established in his present location a 
blacksmith shop, in connection with which he later engaged in the manufacture of 
wagons and sleighs. He began life in a strange land with nothing but the knowl- 



::! 

edge of his trade; lie has been more than ordinarily successful. He owns two fine 
residences and has other property. In 185T he married Elizabeth Miller, born in 
1831, and daughter of Adam Miller, by whom two children have been born: Louis 
and John, who now conduct the business with their father. Louis is married and 
has one child, Delia. Mr. Hartman has been trustee of the Presbyterian church in 
(Juilderland and is now filling the office of trustee of the Prospect Hill Cemetery. 

Deitz, Charles E., was born in the town of Berne, July 13, 1840, the son of Isaac 
and Maria (Shufeldt) Deitz, son of Johan Jost A., son of Adam, who was a son of 
Han Henrich, a native of Switzerland. Charles E. was educated in the common 
schools and Schoharie Academy and taught school when he was sixteen years old. 
After leaving the academy in 1857 he was a clerk in the store of his brother-in-law, 
H. Willsey in Berne. Six years after, upon the death of Mr. Willsey, he and his 
father purchased the store and stock and continued the business under the name of 
Deitz & Son. In 1873 Charles E. purchased his father's interest and has continued 
the business to the present time. In 1867 he married Laura J. Ludden, a native of 
Virginia, daughter of Rev. A. P. and Marion Caroline (Grove) Ludden and grand- 
daughter of Col. John W. Grove of Virginia. They have had .seven children : Stan- 
ton L., Rev. Archibald E., Bertha, wife of Everett L. Hevenor, Grace, Leona, Ray- 
mond and Marion. Stanton L. married Isabel, daughter of Jacob S. Haverly of 
Berne in 1895. Archibald E. married, in 1893, Carrie Secor of Rhineheck and has 
one son, Vernon I. Mr. and Mrs. Deitz are members of the I^utheran church, and 
he is a Republican. He has been postmaster during every Republican administra- 
tion from Lincohi's time to the present. 

Weaver. George B , was born in New York city in 1848, and was a son of Hamil- 
ton Weaver, a merchant of that city and a native of Oneida county. His boyhood 
was pa.ssed on a farm near Deerfiekl, Oneida county. His education was completed 
at a private school in Utica; so rapid was his progress and so complete his grasp of 
knowledge in detail, that immediately upon attaining legal majority he received 
an appointment in the State Department of Public Instruction and continued for 
twenty-five years in that line of work. His duties were largely classical in connec- 
tion with the department, and he has become very prominent and efficient in edu- 
cational matters in the town of Colonie where his home is situated. He has been 
very active in public life and recently served as assessor and upon the town Board 
of Education. 

Baker Albert W., was born in Greene county. He is the son of John S. and 
grandson of Schuyler Baker, Mr. Baker's father. John moved to Westerlo in 1844. 
He was a farmer and died in 1877, leaving four sons; Albert, Edward, John and 
William. Albert, who is a miller, married Adelaide, daughter of T. S. Robbins of 
Westerlo, and after being a miller there for years he came to Alcove where he is in 
company with B. T. Briggs and carries on a general milling business. 

Bradt. John Van Der Heyden, is an old and prominent landmark of Albany 
county, and was born in the town of Bethlehem, now New Scotland, December 26, 
1831. The first Bradt dates back in America to 1633, and the first one in the town 
of New Scotland was Adam, the greatgrandfather of John Y. D. H. Bradt. He 
with a man named Sager walked from Albany through the woods in search of a 



r4 

location on which to build them a home; they found it in Bethlehem and Mr. Bradt 
staked off too acres near where now stands the village of Jerusalem, erected him 
a log house and began to clear the land to make him a home. He was a typical 
pioneer, a soldier in the French and Indian war, and reared two sons: Peter A. and 
Stoltes, between whom he divided his farm. Capt. Peter A., the grandfather of 
John Bradt, was born on his father's homestead in Bethlehem. When the war for 
independence broke out he offered his services and was captain of a train of team- 
sters. He afterward journeyed to New York winters during the Revolutionery war 
to haul government supplies to Albany; it later came upon him to transfer the 
Oneida Indians from Albany to Oneida, having under his charge a large number 
of teams and wagons loaded with Indians and supplies. He gave the land for the 
site of the first church built in Albany Co. , called the Jerusalem church. He was twice 
married, his first wife was a Miss Weidman, by whom two sons were born Adani 
and Garrett. His second wife was Mrs. Jane Hunderman, the widow of a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, who lost his life in the war, and they had one son: Henry P. He 
divided his farm of 250 acres between his two oldest sons, then purchased another 
farm of 100 acres in 1802, on which he moved the next year and there spent his re- 
maining days with his son Henry. He died in 1826 and his wife hved to be ninety- 
six ye^rs of age. Henry P., the father of John Bradt, was born in Bethlehem, Jan- 
uary, 1796, and was a lifelong and successful farmer and property owner. He pro- 
vided each of his three sons with a good farm and in 1843 purchased the Uniou- 
ville Hotel and thirty acres and placed his oldest son there. He acquired much 
other valuable property and was a strong and influential Democrat, but not an aspi- 
rant to office. He was drafted in the war of 1812 and served several months. His 
wife was Magdalene, daughter of John Van Der Heyden of Bethlehem, and their 
children were: Peter H. Maria, John V. D. H., Jane Ann, Magdalene, William H. 
and Louisa K. He died in 1872 and his wife in 1863. John Bradt, grew to man- 
hood on his father's farm, and when twenty-six 5'ears of age, in 1847, began for 
himself on his Grandfather Van Der Heyden's farm, it being the will of that grand- 
parent that the first of his posterity to bear the name of Van Der Heyden was to 
have the farm. In 1845 Mr. Bradt married Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Albert V. 
D. Z. Slingerland, and in 1867. on account of the ill health of his wife, Mr. Bradt 
left the homestead and purchased his present farm at Unionville, where he has 
ever since resided. In politics Mr. Bradt has always been a strong and active 
Democrat and filled the office of assessor for years. He was a member of the N. V. 
State Militia, was drummer and later drum major. His brother Peter was captain 
in the State militia and later general; likewise was justice of the peace twelve 
years and justice of sessions three terms. Mr. and Mrs. Bradt adopted a daughter, 
Lilly B., now wife of Cornelius Vanderzee of New Scotland. Mrs. Bradt was born 
October 29, 1820, and died on her birthday in 1890. Since the death of his wife 
Mr. Bradt has had his daughter and her husband live with him to keep house and 
take charge of the farm. 

Bailey, Asa, was born in Bethlehem in 182."i and is the son of James and grandson 
of Ephraim Bailey, who came from Connecticnt to Bethlehem in 1783 and settled at 
Becker's Corners, where he died in 1828 and left eight sons: Solomon, Amos, Reuben, 
James, Edmond, Smith, Ephraim and John. James had four sons: Charles, Will- 



iam, Rensselaer and Asa, who still lives on the homestead where his father settled 
in lf^36 and died in 1851. Asa Bailey has one son, Richard K., who now carries on 
the farm. 

Brink, Levi L., was born in Wyoming county. Pa., January 11, 1845. In 1856 his 
parents removed to Susquehanna county where he was inured to the life of a farm 
lad on his father's i farm until August, 1863, when he enlisted in Co. A, 151st Pa. 
Vols. This being a short term regiment he was discharged in July, 1863, but re-en- 
listed in September in Co. H, 11th Pa. Vol-s., and served until the close of the Re 
bellion as second sergeant. Returning to the place of his birth he took up the trade 
of a general mechanic, and mastered the duties so well that in less than five years 
he was employed by a prominent contracting firm as foreman. Tiring of the roam- 
ing life of contractors, on March 1, 1883, he engaged with the motive power depart- 
ment of the W. S. Railroad, and on January 1, 1885, was assigned to Coeymans 
Junction yard as foreman of inspection and repairs, w'hich position he still holds. 
He is a member of seversl fraternal orders and a liberal contributor to charitable in- 
stitutions, owns a fine home and is considered well to do. 

Conger, Hon. Frederick W., was born in the town of Berne. July 16, 1838. His 
grandfather, William Conger, was born in the town of Bethlehem in 1770; he was a 
lifelong farmer, spending most of his life m the town of Berne, having gone thither 
with his parents; his wife was Margaret McKnab of New Scotland, a daughter of a 
Revolutionary soldier, by whom he had eleven children ; he died in 1840, his wife in 
1855. Hugh Conger, the father of Frederick, was born on the homestead in Berne 
in 1804; he was a farmer and also engaged in the stone industry, owning and oper- 
ating his own quarries; he was prominently identified with the Republican party, 
tilling the office of justice of the peace for several terms and justice of sessions; in 
1867 and 1869 he represented his district in the State Legislature; his wife was Han- 
nah Ward, who was born in the town of Berne, on the farm now owned and occupied 
by Frederick W. Conger. Her father was Frederick Ward, who came from West ■ 
Chester county, and their children were Cordelia, Jane, Mariette, Eunice, Frederick 
W., Manley W. and Frances M. Mr. Conger was for many years a member of the 
Odd Fellows fraternity. Frederick W. Conger attended the common schools and 
remained with his parents until he was twenty-two, when he began for himself on 
his Grandfather Ward's farm. Here he remained and cared for his grandparents 
in their declining years to the time of their deaths, and on this farm he has ever 
since resided ; he not only owns this farm, but in 1891 he purchased the original 
Conger homestead of 112 acres; he also owns a one-third interest in his father's 
homestead and quarry of 117 acres. He is an extensive dealer in flagstone, known 
as the Helderberg blue stone; he is also one of the Albany County Blue Stone Com- 
pany, doing an extensive quarrying and shipping business. Mr. Conger is a staunch 
and leading Democrat and for five consecutive years was elected to represent the 
town on the Board of Supervisors. In 1868 and '88 he represented his district in the 
Stale Legislature, in 1894 he received the nomination on his party ticket for sheriff 
of Albany county, and the times are numerous that he has been chosen delegate to 
town. Assembly and State conventions. In 1869 he married Orsavill Cole, who was 
born m Berne, a daughter of John and Abigail (Fisher) Cole, and they have two chil- 
dren, Hugh and Frank, the former being inspector of election. 



Hotaling, John S. , was born in Greene county in 1856 and is the son of William J. 
and grandson of Garret, who came from Holland. Mr. Hotaling began life working 
by the month on a farm' and by economy and hard work, is now the owner of a fine 
farm near Bethlehem Center. Mr. Hotaling's wife was Viola, daughter of Henry 
Kulmer, of Bethlehem, and they have three sons and three daughters: J. Walter, 
Henr)% William, Jessie, Caroline and Mary. 

Littlefield, Edgar, jr., is a son of Edgar and and grandson of Abijah Littlefield. 
who came from Connecticut to Rensselaer county and engaged in farming. He had 
three sons, Alvin, Sanford and Edgar, who settled at West Troy, where he engaged 
in the ice business and in 1889 came to Bethlefiem where he is now engaged in the 
ice trade and farming, being assisted by his son, Edgar, jr., who is foreman for Tilly 
& Littlefield. They have the largest single ice house on the river. 

Main, JamesR., was born in Guilderland, where he now lives, September 15, 184.5. 
He is a son of Dewitt C. Main, born in Guilderland, July 23. 1818, one of live sons 
and four daughters born to John B., who was born August, 1790, m Stonington, 
Conn.; his father was Reuben P., who was a farmer by occupation. John B., tbu 
grandfather, lived for a time in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, and in 1804 removed 
with his father to Plainfield, Otsego county, where they settled and worked at team- 
ing between that place and Albany; he later settled in the town of Guilderland 
where he became prosperous ; he farmed on a large scale; he was an exceedingly 
liberal man and gave largely to those who needed his assistance; his house was al- 
ways open to travelers, and he and his wife were grand good people and noted 
widely for their hospitality ; he finally died a poor man through his generosity to 
others, signing papers for others, the payment of which eventually fell upon him ; 
he always concerned himself deeply in public matters and was often chosen as dele- 
gate to county and assembly conventions; his wife was Elizabeth Lloyd; he died 
when eighty-three, she three weeks later at the age of seventy-nine. Dewitt C, 
the father of James, was a blacksmith by trade, though devoted most of his life to 
farming and lived in the town of Guilderland; he was a good neighbor, an upright 
and honest citizen ; his first wife was Marie Riggles, born in the tow-n of Guilderland, 
and daughter of Giles Riggles; their children were Charles W., James R., Shel- 
iniar D., and Mary E. ; they were both members of the M. E. church; his second 
wife was Katurah Warner by whom one child was born, Ida. James R. , the subject 
of this sketch, worked on the farm of his father and attended the common district 
school winters until fourteen years of age; from that time until twenty-five he worked 
at home or by the month for others. He lather purchased the farm of fifty-two 
acres on which he was born and where he now resides. Having an active desire to 
acquire knowledge he let few opportunities pass; he early identified himself with the 
Democratic party and took keen interest in public matters; when twenty-six he was 
elected tax collector for the town of Guilderland. and was later elected justice, and 
was justice of sessions of Albany county during the years 1877 and 1878; in 1890 was 
elected school commissioner in the third district of Albany county and was re-elected 
in 1893 and is now filling that office. In 1880 he became a law clerk and student. He 
registered under J. H. Clute, and was admitted to the bar in 1887; since that time, 
in addition to his official duties and the superintending of his farm, he carries on an 
active law practice. Mr. Main is a member of the Ma.sonic fraternity. Wadsworth 



Lodge, Albany. lu January, 18T2, he married Miss Alvira E. Reinhart, who was 
born in the town of Berne, a daughter of Alexander Reinhart, by whom he has had 
two children. Mrs. Yuba Carhart and Dewitt C. Mr. Main has been oneof the trus- 
tees of Prospect Hill Cemetery and its secretary and treasurer for many years, and 
to whose untiring efforts and influence many reforms and improvements have been 
brought about, and the cemeteiy attained to its high standing. He is also a member 
of losca Tribe No. 341 Improved Order of Men, and its treasurer. Is also a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal church and an officer therein. 

Springsted, William C, is the son of Henry and great-grandson of Jeremiah 
Springsted, who came from England and settled on the farm where the Springsteds 
now live in 1790, and was a farmer. He died in 1813 and left one son, Stephen, who 
died in 183", and left five sons and four daughters; Jeremiah, Oliver, John, Stephen, 
Henry, Lydia, Jane, Sally Ann and Mary. Henry remained on the homestead and 
IS one of the leading farmers of the town. He has one son, William C, who carries 
on the farm with his father, Henry Springsted, He married Elvira Carroll and had 
one son and one daughter. William C. and Jane, now Mrs. William D. Fuller. 
William C. married Carrie A., daughter of Jeremiah Dean, and has one son and one 
daughter. Dean and Jennie F. 

Haswell, Dr. George S., was born in 1868 and is a son of Isaac M. Haswell, who 
is a farmer. Dr. Haswell was graduated from the Troy High School in 1889, and 
from the Albany Medical College in 1892. He began his practice m New York and 
then settled in West Troy, where he has won the confidence of a large circle of 
people of his native town. Dr. Haswell, although so young, is a Mason of the order 
of the Mystic Shrine and the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. He was elected 
coroner of Albany cpunty in November, 1896. In 1893 he married Alice, daughter of 
Edward H. Wiswall of Colonie, by whom he has one daughter, Mildred. 

Saxton, Thomas, born at Saratoga Springs. November 18, 1801, son of Nathaniel 
and Susan (Smith) Saxton. Nathaniel Sa.\ton came from Long Island to Saratoga 
Springs, where he was a farmer. He spent his last days with his son, Reuben, 
in Port Byron, Cayuga county, where he died, aged eighty-nine years and eleven 
months. At fourteen years of age Thomas Sa.xton came to South Westerlo to live 
with an uncle, Thomas Smith, and was a clerk in his store. He remained with his 
uncle until he was twenty-three years of age, when he bought property in the vil- 
lage, erected a dwelling and engaged in mercantile business, which liefoUowed until 
1809, when he sold to R.S. Cryneand Mr. Lockwood. After retiring from mercantile 
business he turned his attention to farming, which he followed until his death, which 
occurred in 1890 at the age of twenty-eight. He was a Republican and a very strong 
temperance man and was for two years supervi.sor of Westerlo and justice for a num- 
ber of years. In 1836 he married Sally Baker, who died February 21, 1860, and he 
married again, April 7, 1862, Sarah V. Cryne, who still survives him, and gives this 
information. Mr. Saxton was a liberal contributor to all churches, and was a member 
. of Masonic order. Mrs. Saxton's parents were John and Sarah (Van Vorihas) Cryne, 
of Dutchess county. He was a farmer and shoemaker. He came to Schodack 
where he married, and his wife died 1838; he then removed to Westerlo, where he 
engaged in the shoe and tanning business. He went to Wisconsin and engaged in 



farming, where he died 1876 at the age of eighty-eight. He was a Republican in 
politics and a Presbyterian in religion. 

Trager, Christopher, was born in Germany and came to America in 1854. In 1859 
he came to Bethlehem Center, where he has since carried on a wagon and black- 
smith shop; he also bought a farm in 1874, which he still owns. He has three .sons 
and six daughters: John M. (who carries on the farm), Augustus, George, Anna, 
Agnes, Minnie, Louisa, Elizabeth and Maggie. His wife was Elizabeth Lash of 
Rensselaer county, N. Y. 

Trego, Thomas Markley, A. M., M. D., is the only surviving son of James and 
Maria Trego. He was born in the city of New York, August 31, 1847. His ances- 
try can be traced back nearly 250 years. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania 
on January 1, 1815, is of the seventh generation and descends in a direct line from 
his ancestor, James Trego, who was one and the oldest of three brothers and sons of 
Peter and Judith Trego, who were born in France about the year 1650. Being 
Huguenots and of French extraction, they escaped to England in 1685 during the 
persecution and there formed part of the colony of William Penn, emigrating with 
him to this country and finally settled in Chester county. Pa. The maiden name of 
the doctor's mother was Maria Houghtaling oldest daughter of Thomas C. Hough- 
taling of Albany county, N. Y., who is a descendant of a genuine Holland-Dutch 
family. His mother, Kathrine Van Bergen, was a descendant of General Salisbury 
of Catskill, N. Y. Mr. Houghtailing's ancestors were amongst the earliest settlers 
of that coutJty. The same may be said of the ancestry on Mr. Houghtaling's 
mother's side, who were of the Van Derzees. The earliest ancestor of this name 
occurs as grantee in a conveyance bearing the date April 23. 16.52. In the spring of 
1852 the parents of TJr. Trego removed to the village of New Baltimore, Greene 
county, where he attended the common school. When he was about fifteen years 
old his parents sent him to the Brooklyn Boys' Academy, where he reniamed a year, 
and in the fall of 1865 he was placed in the Grammar School connected with Rutgers 
College, New Brunswick, N. J. After a year's study he was prepared to enter the 
freshman class of the college, and in 1870 was graduated with honor in the class 
which celebrated the college centennial. In the autumn of 1870 he commenced the 
study of medicine in the office of the late Dr. S. Oakley Van Der Poel of Albany. 
When Dr. Van Der Poel was appointed health officer at Quarantine,' New York, Dr. 
Trego continued his studies with Drs. Thomas and Edward R. Hun of Albany. 
Upon leaving the office of the latter after nearly a year and a half of study, he en- 
tered that of Dr. Thomas M. Markoe of New York, meanwhile attending lectures in 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating in 1874. After graduation he 
returned to Albany, having been appointed resident physician in St. Peter's Hos- 
pital. In the fall of 1875 he resigned this position and opened an office for the gen. 
eral practice of medicine in Albany. Dr. Trego has greatly excelled in the treat- 
ment of the diseases of children and is on the staff of the Child's Hospital, Albany 
Orphan Asylum, Babies' Nursery, and St. Margaret's Home. He is also an attend- 
ing physician at the Home for Aged Men. In 1881 he was appointed physician to St. 
Agnes's School for Young Ladies. In addition to his great and deserved prominence 
in the medical profession he also holds a desirable reputation for accomplishments 
and broad cultivation in the field of literature. In the summer of 1878 Dr. Trego, 



with his father, crossed the Atlantic and visited Londi)n, Edinburgh, Paris, Ant- 
werp, Belgium, Dublin, Berlin and other famous places. In 1878 he was appointed 
one of the district physicians, and in 1887 was appointed coroner's physician for the 
city and county of Albany and held the office for three years. In 1881 he married 
Jessie, the youngest daughter of George W. Carpenter of Albany. Mrs. Trego died 
after fourteen months of married life. 

Weeber, Christian, one of the self-made men of properly at Loudonville, is of 
German birth, having been born at Wuertemburgh in 1839. He was about twenty- 
five years of age when he turned his face toward this land of promise, and having 
a predilection for the butchering trade, soon found employment in that line in Al- 
bany. A business venture in New York resulted in illness and financial disaster, 
and he returned to Albany, January 1, 1865, and established himself in business in 
a small way. During the succeeding fifteen years he steadily enlarged his trade 
and in 1879 was enabled to purchase the handsome place at Loudonville, where he is 
now so eligibly situated, with forty-five acres of garden land adjacent. Mr. Weeber 
is a citizen of much natural ability and has taught himself to read and write Eng- 
lish. He has one son in Denver, Col., and one at Schenectady, both in the market 
business, and another son in the bicycle trade at Albany ; also two sons and one 
daughter at home. 

Janes, Franklin H., born in Albany, July 19, 1854, is a direct descendant of Guido 
de Jeanes, a general of the French Confederation, who accompanied Henry H 
when he left France to assume the English throne, 1154, and who was rewarded by the 
grant of the manor of Kirtland, Cambridgeshire, England. William Jeanes or Janes, 
a descendant of Gen. Guido de Jeanes, was born in England, 1610, came to America 
and arrived at Boston, June. 1637. He was one of the founders of New Haven, the 
covenant bearing his signature; also of Northampton in 1656; died September 30, 
1690. One of his granddaughters was the grandmother of Samuel J. Tilden. Will- 
iam Janes, the father of William G., Charles H., James E. and Franklin H. was 
born at Janes Corners, 1806; married Mary A. Hawley; was the founder of Janes- 
ville. Wis., and a captain of New York militia under Governor Throop. Franklin 
H. Janes graduated at the Albany Free Academy, 1872. He studied architecture in 
Boston and Paris, and succeeded to the business of William L. and William M. 
Woollett in 1881. He was made a member of the American Institute of Architects 
in 1886. Mr. Janes has designed many notable buildings throughout the United 
States, and has sent plans to .several cities in Europe. His was one of a dozen 
names mentioned by the Century Magazine as producing the representative types 
of modern American architecture. In 1881 he married Laura, daughter of David 
Boyd McHench of Albany, N. Y. , and they have one son, David McHench Janes, 
born October 10, 1882. 

Cole, Ashley W., was born November 23, 1841, in the Forest of Bere, Hampshire, 
England. His father died in 1848 and in 1849 his mother came with her family 
to the United States. Mr. Cole was educated in the common schools, and soon after- 
ward worked at the busiue.ss of manufacturing blacking and ink, and later worked 
two years in a brick yard. During the war he enlisted in the 10th Regiment of 
New Jersey Yolunteers and at the close of the war, in August, 1865, went into the 
oil region of Pennsylvania, obtaining employment at Oil City in running a steam 



engine pumping an oil well. While so engaged he completed his studies in short- 
hand writing, which he had begun in the army. In 1866 he came to New York 
seeking employment in journalism, and in August of that year was appointed on 
the staff of the New York Herald. Three years later he became city editor and 
held that position until his health became impaired. Mr. Bennett then sent him to 
the West Indies and South America on a tour which occupied sixteen months. This 
journey required him to visit nearly every West India Island and was extended 
down the west coast of South America, through the Straits of Magellan and up the 
east coast. Mr. Cole crossed the Andes twice and experienced various adventures 
in the form of earthquake, yellow fever and revolution. While at Rio Janeiro he in- 
terviewed the Emperor Don Pedro, particularly on the subject of the abolition of 
slavery in the empire, the bill providing for which had just been pa.ssed by the Bra- 
zilian Parliament. Returning to New York he rejoined the Herald staff, and soon 
afterward became managing editor of the Evening Telegram. In 1874 he left the 
service of the Herald and joined the .staff of the New York Times, soon after- 
ward becoming financial editor of that paper, and later its Albany correspondent. 
In 1882 he became private secretary to the late Rufus Hatch, and was identified with 
that gentleman in the Yellow Stone National Park enterprise, which, however, 
collapsed in 1884, when the Northern Pacific Railroad went into the hands of a re- 
ceiver. Mr. Cole then returned to journalism on the staff of the New York Herald, 
and remained there until the fall of 1887, when he resigned to organize the city 
staff of the Press and became the first city editor of that paper. In 1888 he went 
into Wall street as general manager of the Kiernan News Company, a concern 
whose specialty was the furnishing by ticker and bulletins of information to bankers 
and railway and financial corporations. In the fall of 1894, shortly after Governor 
Morton w-as nominated for the governorship, Mr. Cole was invited to be- 
come his private secretary, and has continued with him in that capacity 
until the present time. He has been a member of the New York Press Club 
for over twenty years and was twice elected vice-president. He is also a mem- 
ber of the 23d Regiment, N. G. , N. V., of Brooklyn and is now assistant chief of 
Artillery, State of New York, with the rank of colonel. He has contributed to 
various magazines sketches of the civil war, of foreign travel and of the Yellowstone 
country. 

Carroll, James H., son of John and Jane (Ballard) Carroll, was born in Albany on 
the 19th day of September, 1828. His parents were born in Ireland. His father 
arrived in this country in 1824, came to Albany the next year, and commencing busi- 
ness in a small way. soon followed his brother in the manufacture of burr mill stones, 
on Broadway. He also held several positions of trust, and was highly respected. 
His death occurred from an accident in 1851. James H., the subject of this sketch, 
was educated in the public and select schools of the city, and in 1844, at the age of 
seventeen entered the printing office of Joel Munsell and learned the trade, which he 
followed for nineteen years. Being of an active political mind, in 1862 he was 
elected supervisor of the old Seventh ward, and afterwards a police commissioner of 
the city. In 1863 he was appointed to a position in the post office under Postmaster 
George Dawson, and on the passage of the capital police law% accepted the captaincy 
of the third police precinct, which he held for nearly two years, resigning in 1867, 



81 

purchasing an interest in the coal business with his brother-in-law, T. C. Ratferty. 
He also became interested in the Albany Stove Company, and held the position of 
its president and treasurer for several years, and is now one of the executive com- 
mittee of St. Peter's Hospital. In 1894 Mr. Rafferty died, when he assumed sole 
charge, and has the most complete shed or pockets for coal now in the city. He is 
one of the five living members of the original Republican Countj- Committee, and 
is in the enjoyment of good health. On the 28th of August, 1851, he married Jane 
Rafferty, daughter of the late Charles Rafferty of the city, by whom he had seven 
children, three now living: J. Ballard, Dr. Terence L. and Mary Ann. 

Pitkin, Wolcott H., son of John R. and Sophia M. (Thrall) Pitkin, was born in 
Brooklyn, N. Y.. December 22, 1838. Both parents were from Litchfield county. 
Conn. Mr. Pitkin's childhood was spent on his father's farm in Jamaica township. 
Queens county. N. Y. In 1849 his mother died and the family was broken up. His 
father then made the farm into building lots and incorporated the village of 'Wood- 
ville, later known as Woodhaven, and he had previously incorporated the village of 
East New York, now the Twenty-sixth ward of Brooklyn. Soon after the death of 
his mother, Mr. Pitkin was sent to live with his uncle who owned a dairy farm in 
Torrington, Conn. Here under the good discipline and instruction of his uncle he 
learned to do all kinds of farm work and inculcated habits of industry. Schools 
were open during the winter months only and inasmuch as the facilities for obtain- 
ing an education were so limited, Mr. Pitkin, after a year or two of this farm life, 
was sent to Marlboro, Mass., where his father had arranged for him to attend the 
public schools and work an hour or two each schoolday and a part of each Saturday 
in the large shoe factory of C. D. Bigelow & Bro. In this way he acquired a knowl- 
edge of books and of business, and at the age of nineteen, with the advice and as- 
sistance of his elder brother, a wholesale dry goods merchant of New York city, he 
obtained employment with the wholesale boot and shoe jobbing house of William 
Smith, Brown & Co., as junior stock clerk. He remained with this firm until the 
war of the Rebellion crippled industries, and stranded his employers' business. He 
soon engaged and became interested in the business of the East New York Boot, 
Shoe & Leather Manufacturing Co., which was founded in 1838 by his father at East 
New York, L, I., with sales department in New York city. Levi B. Howe, repre- 
senting his own and the Bigelow and Trask interests, was president, F. Eugene 
Pitkin secretary- and treasurer, and John R. Pitkin, the father of Wolcott H.. was 
vice-president of the company. At this time the company held contracts for the 
labor of some one hundred and fifty convicts in the Albany County Penitentiary and 
for the labor of two hundred and fifty boys in the Providence, R. I., Reform School. 
Mr. Pitkin was sent to take charge of the work at the latter institution in the latter 
l)art of 18.'59 and was very successful in his management. He also added another 
contract for the labor of the prisoners in the Rhode Island State Prison and estab- 
lished another factory in the city of Providence. Early in 1805 the company was 
ortcred inducements to move its plant to Albany, N. Y. The labor of some three 
hundred Albany county prisoners, then employed by C. D. Bigelow & Co., was 
oflered, with additional increase as to the force as required. In 1866 Mr. Pitkin 
closed the works in Providence and organized six (afterwards ten) work shops in the 
Albany County Penitentiary. Later it became necessary to again enlarge and an- 



82 

other factory was leased in South Broadway. In 1870 it again became evident that 
more room could be used to advantage. At this time Mr. Pitkin's brother, George 
D., became interested in the company. W. H. resigned his office as president in 
favor of his brother, who managed the finance and credit department until his death 
in 1886. The property on Hamilton street from No. 223 to No. 236 was purchased 
in 18T0, and the factory was fitted up and equipped with the latest mechanical de- 
vices used in shoe manufacture This business continued until the spring of 1889, 
when the contracts for penal labor were closed through adverse State legislation. 
This depression caused a reorganization of the company when the following direct- 
ors were elected ; F. E. Pitkin, W. H. Pilkin, E. D. AUyn, Charles T. Whitman and 
A. R. Sewall. Success attended the efforts of the new company until the spring of 
1890 when difficulties arose with the labor unions. These were partly settled in 
1891. but the financial depression beginning in 1893 made itself felt in the busines.s. 
In 1894 and 1895 the business was wound up and all obligations honorably liquidated. 
October 20, 1868, Mr. Pitkin married Mary Wood, daughter of Henry C. Southwick 
of Albany, N. Y.. and they have two children, Edith Winifred and Wolcott Homer, 
jr., now living. 

Warner, Jacob A , a well known citizen and landmark, was born in the town oi 
Berne, March 16, 1828. Christopher Warner, his great grandfather, was a native 
of Germany, came to America with his two brothers, and settled in the town of 
Berne, taking up land around what is now known as Warner's Lake. Christopher 
Warner, the grandfather, was born in Berne and was a farmer. In 1765 he and his 
brother Johannes erected a saw and grist mill in East Berne, it being the second 
mill in the town. He reared three sons and four daughters. Henry C, the father 
of John A. Warner, was born in Berne on the homestead near Warner's Lake, 
November 14, 1793. In early life he was a farmer, but the greater part of his life 
was spent at coopering, residing all his life at Berne. His first wife was Lena, 
daughter of Andrew Batcher of Knox, and they had seven children : Rebecca, 
Samuel, Mary Ann, Elizabeth (who died when three years of age), Hannah, Chris- 
topher and Jacob A. His wife died in 1834 and he married Mrs. Lane Cole. He 
died in 1854. Jacob A. Warner received a limited common school education, and 
when a lad of twelve years of age began work on a farm for others ; when fourteen 
he went to live with an uncle, with whom he remained until eighteen. He then 
learned the mason's trade and followed this for nine years, when he purchased a 
small farm in Berne and engaged in farming. After selling this farm he lived two 
years in Knox on a rented farm and in 1865 he purchased a farm in the town of New 
Scotland. He sold this farm and in 1867 purchased his present farm of 127 acres, 
where he has ever since resided. He has been the breeder of many fine horses and 
also a dealer in horses, and is an excellent judge of o.xen, as he found it profitable for 
many years when ox teams were much in use to deal in those animals, buying and 
selling many yokes of cattle; later years he has devoted more attention to the breed- 
ing of Jersey cattle. In politics Mr. Warner is a Republican and has filled the office 
of assessor in his town for fifteen years, and is now filling that office. He has often 
been drawn as juryman, having sat on the Grand Jury and United States Grand 
Jury. In 1851 he married Sarah, daughter of Lawrence Clyckman, and their chil- 
dren were Henrietta (who died when twenty-one), Lawrence and Mary (wife of Charles 



s:5 

Fares of Guilderland). Mr. and Mrs. Warner are members of the Lutheran church 
in Knox, where Mr. Warner is elder. Lawrence, his son, now has the management 
of the farm and is interested in the breeding of Jersey cattle and fine draft horses. 
His first wife was Mary Kipp, second wife. Minnie, daughter of Calvin Beebe of 
Knox, and they have one child, Earl. He is a Republican and a member of the 
Patrons of Husbandry. 

Higgins, John H., was born in New Scotland, February 7, 1844. His father, John 
Higgins, was born in England, July 27, 1809. When seventeen years of age he 
came to America on account of his health, first settling in Dutchess county, where 
he lived two years, then in 1828 came to New Scotland and engaged in farm 
work, which he followed many years. His wife was Elizabeth Schermerhorn of 
Knox, daughter of Abram Schermerhorn, by whom he had two children: Thomas, 
who enlisted in Co. D. 91st N. Y. Vols., and died in Pensacola Hospital in 1862; and 
John H. ; John Higgins died in October, 1890, and his wife in November, 1866. 
John H. Higgins attended the common district school and remained on the farm 
with his father until twenty-one years of age, when he began for himself by assuming 
charge of a farm for another party and later rented farms for some years. In 1877 
he bought his present farm consisting of 102 acres, where he makes a specialty of 
dairying and fruit growing, having the finest plum orchard in his vicinity. He has 
also devoted much time to breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle and fast horses. In 
1863 Mr. Higgins married Mary Ann, daughter of Alex, and Sarah Ann Patter-son 
of New Scotland, by whom he had two children: Mrs. Elizabeth Bennett of New 
Scotland, and William. His wife died April 2.5, 1873. His second wife was Emily 
Albright, daughter of Mrs. Margaret (Hotaling) Albright, and they had one child. 
Lulu. Mrs. Higgins died July 12, 1894. William Higgins married Nellie Warner, 
daughter of Franklin Warner, of New Salem. 

Martin, Robert, was born in the town of New Scotland in 1838. John, his great- 
grandfather, was born in Coxsackie, and was left an orphan when quite young. He 
was a mason by trade, and was a soldier in the English army during the Revolution- 
ary war. He settled in New Scotland before the war, where he worked at his trade, 
and later died in New Salem about 1816. His wife was Maria 1-ralick by whom he 
had thirteen children. Peter, the grandfather, was born in this town in December, 
1781. He was a farmer and became a soldier in the war of 1812. His wife was 
Christiana Allen, daughter of William and Jennie (Dremmons) Allen, both of Scot- 
land and pioneers in New Scotland. They had seven children: Margaret, Isabella, 
Mary, Jennie, William, Avery and John. He died in June 1852 and his wife in 1839. 
William, the father, was born in New Scotland, October 18, 1806, and came on the 
farm he now owns with his parents when he was six years of age. When he was 
thirty years of age he purchased a half of his father's farm of ninety- four acres, and 
in 1851 purchased the other half and has since devoted his time to general farming. 
He erected all of the buildings and made other improvements on the place. In Oc- 
tober, 1829, he married Mary Moak, daughter of William Moak and granddaughter 
of Robert Taylor, a native of Ireland. Their children were Mary, Jane, Peter W., 
William M., Robert, Harriet A., Rachael, and Alden, who died when twenty-two 
years of age. His wife died April 19, 1880. Robert has alwaysresided on the home- 
stead ; for the past twenty-five years he had charge of the farm, his father residing 



84 

with him. In December, 1869, he married Amelia Wood, daughter of Arnold Wood. 
They have two children : Arvilla H., wife of Clarence Harkey of Guilderland, and 
Frank W. 

Stewart, L. D., born April 10, 1851, is a son of Ebenezer and Catherine (Carpenter) 
Stewart, both natives of Westerlo. The parents of Ebenezer were Andrew and 
Lydia (Seaman) Stewart, of Albany county, but spent their last days in Greenville, 
Greene county. Ebenezer Stewart has been a farmer, speculator in stock and wool 
buyer ; his business is now dealing in wool at South Westerlo, which business he has 
followed tsventy-five years. He has two children ; L. D. Stewart, as above, Susan 
S., wife of Clarence S. Gage, proprietor of the Ravena House, Ravena, N. Y. The 
parents of Catherine (Carpenter) Stewart were Thomas G. and Janett (Green) Car- 
penter, he a native of Stephentown and she of Westerlo. He was a boot and shoe 
dealer at Coxsackie, and grocer and farmer in Westerlo. The parents of Janett 
Green were Capt. John and Mary (Llewellyn) Green, he of England and she of France. 
He was a drummer in the Revolutionary war, and owned a large estate and kept 
slaves. The parents of Thomas G. Carpenter were Samuel and Homar (Arnold) 
Carpenter ; she was a cousin to Stephen A. Douglass and relative of Benedict Arnold. 
In 1888 L. D. Stewart married Jo.sephine, daughter of George W. and Lucy (Rey- 
nolds) Robbins of South Westerlo. Mrs. Stewart died April 12, 1893. She was a 
teacher of music and educated in Albany. Mr. Stewart has been in the wool busi- 
ness with his father, and in 1888 he engaged in general mercantile business at South 
Westerlo and carries a complete line as needed in country stores. He is a Republi- 
can and has been county committeeman five or six years; he also has been post- 
master at South Westerlo. 

Waggoner, William S., was born in the town of Guilderland, November 10, 18.").'). 
The Waggoner name dates back to the early settling of Albany county. Michael 
Waggoner, the founder of the name in America, was a native of Germany ; he set- 
tled in what is now Guilderland, where he took up a tract of some 700 acres of land. 
George, the next in line, was born in Guilderland on the homestead near Dunnsville. 
Peter, the great-grandfather, was born on the homestead about 1770; his wife was 
Hannah Walker, and their children were George, Israel, Nancy. Fulatta, Betsey, 
John and Susan. George, the grandfather, was born on the homestead in 1801, and 
devoted his life to farming; his wife was Elizabeth, daughter of John Winnie, and 
their children were Peter G., John W., Amanda, Susan M., William, Sarah, Louisa, 
Elizabeth and Mary Ann; he died in 1848 and his wife died in 1867. Peter G., the 
father, was also born on the Waggoner homestead in 1833; he attended district 
.schools until sixteen years of age, when, his father becoming an invalid, he look 
charge of affairs; after some twelve years he gave the farm to his brother William, 
the latter to care for the mother and sisters; he then bought another farm, but later 
moved to the town of Bethlehem, where he resided for twelve years; in 1883 he 
removed to Guilderland and purchased his present farm of ninety-three acres, near 
Guilderland Center, on which he has erected fine and commodious building.s; he has 
served his town for several years as commissioner of highways, and was twice 
appointed to take the govornment census of his town ; in 1853 he married Evaline, a 
native of Guilderland and a daughter of John P. Livingston. Their children are 
are Magdalen V., William S., Rolin, Anna B., deceased, Elon M. and Grace. Will- 



85 

iam S. received a common school education and when twenty-three years old began 
farming on his own account in the town of Guilderland. On this farm he lived for 
nine years, when in 1890 he removed to his father's farm which he has since had 
charge of. He is now serving his second four years' term as justice of the peace, and 
is president of the Guilderland Mutual Insurance Association. In 1878 he married 
Emma C, born in Guilderland and daughter of John F. and Ann Eliza (Crounse) 
Fryer. 

Kibbee, William Backus, son of Austin S. and Anna (Meeker) Kibbee, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., February 1, 1852, and was educated at the Albany Academy and 
Oberlin College. He is in direct line from Edward Kibbee, who, with his wife Deb- 
orah, were living in Exeter, England, in 1611. Their son Edward, with his wife, 
Mary Partridge, came to New England in 1640; in 1643 Elisha, the third child of 
Edward, lived in Salem, Mass., and in 1683 removed to Enfield, Conn., and was one 
(jf the founders of that town and a large land owner. His son Isaac was the first 
male child bora in Enfield. He married Rachel Cook, and his son Edward with his 
wife, Dorothy Phelps, were among the first .settlers of Somers, Conn. Thus it will 
be seen that the ancestors of the subject of this sketch played no small paf-t in the 
early settlement of the country. The followmg names of ancestors, with dates of 
birth, show the Ime of descent: Edward, born May 11, 1611 ; Elisha, September 9, 
104;{; Edward, February 2, 1670; EHsha, February 25, 1697; Charles, May 11, 1737; 
Joel, September 15, 1764; Joel, March 1, 1786; Austin S., November 22, 1822; and 
William B., February 1, 1852. About 1875 there was a remarkable gathering at the 
old homestead of Horatio Kibbee at Ellington, when ninety children, grandchildren 
and great-grandchildren sat down together to celebrate the ninetieth birthday of 
Mrs. Valorous Kibbee, who was the daughter of Allerton Cushman, and so a direct 
descendant of Thomas Cushman and Mary Allerton of Mayflower and Pilgrim fame. 
Mr. Kibbee is engaged in the lumber business with his father, Austin S., and they 
have one of the largest yards and businesses in the State. Mr. Kibbee married Carrie 
Staats, who is a descendant of Abraham Staats, a surgeon, who went to Rensselaer- 
wyck in 1642 and who was one of the founders of Albany city. They have three 
children: Fanny Abbott, Austin Staats and Wilham Bertram. 

Filkins, Edward Vincent. — The late Edward Vincent Filkins was born in East 
Berne, on the Filkins homestead, in 1821 of Scotch ancestry. His father, Richard 
Filkins, was a native of \'ermont and came to Berne with his parents about 1792, 
and later settled in the eastern part of the town on a farm of 200 acres. He also 
owned and operated a saw mill, and was a soldier in the war of 1812, filling the 
office of sergeant. He was twice married, and by his first wife si.x children were 
born. His second wife was Catharine Angle; to this union were born fourteen chil- 
dren, eight sons growing to maturity. Edward V. was reared on his fathers farm 
and attended the Rensselaerville and Knoxville Academies, teaching .school to pro- 
cure means to pay his way. He read law in Delhi and settled in Berne in 1854, 
where he spent his life practicing his profession with success and distinction. Pre- 
vious to his entering actively into the law practice, he filled the office of school com- 
missioner. His law practice was extensive, often being retained on cases which car- 
ried him before the higher courts in Albany. His wife was Emma E.. daughter of 
Rev. Thomas L. Shafer and they had three children : Carrie E., Thomas Richard 



86 

and May S. He died February 13, 1887, and his wife September 23, 1894. The sur- 
viving children, Carrie and Thomas, still reside on their father's homestead in the 
village of Berne, and they own a farm of 400 acres jn Iowa. Miss Filkins is a grad- 
uate of Temple Grove Seminary of Saratoga, and for some years afterward devoted 
her attention to teaching. 

Gise, Peter, was born in Rensselaer county in 1858, and is the son of Peter Gise 
(deceased) who came to Bethlehem in 1859 and settled on the farm where Peter Gise 
now lives, where he is a successful farmer and dairyman, running a large-milk route 
in Albany. He married Anna Dorothy, daughter of George Smith, a gardener of 
Kenwood, and they have one son and two daughters: Peter, jr., Carolyn and Lulu. 

Grey, W. W.. .son of William C. and Mary (Burrows) Grey, was born in Bedford, 
England, in 1851. He received his early education in the Bedford schools and was 
apprenticed when very young as office assistant to the Howards of Bedford, Eng- 
land, manufacturers of agricultural implements and the inventors of the iron plow. 
He remamed there until 1871, when he came to America, having been preceded by 
his parents. Before leaving England Mr. Grey had been importuned to accept the 
position of bookkeeper m the office of Coolidge, Pratt &• Co., brewers, of Albany. 
In 1872 the bu.siness, which is one of the oldest breweries in America, having been 
started in 1797, was incorporated under the name of the Albany Brewing Company. 
Subsequently Mr. Grey became a member of the company, and in 1890 he was 
elected assistant manager, which office he now fills. Mr. Grey is a 32° Mason and is 
the potentate of Cyprus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has been president of St. 
George's Society of Albany for two years and was its secretary seventeen years. 
He was commodore of the Albany Yacht Club for three years and was one of the 
organizers of the first fencing class in Albany. He is also president of the Erwin 
Manufacturing Company of Greenbush, N. Y., and was a director of the South End 
Bank. He is a member of the Press, Acacia and Albany Clubs, and also a member 
of the Albany Masonic Veteran Association. 

Jolley, Hugh, who was born in Galway, Scotland, in 1721, came to this country in 
1772. He kept the Abbey Hotel during the Revolutionary war. He had three sons; 
Samuel, James and Hugh, who was born in Scotland in 1770 and came to this coun- 
try with his father and was a minister. He had three sons: Henry S., Hugh B. 
and James W. Henry S. was born in 1807; he married Elizabeth Ten Eyck and 
settled the place known as the Crystal Hill farm in Bethlehem; he died in 1845, 
leaving three sons: Samuel, Hugh R. and James H. Samuel was born in 1833; he 
married Caroline V., daughter of Frederick Rosekrans. He still remains on the 
farm. He has two sons: Orville H. and Harry S., who is on the farm with his 
father. Orville H. was born in 1862 and resides in New York city; he has one son: 
Orville Blaine Jolley. 

Graham, Edward J., son of John and Margaret (Kirwin) Graham, was born in Al- 
bany, July 25, 1857, attended the public and high schools, graduating in 1874 and 
read law with Hand, Hale, Schwartz & Fairchild and with Attorney-General 
Charles S. Fairchild, being also a clerk in the attorney-general's office. He com- 
pleted his law studies in the office of Hon. Sidney T. Fairchild. counsel for the N. Y. 
C. &• H. R. R. R. and treasurer of the Hudson River Bridge Company, and was ad- 



87 

milled to the bar in 187ti. In May, 1885, he went to Washington as private secre- 
tary to Hon. Charles S. Fairchikl, assistant secretary of the treasury, and remained 
with him in the same capacity while he was secretary of the treasury, resigning 
in April. 1889. Returning to Albany, Mr. Graham has since been in the active 
practice of his profession. In 1883 he was elected a member of the Albany Board 
of Public Instruction and served until he went to Washington. He was appointed 
a civil service commissioner by Mayor Manning and held the office about one year, 
when he resigned. In May, 1893, he was appointed by Comptroller James H. 
Eckels national bank examiner for the Northern District of New York, and still 
holds that position. He is a member and trustee of the Catholic Union and is un- 
married. 

Hull, Samuel T., son of Heury G. and Rhoda A. (Corbin) Hull, was born in Rox- 
bury, Delaware county, N. Y., October 20, 1851. His father's ancestors were mem- 
bers of an old Connecticut family that served in the Revolution ; one of them hav. 
ing been Captain Hull, who commanded the U. S. S. Constitution at the time of her 
engagement with the Guerriere. His mother's ancestors, the Corbins, belonged to a 
prosperous family in Delaware county and they fought in the Revolution. Mr. 
Hull's father was a stock dealer and farmer and died in 1853. Samuel T. Hull was 
educated at the Roxbury Academy and at Stamford Seminary, Stamford, N. Y., 
and was graduated from that institution in 1871. He then went to Cobleskill, Scho- 
harie county, and studied law with County Judge William C. Lamont, teaching 
school during the winters. He left there in November, 1872, and taught school at 
Arkville, Delaware county, during that winter, and in March, 1873, he went to 
Kingston, N. Y., and entered the law office of e.x-Attorney-General Schoonmaker as 
managing clerk. Mr. Hull was admitted to the bar in January. 1875, and practiced 
law at Kingston until April 1, 1890. when he was appointed bookkeeper of the State 
Banking Department at Albany. Subsequently he was promoted to the position of 
chief clerk and remained there until May 1, 1896, some months after the resigna- 
tion of Hon. Charles M. Preston, superintendent. He then formed a copartnership 
with the Hon. Galen R. Hitt, with whom he has since practiced law in Albany. He 
was for eight years city judge of Kingston and for four years justice of sessions 
of Ulster county. He is Past Grand Chanceller of the order of Knights of Pythias 
of New York State; is a member of Kingston Division No. 18, U. R. K. P.. Endow- 
ment Section No. 185, K. P.. Franklin Lodge No. 37, K. P., and is now Chief Tri- 
bune, the head of the judicial branch of the order. Mr. Hull is a Past Grand of 
Kosciusko Lodge No. 86, I. O. O. F., and a member of Kingston Encampment No. 
1-25, I. O. O. F. He is at present Past Regent of Albany Council No. 1560, Royal 
Arcanum, and Senior Seneschal of Albany Senate No. 641, K. A. E. O. He was 
superintendent of the engrossing room of the Assembly during the winter of 1883, 
and has several times been a delegate to Democratic State and county conventions. 
October 2, 1873, he married Saphronia R. Jones of Kingston. N. Y.. and they have 
one daughter: Vira R. 

Jacobson, Peter, was born on hisgrandfather'shomestead, September24, 1842. Jacob, 
the founder of the family in America, came from Holland before the Revolutionary 
war and settled in the town of Bethlehem, where he engaged in farming. His wife 
was Maria Yeeder, whom he married in his native place. They reared .six children: 



88 

Volkert, John, Henry and Simon (twins), Maria, and Jane> Plenry, the grandfather, 
was born in Bethlehem in 1773. He was a lifelong farmer and from the time he was 
eighteen he lived in Guilderland, where he was fairly prosperous. His wife was 
Eve, daughter of Henry Apple, who came to America from Germany, and their 
children were Maria, Jacob L., Harriet, Nancy, Eve, Henry, Simon, Margaret and 
Jane. He died in August, 1853, and his wife, in 1865. Henry, the father, was born 
in Guilderland (on the homestead) in 1810, where he spent his entire life. He also 
purchased another farm where Peter Jacobson now resides. His wife was Susan, 
daughter of Peter Worraer of Guilderland, and their children were Peter W. and* 
Susan M. His wife died in 1846. His second wife was Catherine Beebe, by whom 
he had one child, William H. Henry Jacobson died in 1885, and his wife in 1891. 
Peter W. attended the common schools and remained on the farm, working for his 
father until his death, w-hen the property was divided and he took his present farm 
upon which he has since lived, doing general farming and devoting much attention 
to the breeding of Jersey and other high grade cattle. In 1868 he married Harriet, 
daughter of Philip Ogsbury of Guilderland, and their children are Charles, Anna, 
Henry. Susan, and Hattie Kolena. Mr. Jacobson has been treasurer of the Re- 
formed church for eleven years, also has acted as deacon and elder, and has been 
secretary of the Guilderland Cemetery Association for several years. His wife has 
been treasurer of the Missionary Society for seven years. 

Kimmey, John B. , is the son of Richard Kimmey, who was formally years en- 
gaged in the produce shipping business at Cedar Hill, and was twice member of the 
Legislature. He died in 1879 and left two sons: William of New York and John B., 
who remained on the homestead and is a farmer and gardener, and is also postmas- 
ter. He has two sons, Myndart V.. and Clarence. Mr. Kimmey's grandfather was 
Frederick, whose father, John Kimmey, came from Holland and settled in Bethle- 
hem. 

Lodge, Barrington, was born October 13, 1828, in Dublin, Ireland. Thomas Pip- 
piet Lodge, his father, a native of Carlow, Ireland, was of French extraction and at 
an early age enlisted in the English army, with which he participated with Welling- 
ton in the battles of Waterloo, Salamanca and Victoria. After Waterloo he married 
Adelaide Le Dou, of Gaillefontaine, France, and later went to Newfoundlrnd, where 
he received the appointment of ordnance storekeeper under the British government 
and there Barrington obtained his education iu private schools. In 1852 Barrington 
Lodge came tp Albany, where he has since resided. He was a clerk in the dry goods 
jobbing house of Sheldons & Co. in 1852. In 1861 he formed a copartnership with 
Henry B., son of Alexander Marvin Gregory, and engaged in the knit goods busi- 
ness under the firm name of Lodge, Gregory & Co. In 1882 the firm became Lodge. 
Wilkins & Co., and in 1887 it was changed to B. Lodge & Co., which still continues, 
Mr. Lodge's two sons, William S. and Charles Y. D., becoming members in 1893. 
Mr. Lodge is a great lover of literature, well versed in history, political economy, 
biography and science, and from the age of fifteen has written much for the press. 
For poetry and versification he possesses unusual talent and has gained a high repu- 
tation in this respect. Such poems as "The Perquisition," "Fate," "Altruistic." 
"Charity." " It might have been," "Chadidja," " The Boulders of Blue Mountains," 
"Normandie," "The Blue Bell," "A Reverie." " Mary March," and many others 



89 

exhibit higii poetical instiact and the wide scope of his genius. In 1854 he married 
Annie, daughter of John B. Scott and niece of William B. Scott of Albany. She 
died in 1886, leaving the two sons previously mentioned. In 1888 he married Chris- 
tina, daughter of Alexander Graham of Newfoundland, whom he had not seen in 
thirty years, her home being at Balarat, Australia, during that time. 

Lawson, Joseph A., son of Isaac and Elizabeth L. (Steere) Lawson, was born in 
Albany. December 13, 1859. The family have lived in Albany county for more 
than one hundred years, the old homestead in Watervliet, now Colonie, having been 
purchased by his great-grandfather, Peter Lawrence Lawson, from the French 
refugee. Marquis La Tour; it has always remained in the name and is now owned 
by a cousin, Joseph C. Lawson. His ancestors fought in the Revolutionary w^ar and 
were with the detachment that captured Major Andre. Isaac Lawson, for many 
years a prominent lawyer in Albany, was the Republican nominee for justice of the 
Supreme Court in 1887. His wife came from an old Rhode Island family of Eng- 
lish descent. Joseph A. Law.son was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1878, 
with the highest honors. He read law in New York with Marsh, Wilson & Wallis 
and in Albany with I. & J. M. Lawson. and took a course of lectures at the Albany 
Law School and was graduated from Columbia Law School in New York city in 
May, 1882, wjth the degree of LL. B., and in September of the same year was ad- 
mitted to the bar by the General Term of the Supreme Court. He began practice in 
New York city, associating himself with the firm of Marsh, Wilson & Wallis. In 
1884 he returned to Albany and became a member of the firm of I. & J. M. Lawson 
until the fall of 1891, when he withdrew and opened his present office. While a 
student at law Mr. Lawson indulged in some newspapei' and magazine work, being 
connected as editor and proprietor with the Fort Orange Monthly, and later assum- 
ing the duties of editor of the Sunday edition of the Albany Morning Express. As 
a lawyer, he has been successful and is possessed of sound judgment and forensic 
ability. He is a Democrat and has been active as a stump speaker throughout the 
State, and from January to October, 1896. served as Mayor Thacher's first clerk. 
He is a charter member of the Albany Press Club ; a member of the Fort Orange 
Club, the Albany Camera, Burns, Whist and Chess, and Young Men's Demccratic 
Clubs, the Albany Institute and the Albany County Wheelmen ; a sustaining mem- 
ber of the Y.M.C.A. ; a member and past master of Masters Lodge, No. 5, F. & A. M., 
and a member of the American Bar Association, and a member and formerl)' secre- 
tary of the New York State Bar Association. He has been a member of the Faculty 
of the Albany Law School since 1895. Among his most significant achievements 
have been his successes as a postprandial orator and campaign speaker of originality 
and force. In June, 1885, he married Harriette C, daughter of William E. and 
Helen S. Morgan, of Syracuse, and their children are Helen E. and Florence M. 

Mears, Kdward Norris Kirk, A. B., M. D., was born in Cambridge, Mass., July 1, 
1S70, and is a son of the Rev. D. O. Mears, D. D.. the pastor of the Fourth Presby- 
terian church of Albany, N. Y. Dr. Mears attended the public schools at Worces- 
ter, Mass.. and was graduated from the Worcester Academy in 1888. He then 
attended Williams College and was graduated in 1892. While at Williams Ct>llege 
he studied medicine under Dr. L. I). Woodbridge, and after leaving there he spent 
one year at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. New York city, under 



ftO 

the preceptorship of Dr. Robert F. Weir. He then came to Albany and studied 
with Drs. J. M. Bigelow and A. Vander Veer, and in 1895 was graduated from the 
Albany Medical College and received the degree of M. D. He is a member of the 
Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and the Albany County Medical Society. He is also 
climical assistant in the Albany Medical College and assistant in the genito-urinary 
department of the Albany Hospital. June 1, 1893, he married Elizabeth Cooper of 
Bennington, Vt. 

Marshall, Mrs. P., is the widow of the late Philip E. Marshall, whose death oc- 
curred in 1891, at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. Marshall was one of the earliest 
business men of Cohoes, taking up a residence there in 1859. He established a dry 
goods business there in partnership with Rodney Wilcox. Later he went into the 
lumber trade, which is still owned and operated by his widow. Mr. Marshall was 
born at Victory Mills, Saratoga county, in 1830, and spent four years in California 
before making his home here, where he became a leading citizen, honored by all 
who knew him. He was survived by his widow and three sons: Harry A. (deceased), 
Charles E., practicing medicine at Lead, South Dakota, and Frederick W., at home. 

Oliver, George, is one of the wealthiest men of Cohoes, inheriting with his six 
brothers and sisters a large farm property, which they have sold. He has interests 
in many parts of the United States, among which are the Oliver Bros. Grist Mill, 
flour and feed at 29T Ontario street, brass and iron bedstead manufacturer at Lock- 
port, N. Y., Green Island Knitting Mill, phosphate and fertilizers and oil works in 
North Carolina, and the oil business at Atlanta, Ga. He was born at Argyle, N. Y. 
in 1839, and was the son of John Oliver, a farmer of Cambridge, who died in 1861. 
Mr. Oliver was born on a farm in Washington county, came to Waterford in 1839 
and to Cohoes in 1860, building a cider mill in 1862. His wife was Isabella Frink, 
who bore him three children: Harrison G., Grace, and Marion Ruth. 

Pearse, Harry Seymour, M. D., son of Charles W. and Nellie (Skinner) Pearse, 
was born in Elmira, N. Y., November 2, 1870. His father was a native of England 
and his mother a descendant af the Puritans. He was educated in the Elmira Free 
Academy and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1892. He then 
completed a three years' course on the staff of Bellevue Hospital, New York city. 
Dr. Pearse is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and of the Society of 
Alumni of Bellevue Hospital, New York. June 10, 1896, he married Cornelia Smith, 
daughter of the Rev. Dr; Battershall, rector of St. Peter's church. 

Goldring, Samuel, son of William, was born December 29, 1864, in West Dean, 
Sussex, England, and came to America in 1886. He was for two years foreman of 
the gardening department for W. C. Wilson, on Long Island, and in 1888 he came 
to Albany and first engaged in the flower bnsiness on Western avenue, and six months 
later formed a partnership with II. G. Eyres as Eyres & Co. They carried on a large 
floral business until February, 1895, when Mr. Goldring withdrew and formed a co- 
partnership with his brother, Frederick, under the style ol Goldring Brothers. 
They have a retail store at No-. 30 North Pearl street, and also run the old Font 
Grove green-houses at Slingerlands, where they have over 77,000 square feet covered 
with glass; they do both a wholesale and retail business. Frederick Goldring came 
to America in 1878 and settled in Albany, where he was for ele\'en years orchid 



91 

jjrower for Erastus Corning. Both brothers are members of the Society of American 
I'lorists and of the Royal Arcanum. Samuel Goldring is district deputy grand 
regent of the Royal Arcanum and a member of Wadsvvorth Lodge No. 417. F. & A. 
M., Temple Chapter, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., Temple Com- 
raandery, K. T., the Elks and the Albany Press Club. In 1888 he married Miss 
Etta, daughter of William Potkora, one of the oldest tlorists in Albany, and their 
children are Edith Frederica and Jessica Louisa. 

Stedman, Francis W., son of George L. (see sketch) and Adda (Woolverton) Sted- 
man, was born in Albany, December 7, 1867, attended the Albany Academy, and in 
1884 became connected with the People's Gas Company, of which George A. Wool- 
verton was president, and George L. Stedman was vice-president. When they sold 
out he became shipping clerk for Tracey Sz Wilson, wholesale grocers, and in April, 
1891, he entered the firm of T. M. Hackett & Stedman, coal dealers, whom he suc- 
ceeded in 1892. Since 1893 he has conducted exclusively a wholesale business, cov- 
ering New York and the New England States. He is sales agent for the coal mined 
by David E. Williams & Co., a firm composed of the brother-in-law and son of 
George B. Roberts, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Mr. Stedman 
is a member of the Sons of the Revolution through Amos Hooker, whose son, John 
Parker Hooker, was the maternal grandfather of George L. Stedman, above named. 
Amos Hooker was a corporal in the Revolution, and was killed in service. In Feb- 
ruary, 1893, Francis A¥. Stedman married Clara H., daughter of Ralph W. Thacher 
of Albany, and they have one son, Woolverton Thacher Stedman. In November, 
1896, he became a director and officer of the Albany Art Union of Albany, N.Y. 

Nellis, William J., M. D., son of Jacob and Julia A. (Wright) Nellis, was born at 
Schoharie Court House, N. Y., September 3, 1855. He was graduated from Scho- 
harie Academy in 1873 and then engaged in the jewelry business in Schoharie for 
one year. In 1874 he came to Albany as a partner in {he drug firm of J. Nellis & 
Sons, from which he withdrew in 1876. While there he read medicine with Dr. 
John M. Bigelow and graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1879; since 
then he has been in active practice in Albany. He took post-graduate courses in the 
New York Polyclinic Hospital and College, in laryngology and rhinology and in the 
New York Post-Graduate School in clinical medicine, pathology and diseases of the 
nose and throat. He is a member and ex-secretary of the Albany County Medical 
Society, a member of the New York State Medical Society and chairman of its com- 
mittee of arrangements. He is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution, through 
his great-grandfather, Peter Nellis, who served in the 3d Regiment Tryon county 
militia, from 1779 to the close of the war; a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & 
A. M., the Phi Sigma Kappa, the Fort Orange, Albany Camera, and Albany Coun- 
try Clubs, the Mohican Camera Club, and served for three years as fleet surgeon of 
the American Canoe Association. 

Bell, E. M., M. D., has been a general practitioner at Cohoes since 1893, when he 
graduated from the Albany Medical College. He is of French ancestry and son of 
Louis Bell, and was born at EUenburg, N. Y., in 1806. He had taken an academic 
course before entering the medical college, and is thoroughly prepared for his cho.sen 
life work in the healing art. By his untiring devotion to his calling, which he gives, 
he has a brilliant future before him. He is at present located at 97 Ontario street. 



His wife was Lottie Bennett of Troy, by whom he has one daughter, Edith, three 
rears of age, and had one son, Clarence, who died in infancy. 

Ford, Charles R., is a son of the late George F. Ford of Cohoes, a well known in- 
surance and real estate agent, a man well known for his benevolence and a good 
citizen. Mr. Ford' was born about thirty years ago, and as a boy attended the 
public schools of the city, from which he left to accept a position with Joseph 
Stevens, the newsdealer, where he became a clerk and acted as a newsboy. It 
was not long before he received an appointment as general delivery clerk at the 
post-office under James H. Masten, the postmaster. Here he served faithfully 
for two years until called to a position as messenger in the National Bank in 
1884. Mr, Ford served as discount clerk and individual bookkeeper through ad- 
vancement until February 1, 1896, when he received the appointment as treasurer 
of the Cohoes Savings Institution, one of the most honored positions that can come 
to a man, especially one as young as Mr. Ford. It is a position of trust, as the 4,800 
depositors, representing nearly §2,000,000 of the people's money, is under his direct 
charge. Mr. Ford, while not holding any political position, takes a deep interest in 
all public affairs, and is usually found battling for good government. He is record- 
ing secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Young Men's Christian 
Association and is one of its charter members. He is also a member of the Business 
Men's Association. As an active member of St. John's church, he has always 
taken a prominent part in its advancement, and is connected with many of its 
societies. Mr. Ford is also a member of the firm of Ford & Sons, real estate and in- 
surance agents, 28 Main street, one of the leading agencies of the city, he havini; 
charge of the real estate department. 

Foster, E. H., identified with the most successful printing establishment of Albany 
county, the well known Foster & Co. printing, engraving and binding, of Cohoes, 
Remsen and Factory streets, is a native of Cohoes. He was born in 1849, and is the 
son of Samuel H. Foster, a lawyer who came here in 1846 from Albany. The latter 
was for many years president of the Board of Education here, holding the position 
at the time of his death. E. H. Foster was educated in the public schools here, and 
acquired a thorough knowledge of the printing business. He served an apprentice- 
ship on the Cohoes Cataract and afterwards became foreman of the composing room 
of the Cohoes Democrat. Later he went in business with R. S. Clark of Cohoes; 
however, the firm was dissolved and Mr. Foster has controlled the establishment 
himself since 1889. Being a man of unusual enterprise, the house stands .second to 
none in amount or quality of work accomplished. As a citizen Mr. Fostercommands 
the highest respect and is honored by a host of friends. In 1867 he married Mary 
MacKerlie of Amsterdam, N. Y. They are the parents of seven children, three of 
whom are living — Fred C, Samuel H. and Eugene A. For four years he was a 
member of the Board of Hospital Commissioners of the city of Cohoes. 

Hayes, Edward, a civil engineer, is also associated with a fire insurance business. 
He graduated from Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y,, with the degree of C. E. He 
began practicing in 1878 and held the position of city engineer of Cohoes, N. Y., for 
eight years. He is now (1895-1896) the engineer for the Public Improvement Com- 
mission of the City of Cohoes, N. Y. He was born in Blossburg, Pa., in IM.'iS, and 
has been a resident of Cohoes since 1856. 



Hay, Miller, city chamberlain, is a lifelong resident of the city, with whose munic- 
ipal government his father, the late James Hay, was also closely identified. Mr. 
Hay was born in Cohoes in 184!), and after acquiring a good business education, was 
for a short time an employee of a sash and blind factory. In 1869 he joined the fire 
department, became foreman, afterward assistant chief and then chief for two years; 
he then learned the knitting trade and was engaged in the leading mills of Cohoes; 
for one year he was engaged in the county clerk's office under Albert Judson in 1871. 
In 18T2 he was appointed mes.senger for Senator Charles H. Adams, with whom he 
remained two years and for two years was with William B. Woodin of Auburn, in 
intimate contact with the State Legislature, and was of great service as an educa- 
tional factor afterward. He conducted a confectionery in Cohoes. In 1878 he was 
appointed jailer and served four years, and in 1883 was appointed an inspector of 
customs at Albany. He returned to Cohoes in 1886 and engaged in the fruit trade, 
but on account of ill health he disposed of his business and went to Europe. In 
1890 Mr. Hay was appointed to the responsible office of chamberlain for two years, 
and was reappointed, and is on his fourth term, making eight years and is the 
present incombent; his duties he has discharged with great credit. He is a 
member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, also president of the Second Ward Republican 
Organization, and has beerf on the city committee for twenty-one years, of which 
time he was treasurer eight years. He was married in 1875 to Anna L. Greene of 
Cohoes, and has had four children; those living are Laura C. Leslie M. and Ruth 
Kberly. 

Lamb, James, whose death in 1SS.5 was so sorely felt in the city of Cohoes, was 
one of its most public spirited and benevolent citizens. He was a native of Scot- 
land, and came to America in early manhood and located in Mechanicville, working 
in a tailor establishment, which he afterwards purchased. He later engaged in the 
same business in Troy, and in 1855 came to Cohoes and entered the employ of R. 
(i. Smith. In 1857 he associated with Mr. Leroy, continuing the business for eight 
years, and was alone until 1872, when the present Globe Knitting Mill was estab- 
lished, under the firm name of Leroy, Lamb & Co. Mr. Lamb was an active poli- 
tician, as well as a prominent manufacturer, and was serving his sixth term as 
alderman of the Third ward. In the Common Council he w-as a man of marked 
ability and an earnest attvocate of all that pertained to the advancement of local 
affairs. He was a member of the Sons of Scotia, and was past grand in Egberts 
Lodge, K. of P., and also of the I. (). O. F. He left a wife and three children. 

McDowell, George H., of the firm of G. H. McDowell iS: Co., who built in 1891 the 
Cascade Mills on Van Schaick's Island, is one of the most prominent manufacturers 
in Cohoes, where he came with his mother when only three years old, his father, 
David McDoNvell, having died when he was an infant. He is of Scotch-Irish descent 
and was born at Lansingburgh in 1853. He began business with nothing but his 
indomitable courage and presevering efforts with which he surmounted every diffi ■ 
culty until he has become one of the most esteemed men of his city. Mr. McDowell 
first began as a clerk in the National Bank in 1870, then as bookkeeper until 1881, 
when he went into the Egberts Woolen Mills as superintendent. In 1882, with 
Rodney Wilcox, he bought the business and continued the manufacture of under- 
wear, etc., until 1SS4, when Mr, Wilcox sold out to Mr. George Neil, who was again 



94 

succeeded by H. S. Greene in 1889. He was married in 1878 to Elizabeth, daugh- 
ter of John Clute. They have five children. He is treasurer of the board of trustees 
of the First Presbyterian church and a trustee of the Cohoes Savings Institution. 

Smalling. L. K., has been a resident of Cohoes since the 1st of April, 1866. He 
was born in Windham, Greene county, in 1840; his boyhood was spent at Ashland; 
he enlisted in Co. F, 120th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., at Hunter, N. Y., in 1862 serving 
throughout the war. He was a corporal and participated in the battles of Freder- 
icksburg, ChancellorsviUe, where he was wounded. His first two years here were 
spent as bookkeeper in the office of O. C. Finney, then with Bogue & Wager, and 
was afterward bookkeeper for Hilton & Co. He established the present business 
for himself in 1883. For one year he was president of the Merchants' Association 
and was commander of the G. A. R. Post for one year. Mr. Smalling has been 
notary public for fifteen years. His father was Cyrus Smalling, a contractor. 

Smith, M. B., chief of police of the city of Cohoes, is a native of Troy, born in 1843, 
but has been a resident here since two years of age. He went on the capital police 
force in 1869, remaining on the force most of the time since. In 1892 he reached his 
present position, and is regarded as a very capable officer, having the esteem of the 
force and the citizens. His first relations with the mills was that of spmner, soon be- 
coming foreman of that department. He was also foreman of the Mohawk Engine 
Company No. 2 of the Volunteer Fire Department, and is a member of Cohoes 
Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M. 

Weidman, Malachi, though a native of Berne, N. V., has been a resident of Co- 
hoes for over sixty years. He was born in 1828, and was the son of Abram Weid- 
man, who was for years associated with the Silliman's Axe Works. Here he was 
first employed after the acquisition of a good business education. Later he con- 
ducted a retail meat market and was for some years engaged in the lime and cement 
trade. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. A, 22d Regiment, N. Y. Vols., as a private and 
after two years in service came home an adjutant. He participated in thirteen 
battles and engagements without a wound, though a horse was once wounded under 
him. After the war he was for eight years engaged in the wool trade, and for the 
same length of time served as chief of police. In 1885 he entered his present busi- 
ness, wholesale and retail dealer in lime, cement and sewer pipe. In December, 
1!^63, he married Sarah MacWha. 

Wait, A. D., who has been reappointed a member of the National Racing Board of 
the L. A. W., is one of the most prominent citizens and business men of Cohoes. 
He has been a resident here for the past cjuarter of a century and for fifteen years 
has been in the employ of John Leggett & Son. paper box manufacturers, for the past 
five years having managed their large establishment. Mr. Wait is a veteran wheelman, 
having ridden since 1883. He is a member of the Cohoes Wheelmen, a most flour- 
ishing organization. He is well known as a successful race meet promoter and takes 
a lively interest in wheeling and everything pertaining thereto and enjoys well de- 
served popularity. He was last year a member of the State Racing Board of the L. 
A. W. and is now chairman of that body, having recently been appointed to that 
position by Chief Consul Potter. In politics Mr. Wait is an active worker and al- 
though he has never looked for political fame by seeking office he has nevertheless 



been a faithful worker for the party to which he adheres. Mr. Wait is also a mem- 
ber of the Cohoes Lodge F. & A. M., and an active member of the Hiram Chajiter, 
K. A. M. 

Gregory, Hon. Clifford D., judge of the County Court, was Ijorn in the city of 
New York and liberally educated at La Fayette Institute and Columbia College. He 
became an Albanian in 1873 and a student of the Albany Law School, graduating from 
that institution two years later. He was for seven years associated with the firm of 
Parker & Countryman, and in 1894 formed a copartnership with his late brother, 
George Stewart Gregojy, which continued until the death of the latter in 1888. He 
is a Republican in politics, but a politician of broad guage ; his popularity is universal. 
His ability as a debater and his forcible and fearless advocacy of commendable meas- 
ures, made him an acknowledged leader in the Board of Aldermen, to which he was 
first elected in 1888 and again elected without opposition. Judge Gregory is a life 
member of the Society of Colonial Wars, and vice-president of the Albany Chapter; 
a life member and president of the Albany Club; a life member of the Fort Orange 
Club; director of the Albany County Bank ; from 1890 to 1894 was president of the 
Republican Executive Committee of- Albany County; and a life member and presi- 
dent of the Ridgefield Athletic; Club. He is honored alike in political, professioual 
and social life. 

Masterson, Gen. John Philip, is the eldest son of Philip and Mary (Dolan) Master- 
.-.on, natives of Longford, Ireland, who resided in Albany over fifty years, dying, the 
father on April 29, 1877, and the mother September 30, 1877. He was born in Al- 
bany, May 6, 1849, was educated in the public and private schools and in 1864 en- 
tered the establishment of Taylor & Waterman carpet dealers. In 1867 he became li- 
l)rarian of the Young Men's Association, which post he most creditably filled for five 
years, when he was made chief managing clerk in Bradstreet's Mercantile Agency, 
then under Samuel Moffat. In the sprmg of 1874 he was elected a member and secre- 
tary of the Democratic General Committee and occupied that position until June, 
1896. In 187.^ he was appointed clerk in the adjutant general's office under Gen. 
Frederick Townsend and held that position four years, receiving while there the title 
of '■ General." by which he has since been popularly known. In 1879 he was ap- 
pointed by the Board of Supervisors clerk of the committee on coroners and physi- 
cians, and later as clerk to all the committees of the board, and in 1884 became con- 
fidential and chief clerk to the state engineer, a position he held until November 28, 
1892. In 1893 and again in 1894 he was appointed police commissioner, but resigned 
m the latter year to accept, in September, at the hands of President Cleveland, the 
appointment of surveyor of customs of the port of Albany, to succeed Hon. John 
M. Bailey, which office he still holds. Since leaving the Young Men's Association 
in 1874, he has been an active, influential leader in the Democratic party. He is a 
life member of the Catholic Union, vice-president of the Democratic Phalanx, a great 
lover and collector of books, and resides in the homestead in which he was born at 
No. 5 Chestnut street. 

Milne, William James, Ph. D., LL.D., was born in the village of Forres in 
the north of Scotland. His father, Charles Milne, was a Scotchman by birth and 
a miller by occupation. His mother was Jean Black, distantly related to John 
Black, the distinguished Scottish journalist. William J. Milne spent the first nine 



years of his life studying in the parochial school of the Presbyterian church at 
his birth place. In the autumn of 1852 Charles Milne with his family came to 
America, and after a time settled in the village of HoUey, Orleans county. Here 
William J. Milne attended the academy; he also spent four years as a clerk in a vil- 
lage store and taught school two terms to enable him to prepare for college at the 
Brockport Collegiate Institute. In 1863 he entered the University of Rochester and 
was graduated m 1868. During his course at college he taught some in the Roch- 
ester Collegiate Institute and by his teaching earned more than enough to 
meet his expenses at college. During his college course the Brockport Collegiate In- 
stitute became a normal school and Dr. Milne was elected professor of ancient lan- 
guages. He occupied that position until 1871. when he organized the State Normal 
and Training School at Geneseo, N. Y., and became its principal. There he re- 
mained eighteen years and made the school one of the best of its kind in the coun- 
try. In the autumn of 1889 Dr. Milne succeeded the late Dr. Waterbury as president 
of the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y., and in the following spring this institu- 
tion was chartered as a college to train none but teachers. Dr. Milne has brought 
the college into the front rank of the educational institutions of the State. He is the 
author of a series of mathematical text books and in addition has contributed many 
articles to magazines and educational publications. He has also delivered many lec- 
tures on the educational methods of the day. He received the degree of Ph. I). 
from the University of Rochester and that of LL.D. from the Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity. He is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Albany. In 1871 he 
married Eliza Jeanet Gates, sister of President Gates of Amherst College, and they 
have two children, a .son and a daughter. 

Ten Eyck, James, was born in Albauy, N. Y., February 16, 1840. He is a son of 
Vi.sscher Ten Eyck, who for a long time was cashier of the Commercial Bank. He 
is a descendant of an old and historical family that came from Holland to America 
240 years ago. About the year 1800 Mr. Ten Eyck's grandfather, Abraham R. Ten 
Eyck, removed to Albany and for a great many years he was prominently identified 
with Albany's interests. Mr. Ten Eyck attended the Albany Academy and was 
graduated from Burlington College, N. J., in 1855. He passed the examinations 
and was admitted as junior at Yale College, but owing to ill health he was compelled 
to change his plans. He then started in mercantile life as a clerk in the office of the 
Central Railroad. In September, 1857, he left the railroad and entered the employ 
of Bacon & Stickney, dealers in coffee and spices. March 1, 1865, he was taken into 
partnership and on the death of Mr. Bacon he became senior partner of the firm. 
In 1864 he married the daughter of Mrs. Margaret T. Van Vechten of Albany, but 
his wife lived only eight months. Mr. Ten Eyck never married again. He has 
done much for the city of his birth and has been connected with all important organ- 
izations. He is a member of St. Peter's church and the Fort Orange and Albany 
Clubs. He IS also a member of the Albany Institute and the only honorary member 
of the Acacia Club. In politics he is a Republican and has been chairman of 
the General County Committee. He was at the head of the Citizens Committee 
that had in charge the reception to President Harrison in 1891. Mr. Ten Eyck otii- 
ciated at the laying of the corner stones of the State Armory, Harnianus Bleecker 
Hall and the Albany Masonic Burial lot. also of the Burns Monument. April 'ii, 



1889, he presided at the jubilee of the Masonic fraternity in celelirating the final 
paymentof debt on the Masonic Temple of New York city. Mr. Ten Eyck is the oldest 
33 Mason in Albany and has been actively identified with the fraternity since his 
initiation in Masters Lodge No. 5, November 23, 1863. He was master from 1873 to 
1877. having passed all the chairs. June 8, 1892, he was elected grand master of 
Masons in the State of New York. He was also re-elected unanimously but de- 
clined. Only one man in the world has a larger jurisdiction over Masons than Mr. 
Ten Eyck and that man is Prince of Wales. When he was grand master Mr. Ten 
Eyck presided over 80,000 Masons. The Prince of Wales, as grand master of Great 
Britain has jurisdiction over about 150,000. It is needless to add that in capitular, 
cryptic and chivalrous Masonry, Mr. Ten Eyck is held in the highest esteem. 

Paris, Dr. Russel C, son of Urias G. and Cordelia E. (Rogers) Paris, was born 
August 4, 1859, in Sandy Hill, Washington county, N. Y. His father was an eminent 
member of the bar, and for eight years was surrogate of Washington county. Dr. 
Paris was one of a large family of children. He attended the Sandy Hill public 
schools and at the age of fourteen was appointed cadet midshipman, at the United 
Stales Naval Academy, by Hon. James S. Smart, M. C. He was graduated in 1877 
with a high standing and completed the extended course two years later. He stud- 
ied medicine one year with the surgeon on the United States ship Constitution, and 
in 1880 resigned from the navy and continued his medical .studies with his great- 
uncle, Dr. E. G. Clark of Sandy Hill for one year. He then came to Albany and 
studied vv-ith the late Dr. John Swinburne, attending lectures at the Albany Medical 
College. He passed the Regents' medical examination in 1883, and has since prac- 
ticed in Albany. He is commander of Admiral Farragut Garrison, No. 135, of the 
Regular Army and Navy Union, and is a member of the Presbyterian church of 
Sandy Hill. In 1889 he married Jessie Nichols of Albany, and they have one daugh- 
ter, Grace. 

Russell, George H., was born in Rochester, Windsor county, Vt , August 13, 1848, 
of New England stock, his ancestors having gone from Northern Massachusetts into 
New Hampshire and thence into Vermont, in the days when that State was first 
settled. His parents, Horace and Abigail S. (Worcester) Russell, removed to Albany 
in 1849, coming by their own conveyance, an uncle. Dr. Andrew W. Ru.ssell, being 
in practice here for many years and dying in 1871. Dr. Russell's wife was a sister 
of James T. Lenox and Lionel U. Lenox, the latter colonel of the 10th Regt. in the 
war of 1861-65, James T. being one of the firm of Ubsdell, Pierson & Co., of New 
York, who opened the New York store (now W. M. Whitney & Co.) May 7, 1859. In 
this store on the first day of its opening, George H. Russell commenced work as a 
cash boy, later as a clerk, continuing until the spring of 1863, when his parents re- 
moved to Pittsfield, Mass., where his time was spent at the high school and in the 
store connected with the woolen mills of L. Pomeroy's Sons. Thence he went as 
superintendent of the mills run by Sarsfield & Whittlesey and then was for a time in 
the employ of the American Express Company. In 1867 he returned to Greenbush 
with his parents, his father being for nearly forty years in the employ of the Boston 
\- Albany Railroad, and at the time of his death in 1889 one of the oldest conductors 
connected with the road. Returning from Pittsfield and having finished a course at 
the Albany Business College, he was for a year in the employ of Hinckley & Lewis, 



98 

shippers and forwarders. He was next emploj-ed in the office of the tobacco factory 
of Benjamin Payn, which he left to go to Weslfield, Mass., returning to Greenbush 
in November, 1871, where he entered the employ of Charles R. Knowles, then, as 
now, a large fire insurance manager of several companies for New York State with 
headquarters at Albany. In 1874, after eight months spent in travel in the Western 
and Southwestern States, he associated himself with E. J. Knowles, who had been 
appointed manager for the Stale for the Western Assurance Company of Canada. 
In 1878 the firm of Knowles & Russell was formed for the transaction of the fire in- 
surance business locally and this connection continued until January 1, 1897, when 
the firm dissolved and Mr. Russell took over the entire business. He has represented 
a large number of companies and has built up a very large and profitable business. 
Mr. Russell is also connected with various business enterprises in Albany and Green- 
bush. He is a past master of Greenbush Lodge No. 337, F. &A. M., past high priest 
of Greenbush Chapter No. 274, R. A. M., companion of De Witt Council No. 22, R. 
& S. M., and a member of Temple Commandery No. 2. K. T. He is a trustee of the 
Albany County Savings Bank, the Albany Camera Club and the Greenbush Meth- 
odist Episcopal church and was trustee for the Fourth ward two terms and president 
of the village one term, declining a renomination. In 1875 he married Phebe A. 
Hermance, a descendant of the old Columbia Dutch settlers. They have two chil- 
dren: Mabel A. and Clarence H. Mr. Russell has resided for twenty-two years at 
No. 14 Third street, Greenbush; he has also a summer cottage at Vischer's Ferry, 
on the Mohawk. 

Scherer, Hon. Robert G., was born in Albany, March 20. 1861, his father being 
George Scherer, a prominent merchant well known for his extensive influence among 
his German fellow citizens and his activity in all matters pertaining to their interests. 
Mr. Scherer entered the public schools and was also for some time under the instruc- 
tion of Prof. Carl Meyer; he also received a thorough business education. He en- 
tered the law office of Messrs. Paddock, Draper & Chester (composed of Recorder 
William S. Paddock, Andrew S. Draper, now president of the Illinois State Univer- 
sity, and Judge Alden Chester) and remained as a clerk during the existence of the 
firm. After taking a course at Cornell University, he entered Columbia Law School. 
On his admission to thebarhe formed a partnership with John F. Montignani, which 
continued several years ; he is now senior member of the law firm of Scherer & Downs. 
Mr. Scherer has been connected with many important litigations, among which may 
be mentioned the McPherson Collateral Tax Matter (104 N. Y., 306), decided ulti- 
mately by the Court of Appeals, which became the leading case on the subject; he 
was also counsel in the noted case People vs. Gilson (109 N. Y., 389), in which the 
Court of Appeals unanimously sustained Mr. Scherer's views. His management of 
the Milwain §20,000 bond robbery and his conduct of the Greer Will cases to a suc- 
cessfull issue are well known. The Bender Will Case and the extensive assignments 
of Ward and Byrnes, Nelson, Lyon, and Sullivan & Ehlers are among others of im- 
portance; he was also connected with the Appell impeachment proceedings before 
the judiciary committee of the Assembly in 1895 and secured the acquittal of Judge 
Appell. In politics Mr. Scherer has always been a Republican, and in 1889 made a 
creditable run for surrogate. From 1885 to 1889 he was a member of the Board of 
Public Instruction and introduced many reforms in the school system. He was a 



90 

member of the State Legislature in 1896 and 1897 ; in 1886 he served en the jrdiciary 
committee and the committee on codes, and in 1897 was chairman of the judiciary 
committee. Mr. Scherer is a member of the Fort Orange Club and of the committee 
on law reform of the State Bar Association. In 1883 he married Anna, daughter of 
James T. Story of Albany, and they have one daughter, Grace M. 

Tucker, Willis G., M. D., son of the late Luther Tucker, editor and agricultural 
writer, was born in Albany October 31, 1849. He was educated at the Albany 
Academy, graduating in 1866 read medicine with the late Prof. James H. Armsby, 
and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1870. During this period he 
devoted much of his time to the study of chemistry and other natural sciences. In 
1871 he was appointed assistant professor of chemistry inthe Albany Medical College, 
and in 1874 and 1875 lectured on materia medica also. When the faculty was re- 
organized in 1876 he became professor of inorganic and analytical chemistry, and in 
1887 the department of toxicology was al.so assigned to him. In 1882 he was made 
registrar of the college, which position he still holds. Since 1874 Or. Tucker has 
been lecturer on chemistry at St. Agnes School, and at different times professor of 
chemistry at the Albany Academy, the Albany Female Academy, and from 1876 to 
1887 in the Albany High School. In 1881 he was largely instrumental in founding 
the Albany College of Pharmacy, a department of Union University, and has served 
it as professor of chemistry and as secretary and president of its faculty. In 1881 
he was appointed one of the public analysts to the State Board of Health, and since 
1891 has been director of the laboratory of the board. He was one of the originators 
of the Alumni Association of the Albany Medical College in 1874 and has ever since 
been its secretary. He is a fellow of the Chemical Society of London and is a mem- 
ber of various scientific societies in this country. 

Whitbeck, Dr. Ansel McK., was born in Columbia county, N. Y., February 16, 
1H36. His father was Dr. Volkert Whitbeck, for sixty-two years a physician in Hud- 
son, N. v., and his mother, Caroline Rockfeller. Dr. Whitbeck's ancestors were 
Holland-Dutch, who came to America during the early colonization and who played 
an important part in the American Revolution. Dr. Whitbeck attended the Hudson 
Academy, from which he was graduated in 1854 and then went to Rochester, N. Y., 
where he studied medicine for a year. Upon returning to Hudson he engaged in 
the drug business continuing the study of medicine with his father, and subsequently 
after attending a course of lectures at Bellevue Hospital, New York city, he received 
in 1859 a practitioner's certificate from the Board of Censors of Columbia county. 
He practiced in Hudson until 1881 when he removed to Albany, where he has since . 
practiced most of the time, still, however, retaining an office in Hudsoi. He was 
examining surgeon during the war and has been city physician and jail pliysician at 
Hudson. In 1855 he married Sarah Edmonds Frary, daughter of Jonathan Frary 
and niece of Dr. Frary of Hudson, She died in 1860, and in 1863 he married Eme- 
line Ellis of Coxsackie, N. Y., by whom he had two children: Ansel R. and Emma 
Louise. 

Williams, Chauncey P., son of Josiah and Charity (Shaler) Williams, was born in 
Upper Middletowi (now Cromwell), Conn., March 5, 1817. He spent his boyhood 
days on his father's farm, attending school only in the winters, and showed a deci- 
ded liking for mathematics and astronomj'. At the age of sixteen he went as a 



100 

clerk in the employ of his brothers, T. S. Williams & Bros., who were engaged in 
commercial business at Ithaca, N. Y. In 1835 he was transferred to the Albany 
house of the firm, then under the direction of Josiah B. Williams. In 1839, with 
Henry W. Sage as his partner, he succeeded to the business of the Albany house, 
also conducting the business at Ithaca and elsewhere. This partnership continued 
through a long term of years. Mr. Williams was a student along lines of finance 
and practical economics and wrote much on our banking systems and coinage. In 
1861, at the commencement of the Civil war, he was asked to take charge of the Al- 
bany Exchange Bank, and he met with such success that when the bank closed its 
corporate existence as a State institution tobeco.mea National bank in 1865, the entire 
capital was returned to the shareholders with fifty-four per cent, of the surplus earn- 
ings. During the Civil war his hank was made the agent of the Treasury in dis- 
tributing the loans of the government to the people. He continued as the financial 
officer of the National Albany Exchange Bank, first as cashier and later as president, 
during its entire corporate existence of twenty years, from 1865 to 1885. When the 
bank closed after having declared regular semi-annual dividends, its whole capital, 
with ninety-seven per cent, of surplus earnings was restored to its shareholders. In 
1885 the bank was reorganized as the National Exchange Bank of Albany and Mr. 
Williams was elected its president. In 1887 he withdrew from the bank and up to 
the time of his death had charge of the business of the Albany Exchange Savings 
Bank. Mr. Williams was elected alderman of his ward in 1849. The winter of 
1875-76 he spent in England, France and Italy, studying the banking system of 
those countries. From 1842 to 1857 he was the repeated candidate of the old Liberal 
party for Congress from the Albany district. In 1868 he published a "Review of 
tlie Financial Situation of Our Country." In 1875 he read a paper before the Albany 
Institute on "Money, True or False," and in 1886 another paper on "Gold, Silver 
and the Coinage of the Silver Dollar." In 1878 he contributed to the Albany Jour- 
nal a series of papers on "The Greenback Question." October 13, 1887, he deliv- 
ered before the American Bankers' Association at Pittsburgh, Pa., an address on 
the National Bank and State Taxation. In 1842 he married Martha A. Hough of 
Whitestown, N. Y., and they had two sons: Frederick S., who died September 9, 1870, 
and Chauncey P., jr., who married Emma McClure, daughter of the late Archibald 
McClure of Albany, and three daughters, one of whom died in March, 1877, one the 
wife of Robert C. Pruyn, president of the National Commercial Bank, the other the 
wife of Timothy S. Williams, formerly private secretary to ex-Governor Flower. 
Mr. C. P. Williams died May 3(1. 1894, while on a pleasure excursion in the North 
• Woods. 

Wands,' James M., was born on the farm he now owns in 1844. The first of the 
Wands to come to America were Ebeuzer and John ; they were Scotch Highlanders, 
and were weavers by trade. They enlisted in the English army and came to Canada 
to take part in the French and English war, having enlisted as volunteers; they 
served their time and upon their discharge .started as pioneers through the woods 
of New York to Albany, and finally located in New Scotland in 1763. Robert, the 
grandfather of the subject, was the son of John, the pioneer. He was a prosper- 
ous farmer in the town of New Scotland, owning the farm upon which James Wands 
now lives. He reared a large family and lived to be over eighty years of age. 



i 



101 

Ebenezer, the father of Mr. Wands, is now a resident of Chippewa Falls. Wis., 
and was born on his father's homestead farm in Xew Scotland in 1811, the third of 
si.x children; he is a farmer; in 1890 he removed to Wisconsin where he owned 
propert)-, and has since resided there ; he was twice married; his first wife was 
Nancy McBride, and their children were Robert, who died March, 1896; Sarah, Alex, 
died in 1888, Ralph, James M., Albert and Alfred (twins), Jennie and Emma. Of 
these five of the .sons were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion. Mrs. Wands died 
in 1854 and his second wife was Harriet, daughter of Everett Walley of New Scot- 
land, by whom he has had rive children: Solomon, who died when a young man; 
Burnside, who died when he was ten years old; Rufus P., William and Kate I.. 
His wife died in 1884. James M. Wands went to Voorheesville when eight years 
old to live with an uncle, James McElroy, who was a nursery man. When eighteen 
he enlisted as a volunteer in Co. D, 113th N. V. Infantry, under Captain McCul- 
lough ; the regiment was later changed to the Tth Heavy Artillery; he served until 
the close of the war. His regiment participated in the battles of Spottsylvania, 
Wilderne.ss and Seven Days Before Richmond; the first year he was stationed near 
Washington in defense of that city. In the spring of 1804 he was promoted from 
non-commissioned officer to second lieutenant. He was also in the battle of Appo- 
mattox. He returned to Albany July 4, 1865, and was engaged for ten years as a 
foreman for Col. James Heudrick on his farm. In 1885 he purchased the homestead 
of his father, consisting of eighty-eight acres of farm land upon which he does geli- 
eral farming. He pays special attention to fruit culture, and also takes pride in 
breeding high class stock. In 1867 he married Miss Martha Decker of Columbia 
county, a daughter of Francis and Lucinda (Petri) Decker. 

Stock, Bernard, was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 1, 1844. After attend- 
ing the public schools he was apprenticed to the tailoring trade in Frankfort-on- 
Maine. In 1861 he went to London, Eng., to improve himself in his trade until 
1871, then came to America, and after spending a short time in New York came to 
Albany and tool^ a position as cutter for Walter F. Hurcomb, where he remained 
eight years, after which he removed to Toronto, Canada, and was manager and cut- 
ter for Score & Son, King street, eighteen months, then returned to Albany to suc- 
ceed W. F. Hurcomb in his business under the firm name of Lyman & Stock. Since 
the death of Lyman he has continued the busmess at 65 North Pearl street under the 
name of Bernard Stock. 

Wright, Charles W., was born in the town of Berne, January 21, 1844. Samuel 
Wright, his great-grandfather, was the first of the family to settle in Berne ; he was 
born in 1758 and died January 9, 1831. Richard Wright, the grandfather, was born 
in Berne, January 28, 1793, where he was a lifelong farmer. His wife was Lydia 
Vincent. Joshua B., the father of Charles Wright, was born March 28, 1816, where 
he also was a farmer, coming into possession of his father's homestead of 100 acres. 
He filled the office for some years of commissioner of highways, etc. His wife, 
Lucretia Wright, was born in Berne in 1820, and was a daughter of James Wright. 
Their children were Wesley, Charles W. and Richard (who died when five years of 
age). Joshua R died in 1878 and his wife in 1894. Charles W. Wright grew to 
manhood on his father's farm and attended the common schools of his district and a 
term at the Knox Academy, and made such progress in his studies that before he 



102 

was seventeen years of age he was himself a teacher of a school, which he followed 
winters until August 25, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. L, 3d N. Y. Cavalry, and 
served until the close of the war. He was in several skirmishes and raids in Vir- 
ginia and North Carolina, and the winter of 1864-65 he was detailed as orderly at 
the provost marshal's quarters. Soon after his return home he purchased a farm 
and followed farming summers and teaching winters, until he had taught in all 
twenty-two terms. Durmg those years he dealt to a considerable extent in clover 
seed and since then his farming has occupied most of his attention, his farm consist- 
ing of seventy acres. Mr. -Wright has from time to time filled the office of inspector 
of elections, tax collector two terms, town auditor, and is now filling the office of 
deputy sheriff. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne Lodge, the Grand 
Army of the Republic, Post Charles McCuUough No. 645 of West Heme, of which he 
was one of the charter members and of which he is senior vice-commander; he has 
also tilled the office of adjutant and junior vice. In 1865 he married Elmira Powell, 
a native of Greene county, N. Y. , and daughter of Peter H. and Lucinda (Crandall) 
Powell. They have one child, Helen, who married Melville C. Crocker, and has two 
children: Minnie and Stanley. 

Mackey, Samuel, son of William J. and Eliza (Park) Mackey, was born in the 
North of Ireland, December 14, 1846, and came to this country with his parents, set- 
tling in Albany, where he attended the public schools, also the old Lawson School 
on Clinton avenue. In 1861 he became a clerk in the grocery store owned by Samuel 
Pruyn and run by J. M. F. Lightbody, andiater as a tally boy in the lumber district ; 
he was subsequently employed in the Winne & Northrup planing mill until Septem- 
ber, 1864, when he left and settled in Troy, N. Y., engaging as a clerk for Smith & 
Campbell in the grocery business. April 3, 1865, he enlisted in Troy in Co. H, 192d 
Regiment N. Y. V. ; he was mustered out as sergeant at Cumberland, Md., October 
2, 1865, and returniug home, was engaged as a clerk for Smith & Campbell of Troy 
until the spring of 1871, when he engaged in the retail grocery business in Troy, 
buying the store of Israel Bickford; he sold out his grocery business in 1873 and be- 
came a member of the wholesale fruit and commission firm of Bosworth, Mackey & 
Co., of New York city, and in 1874 re-engaged in the grocery business in Troy, ex- 
cept one year when he traveled for J. T. Wilson & Co., wholesale grocers of New 
York city. In October. 1877. he became a traveling salesman for P. V. Fort, Son & 
Co., wholesale dealers in fancy groceries and fruits of Albany, and September 1, 1885, 
was admitted to partnership, the firm name becoming P. V. Fort, Sons & Co., which on 
September 1, 1889, was changed to C. N. Fort & Co. August 24, 1895, Mr. Mackey with- 
drew and formed a copartnership with Mr. Lewis G. Palmer in the wholesale (grocery 
business, under the firm name of Mackey & Palmer. He is a 32 Mason, being a member 
of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite bodies of Albany— Apollo Lodge No. 13, Apollo 
Chapter No. 48, Bloss Council No. 14 of Troy, and Temple Commandery No. 2 and 
Cypress Temple of Albany; he is also a member of Lew Benedict Post No. 121, G. 
A. R. September 20, 1871, he married Jennie A. Cary of Troy, and they have one 
daughter, Elizabeth A. 

Moak, James Nelson, was born on the farm he now owns in 1843. Col. Joseph 
Moak, his grandfather, was a native of New Scotland, and was born probably about 
the year 1783; he was a farmer by vocation, and a soldier in the war of 1813; he 



103 

owned the farm now owned by James N. ; his wife was Arianna Taylor, daughter of 
Robert Taylor, a native of Ireland; their children were Robert. Jane. France.s. 
Rachel, Eve Ann, Catharine. Harriet and John T. ; he died March 28, 1848, aged 
about sixty-five, and his wife died in 1830. Robert Moak, the father, spent his en- 
tire life on the farm, to which he added forty acres; his wife was Mary McMillen. 
daughter of Alex. McMillen ; their children were John M., Joseph A., William Henry 
(who died at eighteen), Harriet and James N. ; he was one of the organizers of the 
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, and one of the first trustees; he died in 1891, and his wife 
in 1865. James N. Moak has spent his life thus far on the homestead farm, e.Kcept- 
ing two years spent in Albany in the shoe business. He attended the common 
schools and the Knox and Gallupville Academies. In 1868 he went to Albany, re- 
turning two years later to the farm, which he took charge of and worked on shares 
with his father, who deeded him the farm to take effect .^n the latter's death. Mr. 
Moak has developed a tine stone quarry of excellent building stone. In 1865 he was 
married to Miss Mary J. Gallup, born m Gallupville, N. Y., by whom he has had two 
children; Charles G. and Kittie L. Charles G. is married and in the employ of the 
National Express Company, of Jersey City, and has one child, Clara. 

Schultes, J. B., was born in Albany county, March 16, 1840, and is a son of Paul 
and Anna E. (Bogardus) Schultes, born in Berne and a son of Adam, a son of one 
of the earliest settlers of the town of Berne, where he and the grandfather of J. B. 
died. The father has been a farmer and a saw mill man. He died in 1886, and his 
wife died in 1890. J. B. was reared on a farm and educated in Berne. He located 
in Rensselaerville and engaged in the saw and cider mill business. In 1866 he mar- 
ried Miss Elizabeth E. Snyder of Berne, and has one son, Arthur, who was educated 
in Rensselaerville. 

Slausen, Edwin. — Tryansel Slausen, born in Albany county, N. Y., 1803, was a 
son of Eliphalet Slauson, who was one of the early settlers of Westerlo and there 
died. Tryansel Slauson was a farmer and .spent his life in Westerlo and Rensselaer- 
ville, N. Y., where he was a lifelong Democrat. He married Mary Ten Eyck of 
Albany, and they had a family of twelve children, five now living: Caroline B., 
widow of Martin Bell, lives on the homestead; Hannah M. Palmer of Greene county, 
N. Y., William, on the homestead, who married Anna Louisa Haines and has one 
daughter; Mary E. , widow of William Finch; Lewis, who lives in Illinois, who mar- 
ried Wilhelmina Houghton, andhas three daughters; Edwin, born in Westerlo, 1841, 
and educated in the common schools, is a farmer, and he and his brother William 
own the homestead of 100 acres. He is a Democrat in politics and was excise com- 
missioner. 

Smith, Charles W.. son of Cornelius and Phebe (Clute) Smith, was born in Rock- 
wood, Fulton county, March 1, 1841), and came with the family to Albany in 1856. 
His father was associated with Alfred Van Santvoord in the steamboat business for 
twenty years, and/ from 1876 until his death, in 1887, was a heavy dealer in ice. He 
was one of the original directors in the Albany County Bank and a tru.stec of the 
First Baptist churih for a number of years. After the death of his first wife in 1879 
he married Helen M. Sherwood, who survives. Charles W. Smith was educated at 
public school No. 8, the Boys' Academy, Ca.ss's Grand Street Institute and the 
Albany Business College, and for two years was purser on the steamer Mary Powell, 



104 

from Rondout to New York. After three years as bookkeeper for the Albany 
County Savings Bank he became associated with his father in the ice business and 
on the latter's death succeeded him. In 1892 he was one of the organizers of the 
Hudson Valley Ice Company; he became its president in 1893, but resigned in 1894 
in order to take the office of secretary, which had become vacant, and at the last an- 
nual election held January 5. 1897, was re-elected to the office of president. This 
company was incorporated in March, 1893, with a a capital of $50,000 and is three 
times larger than any similar concern in Albany, harvesting about 40,000 tons of 
ice annually. In 1880 Mr. Smith married Rebecca L., daughter of Shuball Kelly of 
Guilderland, Albany county. He has a summer residence about live miles from Al- 
bany on the Great Western Turnpike where he resides about five months in the year. 
The rest of the year he spends in the city. 

Stitt, James O., is a native of the town of Rensselaerville, Albany county, born in 
1856. Lovett, the grandfather, was born in the town of Rensselaerville about 1770. 
John J., the father, was born in the town of Rensselaerville in 1814. He always 
owned and conducted a farm, but was an architect and builder by trade, to which 
he devoted jnost of his attention. He had a wide reputation as a church builder, 
having to his credit twenty-eight churches and numerous other buildings. In 18()0 
he removed to the town of Windham, Greene county,'where he was prominently 
connected with the political affairs of his town, filling the offices of supervisor and 
assessor and many minor offices. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
Lodge No. 529. His first wife was Miranda Head, by whom four children were 
born: Rozella, Ransom, Sarah, who died when eight j-ears of age, and Salina. His 
second wife was Lodema Head, a sister of his first wife, and their children were 
James O. and Eunice. He died August 19, 1886, and his wife died February 13, 1895. 
Mr. Stitt received his education in the common schools of his town and worked on 
his father's farm until fourteen years of age, when his father took him and taught 
him the builder's trade. He worked with his father from that time, except one year, 
until he was twenty-three years of age. November 24, 1879, he was married to 
Annie E., born in the town of Windham, Greene county, and daughter of Patrick 
Murray. In 1880 he began for himself by engaging in the hotel business at Indian 
Fields, in the town of Coeymans, where he remained for eight years. In 1888 he 
rented the hotel in Altamont, and two years later purchased it. Since then he has 
made many essential improvements on his hotel. Mr. Stitt is a man especially 
adapted for the hotel business, and his genial disposition and years of experience 
have taught him what is required to make it pleasant for the patrons of his house. 
In 1895 he was a delegate to the State Democratic Convention held in Syracuse^ and 
of the sixteen years he has been in the business in Albany county, thirteen of them 
he has been delegate to the county conventions. 

Settle, Theodore, was born in the village of Berne, February 24, 1846. The great- 
grandfather of Theodore Settle migrated to America from Berne, Switzerland, and 
was one of the pioneer .settlers in the town of Berne (now Knox). Jacob Settle, the 
grandfather of Theodore, was a native of the town of Knox. He was a harness- 
maker by trade, which he followed throughout his active life. His last years were 
spent in the villijge of Berne. He married a Miss Hochstrasser, and they had five 
children. The father of Theodore Settle, Jacob Settle, jr.. was born in the town of 



105 

Berne in 1792. His parents being poor his education was very limited, and when a 
buy he was apprenticed to a Dr. Hubbell to learn the mercantile business and also 
was to study medicine; the failure of the doctor to remain in business left him 
without a place, but he found other employment and in 1811 was taken in as a part- 
ner in the store business by Col. Johan Jost Deitz. From 1811 to 1864 he was en- 
gaged in the mercantile business, building up a trade second to none in the town. 
He represented his district in the AssemKy, served as supervisor, justice and town 
clerk, was for thirty-five years postmaster, and several years commissioner and in- 
spector of common schools. May 7, 1818, he was appointed by Gov. De Witt Clin- 
ton cornetist of the 5th Regt. Cav. of the State of New York, in 1831 was commis- 
sioned as captain, in 1824 was appointed major of the 31st Regt. and in 182.5 was 
raised to the position of lieutenant-colonel. He was a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity. His wife was Cornelia R., daughter of Minor Walden, who was one of the 
pioneers in Berne, coming from Vermont about 1809, Theodore Settle received his 
education in the common schools and spent his early life in assisting m his father's 
store. When nineteen years old he engaged as clerk for his brother Charles, who 
had succeeded the father in business. After seven years he succeeded his brother 
and has since done a very successful business. Mr. Settle has served as town clerk 
two terras, postmaster eight 3'ears, and was one of the organizers of an Odd Fel- 
lows' lodge in Berne, which after twenty years was abandoned. He is treasurer of 
the Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie Railroad, In 1890 Mr. Settle married Kate 
L., who was born in Guilderland and is a daughter of Jacob and Alida (Hallen- 
beck) Mann. They have one child, Howard E. 

Van Heusen-Charles Company, The, was founded in 1843 by Theodore V. Van 
Heusen and Daniel D. T. Charles, both natives of Albany, and succeeded to the 
crockery business of Wardwell & Bordwell at No. 66 State street. In 1844 they 
moved to Nos. 62 and 64 State street and m 1856 they purchased the Mansion House 
property on Broadway and built the store since occupied bj- the establishment. The 
original firm name of Van Heusen & Charles was changed in 1864 to Van Heusen, 
Charles & Co. by the admission of George W. Pierce as a partner. Mr. Charles died 
August 1, 1892, and soon afterward the firm adopted is present name of the Van 
Heusen-Charles Company. This is the oldest and largest enterprise of the kind in 
Albany or Eastern New York and commands an e.xtensive wholesale and retail 
trade in fine and ordinary china, bric-a-brac, silverware, lamps, gas fixtures, etc. 
Both founders were representative and highly respected business men, and took a 
keen interest in the prosperity of their city and its institutions, Mr. Van Heusen, 
born in 1818. became somewhat prominent in politics and in 1882 was the Republican 
nominee for Congress. He died June 15, 1893. The officers of the Van Heusen- 
Charles Company are Charles M. Van Heusen, president; George W. Pierce, vice- 
president and treasurer; Leonard Jones, secretary. 

Weaver, William J., was born in the town of Coeymans, January 27, 1835, and in 
the loUowing year his parents removed to Albany. His parents came frtra Oneida 
to Coeymans and were also natives of this State. Mr. Weaver received his early 
education in the public schools and at the age of si.xteen, following the example of 
his brothers, he went to sea on a whaler for a three years' cruise. This, however, 
did not satisfy his longing for the sea, and after a brief visit to his home he again 



106 

embarked on a two years' cruise. Returnms: again in 1854, he went into partner- 
ship with his father and established a steam packing-box manufactory on the corner 
of Cherry street and Broadway, continuing in it from tliat date down to 1871. lu 
1863 he was elected Democratic supervisor of the old First ward, and in 1869-70 and 
1871 he was chosen to represent the Third ward in the Board of Supervisors and 
during the last two years served as president of the board. In 1871 Mr. Weaver 
was appointed city assessor by Mayor Thacher and has held the position continu- 
ously down to the present time. He was once nominated for the Assembly in the 
First district, but withdrew in favor of a rival Democratic candidate on the evening 
before election. In the year 1869 he brought to the notice of the Board of Super- 
visors the great inequality then existing in the State equalization as it affected Al- 
bany county, and was at that time appointed chairman of a committee on State equal- 
ization, which position he held continuously until 1895. Mr. Weaver was married in 
1856 to Mary A. Allen, by whom he has had six children, four of whom are living. 

Miller, Henry, jr., is a son of an old and representative citizen, and was born at the 
family residence in Colonic, May 11, 1871. His father, Henry Miller, was of German 
birth, and was one of the early settlers here. He has become a very large land 
owner and is also interested in the sale of various types of agricultural machinery. 
Mr. Miller, jr., now conducts the dairy business, delivering the milk from about fifty 
cows, chiefly in the village of Green Island. 

Marshall & Wendell Piano Forte Manufacturing Company (Ltd.), The, was 
founded in 1853 by John V. Marshall, a practical pianomaker, in James street 
Albany. In 1856 he was succeeded by the firm of Marshall, James & Traver, of 
which he was the principal member. This firm was dissolved and he formed a co- 
partnership with Harvey Wendell in 1868, under the style of Marshall & Wendell, 
and this continued successfully until 1882, when the present Marshall & Wendell 
Piano Forte Manufacturing Company (Ltd) was organized and incorporated with a 
paid up capital of §100,000, the officers being Henry Russell, president; Harvey 
Wendell, treasurer and manager; and John Loughran, secretary. Mr. Russell sub- 
sequently resigned and Jacob H. Ten Eyck was elected president and still holds the 
position. In 1892 Thomas S. Wiles was chosen vice-president; Edward N. McKin- 
ney, treasurer and manager; and Mr. Wendell, secretary. In 1896 the latter was 
succeeded by James L. Carpenter. In 1872 the present building, Nos. 911 and 923 
Broadway, was erected and occupied. It has a frontage of 145 feet and a depth of 
175 feet. At this time the business was materially increased and the new plant 
afforded an enlarged capacity that has ever since been successfully utilised. The 
firm manufactures pianos in all kinds of fancy woods, warranting them for five years, 
and maintains a large trade throughout the United States and Canada. They make 
strictly high grade instruments, finer than were ever made in the history of the com- 
pany, and among their agents are many of the largest and most prominent piano 
houses in the country. The members are all well known business men, Mr. Wiles 
being a director in the Merchants' National Bank and Mr. McKinney a director of 
the New York State National Bank. 

McDermott, John, superintendent of the Champlain Canal north from Albany fif- 
teen miles, is a man who has spent his whole life on canal works, and who helped 
build the first water works at Montreal, Canada. The death of his father caused 






107 

him to early seek his own maintenance, and he began work for contractors on the 
canal; he worked his way up to overseer and foreman in various localities and has 
been inspector of locks, also inspector of Champlain Canal repair work. For some 
time he was on a Pennsylvania railroad, and during the war had the contract for the 
reservoir at Washington, D. C. ; in 1865 he was sergeant of Capital Police, and after- 
ward captain. Mr. McDermott was born at Kingston, Ont. , in 1829, leaving his na- 
tive city at the age of thirteen years. His education was acquired at Rochester, 
where he went in 1850 to reside with a brother. In 1854 he came to Cohoes and be- 
gan contracting in the dredging business. He also has the agency of the Phoenix 
Insurance Co., and real estate. Officially he has served as alderman for two years, 
and as assessor for one year. 

Johnson, Edwin S., military storekeeper at Watervliet Arsenal since 1856, was 
born at Hudson, N.Y., in 1826. His father was William G. Johnson, also an arsenal 
employee for twenty-five years, from 1840 to 1865. The early life sf Edwin S. John- 
son was one of considerable adventure, although his boyhood was passed on a farm. 
He was a sailor on the deep sea for several years, chiefly on coasting vessels, plying 
between New York, Massachusetts and Virginia ports. He first went into the 
Arsenal at the outbreak of the Mexican war in 1846, and again in 1860, and received 
his appointment as assistant military storekeeper on the 10th of May, 1865, and has 
remained in the same place until the present. 

Miller, John H., son of John and Mary (Kelley) Jliller, was born on a farm in New 
Baltimore, Greene county, October 8, 1860, and received his education in his native 
town. He engaged in various occupations till about 1886, when he came to Albany 
and established a livery and boarding stable en North Pearl street. In 1890 he pur- 
chased his present livery and boarding stable on Hudson avenue of John Sanborn. 
In 1893 he married Hattie, daughter of John Saulsman, of Albanj', who died in 
March, 1894, leaving one son, Bhilip J. 

Appleton, Joseph L., M. D. S. , son of George and Elizabeth (Garton) Appleton, 
was born in York, Ontario, Canada, October 24, 1858. His father, a native of York- 
shire, England, came to America in 1836 and died December 25, 1882. His mother, 
who was born in Canada, died in March of the same year. Dr. Appleton received a 
public school education, came to Albany in 1879, studied dentistry with Dr. E. C. 
Edmunds, attended the New York Dental College, and afterward received the de- 
gree of M. D. S. from the State Board of Dental Censors in May, 1886. He re- 
mained with Dr. Edmunds until the latter's death in November, 1887, when he suc- 
ceeded to his practice. He is a member and e.\-president of the Third District 
Dental Society, has been a delegate to the New York State Dental Society since 1888 
and in 1895 was a delegate to the American Dental Association. He is a member of 
Temple Lodge, Capital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Temple Com- 
mandery of Masons, an officer of Grace M. E. church and superintendent of its Sun- 
day school since 1894. In 1887 he married Margaret E., daughter of John Q. 
Graham of Albany, and they have two sons: Joseph L., jr , and Andrew Graham. 

Brasure, John W., grandson of John Erasure, of Nova Scotia, a Frenchman, and 
son of John W. Brasure, sr.. was born in Albany. June 22, 1859. John W., sr., only 
child of John, was born in Hoosick Falls, N. Y., September 11, 1816, came to Al- 



108 

bany in 1836, where he died October 10, 1892. Apprenticed to Nathaniel Wright he 
learned the trade of coach-lamp making, which he followed several years. He was 
a member of the police force under Chief Morgan and also belonged to the old Vol- 
unteer Fire Department. In June, 1857, he engaged in the undertaking business 
and continued until his death. He was married three times and left four children. 
He was a member of Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M. John W. Brasure, his son, 
was educated in the Albany public and High Schools, and when seventeen associated 
himself with his father in the undertaking businees, to which he succeeded on the 
latter's death. He is a graduate of three schools of embalming, and a member and 
past noble grand of Fireman's Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F. ; a member of the New 
York Encampment No. 1, Canton Nemo, and Woodbine Rebekah, L O. O. F. ; coi- 
poral of the Albany Burgesses Corps; member of the Albany County Wheelman ; 
charter member of the Capital Lodge Order of the Chosen Friends, and president 
of the Albany County Undertakers' Association. He was one of the founders of the 
Nawadaha Tribe No. 397, L O. R. M., which was organized in his office with ten 
members, which now has four tribes numbering about 400 members, was its first 
sachem, and in August, 1896, represented it at the Grand Council in Saratoga. July 
1, 1896, Mr. Brasure married Helen, daughter of William and Mary McCredie of 
Albany, and of Scotch descent. 

Atkins, John R., is one of the most energetic and progressive business men of 
West Troy, and since 1885 has been engaged as plumber, gas and steam pipe fitter, 
and is agent for the Boynton steam and hot water heaters. After one year in Roch- 
ester at his trade, he spent seven years in Philadelphia as an employee in the 
plumbing business. Mr. Atkins was born at Sing Sing in 1854, and is a son of 
William Atkins, a grocer. When twelve years of age he removed to Rochester, 
where he was educated. In 1878 he came as a plumber to Troy, making his home 
at West Troy. 

Bender, Matthew, was born in Albany, December 2, 1845, and is a son of Wendell 
M. , a grandson of Matthew, and a great-grandson of Christian Bender, who came 
from VVurtemburg, Germany, and settled in Bethlehem, Albany county, in 1740, and 
was a sergeant in the Revolution in Slingerland's Company, Schuyler's Regiment, 
3d Rensselaer Battalion. He "married Mary Cramer, and had five sons and four 
daughters. Matthew Bender, son of Christian, was born in Bethlehem, March 13. 
1782, married Elizabeth Ramsey (born March 7, 1789, died December 17, 1839), and 
died August 8, 1866. Wendell M. Bender, son of Matthew Bender, was born in 
Bethlehem, October 17, 1812, and married, August 11, 1843. Mary Brown (born Feb- 
ruary 27, 1833, died October 18, 1854), and died January 10, 1882. Their .son, 
Matthew Bender, was educated in Professor Anthony's Classical Institute and Pro- 
fessor Collins's Private School, and was graduated from Union College in 1866. He 
then engaged in the wholesale lumber business in Albany with his father until 1877, 
when he accepted a position with William Gould & Son, law book publishers, which 
he held for ten years. In 1887 he engaged in business for himself as a publisher 
of law books and has since continued with marked success, enjoying a trade all 
over the United States. He is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., 
Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M.. and Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T. 
July 17, 1867, he married Hannah Louisa, daughter of the late John Thomas, jr., 



109 

proprietor of the Premium Mills and a prominent coffee and spice merchant of Al- 
bany. They have had five children: Mitthew, jr., and John Thomas, who are 
associated in business with their father; Louisa and Bertha (who died young), and 
Melvin Thomas, a student at Union College, class of 1900. 

Glass, Edwin G., was born in the village of West Troy, Albany county, in ISfil. 
He received his early education at the Nassau and Mechanicville Academies, and 
also completed a commercial course at the Troy Business College, after which he 
became a partner in the extensive drug and paint establishment of his father, whom 
he succeeded at the time of his death, which occurred in 1884. Mr. Glass still continues 
the business, and by careful and judicial management he now enjoys the distinction of 
being one of the foremost business men in that part of Albany county. At the 
spring election in the town of Watervliet in 1896 he was solicited by his party to take 
his initial step in politics, by accepting the Republican nomination for supervisor, and 
was elected in a Democratic town by an overwhelming majority over his opponent, 
Hon. Terrence Cummings. In 1884 he married Mi.ss Sadie Benedict, the accomplished 
daughter of an old and respected citizen. 

Nussbaum, Hon. Myer, is a native of Albany, and received a common school edu- 
cation. He was admitted to the bar in 1877 and immediately formed a copartnership 
with George H. Stevens, which continued for four years. He was appointed police 
magistrate by Mayor Swinburne in 1884 and served about a year, and in 1893 was 
elected member of assembly from the Third assembly district of Albany county. In 
1895 he elected State senator to represent Albany county for a term of three years. 
Mr. Nussbaum is actively identified as trustee, or member, with the several charita- 
ble institutions and social clubs of Albany. His present law partner, who was ad- 
mitted in December, 1895, is Joseph P. Coughlin, who liad l)een for a numl)er of 
years his managing clerk. 

Chadwick, P. Remsen, whose death in 1891 removed from the city of Cohoes one 
of its most prominent men, was a native of New York city, born in 1831. He was 
a resident there during the war and went out in the 7th N. Y. Regiment first, then 
afterwards m the 100th N.Y. Regiment, and again as adjutant-general on the staff of 
General Truman Seymour, servmg through the entire war. Mr. Chadwick was a de- 
scendant from an old English family: his grandfather, Joseph, came from England 
in 1799, and settled in New York city. His father, William, built one of the Har- 
mony Mills of Cohoes and was one of the founders of the Cohoes Company; he him- 
self was an owner of the Ontario Mills and a well known manufacturer. He was the 
first captain of the Seventh Separate Company N. G. S. N. Y. of Cohoes, which he 
helped to organize. He left, besides his widow, one son, Robert R. Chadwick, who 
IS engaged in an insurance agency in Albany. 

Le Roy, Hon. William B., since his graduation in 1880, at Granville Military 
Academy, and two years' previous work at the Highland Military Academy, Wor- 
cester, Mass., has been a proprietor of the Globe Knitting Mills, conducted by the 
firm of Le Roy & Lamb, of which his father, Alfred Le Roy, was the senior mem- 
ber. His father was one of the foremost figures in the management of the munic- 
ipal affairs of the city of Cohoes, a position he had once before occupied. He was 
born at Mechanicville, and is of French ancestry. He came to this place in 1857 



110 

and engaged in the hardware business, establishing the first telegraph office in this 
city in his store. He was a mason by trade and in later years was a contractor. 
The many offices in which he served his county as trustee, alderman, mayor and 
assemblyman in ISTT, attest the honor in which he is held. William B. Le Roy is 
a native of Cohoes, born in 1861. He inherits the sterling qualities of his father, 
and has filled acceptably many responsible positions among his fellowmen. He was 
a member of assembly in 1889 and 1890. and afterwird police commissioner in 
1893-93 and in 1894. He is also prominent in the order of K. of P. and holds high 
rank in the Masonic fraternity. 

Montmarquet, J. D., M. D., was born in Jersey City, April 23, 1860. He received 
his primary education in the public .schools of New York and New Jersey, after 
which he went to Canada to prosecute his classical studies, where he graduated in 
1883; returning to Jersey City, he began the study of medicine in 1886 at Columbia 
College, N. Y., graduating in 1889. In the fall of that year he came to Cohoes and 
commenced the practice of his profession. He has held the office of coroner's phy- 
sician. He IS a member of the New York State Medical Association, the Albany 
County Medical Society and the Troy and Vicinity Medical Association. He is en- 
joying a lucrative practice. January 18, 1891, he was married to Wilhelmina Zecher 
of Jersey City; he has three children, Marcelline, Theresa and Joseph. 

Witbeck, C. E., M. D., is of Dutch ancestry, the family name being originally Van 
Witbeck. The first American ancestor, John Thomas Witbeck, settled at New Am- 
sterdam, now New York. Mr. Witbeck is the son of Abram Witbeck, formerly su- 
perintendent in the painting department in the Watervliet Arsenal, and was born at 
West Troy in 1844, and began his medical study- at the Albany Medical College, re- 
ceiving his diploma in 1866. He located in Cohoes in 1867 where he still practices 
his profession. He is a member of the Albany county and of the New Yoak State 
Medical Societies, and American Medical As.sociation, and was president of the 
Cohoes Medical Association, and was vice-president of the Albany County Medical 
Society. He has served eight terras as health officer in Cohoes, been police surgeon, 
and also city physician. 

CusUman, Col. Harry C, is a lineal descendant of Robert Cushman of the May- 
flower, in whose name the charter for Plymouth Colony was granted. Paul Cush- 
man, sr., who came to Albany from Vermont, was one of the first in America to 
engage in the' pottery business, having an establishment near the site of the present 
Park Bank. He married Margaret McDonald, and their son, Paul, jr., born in Al- 
bany, December 35, 1833, began his business career in the produce and commission 
business, which was finally discontinued. From 1853 to 1869 he was in partnership 
with his brother, Robert S., founding the present wholesale importing wine house, 
which he carried on until his death, June 3, 1895. He was a director in the Capital 
City Insurance Company, a trustee of the National Savings Bank, interested in 
railroads and other projects, a member of the Masonic order and a foundation 
member of the Fort Orange and old Albany Clubs. He married in 1845, Mary 
Jane, daughter of Capt. I. I. Taylor of Oswego, N. Y., who died in 1854, leaving 
two children. Januaiy 31, 1856, he married Julia A., C. Hlackwell of Richmond, 
Va., who died September 5, 1885, leaving three children, of whom Harry C. is the 
eldest. Harry C. Cushman, born in Albany, July 31, 18.57, was educated at the 



Ill 

Albany Academy, and St. John's Military School at Sing Sing; he intended entering 
the University of Virginia, where his mother's family had usually attended, but the 
effects of an attack of the Roman fever prevented ; after three years passed in travel- 
ing, his health being restored, he in 1881 organized and became secretary and 
treasurer of the Albany Pharmaceutical (now the Albany Chemical) Company. Three 
years later he withdrew and associated himself with his father, in 188.5 became a 
partner and in 189.5 succeeded to the business. He joined Co. A. 10th Regt. N. G. 
N. Y., February 10, 1870; was made aide-de-camp on Gen. R. S. Oliver's staff, .5th 
Brigade, January 31,1883, and was promoted assistant adjutant-general. 3d Brigade, 
January 8. 1801. a post he still holds. He is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. 
& A. M., the Albany Institute, the Fort Orange Club, Albany Country Club, the 
Reform Club of New York and the Order of Founders and Patriots of America, and 
a director in the Park Bank and trustee of the National Savings Bank. June 'id. 
1890, he married Celia Eli abeth, daughter of Edward Sander.son of Milwaukee, Wis., 
and their children are Paul and Edward Sanderson. 

Hurlbut, Gansevoort de Wandelaer, is a descendent of Thomas Hurlbut. who 
came from England to Wethersfield, Conn., in 1636. and was a soldier under Lion 
Gardner, receiving 10,000 acres of land in Wethersfield, Conn., from Queen Anne 
for conspicuous bravery in border warfare, and on his maternal grandmother's 
side from Harmon Harmense Gansevoort, of Holland, who was in Albany as early 
as 1660 and who had a brewery on the site of Stanwi.t Hall, which property has 
always remained in the Gansevoort family. Oldest son of Harmon Harmense 
married Catrina de Wandelaer. Mr. Hurlbut's great-grandfather, Leendert Ganse- 
voort, 1753-1810, was prominent during the Revolutionary period, serving as a 
member 'of the provincial Congress, 1775-1777; delegate and president of the Con- 
tinental Congress, 1777; assemblyman, 1778-1779; member of the Council of Ap- 
pointment, 1781 ; appointed by Governor Clinton, county judge, 1794-1797; State 
senator from 1798 to 1802; probate judge, 1799; member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion, 1801; and colonel of Light Cavalry during the Revolution; he received fiis 
appointment as attorney-at law from the Earl of Dunmore and Governor Tryou. In 
1770 he married Hester Cuyler, and his daughter, Catherine Gansevoort, married 
Tuenis Van Vechten. the late mayor of Albany, a descendant of Tuenis Dirkse Van 
Vechten, who settled in Greenbush, 1636; he was a nephew of the noted lawyer, 
Abram Van Vechten, to whose practice he succeeded. A daughter of this marriage, 
Catherine Cuyler, was the wife of Elisha P. Hurlbut and mother of Gansevoort de 
W. Hurlbut. Elisha Powell Hurlbut, son of Judge Daniel Hurlbut, of Court of 
Common Pleas of Herkimer county and member of assembly in 1811-1812 of Mont- 
gomery county, was born October 1.5, 1807. and died September 5. 1889. He became 
presiding justice of the Supreme Court, judge of the Court of Appeals and a writer 
of considerable note. He was largely instrumental in effecting many legal reforms 
through the constitution of 1846 and was deeply interested in .science. Gansevoort 
de W. Hurlbut was born in Newport, Herkimer county, November 8. 18.57, received 
an academic education, studied medicine at the Albany Medical College, read law 
in Albany with Jenkins & Cooper, and was graduated from the Albany Law School 
and admitted to the bar in 1880. He has since practiced his profession in Albany, 
and in 1893 was the Republican candidate for recorder of the city. July 6, 1881, he 



112 

married Kate, daughter of the late Gerrit Van Sante Bleecker, of Albany, and their 
children are Catherine Gansevoort and Gansevoort Bleecker. Judge E. P. Hurlbiit 
had threee other children: Jeanette Cuyler, wife of Morris S. Miller, esq.; Bertha 
Van Vechteu and Ernest Cole. 

Ball, Dayton, son of Dayton and Mary (Phillips) Ball, was born in Lancaster, Pa., 
in 1832. On his father's side he is of English descent and on his mother's side of 
Welsh descent. He received his education in the common schools and then entered 
the office of the Lancaster Intelligencer, President Buchanan's home organ, where 
he remained one year. He then was employed by Jonathan Russell of Philadelphia, 
who was a last manufacturer. In 1854 he entered Bryant & Stratton's Mercantile 
College at Buffalo, N. Y.. from which he graduated and in 1861 he removed to 
Albany, N. Y., where he obtained the situation of foreman in George H. Graves & 
Co.'s last manufactory. In 1865 Mr. Ball was made a partner in the business and 
the name of the firm became Graves, Ball & Co. In 1881 Mr. Graves died and the 
name was again changed to that of Dayton Ball & Co., the present firm name. Mr. 
Ball is a 32 Mason and was commander of Temple Commandery No. 2, Albany, in 
1876 and 1877. He has been treasurer of Temple Lodge and is a member of the 
building committee Of the new Masonic Hall. Mr. Ball is also a member of the 
Camera, Albany, Fort Orange and Acacia Clubs. In 1862 he was married to Miss 
Catherine A. Forbes of New York city and they had three children : Kate A. , de- 
ceased, Henry Dayton and Mabel A. 

Treadwell, George Curtis, son of Major George H. and Elizabeth S. Treadwell, 
wa.s born in Albany, N.Y.. August 24, 1872. On his father's side he is a descendant 
of a long line of Puritan ancestors, the first of whom, Thomas Treadwell, came to 
America in 1636 and settled in Ipswich, Mass. Mr. Treadwell's great-grandfather 
was Governor Treadwell, the last of the Puritan governors of Connecticut and also 
the last person serving as chief magistrate, who combined the theologian and the 
statesman. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was the late George 
Curtis Treadwell. well known as one of the most eminent of the men that have ad- 
vanced the welfare of Albany. George H. Treadwell, the father of George C, was 
prominently identified with the commercial interests of Albany and was the organ- 
izer of the George C. Treadwell Company, and one of the largest stockholders. 
George C. Treadwell was educated at Farmington, Conn., and at Sedgwick Institute 
at Great Barrington, Mass., where he prepared for Yale University and was grad- 
uated in 1893. At present Mr. Treadwell is a trustee and agent for two Treadwell 
estates, and is a great lover and student of art. For two years he was secretary and 
director of the George C. Treadwell Company. He is a member of the Sons of the 
Revolution, Society of the Colonial Wars, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, Uni- 
versity Glee Club of New York city and of the Signal Corps of the 3d Brigade, N. G. 
N. v., from which he has been recently promoted to Colonel on the Governor's staff, 
having been appointed military secretary to Governor Black, January 9, 1897. 

Masten, James H., born in Owego, Tioga county, N. Y., May 13, 1828. After re- 
ceiving a common .school education he learned the printer's trade with Andrew H. 
Calhoun. In 1851 he obtained a situation in the office of the Albany Evening- 
Journal, then under the management of Thurlow Weed and George Dawson. He 
was also for a time employed by Joel Munsell. Later he bought the Cohoes Cat- 



113 

aract, then owned by the firm of Silliman & Miller, and conducted it successfully for 
twenty-five years. Mr. Masten edited the Cohoes Daily News for five years, after 
leaving the Cataract. In 1887 he was appointed paymaster of the Victor Knitting 
Mills Company, where he is at present. Mr. Masten was postmaster of Cohoes from 
18()5 to 1886 and has held many local appointive offices. He is a deacon of the First 
Baptist church of Cohoes. In 1854 he married Almeda, daughter of Rev. William 
Arthur, of Newtonville, Albany count\-. They have one son, Arthur H., a lawyer, 
residing in New York city. 

Mulcahy, Bartholomew, was born in the city of Cork, Ireland, in 1838. His father was 
a carpenter and died when he was but two years old, leaving him to pave his own way 
in the world. In 1852 he came to America and directly to Cohoes, where he learned 
the carriage-making trade, and he has ever since been a resident. He has been 
very successful manufacturing wheels for New York city trade, and during the war 
he made gun carriage wheels for the United States government. His first wheel 
factory, destroyed by fire in 1864, was located where the Victor Mills stand. He 
then removed to the corner of Congress and While. He has been a water commis- 
sioner for twelve years and was one of the first aldermen when Cohoes was made a 
city in 1869. 

Travis, William C, with his brother, Charles S. Travis, has conducted a lumber 
business at No. 227 Saratoga street, Cohoes, since 187~, uuder the firm name of 
Jacob Travis's Sons. Jacob Travis, the father, was a pioneer here in the lumber 
trade, coming to Cohoes in 1846, and the establishment has been of long standing. 
In his death, January 8, 1894, Cohoes lost one of its oldest and most honored citizens. 
William Travis is a native of Waterford, born in 1833, and one of the first aldermen 
upon the organization of the city in 1869. He has been a member of the Board of 
Education for two terms. January 18, 1855, he was married to Sarah E., daughter 
of Alpha White of Cohoes. They have two children; Frances E.. wife of Dr. George 
A. Cox of Albany, and Matthew S., who married Louisa MoUeur; she died August 
:i, 1895, leaving four children- Osmond C, Matthew S., jr., William H. and Mary 
Louise, deceased. 

Crounse, Beniamin, was born in the town of Guilderland, in 1839. He was a son 
of Nicholas, who was born in Guilderland in 1789. Nicholas was the youngest son 
of his father's family and came into possession of his father's homestead. His wife 
was Elizabeth Severson, and they had three sons and six daughters. Mr. Crounse 
died m his eighty-eighth year. His wife survived him about seven years and died 
in her eighty-fifth year. Mr. Crounse remained on the farm with his father until he 
was twenty-four years of age. He received a common school education, and in 1863 
engaged as clerk in a store. Three years later he engaged for himself in the gen- 
eral mercantile business, which he followed until 1883. He then sold out his busi- 
ness and engaged in the fire insurance business, removing to Albany where he lived 
for five years. He still follows the fire insurance business, in connection with which 
he superintends his farm of 150 acres, eighty-six of which lies in the village corpora- 
tion, Altamont. In 1890 he engaged as traveling salesman for the clothing house 
of Babcock, Shannon & Co., of Albany, with whom he is now. During the years 
1885-87, he served his town as supervisor and was secretary and treasurer of the 



114 

Guilderland Mutual Fire Insurance Co. for many years. In 1862 he married Miss 
Emma Keenholts, daughter of James Keenholts, and they have had six children : 
Allen J., died in 1885 at the age of twenty-one; Edgar, who is a teacher in the Al- 
bany Business College ; Mimetta, wife of Dr. McHarg. of Albany; Eugene, who is 
employed by Babcock, Shannon & Co., as head bookkeeper; Milton, who is assistant 
bookkeeper and stenographer for the same firm ; and Emma Marion. 

Flansburgh, Alexander, was born in the town of New Scotland, November 28, 
1846. He received a limited education and grew to manhood on his father's farm 
and when twenty one worked for his father by the month. He subsequently began 
for himself on one of his father's farms, in 1881 purchasing the homestead farm of 
160 acres on the Helderberg Mountains, on which he lived seven years, when he re- 
moved to his father's farm, which he has since managed. He has devoted much 
attention successfully to fruit culture. In 1893 he became a member of the Patrons 
of Husbandrj', Clarksville Lodge No. 781, and in the autumn of the same year was 
elected master of the lodge, which office he now holds. He is theonly man in Albany 
county who is a member of the County, State and National Grange. He has visited 
many of the higher lodges throughout the country, at his own expense, for the ben- 
efit of his home lodge, and through his efforts and support, the Clarksville lodge in 
the spring of 1896 was enabled to purchase a building in the village to hold their 
meetings in. In June, 1896, he joined the Patrons of Industry as charter member, 
was elected president of Clarksville Association No. 515. When Albany County 
Association P. of I. was organized he was elected treasurer and business manager 
of the county, and has made it a success for the patrons of the county, of which there 
are about 1,200 at this writing. Mr. Flansburgh is a Republican and has served one 
year as collector. In 1872 he married Hattie (anative of New Scotland) a daughter 
of John and Rachel M. (Moak^ O'Bryan, and they have three children ; Margaret L. 
(wife of William G. Moak of Westerlo), Clara C. and Charles. Mrs. Flansburgh is 
a member of the Clarksville Lodge, Patrons of Husbandry, in which she holds the 
office of Ceres; their daughter Clara is also a member of the grange and fills the 
office of Pomona. His wife, Hattie, and children, Clara and Charles, are also mem- 
bers of the Patrons of Industry. Matthew Flansburgh, his father, was born in New- 
Scotland in 1818 and has been a lifelong and successful farmer. His wife vt'as Nancy 
M. Dunbar and their children are: Emeline, Cordelia and Alexander. John P. 
Flansburgh, the grandfather of Alexander, was born in the town of Bethlehem. Sep- 
tember 23, 1784, and was a lifelong and successful farmer. He lived in Sharon, Al- 
bany county, and subsequently settledMn New Scotland on the Helderbergs and there 
spent his remaining days. The last forty-two days of his life was spent fasting, 
partaking of nothing but water, believing, as he said, his Maker had commanded 
him to stop eating of the fruit of the vine. He died July 14, 1867. In April, 1803, 
he married Margaret Kniver, who was a native of Bethlehem, and their children 
were Peter, David, Jacob, Michael, Maria, Eva, John, William, Elizabeth, Martha, 
Catharine, Cornelia and Garrett ; by his second wife one son was born, James. Jacob, 
the great-grandfather, was a native of Holland and spent his active life in the town 
of Bethlehem as a farmer. The second great-grandfather and the parent tree of the 
family of Flansburgh in America, was a native of Holland and settled in Bethlehem. 
He was a farmer and was murdered for his money by the tax collector, Schoonmaker, 



115 

who seeing Mr. Flansburgh had money, returned in the night with an accomplice 
aud asked for cider; while Mrs. Flansburgh was in the cellar after the cider, with 
an ax, he killed Mr. Flansburgh, secured the money and fled. He was apprehended, 
tried and executed. 

Ireland, Francis Asbury, is a member of one of the oldest and most respected 
families of the town of Watervliet, Albany county, where he was born May 6, 1824. 
He was educated in the common schools and at Schenectady, N. Y., and has always 
been a farmer,and resident m the aforesaid town (now called Colonie) where, as a Re- 
publican, though never seeking, he has held minor town offices. He has been a trus- 
tee of the M. E. church of Newtonville since 18T2, and its treasurer for a number of 
years. He is the tenth of a family of twelve children of the late Rev. Selah Ire- 
land, who was born in the town of Eastou, Washington county, N. Y., m 1785, and 
who settled in Watervliet, N. Y., in 1805. Mr. Ireland is a descendant of Thomas 
Ireland, his great-grandfather, who was one of the early settlers who founded the 
first English settlement in Queens county. Long Island, N. Y., in 1643. Francis 
Asbury Ireland was married October 19, 1848, to Christina C. Ten Broeck of Claver- 
ack, Columbia county. Their children are William T. B. of Lincoln, Neb., F. Jose- 
phine, James M., Ulysses Grant, Cora C. and Zilla A. of Albany county. 

Keneston, George, was born September 11, 1853, in Somersetshire, England, 
where he was educated, and in 1866 was apprenticed for seven years, in which 
he learned the trades of plumber, painter, and glazier; he came to America and 
settled in Albany in 1874 and found employment with the firm of Cundall & Brint- 
nall, then located at 47 Clinton avenue. In 1876 he married Bridget Newcomb of 
Ballston, Spa, N. Y., and their children are seven in number: Joseph William, 
Albert Daniel, Frank Leo, Walter James Edward, George, jr., Anna Clara and 
Arthur. He started in business in 1878, at 77 North Lark street; in 1880 he moved 
to 780^ Broadway, and in 1881 to 161 North Pearl street; in 1890 he moved to 677 
Broadway, where he is still located and carrying on the business of house and sign 
painting, also dealer in ready mixed paints, oils, glass, etc. In politics is a Repub- 
lican. 

Lynch, Joseph H., was born in 1845, and his father was James Lynch, born in 
Ireland, and was a central figure in the early history of the town of Watervliet. 
Mr. Lynch was thirteen years steamboating and during the war was three years on 
the tug Tempest in government employ, where he rose from a cabin boy to a captain. 
Since the war he ran steamboats about Philadelphia and elsewhere, until he settled 
permanently at West Troy. He is a grocery dealer of West Troy and has been 
located on the corner of Broadway and Seventeenth streets for twenty-one years. 

Pratt. Augustus W., son of John G. and Alida (Walter) Pratt, was born on Van 
Schaick's Island, Albany county, June 7, 1843. He isof English and French descent. 
His paternal ancestors (three brothers) came to America from England in 1842; his 
merternal ancestors came to America from France and Germany previous to the 
Revolution and did Revolutionary service. His father, John G., was a boatman 
on the Hudson River for sixty-six years. Augustus W. Pratt was educated in the 
Waterford, N. Y., public schools and later learned the trade of machinist. In 1860 
he went to New York city, where he was employed by Fletcher, Harrison & Co. 



After a few years spent as engineer on steamboats, he secured the position of re 
tailerfor J. B. Enos & Co., with whom he remained four years; he was then made 
engineer of Erastus Coming's iron works in Troy and was there seven years, when 
he secured the position of chief engineer at the Troy City Water Works, where he 
remained three years. April 8, 1893, Mr. Pratt was appointed United States local 
inspector of steam boilers and still holds that position. January 10, 1865, he married 
Kate S., daughter of John A. Kittell of Hadley, N. Y., and they have one son: 
Frank H. On June 1, he was appointed a member and chairman of the Board of 
Civil Service Examiners for the;Custom House at Albany, N. Y. 

Porter, Robert, is a self-made man, and started as a messenger boy twenty years 
ago for the company with which he is now connected. He was born at Ballston, N. 
Y.. in 1860, and was educated in the High School at that place. When about sixteen 
years of age he entered the local office of the Delaware & Hudson Railroad. While 
in their.| employ he picked up a practical knowledge of telegraphj^ and soon after 
was transferred to Sandy Hill as operator, and was for five years clerk and operator 
at Fort Henry. He then became agent and traveling auditor. In May, 1888, he 
was appointed to the position he now holds, that of superintendent of the freight 
office at Green Island. During his residence at Green Island Mr. Porter has been 
active in local affairs. He is interested in educational aflfairs and is trustee and 
presidentyof the School Board. He has developed marked ability and is recognized 
as a potent factor in that most worthy cause. 

Swift, William, sr., was born in the city of York, England, in 1769. He married 
Esther Staber of the same place, and they had three children; Elizabeth, Jane and 
William, jr. In 1822 Mr. Swift came to America with his family, settling in Al- 
bany, where he engaged in the grocery business, and in 1824 he purchased a farm 
in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y., when he gave up his business 
and devoted his time to agricultural pursuits. His wife died in 1833, and he in 
1851. After the death of his father, William Swift, jr., took charge of the farm, 
managing it with great success. October 27, 1851, he married Margaret Ann 
Wands, of the old Scotch family of Wands, from which the place took its name, 
and they had five children: William Slater, Mary Ellen, Charles Henry and Esther 
Ann, (one dying in infancy). Mr. Swift died March 25, 1879, in his sixty-eighth 
year. At the age of nineteen William Slater took a course at the Albany Business 
College and soon after engaged in mercantile business in Albany. December 17, 
1879, he married Emma L. Wands, and June 10, 1880, he came to Voorheesville, 
N. Y., and engaged in general store trade, which he conducted for seven years, 
and then sold the business on account of failing health. April 1, 1888, he engaged 
in the retail lumber business and a year later added to the business a manufactur- 
ing plant, which he operated with success until October 5, 1893, when his mill was 
destroyed by fire. He at once rebuilt on the site a storehouse and continued the 
retail business as before until May 1, 1894, when he sold out, and since that time 
has been engaged in contracting and building. Mr. and Mrs. Swift have seven 
children as follows ; Mabel Slater, Grace Wands, Annie Louis, Sarah Drew, Cyrus 
Burgess, Emma May and William Raymond (Sarah and Cyrus being twins). ' De- 
cember 24, 1883, Charles Henry Swift married Mary Louisa Pearl, and he is living 
on the old homestead in New Scotland. Margaret Ann Swift, the mother, is still 



117 

living at the age of seventy-six, and enjoys good health, living by herself and look- 
ing after her household duties. 

Shanks, Charles S., son of David W. and Anna R. (Seath) Shanks, was born in 
Albany, September 8, 1857. David W. .Shanks was born in Edinburgh. Scotland, in 
1825, came to America in 1846 and settled in Albany, where he conducted an uphol- 
stering business till his death in IS'iT. He was captain of what is now Co. D, 10th 
Battalion, a member of the old Albany Bevervvyck Club and a Mason. Charles S. 
Shanks was educated in the Albauy public schools, became a clerk for Archibald 
McClure & Co., and later for his father, and in 1875 entered the employ of Benjamin 
Lodge, merchant tailor, with whom he remained until 1889, when he formed a part- 
nership with Charles H. Lathrop, under the firm name of Shanks & Lathrop; they 
purchased Mr. Lodge's business and now carry on a large merchant tailoring trade. 
Mr. Shanks enlisted in Co. B, 10th Regiment, in 1878, was promoted by gradation to 
first lieutenant and was honorably discharged in 1885. He was elected treasurer of 
the Y. M. A. in 1884 and is now one of the board of managers. For two years he 
was president of the Albany Wheelmen, which is now the A. C. W. In 1884 he 
married Frances C. E.,' daughter of William Gemmell, of Jersey City, N. J., and 
they have one daughter, Margaretta G. 

Van Olinda, John L. , was born on the farm he now owns in 1832. This farm was 
first taken up by Henry Albright in 1740. John L. Hogeboom, the maternal grand- 
father, came from the town of Ghent, Columbia county, and purchased this farm 
from Henry Albright about 1792. John L. Hogeboorn was born of Holland parents 
and reared three children, Lawrence, John and Albertine. They were born in 
Ghent, Columbia county, the latter being born in 1794; and was the mother of Mrs. 
Van Olinda. With the exception of four years spent in the village of New Salem, 
Mr. Van Olinda has spent his whole life on this farm, he having bought it from his 
father. He has made many improvements, erected a residence and other buildings, 
cleared some of the land of the timber, and has devoted considerable time to 
fruit culture, principally to peaches, plums, and apple.s. He keeijs a fine grade 
of Jer.sey cattle. For some years he was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity 
but later withdrew. In 1856 he was married to Margaret Wynkoop. daughter of 
Abram and Susan (Albright) Wynkoop. John T. Van Olinda, the grandfather of 
the subject, was born of Holland parents in the town of Watervliet, Albany county, 
N. v., about 1768. He was a farmer and reared four sons and three daughters. He 
later removed to Brewerton, Onondaga county, and there died in 1848, aged eighty 
years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Jacob, the father, was born in the 
town of Watervliet in 1796; he became a farmer, came to New Scotland, and was 
employed on subject's farm by John L. Hogeboom, and later married Albertine, his 
employer's daughter, and lived there until after the death of his father-in-law. He 
later purchased of his wife's brothers their interest in the farm, and here spent his 
remaining days. He was thrice married; his first wife was Lydia Ver Plank, by 
whom he had three children; Mariah, Julian and Ann Eliza. His second wife was 
Albertine Hogeboon ; their children were John L., Lydia Ann, and Albertine. His 
third wife was Mrs. Sarah Ann Patterson. He died in 1872. 

(Jreen, Archibald S., born in Oneida county, N Y., October 1, 1825, is a son of 
Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Stephens) Green. The maternal grandfather, Archibald 



Stephens, was one of the prominent farmers of Coeymans, and was a magistrate ap- 
pointed by the governor. The paternal grandparents of Mr. Green were Quakers 
in faith and early settlers of Coeymans, coming from Westchester county. Jeremiah 
Green was a merchant at Stephen ville, now Alcove, N. Y., whence he removed in 
1831 to Westerlo and purchased the Moses Smith store and there carried on a general 
mercantile business until time of death in 1849. He was a Democrat and was justice 
of the peace a number of years. He was also a Mason, and was a birthright Quaker. 
Archibald S. Green was educated at Cazenovia Seminary, and Kno.wille and Gallup- 
ville Academies. He was appointed recruiting officer in the Civil war and enlisted 
a number of soldiers to the credit of Albany county; was also treasurer for the club 
of drafted men and others liable to be drafted from the town of Westerlo, and as- 
sisted in disbursing several thousand dollars to these drafted members of the club. 
In 1853 he married Sarah, daughter of Charles Cox of Orleans county. N. Y., and 
they had three children: George J. and Charles G., who are in business with their 
father at Westerlo, and William, who died in infancy. Mr. Green has carried on a 
general mercantile business, succeeding his father; he also has about 1,000 acres of 
land in Westerlo. which he has to look after. He is a Democrat and was postmaster 
under Buchanan. His son George J. is at present postmaster at Westerlo. 

Harris, Hubbard C, was born in Grafton, Windora county, Vt. , in 1835, and is a 
a son of Jasher and grandson of William, whose ancestors came from England and 
settled in Ipswich. Mass., in 1636. Mr. Harris came to Coeymans in 1853, since 
when he has followed his trade, that of a mason and contractor, successfully. In 
1860 he married Laura, daughter of Elisha and Charlotte Buckland, by whom fmir 
children have been born, of whom Harry R. and Laura M. are now living. 

Keller, Robert B., son of Jacob and Harriet (Dibble) Keller, was born in Hudson, 
N. Y., January 7, 1846, and was of Holland and English descent. His grandfather, 
Jacob Keller, was born in Holland and came to America in the eighteenth century ; 
his mother was born in Vermont and descended from an English family. Robert 
B. Keller was educated in the Hudson public schools and in 1857 commenced steam- 
boating as a deckhand and rapidly rose until he became master of a steam vessel at 
eighteen years of age; he continued as such until 1885, when he was appointed 
United States local inspector of steam vessels, which position he now holds. In 1872 
he married Emma M , daughter of James M. Hurd, of Chicopee Falls, Mass., and 
they have one son; Robert H. 

Livingston & Co. --The business of this well known firm was founded in 1857 by 
Hiram Livingston, who in a small store on Green street built up a large wholesale 
wine and liquor trade. In 1876 he removed to the present location. No. 76 State 
street, and upon his death in 1879 was succeeded by his son, William H. (born 1839), 
who in September, 1895, formed a copartnership with Jacob H. Smith (born 1862), 
under the firm name of Livingston & Co. The firm carries the finest grade of goods, 
caters principally to the drug and hotel trade and is one of the heaviest importers 
through the customs warehouse at Albany. Mr. Livingston was deputy collector of 
internal revenue under Theodore Townsend, during the Rebellion held a position in 
the War Department and was a Mason, a trustee of the Albany County Savings 
Bank and a member of the Albany Club. Mr. Smith, son of Henry Smith, who died 
in December, 1891. was graduated from the Albany High School in 1881, and from 



119 

1884 to 1895 was bookkeeper for W. H. Livingston. He was an organizer and the 
first secretary of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. 

Sutherland. Charles R., is descended from Joseph Sutherland, wlio came from 
Scotland and settled in Horseneck, Conn., where his son Thomas was born in 1736. 
Thomas married Barsheba Palmer and died in 1807. His son William, born December 
31, 1791, settled in Kinderhook, N. Y., and died December 31, 1811. Rufus Sutherland, 
son of William, was born in 1799, married Sally Nivar, removed to Schoharie, N. V., 
in 1840 and died in 1849. His son Michael, born in 1828, married Christina Lawyer 
and died February 25. 1888; his wife died in January, 1872. Her family were among 
the early Dutch settlers of New Amsterdam. Charles R. Sutherland, son of Michael, 
was born in Schoharie, January, 31, 1857, and after attaining his majority .spent four 
years as clerk in the grocery store of his uncle. Isaac P. Sutherland, in Albany. In 
1882 he engaged in the produce commission business as a member of the firm of 
Burlians & Sutherland, which in 1883 was succeeded *by Burhans, Sutherland & Co.. 
which was followed in 1885 by I. P. Sutherland & Co. In 1838 his brother Willard 
J. was admitted and in 1890 the two brothers, Charles R. and Willard J., withdrew 
and formed the present commission firm of C. R. & W. J. Sutherland, which also 
deals in real estate. Mr. Southerland was a director of the South End Bank and is 
a member of Mount \'ernon Lodge No. 3, F. &• A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., 
Temple Commandery K. T., and the Scottish Rite bodies. October 14, 1892, he married 
Mary Elizabeth, daughter of William H. Righter of Albany, and their children are 
Charles, jr. (deceased), Florence and Hellen. 

Sutherland, Willard J., son of Michael and brother of Charles R. Sutherland 
(see above sketch), was born in Schoharie, N. Y., October 10, 1859, and when 
eighteen came to Albany as clerk for Haskell & Gallup, wholesale spices, etc., with 
whom he remained about three years. Later he was employed by J. E. Moore, 
manufacturer of pills. This position was given up to embark in the retail grocery 
business, which was successfully carried on for nearly six years. In the .spring of 

1885 he sold the grocery business to William H. Righter and became partner with his 
uncle, Isaac P. Sutherland and brother, C. R. Sutherland, in the produce commis- 
sion business, in which he has since continued, being now a member with his brother 
in the firm of C. R. & W. J. Sutherland. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, 
F. &• A. M. In 1884 he married Anna Stacpole of Albany, and their children are 
Mable, Harry, Libbie (deceased), Clara and Willard J., jr, 

Schuyler, Richard P. — The domicile inhabited by this gentleman and his family is 
one of the historic landmarks of Albany county; .situated at Port Schuyler, near 
West Troy, it stands a mute reminder of the generations of Schuylers it has shel- 
tered. Partially destroyed by fire, it has been rebuilt, but not essentially modern- 
ized and retains some quaint specimens of old Dutch handiwork. Richard P. Schuy- 
ler, son of the late Stephen R. Schuyler, was born here in 1847. A daughter. Miss 
Jennie D. Schuyler, an able writer, who values high the traditions of her family, 
will contribute to this work some notes upon their genealogy. From a moss-grown 
stone in the Schuyler Cemetery, near by, we quote verbatim: "In memory of Col. 
Philip Schuyler, a gentleman who was emproved in several public enployments. in 
which he acted with integrity. He was singularly hospitable, a sincere friend, a 



kind master, and most tender husband. He lived respected, and died greatly la- 
mented, February 16, 1758, aged sixty-two years." 

Staats, John M. was born in Schodack, Rensselaer county, in 1S12 and is the son 
of Barrent N. and grandson of Nicholas Staats, who, with two brothers, came from 
Holland among the early settlers. Nicholas Staats had four sons; George, Joachim 
P., William and Barrent N., who m 1832 settled the farm where John M. now lives. 
He died in 1848 and left two sons; Garret B., and John M., who remained on the 
homestead and carried on the farm. John M. Staats had two sons and three daugh- 
ters. John A. now runs the farm, and the youngest son, Joachim P., died in 1885. 

Secor, Benjamin M., of Huguenot descent, was born October 27, 1834, in the town 
of Berne, Albany county, where his father, Daniel, was born October 18, 1804. 
Daniel Secor, a Revolutionary soldier, settled in Berne about 1780 and died there ; 
his son Cornelius lived and diec^ there and was a colonel in the State militia. Daniel, 
son of Cornelius, married Cornelia Van Zandt and died June 22, 1879. Benjamin 
M. Secor was reared on a farm and received his education in his native town and 
Warnerville Seminary. He remained on the farm and clerked in country stores 
until 1866, when he came to Albany and engaged in the retail clothing business 
with L. D. Hutchins. In 1870 he became a clerk for R. C. Davis & Co. and so con- 
tinued till January, 1878, when he entered the employ of the late C. G. Craft; Janu- 
ary, 1890, he became a partner in the firm of C. G. Craft & Co. Mr. Craft died 
March 13, 1890, and since then Mr. Secor and Joseph D. Chapin have continued the 
business under the old firm name. Mr. Secor is vice-president in the Albany, Hel- 
derberg and Schoharie Railway Company, member of Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., 
and has lived in the Thirteenth ward about thirty years. In 1858 he married Arvilla 
Strevell of Berne, and they have five children; Effie J., Elva. Laura M., Daniel and 
Ida A. 

Saul Julius, was born m Prussia, Germany, March 29, 1836, came to this country 
in October, 1856, and first settled in Catskill, N. Y., where he found employment at 
his trade of clothing cutting. In May, 1858, he engaged in the merchant tailoring 
and ready-made clothing business, which he sold out in 1869. In March, 1867, he 
moved to Troy and engaged in the same business, which he still continues in that 
city. He removed to New York in 1883 and began the manufacture of clothing and 
while there, in 1884, established a store in Albany, where he settled in May, 1888. 
In the latter year he purchased and extensively remodeled the property, Nos. 51-53 
North Pearl street, where he has since built up a prosperous business, carrying in 
stock every article in clothing used from head to foot, by man, woman, and child. 
In 1893 his sons, Lester J. and Philip C, were admitted to partnership and the 
manufacturing department was moved from New York to Albany. Mr. Saul is an 
ex-member of the National Guard, an exempt fireman, a member of King Solomon's 
Primitive Lodge F. & A. M., and Trojan Lodge I. O. O. F. of Troy. In September, 
1864, he married Rachel Cohn, a native of Prussia, Germany. Of their nine chil- 
dren four are living; Lester J., Philip C, Rose (wife of Dr. M. J. Lewi of New York 
city) and Elka. 

Sayles, William, for twenty-three years one of the leading contractors of Albany, 
is a son of Thomas and Jane (Stephan) Sayles, and was born on the Isle of Man, May 



121 

J.j. 1848. He was educated in private schools and learned the trade of carpenter 
and joiner in his native country, noted in recent years as the scene of Hall Caine's 
thrilling romances. Mr. Sayles came to America in 1867, arriving in New York city 
April 24, and the following day reached Albany, where he has since resided. He 
followed his trade as a journeyman until January, 1873, when he formed a copartner- 
ship with William H. Gick, under the firm name of Gick & Sayles, and engaged in 
contracting and building. This firm has steadily increased the volume of its opera- 
lions, until now it is one of the leading concerns of the kind in the city. They have 
erected about 300 buildings in Albany, among them the Albany County Bank, Dud- 
ley Observatory, Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Block, the Hope Baptist church, 
St. Peter's Rectory and the residences of Messrs. Wing, Russell, Rudd, Murphy, 
Gregory, Fuller, Waldman, Barber and Reynolds, on State Street, of George W. 
Van Slyke, Hon. John Palmer and Benjamm Lodge on Madison Avenue, of Mann, 
Waldman and Tracey on Willett Street; of Mrs. Craig in Englewood Place; of 
Ogden, Kinnear and Rooker on Lake Avenue; the brown stone row on Lancaster 
street between Lark and Willett, and a great many other dwellings, public build- 
ings, etc., of equal prominence. They have also built a large number of handsome 
structures outside the city of Albany and are well known throughout a wide terri- 
tpry. Mr. Sayles is a staunch Republican, and in May, 1895, was appointed by 
Mayor O. E. Wilson one of the city assessors for a term of three years. He is a 
member of Ancient City Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M. He is a member and for ten 
years was a trustee of the First M. E. church. November 27, 1878, he married Ellen 
Elizabeth, daughter of the late William W. Pearl of Albany county, and they have 
three children. Arthur Everett, Agnes Pearl 'and Mabel Margaret. 

Ten Eyck, Jacob H., is a descendant of Coenraedt Ten Ej'ck, who came from Am- 
sterdam, Holland, to New York city about 1650 and was a tanner. The words Ten 
Eyck mean "from the oak," the oak being the family's coat of arms. Herman Ten 
Eyck of Albany (where the family settled about 1690) was born here in 1793 and died 
May 17, 1861, about ten years after he retired from the dry goods business, in which 
he was long engaged with an elder brother -under the firm name of Jacob H. Ten 
Eyck & Co. Herman Ten Eyck married, in 1821, Eliza Bogart of Geneva, N. Y., 
who died in 1853, leaving two daughters and an only son. Jacob H. Ten Eyck, the 
son, and the last living male representative of this branch of the family, was born 
in Albany, August 17, 1833, attended the Albany Academy and for a few years was 
clerk in a bank. In 1856 he went to Cuba and spent three j'ears in railroading. Re- 
turning to Albany he raised in 1861 Co. G, of the 3d N. Y. Vols., was commissioned 
a captain in the State militia on April 25, and in May was mustered into U. S. ser- 
vice. He served nearly two years, being promoted major of the 154th N. Y. Vols., 
and stationed in Virginia with the 11th Army Corps. He resigned in 1864 on ac- 
count of ill health and since the war has had charge of several estates. He has been 
a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank and a director in the Albany Insurance Com- 
pany for about twenty years, is president of the Great Western Turnpike Company 
(the oldest corporation of the kind in the State), and is connected with several man- 
ufacturing companies in Albany and Troy. He was alderman of the old Seventh 
ward two years, one of the founders of the Fort Orange Club, for ten years a mem- 
ber of the Volunteer Fire Department, and was long a member of the Albany 



122 

Burgesses Corps, and also commissary of the 10th Regt. In 1867 he married Ma- 
tilda E., daughter of G. V. S. Bleecker, a prominent citizen and for many years 
alderman of the Third ward of Albany and the father of Charles E. Bleecker, at one 
time mayor. 

Veeder, Hon. William Davis, was born in Guilderland, Albany county, N. \'., 
May 19. 18315, a descendant of an old Netherland family. He received a common 
school and academic education, and read law with Peter Cagger, Nicholas 
Hill and John K. Porter. He was admitted to the Albany bar in 1858 and entered 
the office of Hon. Henry Smith in that city, where he remained until his removal to 
Brooklyn later in the same year, where he has since resided. He soon became active 
in politics and has filled with enviable distinction many positions of responsibility 
and honor. He represented the First district of Brooklyn in the Assembly in 1865 
and 1866. He was made a member of the Democratic State Committee in 1874, 
which position he occupied until 1882. He served in the Constitutional Convention 
of 1867-68, and also in that of 1894 on the Committees on Preamble and on Corpo- 
rations. In the fall of 1866 he was elected surrogate of Kings county over two 
opponents by a majority of 4,500; this office he filled for ten years, or until 1877, and 
what is remarkable, not one of his decisions was ever reversed. In the fall of 1876 
he was elected to the Forty-fifth Congress by a vote of 17,916 against 10,630 for 
Colonel Cavanagh, Independent Democrat endorsed by the Republicans. At the 
close of his term he retired from active political work and resumed his law prac- 
tice, which had become extensive. Mr. Veeder is an authority on constitutional 
law and a specialist in the statutes which relate to trusts, corporations and wills. 
He was a member of the Municipal Consolidation Inquiry Commission as to the 
Greater New York. 

Wirth, Jacob, jr., son of Jacob and Mary Wirth, was born in Albany, N. V., Feb- 
ruary 2, 1869. He was educated in the public schools and at the Albany Business 
College. Subsequently he learned the tailor's trade with his father, who for many 
years was in business in Albany. Jacob Wirth, jr., was in the employ of William 
Illch, as a cutter from 1886 to 1891, when he went to Europe with the Knight Temp- 
lars. Upon his return he commenced business at No. 41 Beaver street, where he is 
now located. He is a member of Guttenberg Lodge No. 737, F. & A. M., Temple 
Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., De Witt Clinton Council No. 23, R. & S. M., Temple Com- 
mandery No. 2, K. T., Cyprus Temple A. A. O. N. M. S., and the Acacia and I'n- 
conditioual Clubs. He is at present representing the First ward in the Board of 
Aldermen. In June, 1894, he married Katharine Deiseroth. 

Winne. Barent S., son of Barent S. and Ann A. (Staats) Winne, was born in Cedar 
Hill, July 20, 1858. The Winne family are of Dutch descent and date their ancestry 
back in Albany county to 1684, the line of descent being Barent S., son of Barent S., 
son of Peter W., son of William, son of Daniel, son of Peter, son of Daniel, son of 
Peter. Mr. Winne is the seventh generation living on the homestead settled by 
Daniel Winne in 1715. Mr. Winne is now engaged in the extensive freighting com- 
mission and coal business established by his father in 1860. 

Andrews, jr., Horace, was born in New Haven, Conn., March 19, 1852. His an- 
cestry includes several of the most prominent founders of the Connecticut Colony, 



123 

and the Holland settlers of Kinderhook, N. Y. Mr. Andrews's parents were Horace 
Andrews and Julia R. Johnson, both of Connecticut. He was educated at private 
schools in New York city and New Haven, and at the Sheffield Scientific School of 
Yale XTniversity, where he received his first and second degrees, the latter (of Civil 
Engineer) in 1872. Since then his occupation has been entirely in the line of lus 
profession. He was engaged on hydrographic work, under the U. S. Coast and Geo- 
detic Survey, in 1872 and for several years afterwards was connected with the same 
government bureau, first m connection with the survey of the harbor and vicinity of 
New Haven, Conn., and afterwards on the east coast of Florida, whence he was 
called m 1S78 to accept the position of assistant on the New York State Survey which 
he tilled till the conclusion of the survey in 1884. Several of the technical papers in 
the reports of this survey were communicated by Mr. Andrews. Sanitary investiga- 
tions in many parts of the State were next undertaken by him, under the New York 
State Board of Health, until his appointment by Mayor Thacher, in 1886, as city 
engineer of Albany, which office has been filled by him since his first appointment 
up to the present time. Mr. Andrews has been a member of the American Society 
of Civil Engineers since 1887 and of the Geometer Yerein of Germany since 1881; 
for several years he has been a member of the Fort Orange Club and he is a member 
of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal church. In 1881 he married Adeleine Louise 
Downer, of Hamden, Conn., who died in December 1893. Of his three children, all 
of whom were born in Albany, the two now living are Theodore and Bertha A. 

Aspinwall, William F., whose charming home near Loudonville, snrrounded by 
grounils evincing the care and skill of a landscape gardener, cannot fail to attract 
the admiration of travelers along the Loudonville road, is the son of the late Lewis 
E. Aspinwall, who came to Watervliet in 1848. He was a brass founder by trade 
and noted for inventive genius and .skill ; but ill health led him to retire to the coun- 
try. He died here in 1888, aged seventy years. W. F. Aspinwall was born at 
Hastings-on the, Hudson in 1843. He was about years old when his family moved to 
Watervliet; since then he has resided here, chiefly engaged in gardening. Mr. 
Aspinwall is a musician, chiefly as an amateur violinist, and it is his own tasteful 
labors which have beautified the surroundings of his home. A daughter. Miss Mar- 
garet, evinces much of the same artistic proclivity; and a son, William D. Aspin- 
wall, a recent graduate of Harvard College, is now occupying a position with a Bos- 
ton publishing house. Mr. Aspinwall is a gentleman of quiet and studious tastes, 
with no political ambitions. He feels a just pride in the fact that one of his paternal 
ancestors was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and it is interesting to 
note that the Aspinwall Potato Planter, known the world over, was invented by his 
elder brother, L. Augustus A.spinwall. 

Bentley, W. — Ur. Richard Bentley, English critic, was born in Culton, England, 
in l(i02 and died in 1742. He had two brothers, Thomas and James, who emigrated 
to Rhode Island in 1720. James, not liking America, returned to England; Thomas 
remained m America and was the progenitor of a very numerous and respected line 
of descendants. Thomas Bentley had three sons: William, Benjamin and Caleb. 
Rev. Charles E. Bentley, Baptist minister of Lincoln, Neb., and chairman of the 
Nebraska State Prohibition Committee, is a descendant of Benjamin. Thomas 
Bentley's son, William, had four sons; Tillinghast, William, jr., Taber and Pardon. 



124 

Pardon Bentley was the father of eleven children: Margaret, Pardon, jr., Thomas, 
William, John, Charles. Augustus, Samuel, Stephen, Elizabeth and Susan. Pardon 
Bentley's third son, William, was born in Rhode Island m 1767 and died at Chester- 
ville, N. Y., in 1820. He was twice married; by his first marriage he had three 
children: Jerusha, Olive and William, jr. His daughter Olive married Peter Cap- 
well; their son, Albert C. Capwell, was for many years a prominent lawj'er in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. William, jr., was a resident many years of Westerlo, N. Y. ; he 
was supervisor of the town in 1837 and 1838, and moved to Onondaga county, N.Y., 
in 1840, where sojne 6f his descendants still reside. But one of his sons. George, is 
living, who resides at Colorado Springs, Col. ; a grandson, Floyd F. Bentley, is 
agent for the D., L. & W. R. R. at Baldwinsville, N.Y. William Bentley, sr.'s, sec- 
ond marriage was to Abigail, daughter of Elisha Smith of North East, Dutchess 
county, N. Y., whence they moved to Chesterville, Albany county, in 1800. Their 
children were Amanda, wife of John Winston; Alva; Abigail, wife of Reuben 
Winston, M. D. ; Harriet, George H., Edward S., Edwin S. and Alexander, all dead 
except Alexander, who resides at Greenville, N. Y. Alva Bentley had one son, Jas- 
per Bentley, who is a lawyer and resides at Lansing, Mich., and whose daughter is 
the wife of J. B. Moore, Supreme Court judge of Michigan. George H. Bentley, 
born March 1, 1806, in Chesterville, N. Y., died July 16. 1863. He married Almira 
Lawrence, January 30, 1828, and in 1832, in company with his brother Alexander, 
engaged in the mercantile business in Chesterville, which was dissolved in 1837. 
George H. Bentley then purchased the old homestead, where he resided the rest of 
his life. He represented the town in the Board of Supervisors in the years 1854 and. 
185.1. He was the father of Charles Bentley, who was born in Westerlo, N. Y., 
August 22, 1831. and lived on the old homestead until 1S83, when he sold it and 
moved to Hastings, Neb. ; he now resides at Cambridge, Neb. He married Pris- 
cilia, daughter of Samuel G. Baker of Westerlo, N. Y., October 14, 1851, and they 
had one daughter and three sons: Fanny Ada, George, Edward W. and Willis. 
Charles Bentley was supervisor in Westerlo in 1866-67. Edward W. died June 28, 
1866, Fanny Ada died July 19, 1866, and Mrs. Charles Bentley died December 21, 
1879. George married Rosella, daughter of Henry L. Tallmadge of Westerlo, and 
moved to Cambridge, Neb., in 1883, where he now resides. They have two sons: 
Fred E. and Charles L. Willis Bentley was born May 12, 1868, and in 1883 entered 
the employment of Ferris Swartout of Chesterville as clerk, in 1887 came to Ravena 
(then Coeymans Junction) and clerked it for James M. Borthwick (now county clerk) 
until 1890, when he and an associate clerk, Elvin C. Shults, succeeded Mr. Borth 
wick m business under the firm name of Shultes & Bentley, until March 18, 1895, 
when Mr. Shultes retired from the firm and the busmess has since been conducted 
by Mr. Bentley. Willis Bentley married Cora B., daughter of William H. Winegard 
of Westerlo, N. Y., February 4, 1891, and their union has been blessed with one 
daughter, Inez C, born March 19, 1892. 

Belser, Joseph, jr., son of Joseph and Barbara (Klett) Belser, was born in Albany, 
May 4, 1866. Joseph Belser. sr.. was born in Messingen. Germany, March 13, 1836. 
He came to America in 1852 and settled first in New York city, then in 1854 he re- 
moved to Albany and in November, 1857, engaged in the retail dry goods business, 
at what is now No. 352 South Pearl street. He gradually increased his scope of 



125 

operations until 1884, when he took in his son-in-law, John Wagner, as a partner 
under the firm name of Belser & Wagner. This firm continued until 1888, when 
Mr. Reiser's son, Joseph, jr., became a partner. In 1889 Mr. Wagner withdrew and 
engaged in the furniture business and Joseph Belser, sr., Joseph Belser, jr., and 
Miss Barbara Belser constituted the firm. In 1890 Joseph, sr., retired and since 
then the brother and sister, as Belser & Co., have continued the business. Joseph, 
sr., is a member of the Eintracht Singing Society and was for several years its 
treasurer. The firm of Belser & Co. now occupy for retail purposes three stores at 
Nos. 348, 350 and 352 South Pearl street; they also have three stores for their 
wholesale business, which has gradually been built up within the last few years. 

Brennan, Edward J., is a grandson of James Brennau, sr., a maltster who came 
to Albany from Ireland and died herein 1880, aged eighty-two. James Brennan, jr., 
has been connected with the Albany police force since about 1870. He is a native 
of the capital city, as is also his wife, Mary Murtaugh. Edward J., their son, was 
born Augu.st 17, 1860, in Albany, was graduated from the Christian Brothers' Acad- 
emy in 1876 and m 1877 entered the law office of Smith, Bancroft & Moak, being ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1881. He remained with his preceptors as managing clerk until 
1886, when he was elected justice of the City Court for a term of three years. Smce 
1889 he has been in active practice of his profession, making a specialty of criminal 
law, in which he has been very successful, having freed many well known criminals. 
He is a prominent Democrat, has served as delegate to several political conventions 
and is a member of the A. O. U. W. January 22, 1896, he married Mary, daughter 
of George Schwartz, a well known pork packer and dealer of Albany. 

Cummings Brothers. — James and John Cummings were born in the town of Berne, 
June 25, 1857, and May 20, 1859, respectively. They are sons of John Cummings, 
who was born in the city of Clonmell, Ireland, in 1829. He was one of four children 
of Patrick Cummings. John, the father, was a miller m his native place. He came 
to America and direct to the town of Berne, where he engaged in farming which he 
continued until recent years, when he retired to the village of Reidsville and leased 
his farm. In 1864 he enlisted in Co. B, 81st Regiment N. V. Vols., and served until 
the close of the war, participating in the battle of the Wilderness, where he received 
a wound and lost part of his hand. He was under General Butler in five active en- 
gagements. His wife was Ellen Shea, a native of the city of Clonmell. Ireland, and 
daughter of Thomas Shea; to them were born five children: James, born June 25, 
1857; John, born May 30, 1859; George, born June 1, 1861, and died at the age of 
nineteen; Ellen, born in October, 1862; and Thomas, born in December, 1866, and 
died at the age of sixteen. James and John were reared to farm life and attended 
the common schools and remained at home until they were twenty-four years "of age, 
when they embarked in business for themselves, their first enterprise being farming 
and quarrying, which they followed for seven years. They dissolved partnership, 
James remaining at the quarry and John repaired to Albany and engaged in the 
stone business from 1891 to 1895. They then moved to Voorheesville and established 
themselves in the feed, grain and produce business, and in connection with this they 
carried on an extensive stone business. James married Ella Van Deusen of Berne, 
and daughter of Robert A. Van Deusen. Their children are Carrie and George. 
John married Mary C. Ecker of the town of Knox, and daughter of Allen Ecker, by 



126 

whom three children were born: Thomas, who died when ten years of age; Edward 
and Mary. John is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of Chancellors 
Lodge of Albany. The brothers are both stockholders in the Clarksville Telephone 
line. John is a stockholder in the Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association ; 
the brothers are also stockholders in the Voorheesville Canning and Preserving Co. 

De Witt, Abraham Van Dyck, descends from a distinguished line of Holland an- 
cestry. Among his earliest ancestors were John L. De Witt, a captain in the Revo- 
lutionary war, and Lucas De Witt. Tjerck Claassen De Witt of Zunderland, Holland, 
born 1620, was the first of the family to come to this country. He stopped at New 
Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1656, settled for a time in Albany and thence removed to 
Kingston, where he died February 7, 1700. Mr. De Witt's paternal grandfather, 
Rev. John De Witt, was born in Catskill, N. Y., August, 1789, studied at Union 
College, and graduated at Princeton in 1809. He was licensed to preach in 1811; 
married Sarah Schoonmaker, and was pastor of the old collegiate Dutch church of 
Albany from 1813 to 1815 and of the Second Reformed Dutch church from 1815 to 
1833. He was then chosen professor of ecclesiastical history in the theological semi- 
nary at New Brunswick, N. J., having in 1825 also assumed the professorship of 
belles lettres, criticism and logic in Rutgers College. He died at New Brunswick 
October 11, 1831. The great-grandfather of A. V. De Witt was John I. DeWitt of 
Catskill and Saugerties, N. Y., who was born in 1763. He married Mary, daughter 
of Peter Breasted, in 1782, and died in 1816. Mr. De Witt's father, Clinton De Witt, 
born in Albany in 1814, became a brilliant lawyer and orator and died in New York 
city in 1845. He married in 1835 Flsie, daughter of Abraham Van Dyck, a leading 
lawyer of Coxsackie, N. Y. She was an accomplished student, read Greek and 
Hebrew, and died August 1, 1885. Abraham V. D. De Witt, born in Coxsackie, Au- 
gust 11, 1836, was educated in the village academy, and read law with James B. 
Sanders of Albany for seven years, being admitted to the bar when twenty-one. He 
was then in partnership with his preceptor until 1871, when Mr. Sanders retired. In 
1872 he became a partner of Charles F. T. Spoor, and since the latter's death in 
1891 has practiced alone. Mr. DeWitt has not only conducted a general law prac- 
tice, but has also had the settlement of many large estates. He is a member of the 
Fort Orange Club and the Holland Society of New York. In June, 1894, he was 
elected treasurer of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank and since then has had the 
active management of that institution, devoting much of his time to its affairs. In 
January, 1896, he married Grace Ilallam Learned of New London, Conn., daughter 
of the late Rev. Robert Coit Leonard. A daughter, born to them November 2'i, 
1890, is named Elsie Van Dyck. 

Moak John T., was born in the town (jf New Scotland, on the Moak homestead, 
April 37, 1827. He is a son of Col. Joseph Moak, a native of New Scotland and a 
farmer by occupation. His wife was Arianna Taylor, daughter of Robert Taylor, 
and their children were Robert, Joseph, Jane, Frances, Eve Ann, Catherine, Har- 
riet, Rachael and John T. The father, Col. Joseph Moak, died March 38, 1848, the 
wife dying previously in 1830. John T. spent his early life on the homestead, re- 
ceiving a common school education. When he was twenty-one years of age he be- 
gan working at the cabinet trade, which he followed one year; then he worked for a 
time at farming and returned to the cabinet_shop again. In 1851 he purchased his 



137 

present farm, consisting of ninety acres, wliere he is at present residing. To tliis lie 
lias added another farm of seventy acres and made many improvements in the prop- 
erty. In 1850 he married Margaret Sager, who was born in New Scotland, a daugh- 
ter of Conrad and Margaret (Bradt) Sager. Their children were Arianna, wife of 
Jeremiah Winne, Melville S. (deceased), Ida L., wife of Edgar B. Ruso. The pater- 
nal grandfather of John T. Moak was Jacob Moak, who came from Switzerland 
with his two brothers, Francis and Henry, about 1730. 

Schubert, Theodore, a popular and well-known citizen of West Troy, was born in 
Saxony, Germany, in 1855. He was a son of a weaver, Charles G. Schubert. They 
came to America in 1804 and settled at Holyoke, Mass., where Theodore learned 
the woolsorting trade, and in 1878 came here as a weaver in the Roy Mills, and 
later as a loom adjuster. In 1885 he opened a cafe and retail saloon at 1,399 Broad- 
way. Mr. Schubert is prominently connected with numerous local societies, the 
West Troy Fire Department, president of the local board of Wine and Liquor Deal- 
ers' Association and member of Laurel Lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Munson, George S., M. D., son of Stephen and Eunice A. Mun.son, was born in 
Waterford, N. Y.. April 4, 1856, and moved wrth his parents to Albany in 1858. His 
mother, a native of Westerfield, Mass-, who died in March, 1886, was a descendant 
of Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the theologian and metaphy.sician of Northampton, 
Mass., and afterwards president of Princeton College. His father became an exten- 
sive shoe manufacturer in Albany. Dr. Munson was graduated from public school 
No. 3 in 1868 and from the Albany High School in 1872, and in 1874 entered Princeton 
College, where he took several prizes for oratory, study, etc., and where he was 
graduated with honor in 1878. He read medicine with Drs. Vander\'eer and Snow, 
and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1880, took a special course in 
Dr. Knapp's ophthalmic and aural institute in New York, where he remained as first 
assistant for two years, and also pursued special courses under Drs. Noyes and 
Agnew of that city. In 1883 he began the active practice of his profession in Al- 
bany. He has served as ophthalmic surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, 
ophthalmic and aural surgeon to the Schenectady Hospital and Dispensary, and Al- 
bany City Hospital, and is a thirty-second degree Mason and a member of the Fort 
Orange Club and Albany Medical Library and Journal A.ssociation. He has con- 
tributed many valuable papers to medical literature, especially on the treatment of 
diseases of eye the and ear. In 1884 he married May S., daughter of George S. 
Downing of Albany, and they have one son, born March 31, 1888, and a daughter. 

Bloss, Dr. F. S. of West Troy, is a descendant of prominent ancestors in the pro- 
fession of medicine, as he is a son of J. P. Bloss, a noted physician of Troy, and 
grandson of Richard BIol^s, who was a pioneer homeopathist of Troy, and who died 
there after twenty-five years of practice. He is also a nephew of Richard D. Bloss, 
an active practitioner, now of Troy. Dr. F. S. left Burlington, Iowa, where he was 
born in 1857 and came to Troy in 1859. He went to Schenectady, graduating from 
the Union Classical Institute, and entered Union College, graduating in 1881, after 
which he entered the Albany Medical College. He first practiced at Troy with his 
father, and came to West Troy in 1896. He is a member of the Medical Society of 
Northern New York. 



128 

Patterson, jr., John, is the sou of John and grandson of Archibald Patterson, who 
settled in Bethlehem in 1810 and died in 1876, leaving six sons; Robert, Andrew, 
James, Alexander, William and John, who settled on the homestead. He had one 
son, John, jr., as above, who has been, and still is, one of the leading men of the 
town, having served as supervervisor from 1889 until 1895. Mr. Patterson, besides 
carrying on the farm, has for some time carried on a coal and ice business in Long 
Island city, and still has an ice house in Bethlehem that he built in 1878. 

Vloebergh, Louis, was born in Belgium, Province of Antwerp, in 1823, where he 
learned the wheelwright's trade, which he followed until 1857, when he came to Al- 
bany where he worked for some time, when he came to Bethlehem Center in 1861, 
and has since carried on a shop. He has three sons: Livine, who is in business in 
Albany, Augustus and Joseph, who are business with their father, and two daugh- 
ters, Mathilda and Cristina. 

Moore, William, was born in Ireland. March, 1827. He received a common school 
education and in 1846 came to America. He remained for a time in New York city 
and then went east and worked in the cloth mills in New Hampshire, Vermont and 
Rhode Lsland. In 1852 he went to Cohoes and worked three years for Egberts & 
Bailey, the first knit goods manufacturers m America. Then after learning the 
machinist's trade with the Harmony Company, he was for thirteen years machinist 
and foreman of the Mohawk River Knitting Mills company, which was an enlarge- 
ment of the business of Egberts & Bailey. In 1859 Mr. Moore accepted the manage- 
ment of William Mansfield's knitting mills and in 1860 established a mill of his own 
on Erie street, known as the Erie Knitting Mill. In 1882 he built the Granite Mill, 
on the corner of Ontario and Saratoga streets, to which he gives most of his atten- 
tion, but he still retains an interest in the Erie Mill, which is owned by the firm, 
Moore & Tierney. Mr. Moore has been a member of the Odd F"ellows fraternity for 
forty years and was for one term alderman of the Third ward. In 1892 he married 
Sarah A., daughterof James Tierney of Waterford and they have one son, William J. 

McHinch, Robert, a prominent and successful farmer and fruit grower of the town 
of New Scotland, was born near Belfast, Ireland, September 23, 1847. Alexander, 
the grandfather, was a native of Scotland and spent his lifetime there as a farmer. 
His brother James came to America and settled in the town of New Scotland, on the 
farm now owned by Robert McHinch. James, the father, was born in Scotland, in 
August. 1804, and died in August, 1889. He was a successful farmer and left con- 
siderable property, which he accumulated near Belfast, Ireland, where he had gone 
when a young man and engaged in the manufacture of gas, in connection with which 
he owned a farm, which he sublet to tenants. His wife was Mary Lowry, of Ireland, 
and their children were Anthony, Robert, Agnes, Jane, and Andrew. His wife died 
in 1867, and after some years his sons Anthony and Andrew died. He lived alone 
then until 1884, when he converted his property into cash and came to America, 
where he spent his remaining days with hisson Robertand his daughter Agnes. He 
died August 6, 1889. Robert remained with his father and attended school until 
nineteen years of age, when he came to the United States direct to his granduncle, 
Andrew McHinch, for whom he worked at farm work for one year, and then worked 
for other parties for several years, when he went to Illinois and Iowa and remained 
for one year, and by the request of his uncle returned to New Scotland and worked 



129 

hard, and when he had been here ten years he had saved S3,0fl0 in cash. In 1876 he 
purchased his uncle's farm, the price being $0,000, for which he has paid, and upon 
which he has since lived doing general farming, but paying special attention to the 
fruit culture. He has since added land and made other improvements, and is now 
the possessor of a fine farm and good buildings. In March, 1876, he married Sarah 
Jane, born in Bath-on-the-Hudson, and daugeter of Jacob P. and Mary Elizabeth 
(Snyder) Elmendorf, by whom one child has been born, Jennie May. Mrs. McHinch 
is a member of the Reformed church. Mr. McHinch was elected and le-elected ex- 
cise commissioner for three terms, and is now filling the office of assessor. 

Kimmey, William, was born in Bethlehem in 1829 and is the son of Daniel, and 
grandson of Jacob. His great grandfather came from Germany in 1755 and settled 
in Bethlehem, where he was the founder of the family which has always occupied a 
prominent position in the town and county. William Kimmey was supervisor of his 
town for five years, also town clerk, and was a member of the constitutional conven- 
tion in 1894. December 37. 1854, he married a daughter of Frederick Hillebrant, 
and they have one son, William R., and two daughters, having lost two sons, John 
and Albert. 

Frederick, Stephen V., was born in Guilderland on the farm he now owns, March 
17, 1831. Christopher, his father, was born in the same place in 1793. He was one 
of three sons: Stephen, Christopher and Jacob, and three daughters: Elizabeth, 
Mary and Esther, born to Michael, a farmer by occupation, who vifas also born on 
the same farm. He was a son of Stephen, born in Guilderland. His father, 
Michael, came from Germany in about 1750 and took up a tract of land of about 900 
acres in the town of Guilderland. Christopher, the father of Mr. Frederick, was a 
successful farmer and a soldier in the war of 1813. His wife was Appolonia Hilton, 
daughter of James Hilton. They reared three sons and four daughters. He lived 
to be eighty-seven years old and. his wife lived to be seventy-eight. Mr. Frederick 
received a good common school education, and when twenty-six years of age began 
to teach school, which he followed for nine years. In 1861 he was elected supervisor 
and was re-elected for five consecutive years. In the fall of 1866 he was elected 
county treasurer, which office he filled for three years. He has also filled many 
minor offices in his town and was often called upon to draw up wills and settle 
estates. He has added to the original homestead until he now owns 600 acres, and 
also owns property in Albany, and is an enterprising and successful man. January 
14, 1863, he was married to Annie Reid. of New Scotland, and daughter of Alexan- 
der Reid. Their children are Margaret, Ada and Lona. Mr. Frederick was taught 
the Holland language by his mother and still retains a knowledge of that tongue. 

Whitbeck, William J., was born in 1838. He is a son of John T., and a grand.son 
of Thomas, who had four sons: William, Stephen, Daniel and John T., who had 
four sons: Thomas, John A., Jasper and William J. He is a farmer and lives on a 
part of the old homestead. He married Hannah J. Smith. 

Couse, David, was born in Bethlehem in 1827 and is the son of David, born in 
1803, and grandson of Adam Couse, who came from Germany in 1784 and settled in 
Bethlehem and had six sons: John. Matthew, William, Peter, Jacob and David, 
father of the subject. Mr. Couse came to Slingerlands in 1839, where he has since 



130 

been a farmer. He was elected justice in 1872, which office he has held continuously 
ever since; he has also been town clerk and collector and was for some years 
assistant assessor for the revenue department. He has four sons: Andrew, David, 
Frank and Robert. 

Hill & Son. — James Hill, a native of England, settled in Albany about 1827 and 
died there in 1838. He was foreman in a large blacksmith shop which stood on the 
site of the D. & H. depot, at the foot of Maiden Lane. Cornelius Hill, his son, born 
December 18, 1833, in Albany, received a public school education, and has always 
been in the fruit and vegetable business. In 1845 he became a clerk in the old 
Columbia Street Market aad later held a similar position on Van Rensselaer Island. 
In 1854 he established business for himself and since 1889 has been located on the 
corner of Hudson avenue and Grand street, the site on which Thurlow Weed's man- 
sion once stood. In 1884 the firm of Hill & Son was formed by the admission of his 
son, James H. Mr. Hill was alderman two years, and is a member of Temple 
Lodge F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., and Temple Commandery No. 2, 
K. T. In January, 1854, he married Mary Mcintosh, and they have nine children 
living: James H., Erastus C. William M., George C. (all members of Temple Lodge 
F. & A. M.), Isabella, Ida, Elizabeth, Etta E. and Minnie. 

Southworth, Dr. Julius B., dates his lineage to the Mayflower Pilgrims of 1620. 
His father, Alden Southworth, who married Betsey Barker, was a prominent manu- 
facturer of Oriskany Falls, Oneida county, a captain in the old State miHtia and for 
twelve years a justice of the peace. Dr. Southworth, born in Oriskany Falls, N. Y., 
February 6. 1849, was educated at Cazenovia Seminary and at Madison University 
in Hamilton, and from 187] to 1876 was a teacher m the former institution and from 
the latter date to 1881 was president of the Vermont Methodist Seminary and Female 
College at Montpelier. He read medicine with Dr. J. D. Munn of Herkimer county, 
was graduated from the medical department of the University of Vermont at Bur- 
lington in 1882, and began the practice of his profeseion in Albany, where he has 
since resided. From 1885 to 1895 he was literary editor of the Albany Evening 
Journal and since then has held a similar position on the .staff of the Albany Argus, 
and also done considerable literary work for magazines and other periodicals. He is 
a member of the Albany County Medical Society and a charter member of the Al- 
bany Press Club. August 22, 1872, he was married at Schuyler's Lake, N. Y., to 
Arzeha, daughter of the Rev. Reuben S. Southworth. She died July 30, 1873, and 
he married, second, November 28, 1876, Eleanor H., daughter of Dr. J. Dayton 
Munn of Van Hornesville, Herkimer county. They have one son, Hamilton Munn 
Southworth, born February 11, 1881. Dr. Southworth is an elder in the First 
Methodist Episcopal church and has been superintendent of its Sunday school at in- 
tervals for the last ten years. 

Jones, John H., was born in 1854 and first engaged in the lumber business as an 
employee of a planing mill, but is now an agent for t;he Rusches Brewing Company 
of Troy. Mr. Jones is a local leader in politics and has held various offices. He 
was alderman of the Third ward from 1883 to 1890. His younger brother, Thomas 
R., who died in 1885, was also a prominent man. John H. was the elder son of 
Robert Jones, who, before his death, was the leading shoe dealer of West Troy, and 
had for fifteen years been an honored citizen of that place. 



131 

Herrick, Avery, the widely know blank publisher, is a son of John Jay and Mary 
Herrick, and was born in the town of Florida, now Fifth ward of the city of Amster- 
dam, N. Y., November 9, 1822, and first became a clerk in the store of Duncan 
McDonald of Schenectady, where he was apprenticed to the printing business in 
1838 with Isaac Riggs. Coming to Albany in 1840, he completed his apprenticeship with 
Joel Munsell, at Old Gable Hall, No. 58 State street. In 1848 he married Harriet 
Anna Wetsell of Greene county. Commenced the printing business in 1861 at 
No. 496 Broadway, Albany, N. Y., where he has ever since continued, and in 1872 
succeeded W. C. Little & Co. in the publication of blanks. His present wife isSpedy, 
daughter of the late Avery Herrick Belding, of Montgomery county, N. Y. 

Harriott, Marvin B., son of John V. and Harriet R. (Colfax) Harriott, was born 
in Brooklyn, N. Y., September 6, 1860. His father's ancestors were Scotch and 
English and first settled in New York city in 1783. The great hospital at Edinburgh, 
Scotland, known as the Heriot Hospital, was founded and endowed by Sir George 
Heriot, an ancestor of the subject of this sketch. Mr. Harriott's mother's family 
came to America from England in 1740, and his maternal great-grandfather was 
Gen. William Colfax, who' was the first commander of General Washington's Lile 
Guards and afterwards was quartermaster-general on Washington's staff. Through 
this line Mr. Harriott is related to the late Schuyler Colfax, vice-president of the 
United States, 1869-1873. John V. Harriott was a graduate of the University of the 
City of New York, and was president of the Firemen's Fire Insurance Company of 
New York at the time of his death in 1874. Marvin B. Harriott was educated in the 
Brooklyn private and public schools and at the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. After 
the completion of his education he accepted a clerkship in a cotton house and subse- 
quently took a three years' course in a sugar refinery. For the past seventeen yearfe 
he has been a sugar broker, and now represents L. W. Minford & Co., New York, 
Swift & Co., Chicago, and the Armour Packing Company, Kansas City, for Albany, 
Troy and Northern New York. Mr. Harriott was a charter member of the Schubert 
Club. He served two years in Co. A, 10th Bat.. N. G. N. Y., and held all offices up 
to and including that of first lieutenant and resigned as such in April, 1896. Dur- 
ing his term as first lieutenant he served detail as quartermaster of the battalion and 
as commissary of twelve hundred men at Buflalo, N. Y., during the great railroad 
strike in 1892. 

Goewey, Dr. W. Irving, son of William J. and Eudora (Lewis) Goewey, was 
born in Defreestville, Rensselaer county, November 10, 1859, and when fifteen years 
of age moved with his parents to his mother's farm at East Schodack, N. Y. He 
attended Hartwick Seminary and the academical department of Beloit College in 
Wisconsin, and was graduated with honor from Fort Edward Collegiate Institute 
in this State in 1888. He taught school at Poestenkill, N. Y., for two terms; two 
years and a half at East Schodack, N. Y., and was principal of the Hartford public 
school in Washington county for one year, showing exceptional ability as a teachei 
in all positions. He read medicine with Dr. Arlington Boyce of East Schodack, 
N. Y. , and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1892, and in March, 
1893, began the practice of his profession in Albany at 225 Hamilton street, where 
he now resides. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Al- 
bany Medical College Alumni Association and the First M. E. church of Albany. 



February 8, 1893, he married Mrs. Jennie E. Earing, daughter of Mason I. Crocker 
of Albany, and they have one son: W. Irving, 2d. 

Milwain, James, was born in Hethlehem, Albany county. May 8, 1817, and was 
reared on a farm. When si.\teen he came to Albany and secured a position as 
clerk in the store of Robinson & Douty, dealers in drugs and paints on the site of 
the present Milwain building. In 1838 he entered into business for himself, open- 
ing a retail hat store at No. 2 South Pearl street, and later on State street, near 
Pearl street. In business he was a man of the strictest integrity, well liked by all 
who knew him for his sterling qualities. After a quarter of a century as a suc- 
cessful retail dealer, he formed a copartnership with Henry Richmond as a whole- 
sale dealer in hats and caps at No. 391 Broadway and still later at No. 416 Broad- 
way. W. H. Boyce of the present firm entered into the partnership in 1870 and 
the firm became Richmond, Milwain & Co. On the retirement of Mr. Richmond 
the firm name was changed to Boyce & Milwain, which still continues, the junior 
member being James Milwain, jr., Mr. Milwain, sr., retiring about 1887. When a 
}'Oung man Mr. Milwain took an active interest in politics and affiliated with the 
Republican party. He was supervisor of the old Tenth ward two terms, which 
was the only political oflice he ever held. He was also a director in the Commerce 
Insurance Co., owned considerable real estate and built the Milwain building on 
State street, where the business of the firm has been conducted since January, 1892. 
He died March 10, 1892, and was survived by a wife and two daughters (Mrs. 
William H. Boyce and Mrs. William A. Smith) and one son, James Milwain. jr. 
The latter was born in Albany, educated in the Albany Academy and later became 
a partner with his father, to whose interest in the business he succeeded; also is a 
director in the Commerce Insurance Company. 



Murphey, Elijah W. (son of Coolidge Bliss Murphey and Mary A. Atkins and grand- 
son of Elijah and Elizabeth (Bliss) Murphey) was born at Sandy Hill, Washington 
comnty, N. Y., February 10, 1840. He was educated at Fort Edward Institute as a 
civil engineer. He joined the N. Y. State engineering corps, serving on the Cham- 
plain Canal enlargement seven years, becoming first assistant engineer; afterward 
he went to Philadelphia, where he was engaged in the oil business for two years. In 
1866 he came to Albany and established himself as a manufacturer and dealer in 
lubricating oils, which business he still continues. In 1873 he formed with Orlando 
P. Liscomb, the present firm of Murphey & Liscomb, and they have branch stores 
in Hudson, N. Y., and Springfield, Mass. Mr. Murphey is a trustee and vice-presi- 
dent of the Albany Homeopathic Hospital, a director of the Albany Exchange Bank 
and treasurer of the First Congregational church. He is a member of the Fort 
Orange Club, Albany Unconditionals and a member of the Society of the Colonial 
Wars through Vice-Admiral Thomas Gilbert from whom he is seventh in descent; 
he is also a member of the Sons of the Revolution through his great-grandfather, 
Daniel Murphey, of Springfield, Mass., who served under Colonel afterward Gen. 
Rufus Putnam, at Bunker Hill and the siege of Boston, and who married Eliza- 
beth Knowlton of Springfield, Mass., and of the Society of the War of 1812 through 
his grandfather, Elijah Murphey, who served at the battle of Plattsburgh. In 1865 
he married Helen A., daughter of Chauncey Hulburt of Philadelphia, Pa., and they 
have four children: Harriet (Mrs. Henry Otis Chapman) of New York city, Martha, 
Virginia Hulburt and Chauncey Hulburt. 



133 

Battershall, Walton W., D. D., was born in Troy, N. Y., January 8, 1840, and is 
of English descent. The name was originally spelled Battishill and is probably of 
French derivation. His father, Ludlow A. Battershall, was the senior member of a 
wholesale grocery house in Troy from 1832 to 1866, when he removed to New York 
city. For many years he was president of the Union Bank of Troy and prominently 
interested in financial and educational enterprises. His mother. Eustatia Ward, 
belonged to a large and respected family which settled in Westchester county. The 
subject of this sketch was, at an early age, convinced of his duty to prepare himself 
for the ministry and to this end directed his training. He was graduated from Kim- 
ball Union Academy, Meriden, N. H., in 1858, and continued his studies in Yale 
College, from which he was graduated in 1864. While at the college he took the 
Yale literary prize medal, one of the Townsend premiums of the senior class, and 
delivered the class poem on commencement week. He studied theology under Rev. 
Henry C. Potter, M. D., present bishop of New York, at the time rector of St. John's 
church, Troy; in which Dr. Battershall was ordained deacon. He subsequentl}- en- 
tered the senior class of the General Theological Seminary in New York, from which 
which he was graduated in 1866. In the same year he was ordained priest of the 
Protestant Episcopal church by the Rt. Rev. Horatio Potter, bishop of New York. 
After serving for two years as assistant minister at Zion church, Madison avenue. 
New York, he held the rectorship of St. Thomas's church at Ravenswood, N. Y., 
from which he was called to Christ church, Rochester N. Y., in 1869, of which 
parish he was rector five years and a member of the standing committee of 
the Diocese of Western New York. In 1874 he was called to the rectorship 
of St. Peter's church, Albany, N. Y., which position he now occupies. He received 
the degree of D. D. from Union College in 1876. Dr. Battershall has been for sev- 
eral years trustee of Hobart College, Geneva, N. Y., a member of the Diocesan 
Board of Missions and a delegate from the Diocese of Albany to the Triennial Con- 
ventions of the Protestant Episcopal church. St. Peter's church is one of the oldest 
and most important in the country, rich m historic associations and the number of 
eminent men which have been included in its membership. During the rectorship 
of Dr Battershall the magnificent church edifice has been greatly enriched and 
beautified and the parish has shown increased activity as a moral and spiritual 
power in the community. October 13, 1864, in St. Mark's church, Newark, N. Y., 
Dr. Battershall married Anna Davidson Williams, who died in Christ church rectory, 
Rochester, N. Y., September 25, 1873. Dr. Battershall has three children: Fletcher 
W., Cornelia Smith and Anna Davidson. 

Gaus, Major Charles H., son of John H. and Agnes (Boehm) Gaus, was born in 
Zanesville, Ohio, September 1, 1840, and removed with his parents in 1842 to Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., where he attended the public schools and also received private tuition. 
In 1857 he came to Albany and engaged in the retail drug business, which he has 
practically followed ever since. He was first associated with his uncle, Louis Saut- 
ter, with whom he was a partner from 1868 to 1872, when he purchased the property 
on the corner of Washington avenue and Lake street, where he built his present 
block in 1874. His military record begins with the years 1864 and 1865, when he 
was detailed, with rank of hospital steward, in charge of the medical stores on Hart's 
Island in New York liarbor. lu 1880 he enlisted in Co. K, 10th Regt., N, G. N. Y., 



134 

and in October. 1884, was appointed inspector of rifle practice, 10th Batt., by Col. W. 
E. Fitch; was appointed inspector of rifle practice of the Third Brigade October, 
1886 by General Parker, and still holds this position, ranking as major, having been 
reappointed by General Oliver. He won in 1889, '90, '91 and '92 the Wimbledon 
Cup, an international trophy originally presented by the National Rifle Association 
of Great Britain to the National Rifle Association of America, to be shot for annu- 
ally and to be held by the winner one year. This cup was first won by Major Fulton 
in 18T6, and has been held by American riflemen ever since. In 1890 Major Gaus 
won the military championship of the United States for rifle practice at Creedmoor, 
L. I. He is a Republican, was supervisor of the Thirteenth ward in 1874-75, a 
member of the Board of Public Instruction five years, being president of the satne 
one year, and on August 20, 1894, was appointed by Mayor Wilson, street commis- 
sioner of Albany. He is a 32° Mason, a member of the Fort Orange Club, a charter 
member of the Albany Club, a founder and director of the Park Bank, a director of 
the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, and a director of the Albany Mutual Fire In- 
surance Company. In 1869 he married a daughter of Leo Kirchner, of Troy, N. Y., 
and their children are Edward Leo and Edith Agnes. 

Haskell, William Hervey, is a son of Simeon Parsons and Mary Huntington (May) 
Haskell, and comes from good old Puritan stock, being on his maternal side a direct 
descendant of William Bradford, the first governor of the colony of Massachusetts. 
His ancestors on his paternal side came to this country about 1632, settling at Bev- 
erley, Mass. Simeon P., a native of Western Massachusetts, came to Albany about 
1820, was a school teacher, merchant and elder of the Presbyterian church. He died 
in 1839. His father. Simeon, was one of seven brothers who were Revolution arj' 
soldiers. William Hervey was born in Albany, February 14, 1832 was graduated 
from the Albany Academy in 1849 and first became a clerk in the bookstore of E. H. 
Bender. He was for three years a clerk in the Canal Department, and for more 
than thirteen years bookkeeper and teller for the Mechanics' and Farmers' Bank. In 
December, 1865, he went to New York as paying teller in the First National Bank, 
but the next summer returned to Albany and engaged in the wholesale coffee and 
spice business, which he continued until 1880. He was then the general manager of 
the Albany agency of the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York, till 
August, 1894, when he was appointed by Mayor Wilson, chamberlain, which posi- 
tion he still holds. He has been chairman of the Republican County Committee, is 
president of the Permanent Savings and Loan Association, and one of its incorpo- 
rators, is a 32°. Mason, being past master and treasurer of Masters Lodge No. 5, and 
has for several years a trustee of the Second Presbyterian church. During the Re- 
bellion he was a member of the war committee and was active in raising troops. In 
January, 1855, he married Jane Strong, daughter of George Davidson of Albany 
and of their seven children, five are living: George Davidson, Mary Huntington, 
(irace Grant, Harriet Reed and William Hervey, jr. 

Horrocks, John, a retired manufacturer and well known resident of Cohoes, is the 
son of Samuel Horrocks, who came to America from England in 1849 and to Cohoes 
in 1854. The latter was a man of upright character, much beloved by his fellow- 
citizens, and was for many years a vestryman of St. John's church. His death oc- 
curred February 12, 1892. Mr. Horrocks was born in Hyde, Cheshire, England, in 



135 

1841, but was educated here. Since entering business life he has been closely iden- 
tified with municipal affairs, and has taken an active interest in church. Masonic and 
educational matters. He was for many years a manufacturer of knit underwear, of 
the firm of George Warhurst & Co., then Horrocks & Van Benthuysen, and later 
known as the Atlantic Knitting Company. 

Houghton, George H., M. L)., son of Thomas and Hannah (Harrison) Houghton, 
was born in the town of Vernon. Oneida county, November 6. 1853. He is a de- 
scendant of General Houghton, who was killed at the battle of Albura in the Penm- 
sular war. Dr. Houghton attended the district schools until he was seventeen, when 
he ran away from home to the lumber regions of Michigan, where he spent four 
years in Michigan, Minnesota and Manitoba and traveled over most of the Western 
States, returning east in 1873. He attended the Utica Business College and Whites- 
town {N. Y.) Seminary, where he was graduated. He then taught school two years 
and studied medicine with Dr. William M. James of Whitestown, N. Y. In 1879 he 
entered the Albany Medical College and graduated in 1882, after which he studied 
three years in the Swinburne Hospital, Albany, N. Y. , since when he has practiced 
in Albany. He is surgeon for the D. & H. and N. Y. C. R. R. Cos. He is a mem- 
ber of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M. In 1884 he married Catharine, daugh- 
ter of Rev. J. E. Bowen and they have two children, Guy and Oscar E. 

Armatage, Hon. Charles H., son of Jared H., born in Saratoga county in 1833, and 
Rachel Martin, his wife, of New Braintree, Mass., both living in Albany, was born 
in Albany January 30, 1849, and descends from New England ancestry dating back 
200 years. His grandfather and great-grandfather were residents of Dartmouth, 
Mass. He was educated at the Albany Boys' Academy, and for several years was 
assistant superintendent of the Buffalo division of the West Shore line, but resigned 
this position to take charge of his father's grocery business and soon became an 
active factor in politics. In 1892 he was elected alderman at large and in 1892-93, 
was president of the Common Council. August 21, 1894, he was was appointed by 
Mayor Wilson superintendent of the almshouse and overseer of the poor, which po- 
sitions he has since held. He is a prominent Mason, being a member of Temple 
Lodge, De Witt Clinton Council. Temple Chapter, Temple Commandery (of which 
he is past eminent commander), and the Scottish Rite bodies, thirty-third degree, 
receiving the latter at Boston, September 18, 1894; a trustee of the Scottish Rites, 
illustrious potentate of Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, first lieutenant 
commander of Albany Sovereign Consistory, sovereign grand inspector-general of 
the thirty-third and last degree, and a trustee of the Masonic Hall As.sociation. 
September 12, 1893, he was elected eminent grand warden of the Grand Command- 
cry, K. T , of the State of New York. While eminent commander of Temple Com- 
mandery No. 2 he inaugurated the annual pilgrima,ge on Christmas day to the Albany 
Orphan Asylum, which has been observed every year since. In 1891 he also inaug- 
urated the trip of Temple Commandery to Europe, and there he was made a member 
of Quator Coranota Lodge of London. He is also a member of the Craftsman Club 
of New York city, vice-president of the Albany Bicycle Club, a manager of the 
Acacia Club of Albany, member of the Empire Curling Association, president of the 
local branch of the Mercantile Co-operative Bank, a founder of the Albany Mutual 
Boat Club in 1868 and in 1870 won several trophies for rowing on the Hudson. He 



130 

is also president of the New Democracy. In 1S70 he married Susan Denison of Al- 
bany, whose grandfather donated the site on which stands the Leland Opera House. 
Their children are Carrie G. and Elmer E. 

Downs, Michael B., one of the leading politicians of Cohoes, represents the Fourth 
ward in the Albany County General Committee. He is a Democrat, and his first 
public office was that of commissioner of police in 1888, which he filled with efficiency 
four years. In 1895 he was elected one of the four coroners of Albany county, which 
position he at present occupies. Mr. Downs was born at West Troy in 1854. When 
two years of age he removed with his parents to Lock No. 8 Erie Canal, in the town 
of Watervliet. He received his education at St. Bernard's Parochial School and 
St. Patrick's School, West Troy. He also attended St. Joseph's Academy of Troy 
for a short time. In 1870 he moved with his parents to Cohoes, where he engaged in 
bu.siness as clerk for his father, who opened a canal grocery and provision store at 
Lock No. 9, Erie Canal, which he conducted for nineteen years. He is a member 
of St. Bernard's church, a member of the Young Men's Sodality, of which he was 
prefect and treasurer for four years. He is ex-president and treasurer of St. Bernard's 
Sunday School Teacher.s' Association, charter president of Talevera Council No. 411 
C. B. L. and treasurer of Division No. 1 A. O. H., Cohoes. 

Clarke, John Mason, M. A., is a descendant of William Clarke, of England, who 
came to Dorchester, Mass , in 1637, settled in Northampton in 1656, and was a rej)- 
resentative at the General Court for seventeen years (see life of William Clarke, by 
John M. Clarke, 1892). Descendants of this family still live at Northampton but 
various of its branches moved to Lebanon, New London and Saybrook, Conn. 
William Clarke, great-grandfather of John M., bought with three others from Phelps 
& Gorham, the present town of Naples, Ontario county, and there his grandson, 
Noah T., was born in 1817. The latter was for nearly forty years principal of the 
Canandaigua Academy and is one of the few survivors of the original University 
Convocation. He married Laura M. Merrill, of Caslleton, Vt., who died in 1887. 
John M. Clarke, the fifth of their si.\ children, born in Canandaigua, April 15, 1857, 
was graduated from the academy in 1874 and from Amherst College in 1877, and for 
one year was instructer in geology in the latter institution. He taught a year each 
in the Canandaigua and Utica Academies, in 1881-82 was profes.sor of geology in 
Smith College, and then spent two years in studying geology, zoology and mineral- 
ogy at the University of Gottingen. Germany. In 1885 he returned to Smith Col- 
lege, and thereafter became lecturer on geology at the Massachusetts State College. 
In January, 1886, he was appointed by the Regents of the University of the State of 
New York to special work on the geological survey, and soon after to his present 
position of assistant State geologist and paleontologist at Albany. Since 1895 he 
has also been professor of geology and mineralogy in the Rensselaer Polytechnic In- 
stitute at Troy. In 1880 Amherst College conferred upon him the degree of M. A. 
He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the 
Geological Societies of Germany and Westphalia, the Imperial Mineralogical Society 
of St. Petersburg, and the Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities ; and since 
1894 has been an editor of the American Geologist. His writings cover a wide field 
of technical and scientific literature. In 1887 he married Emma, daughter of Joseph 
Juel, of Philadelphia, Pa., who died March 18, 1893. leaving a son, Noah T. Octo- 



137 

ber 33, 1895, he married Mrs. Fannie (Hoffman) Bosler, also of Philadelphia. Pro- 
fessor Clarke's mother, a daughter of Selah H. and Laura (Mason) Merrill, was con- 
nected with the families of Elder Brewster of the Plymouth Colony, Jonathan Trum- 
bull of Connecticut. John Brown of Harper's Ferry fame, Gov. William Bradford 
and John Mason, the Pequod Indian fighter. 

Cady, Harvey J., son of Eli F. aild Eunice P. (Parish) Cady, was born in Windsor, 
Mass., June 10, 1843, attended the public schools and the High School at Huntington, 
Mass., and was graduated from the Westfield Academy in 1861; he al.so took a 
course in a business college at Syracuse, N. Y., and became a clerk in the commis- 
sion office of Charles J. White, in New York city, who was engaged in shipping 
goods South to the army. Mr. Cady finally went South with goods and continued in 
that capacity for Mr. White until 1864, when he became a partner in the firm of Mc- 
Murray, Hunt & Cady, general merchants of Delhi, N. Y. Three years later Mr. 
Cady sold out and entered the employ of Morris Brothers, Hour and grain merchants 
of Oneonta, N. Y. , with whom he remained eight years, being a partner the last 
two year.s. He was then in the employ of O. H. Hastings & Co., proprietors of the 
Cumberland Mills of Oswego, N. Y., for eight years. In 1888 he came to Albany 
and engaged in the wholesale flour and grain business. In 1866 he married Minnie 
E., daughter of Henry G. Smith, a lieutenant in Ellsworth's Zouves, 44th Regt., in 
the Civil war. She died August 3, 1895, leaving five children: Lizzie P., Pardee 
Eugene, Frank Thurber, Annie M., and Minnie E. (who died December 13, 1895). 

Townsend, Rufus King, son of General Franklin and the late Anna (King) Town- 
send, was a descendant of Henry Townsend, who came from Norwich, England, to 
Long Island about 1645. He was born in Albany, March 18, 1853, was educated at 
the Albany Academy and afterwards became proprietor of the Townsend Furnace, 
a business established in 1807, which has always remained in the family and in active 
operation since that time, and of which his father now is the executive head. Very 
early in life Mr. Townsend manifested an absorbing interest in everything pertain- 
ing to the fire department and spared no pains nor money in the advancement of it. 
Later on he offered his services and many times bravely risked his life. April 18, 
1893. he was appointed by Mayor Manning a fire commissioner, in which capacitvhe 
served faithfully and well up to the time of his death, which occurred December 31, 
1895. For several years Mr. Townsend was a member of the Board of Directors of 
the New York State National Bank and also of the Albany Savings Bank. Generous 
and genial in disposition, Mr. Townsend gathered to himself many friends, and yet 
it can be truly said of him (as of few others of hke temperament), that he neither sac- 
rificed honesty of action to sympathy, nor permitted a kind and noble nature to be 
led into an approval of doubtful measures because of his regard for their author. 
He seldom failed in correctness of judgment and never in impressing his associates 
with his candor and fairness. By his death the city has lost a faithful public officer. 
He was stricken down in the midst of a most brilliant career, but had already won 
lasting honor and fame in the hearts of those he had helped and encouraged. On 
June "23. 1891, he married Ida Jerone, daughter of the late Avery Smith and Nellie 
Corbett Willey of Milwaukee. Wis., who survives him, as does an only child, Anna 
Jerone Townsend, liorn June 30, 1893, 



138 

Rogers, Howard Jason, born in Stephentown N. Y., November 16, 1861, is a son 
of Edwin A. and Laura (Howard) Rogers, and a lineal descendant of Deacon Joseph 
Rogers (1), who moved from Rhode Island to Stephentown in 1765. The line from 
him is (3) Joseph, farmer, local magistrate and a captain of militia; (3) Joseph, 
captain of cavalry in the war of 1813; (4) Alonzo Joseph, one of the earliest seeds- 
men in the State; and (5) Edwin A., who enlisted in 1862 in the 135th N. Y. Vols., 
was wounded at the battle of Spottsylvania and died from the effects of the wound 
in 1878. In his mothers line Howard J. Rogers is lineally descended from Nicholas 
Howard, who came from England to Salem, Mass., with Endicott in 1638; and from 
Gen. Hosea Moffit, a member of the New York Legislature from 1794 to 17S8, sheriff 
of Rensselaer county in 1810, and a member of Congress from 1812 to 1817. In 1879 
Mr. Rogers removed to Pittsfield, Mass., and was graduated from the Pittsfield High 
School in 1880 and from Williams College in 1884, winning among other honors the 
Graves prize for the best English essay, and taking an active part in athletics. On 
leaving college he came to Albany, N. Y., and taught English literature and rhetoric 
in the Albany Boys' Academy for eight years, reading law meanwhile with Heyward 
& Pruyn. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1887. In 1892 he was made super- 
intendent of the New York State Educational Exhibit at the World's Columbian E.\- 
position at Chicago ; in the latter part of 1893 he became acting secretary for the New 
York Board of General Managers at the World's Fair, and as such wrote their elab- 
orate report, " New York at the World's Columbian Exposition." April 8, 1895, he 
was appointed deputy State superintendent of public instruction. He was one of the 
of the organizers of the Albany Chess Club in 1886 and served as its secretary until 
1888 and as president from 1888 to 1890, and is now vice-president of the Albany 
Chess and Whist Club. He was secretary of the New York State Chess Association 
from 1889 to 1893, and has since been its president. In December, 1887, he married 
at New Haven, Conn., Anne North, daughter of Jonathan Turner, and their chil- 
dren are Kathryn Howard and Joseph Edwin. 

Rockwell Hiram J., son of George T., was born in Luzerne, Warren county, N. Y., 
July 13, 1832, was educated at the Glens Falls Academy, and was afterwards asso- 
ciated with his father at the Rockwell House at Luzerne until 1866, when he assumed 
charge of the Lake House at Lake George, which he successfully conducted for five 
years. In 1871 he built with his brother, Charles L., the Rockwell House at Glens 
Falls, which they kept until 1878, when Hiram J. became manager of the Fort Will- 
iamt Henry Hotel at Lake George for one season. He was then proprietor of the 
American House in Troy for nine and one-half years, being al.so manager of 
the Wayside Inn at Lake Luzerne for seven years. May 14, 1888, he came to Al- 
bany as proprietor of the Hotel Kenmore, which was built in 1878 by Dr. James 
McNaughton for Adam Blake, the noted landlord of the old Congress Hall. Later 
this popular hotel received several additions and now occupies a whole block, except- 
ing Jermain Hall, fronting on North Pearl street. It is the largest and foremost 
hotel in Albany, and under the able management of the Rockwells has attained a 
wide popularity. In December, 1895, Mr. Rockwell admitted his son Frederick W. 
as partner, under the firm name of H. J. Rockwell & Son. Both are members of the 
New York Hotel Association, of which Hiram J. is one of the originators and 
founders, and which he served as treasurer until the spring of 1896. 



130 

Daubney, William H., is of English ancestry. His father was a remarkable man, 
having served for seventeen years in the British Royal Artillery. He was a skillful 
swordsman and horseman and taught the art to the nobility. He came to Montreal 
in 1846, and died in 1893 at the age of eighty-one. He was the only man who ever 
received a pension from the British Government after becoming a citizen of the 
United States. Mr. Daubney spent three years in Montreal, thence to Plattsburg, 
where he learned the blacksmith's trade, and came to Troy in 1855 and opened a 
shop until 1872; after that he engaged in the news business and book store until 
1884, when he went to Virginia for one year. On his return he worked as agent for 
the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company for two years, and then opened the pres- 
ent grocery. Mr. Daubney has been trustee of the Fourth ward twice, and was 
canal collector from 1890 up to 1895. He has a fine tenor voice, which be has devo- 
ted to the churches, having sung for fifty-three years and at present sings in St. 
Patrick's church of West Troy. 

Evory Frank H., son of James and Alice J. (Hickok) Evory, was born in Indian 
Fields, Albany county, June 26, 1864. His parents moved from Durham, Greene 
county, to Indian Fields in 1863, and thence to Albany in 1870, and here Frank H. 
received a public school education. His great-great-grandfather came from Holland 
to Connecticut in the early history of the country. Here his great-grandfather, 
Obadiah Evory, was born in July, 1775; he married Alcha, a daughter of Peter 
Vermilyea, whose father Johannes was one of the early settlers of New Amsterdam. 
Later Obadiah moved to Durham, Greene county, N. Y. Here seven children were 
born, one of whom (Peter) served with distinction as a soldier during the war of 
1812. The youngest son, James, married Margaret, a daughter of John W. Welch 
and Hannah Van Etten, in 1832, and remained on the old homestead until his 
death in 1860 Here James, jr., the father of Frank H., was born in 1839, and 
married Alice J. Hickok in 1860. His mother is of an old New England family; 
her grandparents were Gideon Hickok and Annie Buckingham on her father's 
side, and Roswell Post and Temperance Kirtland on her mother's side. Her father, 
David Hickok, who died in 1870, aged seventy-two, was a well-to-do farmer of 
Greenville, N. Y., an elder and one of the pillars of the Presbyterian church; he 
married Lydia Ann Post, who died in 1883, aged eighty-two, a daughter of Ros- 
well, who was a large land and mil! owner of Durham, Greene county, N. Y. Frank 
H. Evory learned the printer's trade with the Prouty Printing Companj', and in 1885 
entered the employ of Brandow, Barton & Co. On November 1, 1887, the Brau- 
dow Printing Company was incorporated with A. S. Brandow president; W. B. 
Jones treasurer, and Mr. Evory secretary snd superintendent. January 1, 1890, 
Richard W. Brass succeeded Mr. Jones as treasurer; the other officers remained the 
same. Mr. Evory is an active member of the Y. M. C. A. and the Tabernacle 
Baptist church, and assistant superintendent and chorister of the Sunday school. 
Also a charter member of Albany Senate No. 641, K. A. E. O. November 23, 1887, 
he married Estella J., daughter of Ithamar Spencer of Albany, and they had two 
sons: Clifford Spencer Evory, born September 10, 1889, who survives, and Harold 
Evory, deceased. 

Morrow, .Samuel Roseburgh, M.D., was born in Albany, N. Y., May 6, 1849. He 
graduated from the Albany Academy in 1866 and from Yale with the degree of A. 



uo 

B. in 1870, and received the degree of A. M. from the same college in 1874. He was 
tutor at Yale in Greek and mathematics from 1873 to 1876. He then attended the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, from which he received the de- 
gree of M.D. in 1878. He served on the house staff of Bellevue Hospital, New 
York, from October, 1877, to April, 1879. Doctor Morrow then studied further at 
the London Hospital, London ; General Ho.spital, Vienna, and at Halle until 1880, 
when he commenced the practice of medicine and surgery in Albany, N. Y. In 1883 
he received the honorary degree of M.D. from the Albany Medical College. He has 
been lecturer on minor surgery, Albany Medical College, spring term, 1881-82; ad- 
junct lecturer to the chair of surgery, 1884-86; adjunct professor of surgery, 1886-88; 
lecturer on anatomy, 1887-89; professor of anatomy and orthopaedic surgery since 
1890; visiting surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital since 1881 ; to the Hospital for Incura- 
bles since 1885 ; to the Albany Hospital since 1888; to the Child's Hospital since 1886; 
was vice-president Medical Society of the County of Albany, 1886-87. Doctor Morrow 
was examiner in anatomy in the State Board of Medical Examiners until 1891, when 
the board was abolished. He is a member of the State Medical Society and has con- 
tributed several articles to the leading medical journals. 

Whitbeck, Henry T., born in Coeymans, December 9, 1847, was a son of William 
A. Whitbeck, sou of Thomas, who spent most of his days in Coeymans, where he 
died. The father of Henry T. Whitbeck now lives at Coeymans a retired life. His 
wife was Annie Tompkins, daughter of Jolm Tompkins, son of Daniel Tompkins, 
mentioned in this work. To William A. Whitbeck and his wife were born ten chil- 
dren, and si.x are now Hving. Mrs. Whitbeck died ii 1886. Henry T. Whitbeck 
was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. He has 147 acres 
of land on which he has lived since April 1, 1873. In politics he is a Democrat, being 
assessor nine years and was elected justice in 1891, which he held four years and re- 
elected again in 1895. September 13, 1873, he married Rosalie Gifford, daughter of 
John H. and Caroline Gififord of Rensselaerville, N. Y. They have one child, John 
H. Mr. Whitbeck is a member of Cascade Lodge No. 427, F. & A. M. 

Mickel, Charles, born in Darmstadt, Germany, August 26, 1847, is a son of Eman- 
uel Mickel, a native of Darmstadt, Germany, who came to America in 1849. The 
father was long engaged in business as a decorative artist in New York city, being 
a member of the firm of Delamano, then the largest house of the kind in the coun- 
try. He died in Albany in 1891. Charles Mickel was educated in New York city, 
came to Albany with the family in 1860 and remained with his father until 1876, 
when he established himself in the business of decorating, frescoing, painting, etc., 
and as a dealer in decorative specialties and paper-hangiug. He has been located 
at Nos. 594-.')90 Broadway, corner of Columbia street, since 1887. In 1874 he 
married Louisa Faroldt of Albany and they have three children ; Ezra, Mary and 
Ella. 

Kelly, James J., born May 3, 1833, in Ireland, came to America about 1850 and 
settled in Albany, where he first learned the boat builder's trade, and later the trade 
of carpenter, which he has since followed. About 1865 he began contracting and 
building. He has considerable inventive genius, and on February 28, 1888, obtained 
a patent for a circular show case. In 1893 he invented and patented the "Capital 
City dumb waiter," which he manufactures in several dififerent styles and sizes. He 



141 

has also originated a number of other mechanical devices, and is a member, trustee, 
and ex-president of the Carpenter's Union of Albany. In 1861 he married Delia 
Kiernan, and they have four children living: John T., Frank J., Mary A., and 
Cecelia. 

CoHin, Capt. T. Campbell, is city edititor of the Cohoes Daily News, of which be 
is one of the stockholders, and was for three years superintendent of the Granite 
Knitting Mills, with which he had been connected as an employee for fourteen years. 
He was born at Leicester, England, in 1856, and brought by his parents to America 
the following year. He is a Republican in politics and has advanced to the front, 
now serving his fifth term as alderman from the Fourth ward. In 1890 he was nom- 
inated for mayor, and officiated three years as water commissioner. At the twentieth 
anniversary of the Seventh Separate Company of the N. G. S. N. Y., held in 1896, 
he was the only one left of the original members. Since its organization in Febru- 
ary, 1876, he has been closely identified with the fortunes of the company, entering 
first as a private, and serving in all the grades, gradually rising towards the position 
of captain, to which he was promoted in 1890. In 1893 the company presented him 
with an elegant gold-mounted sword; he also has a beautiful gold watch, presented 
him by the George Campbell Hose Company, of which he was a member for ten 
years. He has held many offices in the Masonic fraternity of the highest degree. 

■ Lloyd, Will Lyman, great-grandson of Andrew Lloyd, of East Otis, Mass., and 
grandson of Lyman J. Lloyd, a large manufacturer of harness and trunks in Albany, 
until his death April 23, 1889, was born in Albany, May 27, 1860; he attended the 
public schools and Albany Business College. In 1872 he became a page boy in the 
Legislature and continued as page boy until 1878; In 1879 he was appointed messen- 
ger to the Assembly Judiciary committee; in 1880 he was made superintedent of the 
wrapping department of the Assembly; in 1881 he became a clerk m the New York 
Custom House, and in 1882 the Assembly correspondent of the Brooklyn Eagle; in 

1883 he Was the Assembly representative of the L'^nited Press Association, and in 

1884 the legislative correspondent of the New York Truth. In January, 1885, he be- 
came secretary at Albany to Chauncey M. Depew, and later assistant general tax 
agent of the N. Y. Central Railroad'which position he still holds. He is one of the 
governors of the Albany Club, a member of the Acacia Club, a life member of Mt. 
Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., a member of Capital City Chapter and De Witt 
ilinton Council, junior warden of Temple Commandery No. 2, K..T., a life member 
■ ■i all the Scottish Rite bodies and Cyprus Temple, N. M. S. He is a noted statisti- 
1 lan, was the originator of the Legislative Red Book and has a valuable collection of 
jjliotographs, autographs, etc., largely relating to the State Legislature, with which 
he has been identified for twenty-five years. February 21, 1884, he married Ida C, 
daughter of Charles Hauptner of New York city, and they have had five children: 
Valeria Louise, Gladys Viola, Will Lyman, jr., Clifford Gregory, and Chauncey 
Depew. The latter died November 13, 1888, aged one and one-half years. 

Pinkerton, Robert, son of James and Mary (Martin) Pinkerton, was born in Bel- 
fast, Ireland, in 1841. He was educated in the private schools and learned the trade 
of boilermaker in Greenwich, Scotland. In 1862 he came to America, .settling in 
New York city, and obtained work in the Hutchinson boiler shops in Brooklyn. 
After a few years he went to Callao, Peru, South America, where he remained a 



142 

short time, and returning spent a short period in New York and in New London, 
Conn. In 1871 he came to Waterford, N. Y., where for fourteen years he worked in 
the Steam Fire Engine Works. In 1885 he removed to Green Island, Albany county, 
where he established himself as a boilermaker. In 1892 he entered into partnership 
with Abram Mull, with whom he is now engaged in the manufacture of boilers, under 
the firm name of Pinkerton & Mull. Mr. Pinkerton is a member of the E.\empt 
Firemen's Association. Waterford, Clinton Lodge No. 140. F. & A. M., and Water- 
ford Chapter No. 169. R. A. M. In 1863 he married Rachel Adams, of New York 
city, and they have si.\ children: Mary (Mrs. James Sinclair of New York), James 
(deceased), John, Robert, jr.. Nancy and Joseph G. 

Ridgway & Russ. — This is the oldest plumbing firm in Albany and one of the old- 
e.stin the State, having been estabhshed in Albany in 1843 by J. & F. W. Ridgway, 
who came here from New York city, being located there at 145 Broadway. They 
continued business in this city for three years, when the brothers separated, Jonathan 
going to Boston and F. W. continuing here alone until his death in 1851, at the age 
of thirty-four. His widow carried on the establishment for a year or two, 
when it passed into the hands of Mrs. Ridgway, Herman H. Russ and Edmund Nes- 
bitt, who composed the firm of Ridgway & Co. About sixteen years later Mr. Nesbitt 
retired and the firm of Ridgway & Russ was formed. Mrs. Ridgway withdrew 
about 1870 and her interest has since been represented by her son, Frederick W. 
Herman H. Russ, born in Albany. October 23. 1829, is one of the best known busi- 
ness men in the State, and has been street commissioner and one of the public 
building commissioners of the capital city and is at present a member of the Board 
of Health. He is a prominent and highly respected Free Mason, 33d degree, is grand 
treasurer of the Grand Chapter R. A. M., and a charter member of the Albany Club, 
and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all good citizens. He has been engaged in 
business in the firm's present building for fifty years and is now the oldest active 
merchant on State street in Albany. Adam Russ, his father, born in Germantown, 
N. Y., in 1774, came to Albany in 1790 and died here in 1863. He was for a long 
time inspector and measurer of grain, carried on a large freight business by teams 
between Albany and Buffalo until 1825, when the canal was opened, collected State 
taxes, served as alderman of the Fourth ward in 1815-16, and was a member and 
elder of the Second Reformed Dutch church, now located on the corner of Madison 
aveuue and .Swan street. Mr. Ridgway. born in Albany. July 19, 1849, has been 
connected with the firm for thirty years. is.a member of the Masonic order, was for- 
merly a member of the National Guard, is a charter member of the Old Guard of Co. 
A. 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y.. and is one of the water commi.ssioners appointed by Mayor 
Wilson. He is also a charter member of the Albany Club and one of its board of 
governors. He is an active and progressive business man and highly respected. 
The firm does a large business in plumbing and heating all over the country and has 
executed heavy contracts in Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New 
York, New Jersey, North Carolina and several other States. 

Rochford, W. P.. a resident of West Troy, is at present engaged as superintendent 
at Tim & Co.'s Shirt, Collar and Cuff Manufactory. He is of French ancestry, born 
at Chester, Vt.. in 1859. After residing in Montreal and North Bennington for a 
short time, he came to Troy in 1874. He had learned the shoemaking trade of his 



143 

father, Peter Rochford, but went to work at Holmes & Ide's collar shop, also I-:. L. 
Killop's laundry, and spent one year in Richard Davis's laundry. He left C'luett, 
Coon & Co., where he had been nearly thirteen years superintendent of the shirt, 
collar and cuff laundries, and in 1894 went to Clifton, Staten Island, to engage in 
business for himself, laundering new goods only. He has only recently returned' here, 
where he is well known for his sterling worth and enterprising abilities. Mr. Roch- 
ford now owms a custDin laundry at Bennington, Vt. which is operated by a resident 
manager. 

Gallien, Edward J., is (he eldest son of the late Henry Gallicn, who came to Al- 
bany from the Island of Cuernsey when a boy and spent the most of his life in the 
offices of the canal auditor and State comptroller, covering a period of about thirty 
years, during fourteen years of which he was deputy State comptroller. Henry 
Gallien's fidelity under all administrations is a part of the financial history- of the 
State of New York. He died in January, 1884. Edward J. Gallien was born in the 
town of Watervliet, Albany county, June 13, 1858, was educated in the Albany 
Academy, Public School No. 11 and the High School. For several years he was a 
me.ssenger in the State comptroller's office. He was five years assistant bookkeeper 
for the National Commercial Bank and later accountant for the National Savings 
Bank. In 1883 he went with several of his brothers to the "Bad Lands" of North 
Dakota and started a cattle ranch, but soon returned to St. Paul, Minn., as book- 
keeper for the Germania Bank. Returning to Albany, he became bookkeeper for 
Barnet Bros. & Auf.sesser. wool merchants, and later accountant for the Albany City 
Savings Institution, of which bank he afterwards became secretary and treasurer. 
In 1893 he established his present business as a dealer in investment securities. He 
is a trusteeOf the Albany City Savings Institution and has served for a number of 
years as a member of its finance committee. He is a member of the Unconditional 
Republican Club. In November, 1880, he married Jean, daughter of the late ]. 
Wesley Osborn of Albany, and they have five children: Edward J., jr., Winifred 
Le Page, Leila Osborn (deceased), Ruth Osborn and Marion Ackroyd. 

Frederick, Nathan, was born in the town of Guilderland, August 21, 1851. Mi- 
chael Frederick, his great grandfather, was a native of Germany, born in 1725, and 
migrated to America when a young man, settling in the town of Guilderland on a 
tract of 270 acres, which was then a forest, and there made him a home. Mathias, 
the grandfather of Nathan Frederick, was born on his father's homestead in (iuil- 
derland in 1775. He came in possession of half of his father s farm and there spent 
his life. His wife was Anna Van Auken, and they had four sons and three daugh- 
ters. He died June 13, 1848; his wife survived him many years and died September 
38, 1875. Peter M. Frederick, the father of Nathan, was born in Guilderland on the 
homestead in 1818. He was the oldest of his father's sons and after the death of his 
father took charge of the farm. He and his brother Henry later purchased the farm 
from the heirs and they subsequently divided. To his share Peter M. added until he 
owned loS acres ; here he raised his family and lives at the present time, and two of 
his sons now run the farm. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Hart, and 
their children are: Ann Eliza, Mary, William, Sarab, Martha, Nathan, Henry, Al- 
fred and Amanda. His wife died in February, 1876, at the age of fifty-five. She 
was a member of the Lutheran church; Mr. Frederick is also a member of the same 



churcli, in which he has othcialed as deacon and elder for many years. Nalhau 
Frederick was educated in the common district schools and left home when twenty- 
three and engaged at farming in the town of Coeymans, where he lived but one 
year, when he returned to Guilderland and bought a farm in partnership with bis 
brother-in-law. J. Oggsbury. After two years he sold his interest in the farm and 
removed to Clarksville, and rented the farm of 13.'i acres which he now owns, and 
has since been engaged in general husbandry. . Mr. Frederick is a staunch Demo- 
crat. He is an active member of the Patrons of Husbandry, Clarksville Lodge No. 
781, in which he is steward and was one of the leading charter members, the lodge 
being organized in his house in January, 1893. Mr. Frederick has manifested an 
active interest in the progress of the proposed Albany, Helderberg & Schoharie 
Electric Railroad, and was also a worker on the proposed New York, Schenectady 
& Ogdensburg Railroad, and was with the engineers five months while surveying 
the line.. In 1873 Mr. Frederick married Miss Elena V. A. McCulloch, daughter of 
William and Maria (Slingerland) McCulloch, and their children are Maria, Peter M., 
(iarrett and Helen. They are both members of the Reformed church, in which Mr. 
Frederick has filled the office of deacon for ten years. Mrs. Frederick was a teacher 
in the schools of the town of New Scotland for nine years before her marriage to 
Nathan Frederick. 

Smelzer, Baxter T., M. IJ., was born in the town of Lodi, Seneca county, N. V., 
March 27, 18.52. He attended the common schools and the Genesee Wesleyan i^emi- 
nary at Lima, N. Y., and Syracuse University, where he was a member of the Psi 
Upsilon fraternity. Subsequently he was a student in the medical department of 
the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor and later entered Bellevue Hospital 
Medical College in New York city, from which he was graduated in 1874. He there- 
upon commenced the practice of his profession in Havana, N. Y. Dr. Smelzer has 
always been an active Republican in politics. He is a member of the Republican 
State League and was for several years chairman of the Central Committee. He 
was president of the village for a number of years, member of the Board of Educa- 
tion for four successive terms, and its president for six years. In 1893 -Dr. Smelzer 
was elected to represent the Twenty-seventh Senatorial District. While a member 
of the Senate he was chairman of the committee to investigate the State Board of 
Health. He introduced and ably supported very many important bills, among them 
being the Tuberculosis bill and the one maintaining the Public Health law. He is a 
member of the Schuyler County and State Medical Associations and the Elmira 
Academy of Medicine. In June, 1895, he was appointed secretary of the State 
Board of Health, which position he i.s now filling. In 1876 Dr. Smelzer married 
Lucy A. Tracy, whose father, Peter Tracy, was one of the first presidents of the 
Chemung Canal Bank of Elmira and president of the Chemung Railroad. They are 
the parents of two sons. 

Vander Veer, Dr. Albert, was born m the tuwn of Root, N. Y., July 10, 1841, and 
is a son of Abraham H. Vander Veer, who in 1828 built for tannei-y purposes the 
first building in what is now Rural Grove. His paternal ancestors came from Alk- 
maar, Holland, in 1639, and first settled in Long Island and then in New Jersey. 
His grandmother's ancestors, Vancovenhoven (abbreviated into Conover), were also 
Hollanders, and on her father's farm in New Jersey the battle of Monmouth was 



145 

fouj^ht, June 28, 1778. William Vander Veer, relative of Dr. Albert, was au officer 
in the Revolutionary war and a surgeon in the war of 1813. Colonel Frederick, a 
cousin, and Capt. Garret Vander Veer, a brother, served in the Rebellion. Dr. 
Albert Vander Veer attended the Union Free School of Palatine and theCanajoharie 
Academy, and at the age of eighteen began the study of medicine with Dr. Simeon 
Snow of Currytown, N. V. One year later he came to Albany, entered the office of 
the late Dr. John Swinburne, and attended lectures at the Albany Medical College 
during 1861 and 1863. In the spring of 1862 he became one of the original "one hun- 
dred," commissioned as a U. S. Medical Cadet and ordered to duty at Columbian 
College Hospital, Washington, D. C. While there he attended lectures at the Na- 
tional Medical College, receiving from that institution the degree of M. D., graduat- 
ing (honorary) later from the Albany Medical College. In December, 1862, he was 
commissioned assistant surgeon 66th N.Y. Vols., in June, 1864, being raised to grade 
of surgeon with rank of major. He served with his regiment until the close of the 
war, being mustered out in September, 1865. During 1865-66 he attended lectures 
at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city, and since then has 
practiced his profession with signal success in Albany. He was appointed to the 
chair of general and special anatomy in the Albany Medical College in 1869, and at- 
tending surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital. On the reorganization of the Albany Med- 
ical College in 1876 he became professor of the principles and practice of surgery 
In 1883 he was appomted professor of surgery and clinical surgery and still holds 
these positions. He is a member of the Boston Gyna;cological Society, the British 
Medical Association, the International Medical Congress at Copenhagen in 1884, the 
British Gynsecological Society, the American Surgical Association, Holland Society 
of New York, the American Medical Association, the New York Medico-Legal Soci- 
ety, the Albany Institute and the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynae- 
cologists. He is a frequent writer and contributor to leading medical journals. He 
was a member and president of the Special Water Commission and has been for 
many years a member of the Albany Board of Health ; he has also been president of 
the Albany County and New York State Medical Societies. Williams and Hamilton 
Colleges conferred upon him the degree of A. M. in 1883, Union College gave him 
the degree of Ph. D. in 1883, and the Queen of Holland decorated him with the order 
of " Oranje-Nassau," because of his services as vice-president of the local Holland 
Society. He is also one of the Regents of the University of the State of New York. 
Crandall, George H., prominent among the business men of Cohoes and a large 
operator in builders' material of all kinds, as well as a manufacturer of furniture. 
Mr. Crandall was born at Adams, N. Y. , in 1839, of old Connecticut ancestors; his 
father, the late John M. Crandall, was an e.xtensive operator in lumber and real 
estate in Lewis and Jefferson counties. George H. Crandall first engaged in busi- 
ness as a keeper of a general store at Glendale, N. Y., from 1861 to 1868, and then 
run a lumber yard for two years at Hoboken, N. J., furnishing material for the 
building trades. Then from 1870 to 1872, in Breslau, near Babylon. L. I., buying 
agent for all kinds of material to build about 400 houses; and from 1872 to 1878 man- 
aging a .store and a large saw mill in Lewis county, N. Y., and wholesaling lumber 
and all kinds of turned work and dimension lumber, in New York city and vicinity; 
and from 1878 to 1881 engaged in the furniture business, traveling by canal with 



146 

four canal boats, stopping from three to ten days in each city and town along the 
Krie Canal. This was a profitable business, as he could undersell all local dealers, 
until they got a special law passed by Legislature allowing each incorporated town 
and city to charge him a license of $25 per day; this he could not stand, and he de- 
cided to settle in Cohoes and build a factory and store and manufacture furniture 
and sell at retail. The disastrous fire of 1891 was a serious check, but his indomita- 
ble energy soon replaced the plant. The Crandalls" career has been characterized 
by the qualities which makes success certain and failure an unknown word ; he has 
done a good deal in the building line himself, having erected about 100 dwellings in 
the vicinity of Cohoes and Lansingburgh. 

Bradley, Franklin G., is a grandson of Philo Bradley, an early settler of Berne, 
Albany county, and a son of Daniel G. Bradley, for many years deputy sheriff, and 
was born in Berne, December 28, 1849. Daniel G. came to Albany in 1857 and was 
long a prosperous merchant. He married Arvilla Nelson, and of their nine children 
seven sons are living. With the e.Nception of six years spent on a farm in Guilder- 
land, Franklin G. Bradley has been engaged in the mercantile business since he 
reached the age of twenty. 'He established his present grocery and provision store 
on Beaver street in 1878 and in 1893 moved to No. 99 Hudson avenue. He is a 
member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Fort Orange Council. R. A., and 
American Lodge No. 32, L O. O. F. In 1868 he married Alice M., daughter of 
Hiram Gardner of Franklin, Va , who died in 1891, leaving three children: Daniel 
G., Jennie E. and Franklin G., jr. He married, second, in 1892, Mrs. Celia (Reed) 
Weidraan of Summit, Schoharie county. 

Gick, William H., son of Robert, was born on the Isle of Man, March 4, 1848, and 
came to America with his brother, Robert Gick, jr., in the spring of 1870, settling in 
Albany. He had learned the trade of carpenter and joiner in his native country, 
and coming here followed it as a journeyman about one year, when he became a 
builder. In the fall of 1878 he formed a copartnership with William Sayles (whose 
sketch appears in this volume), as Gick & Sayles. This firm has since conducted an 
extensive building and contractmg business in Albany and vicinity, and many noted 
buildings are due to their skill and enterprise. In 1874 he married Mary E. Bulger 
of Albany and their children are Annetta E., Alice E. and William H., jr. 

Best, John A,, one of the most prominent farmers of Colonie, and also largely in- 
terested in manufacturing and mercantile life, was born in Watervliet in 1850. 
Abraham Best, his father, is now a retired resident of Saratoga county ; it is an old 
Columbia county family, whose paternal ancestors were from Germany, and on the 
maternal side from Holland. Mr. Best now operates five farms, aggregating 450 
acres, chiefly devoted to dairy products. At Crescent Station he has a coal yard, 
another at Vischer's Ferry, with a grocery business also. He is a heavy operator in 
ice and grain. For about five years he was also engaged in the manufacture of knit 
goods at Troy, the firm being known as the Brunswick Manufacturing Company. 

Toohey, Edward J., son of John and Bridget (Kennedy) Toohey, was born in 
West Troy, Albany county, N. V., August 23, 1859. His father was one of the 
pioneer canal men and kept the Whitehall Packet House at the time immigrants 
came by way of Quebec. Mr. Toohey was eduated at the Christian Brothers Acad- 



U1 

eniy in Troy, N. Y., and in 1874 was graduated from Mason College, Terre Bonne, 
Province of Quebec. After leaving college he obtained a clerkship in his father's 
store at West Troy, where he remained until elected justice of the peace of that 
village in 1881, which position he now holds. He is also engaged in the real estate 
and insurance business. Mr. Toohey was chairman of the Board of Fire Trustees 
of West Troy for two years and is a member of the Young Men's Democratic Club 
and was its president for one term. He is president of the Young Men's Literary 
Association and a member of the Vestris Club of West Troy. 

MacUonald, Pirie, son of George and Margaret MacDonald, was born in Chicago, 
111., January 17, 1867; in 1882 he entered the studio of Forshew in Hudson, N. Y. ; in 
188!) he came to Albany and opened his present studio at the corner of Maiden Lane 
and Broadway. He is unquestionably one of the leading technicians of America, 
and as a voucher for this opinion we may mention the fact that twice (in 1884 and 
1886) he was awarded the Grand Prize for portraiture by the Photographers' Asso- 
ciation of America; he holds seven medals from the same society and two medals 
from the National Photographic Society of Germany, and one that was awarded at 
the International Photographic Exhibition in Amsterdam, Holland, in 1886, as well 
as the Gold Medal for the best portrait by photography in America. Mr. MacDonald 
is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M. , and of the Albany and Albany 
Camera Clubs. In 1891 he married Emilie, daughter B. Van Deusen of Hudson, 
N. Y., and they have one daughter, Jessie. 

Estes, Capt. Milo D , was born in Clayton, N. Y., September 16, 1841. His father, 
Capt. James B., became a sailor when twelve and a captain when eighteen and fol- 
lowed the lakes during much of his active life; he was master of the Niagara, Cata- 
ract, Ontario, Rothsay, Sylvan Stream, Pilgrim and Bon Voyage, all well known 
Lake Ontario steamers, and now has charge of the ferry between Ontario Beach and 
SomerviUe at the mouth of the Genesee River. Capt. Milo D. Estes after receiving a 
common school education at Clayton and Charlotte, became, when twelve years of 
age cabin boy on the steamer Niagara and later was cabin boy on the Cataract and 
quartermaster on the old Ontario. In September, 1862, he enlisted in the U. S. 
Navy as an able seaman and was assigned to the gunboat Montgomery, under 
Farragut, cruising in the Gulf of Mexico. After serving one year he returned home 
and in February, 1864, enlisted in the 3d N. Y. Cav , from which he was honorably 
discharged in December, 1865. Following this he was .successively captain of the 
tug D. T. Hunt, second officer of the steamer Columbian, superintendent of the 
Rochester Iron Company's fleet of barges and captain of the steamers Flower City, 
J. F. Maynard, John Thorne, Island Belle and the St. Lawrence. The latter he suc- 
cessfully commanded from August, 1884. to September, 1892, making it the most 
popular vessel among the Thousand Islands. In the spring of 189.") he came to Al- 
bany as superintendent of the Albany and Troy Steamboat Company. He is a 
member of Genesee Falls Lodge No. 507, F. & A. M., of Rochester; also a member 
of Charles J. Powers Post No. 391, G. A. R., Rochester. In 1890, as captain of the St. 
Lawrence, he refused to lower the U. S. flag at Kingston, Canada, in order to sail an 
excursion in Canadian waters, an incident which brought him considerable distinc- 
tion. 

Skillicorn, John H., M.D., son of John and Jane (Cowell) Skillicorn, was born in 



Albany, N. Y., December 35, 1801. His parents came from the Isle of Man and 
belonged to a very old and respected family, his grandfather being a minister, noted 
for his eloquence, in the Methodist Episcopal church. Dr. Skillicorn attended the 
public schools and the Albany High School, from which institution he was gradu- 
ated, receiving the English prize and first honorable mention for declamation. He 
then attended Cornell University, where he took the medical preparatory course and 
where he was fitted to enter the Albany Medical College. In 1883 he was graduated 
from the latter institution and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, standing 
second in his class and receiving special honorable mention for his thesis. During 
his course at the Albany Medical College Dr. Skillicorn was also a student in the 
dispensary of the late Dr. John Swinburne. After his graduation he was connected 
with his alma mater for three years as prosector and also held quizzes. He then 
traveled extensively, studying the methods in the different hospitals, and in 1884 
settled down to practice in Albany, opening an office at No. 324 Hudson avenue, 
where he is now located. Dr. Skillicorn is a frequent contributor to medical and 
scientific journals, and is a perfect linguist in German, French, Italian and Spanish. 
He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, and was one of the first sur- 
geons in the world to advocate and operate successfully for appendicitis. 

Hermans, Charles W., was born September 4, 1844, in the town of Nassau, Rens- 
selaer county, N. Y., and attended the district school until si.xteen years of age, 
working on a farm during summer vacations. His parents were Daniel and Adeline 
(Waterbury) Hermans. In 1860 he went to Marquette, Mich., returning to Albany 
in the summer of 1862. On September 30 of that year he enlisted in Co. I, 99th N. 
Y. Vols., and served until the close of the war, being discharged from Co. A, 22d 
Regt., Veteran Reserve Corps, July 11, 1865. He attended Bryant, Stratton & 
Folsom's Business College in the winter of 1865-66, and in the spring secured a posi- 
tion as bookkeeper with H. B. Silliman of Cohoes. In 1870 he was appointed a book- 
keeper in the Manufacturers' and Builders' Bank of New York city and filled all the 
positions in that bank up to paying teller. In 1889 he assisted in organizing the 
South End Bank of Albany, was elected its cashier and so continued during its ex- 
istence. He married in March, 1871, Eliza J., daughter of Ambrose C. Spencer, of 
Cohoes. 

Bordwell, Mrs. Margaret K., is one of the oldest re.sidents of Cohoes. She came 
here with her father, Francis Revell, a native of France, in 1824 from Mechanicville, 
where she was born in 1823. She was married in 1845 to Jacob A. Bordwell, a boss 
knitter in the cotton mills until his death, which occurred in 1863. He left three 
children : Mary Elira, wife of George Cook, of Cohoes ; Esther E. , widow of Professor 
George Gravis, late of Troy ; and Charles Francis, who conducts a hotel at Detroit, 
Mich. Mrs. Bordwell is a well preserved lady and a personal landmark, and has in 
her mature years witnessed the growth of Cohoes into a city. 

Pratt, Otto M., son of Edward and Emily (Field) Pratt, was born in Earlville, 
Madison county, N. Y., August 22. 1851. He attended the Earlville public schools 
and at the age of fourteen left home and for twelve years was a clerk in a general 
store at Poolville, Madison county, at the end of which time he removed to Albany, 
N. Y., and accepted a clerkship with Herrick, Freeman & Smith, boot and shoe 
manufacturers. He was associated with this business for twenty years, and in 1885 



140 

became a member of the firm, when the name was changed to Smith, Pratt & Her- 
rick. In 1893 he resigned from this company. Mr. Pratt is now the largest bond 
and stockholder in, and vice-president of the Winconsin Land and Lumber Com- 
pany, located at and being the village of Hermansville, Mich., with office at Oshkosh, 
Wis., owning and operating 42,000 acres of timber lands, three large saw mills, 
hardwood flooring^factory, 101 dwelling houses, store, market, boarding house, etc. 
He is also the owner and proprietor of a shoe store at Fort Edward, N. Y., and owns 
considerable real estate at Superior City. In 1876 he married Ida Zenobia Blanchard, 
daughter of Taylor Blanchard of De Ruyter, Madson county, N. Y. 

Rowe, Wilhelmus, was born in the town of Westerlo January 20, 1836. Wilhelmus, 
his great-grandfather, came from Holland and grew to manhood in Dutchess county, 
N. Y. After he married he settled on a farm near O-nes-que-thaw, in the town of 
New Scotland, and died at eighty-eight; his wife died at ninety; he left two sons, 
Conrad and Frederick. Conrad, the grandfather, was born in 1773 and died in 1848 
on the farm where he was born; his wife was Sally Hoyt; they reared four sons, 
William, Richard, Henry and Samuel, and three daughters. Richard, the father, 
was born in 1808 and died in 1891, was also a farmer; his wife was Elizabeth Bogar- 
dns, born in the town of Berne and was the daughter of John Bogardus; they reared 
three sons, Wilhelmus, John and Conrad, and three daughters. Mrs. Rowe died in 
1876. Wilhelmus was a contractor and builder and in 1856 went to Winona, in the 
then Territory of Minnesota, afterward to Memphis, Teun. ; he was in Tennessee at 
the outbreak of the Civil war and was conscripted in the rebel army, and after 
Beaureguard took command was detailed to guard prisoners from Corinth to Holly 
Springs, Miss.; was second lieutenant in a company of Home Guards. Immediately 
after the fall of Memphis he made his way north, and three months afterward was 
drafted in the Union army, but was exempted on the grounds of having been 
in the rebel army. In 1866 he married Elizabeth H. Bennett, daughter of Rush- 
more Bennett, of Clarksville, whose father, Daniel Bennett, was born at Stone 
near Berkley, Glostershire, England, in 1777, and came to the United States 
in 1802; he married Abigail Rushmore of New Salem and settled on a farm 
near that village, where he died while still a young man, leaving three sons, William, 
Rushmore and Thomas, and one daughter. Rushmore married Emily Whitcomb, 
who was a daughter of Roswell Whitcomb, a preacher in the Society of Friends; his 
father had come from Connecticut with pack and ax when Albany county was a com- 
parative wilderness, to take up a farm under what was then considered the very ad- 
vantageous offer of the Albany patroon. Van Rensselaer; he settled in Berne. Mr. 
Bennett was a farmer and mill owner in Clarksville, and built the thirdhou.se in that 
village ; he was a Republican in politics and his name appears on the lirst Republican 
county ticket, the ticket with white letters on a black ground, which gave to the Re- 
publican party the name of Black Republicans; he reared one son, Erasmus, and 
two daughters, and died in 187.5; his wife in 1874. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe still reside 
on the Bennett homestead, a farm of 200 acres, and have three sons, Erasmus B., 
born in 1866, R. Burton, born in 1872, and Anson H., born in 1882. 

McEwan, Walter, born in Glasgow, Scotland, came to America with his parents, 
John and Agnes (Lander) McEwan, in 1849 and settled in Albany. He attended the 
public schools and in 1860 entered the employment of the Hudson River Railroad 



150 

office at East Albany. lu 1870 he became a member of the wholesale coffee and 
spice firm of Baily, Ford & McEwan. March 15, 1872, he purchased his partners' 
interests and in 1876 moved to his present location, corner Maiden Lane and James 
street. He has been treasurer of the St. Andrews Society since 1884, and is a 
trustee of the Home Savings Bank. In 1873 he married Abby Stuart, daughter of 
Stuart McKissick of Albany, and their children are Walter Stuart, Agnes Lander, 
Jessie Ellis, George William and Charles Bailey. 

Van Schaack, John S., was born in New Scotland in 1834. John, his great-grand- 
father, was a native of Holland and came to America and settled in Greene county, 
and reared five sons. He owned a fine farm on Coxsackie flats and lived to be 
eighty years of age. Albert, the grandfather, was the third son, born in Greene 
county m 1853. He was a farmer and settled in New Scotland in 1770. His first 
wife was Eva Spore, by whom he had five children, two of whom grew to maturity. 
His second wife was Mary Ann Bradt, by whom he had nine children ; all grew to 
maturity. He died in 1830. The father was the oldest son by his fathers first wife, 
born in New Scotland in 1802, where he spent his life as a farmer. He was a volun- 
teer soldier in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Sackett's Harbor. 
His wife was Sarah Shaver, born in 1809, and daughter of John F. Shaver of Berne. 
They reared four children ; Mary Ann, John S., Frank and Elizabeth. Mrs, Van 
Schaack died in 1888. John S. was reared to farm work and received his education 
in the common and district schools and Charlottesville Seminary, and followed farm- 
ing all his life up to 1888, when he retired to the village of New Salem. He has 
been and is now serving as justice and was postmaster during both of Cleveland's 
administrations. He has also filled the office of town auditor and represented his 
town as delegate to county conventions and at district and Assembly conventions. 
In 18(13 he married Amanda M., daughter of Luke Gallup of Westerlo, by whom 
three children have been born: Albert, who is a teacher in Te.xas; Susan and Eli. 
Mrs. Van Schaack died in 1881. 

McMillen, James S., was born in Schoharie county in August, 1843. Alexander, 
the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, born about 1775, who came to America 
and settled in the town of New Scotland, where he died at the age of eighty years. 
He was a farmer and achieved some note as a politician in his town. He reared 
seven sons and four daughters. Aaron, the father, was born in Albany in 1815 and 
died in December, 1872. He was a wheelwright by trade, which he followed for 
some thirty years. He moved to Orosvenor's Corners, in the town of Carlyle, Scho- 
harie county, where he owned and conducted a shop and was fairly successful. His 
wife was Margaret Ann Culens, and their children were James S., Nelson B., Helen 
M., and William J. The wife survives her husband and lives in Albany with her 
daughter. James S. received a limited education and began to care for himself at 
the age of fifteen, following different occupations in Guilderland and Bethlehem. In 
1869 he purchased his present farm of seventy-five acres and is actively engaged in 
mixed husbandry. He was town auditor and is now serving his tenth year as 
assessor. In 1871 he was married to Hester L. Snyder, born in New Scotland and 
daughter of Jacob Snyder, by whom one child has been born, Franklin J., who 
resides at home with his father. His wife was Charlotte Hallenback. They have 
three children : Anson, Olive and Allen. 



151 

Butler, William H., son of David and Laura A. (Smith) Butler, was born in Oneida, 
N. Y., January 31, 1860, and was graduated from the Oneida High School in 1878. 
He then became a freight conductor on the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R., and continued 
in this capacity and in the depot at Albany in all ten years, when he learned the 
trade of clothing cutter and merchant tailor. In 1893 he established himself in the 
merchant tailoring business at Nos. 635 and 637 Broadway, Albany, where he has 
built up a large and growing trade. Mr. Butler is a member of Mount Vernon 
Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., of all the Masonic bodies to and including the 33 , and of 
the Acacia Club. In 1880 he married Cora B., daughter of William Foster of Siloani, 
Madison county, N. Y., and they have one daughter, Lenora Belle. 

Yerks, George W., is a descendant of Revolutionary stock, especially on the side 
i>{ his maternal grandmcjther, Mrs. Amos Clark, a member of the Van Warts family. 
His parents were William H. and Mary A. (Clark) Yerks and he was born in Union- 
ville, Westchester county, February 4, 1843. He received his education at Claverack 
Academy and Fort Edward Institute, and he spent a few years in government em- 
ploy in New York city, and in 1867 came to Albany where he soon engaged in the 
wholesale fancy grocery business at No. 373 Broadway, under the firm name of Ben 
jamin & Yerks, whom he succeeded in January, 1877. In 1888 John J. Taaffe was 
admitted under the present firm name of George W. Yerks & Co. The business has 
grown steadily and now three stores are occupied. Mr. Yerks has been president of 
the Equal Rights Benefit Association since 1893 and is a trustee in the Madison 
Avenue Reformed church. In 1868 he married Adeline, daughter of George W. 
Benjamin of Albany, and of their children one daughter, Adeline Powell Yerks, is 
living. 

Rivet, F. A. W., M. D.. one of the oldest physicians of Green Island, was born at 
Montreal in 1S47. His father was a farmer, and when about nineteen he began the 
study of medicine at " College Point aux Trembles" near Montreal, graduating from 
this institution with honors in 1871. He took a post-graduate course at McGill Col- 
lege. Practicing his profession at Au Sable Falls for eight years, and about the 
same length of time at Indian Fields, he came to Green Island in 1887. Dr. Rivet 
is of the eclectic school of practice. He has been health officer for a long term of 
years. 

Tompkins, Stephen, was born in Coeymans in 1857, and is a son of Stephen and 
Jane (Van Derzee) Tompkins. His grandfather, Daniel C , was a son of Caleb 
Tompkins, who came from Dutchess county. The grandfather of Mr. Tompkins 
was a tanner for many years at Stephenville, and came to Coeymans Hollow in 1850, 
and bought the farm where Mr. Tompkins now lives. He died in 1882. He had 
three sons: Alfred D.. Anson, who died in infancy, and Stephen, who died in 18.57, 
and one daughter, Margaret. Mr. Tompkins is a farmer and one of the most suc- 
cessful men of the town. He married Elizabeth, daughter of William S. Cole, and 
has two sons: William and Van Derzee. 

Reinhart, H. E , though apparently not past the prime of life, is a pioneer set- 
tler of Cohoes, coming here in 1853 from Berne, N. V., where he was born in 1838. 
He is of Dutch descent, and a son of John Reinhart, a hat manufacturer. Here he 
learned the machinist trade, which "vocation he followed ; having been associated 



152 

with the Granite Mill of William Moore since 188(i. In 1861 he married Marie Oster- 
hout of Cohoes, by whom he has one daughter, Elizabeth, wife of William Leroy of 
this place. 

Kane, Hon. Nicholas T., was born in Ireland in 1846. He came to America with 
his parents and settled in West Troy, Albany county, in 1848, and died there Sep- 
tember 14, 1887. At an early age he actively entered the field of labor; when seven- 
teen he enlisted in the Union army in the war of the Rebellion and served with gal- 
lantry and patriotism as a soldier. Returning home he rapidly rose in business 
until finally he formed a copartnership with his brother, Pierce Kane, and success- 
fully engaged in the manufacture of knit goods, at Sand Lake, Rensselaer county. 
About 1883 he also engaged in brewing with Daniel E. and Henry A. Conway of 
Troy. In 1882 he was elected town supervisor and held that office several years, be- 
ing at one time chairman of the board. In 1886 he was elected to represent his dis- 
trict in the Fiftieth Congress, a position he held at the time of his death. He was 
chiefly instrumental in locating the government gun factory (one of the largest in the 
United States) at the Watervliet Arsenal, and various other important measures re- 
ceived his earnest support. He was a member of Post Patrick Kane, No. 312, (i. A. 
R., vice-president of the S. G. Gleason Hook and Ladder Company of West Troy, 
trea-surer of the Wynant.skill Knitting Company, and prominently identified with 
various other organizations. He was a typical self-made man, charitable, compan- 
ionable, public spirited, enterprising and progressive, and enjoyed universal respect 
and confidence. In politics he was a staunch Democrat and in every capacity he was 
loyal, influential and popular. 

McCormic, Robert Henry, represents the sixth generation of his family in Amer- 
ica, in each of which the eldest son bore the name of Robert. His ancestor, Robert 
McCormic, born of Scotch-Irish parentage in Londonderry, Ireland, was one of the 
first settlers of Londonderry, N. H. ; a branch moved thence and settled the town of 
Londonderry, Vt. Mr. McCormic's great-grandfather, Robert, served in the Revo- 
lution. His father, Robert, who married Rhoda Stevens, was born in Windham, 
Vt., but spent most of his life in Greene county, N. Y., where, at Coxsackie, Rob- 
ert H. was born, October 25, 1839, being the only son, his sister being Mrs. Harriet 
M. Stark of Paris Texas. She has been a teacher and missionary among the Choc- 
taw Indians for forty-five years. Robert H. McCormic was graduated from Burr 
Seminary at Manchester, Vt., came to Albany in 1858 and in 1860 joined Co. B, lOth 
Regt. September 1, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 44th N. Y. Vols., Ellsworth Zouaves, 
rose to the post of captain and was mustered out October 14, 1864. He was with the 
Army of the Potomac, participated in nearly all its battles from first Bull Run, was 
wounded twice and still carries in his right hip a bullet received at Rappahannock 
Station. From 1865 to 1887 he held an important position in the Albany post-office, 
and since then has been engaged in life insurance business, being now connected 
with the Mutual Life of New York. He became a member of Lew Benedict Post 
No. 5, G. A. R., in 1887 and is now a member of L. O. Morris Post No. 121, and is 
past commander of both organizations. He has held nearly every office in the State 
department of the G. A. R., being assistant adjutant-general in 1894, and is also past 
noble grand of Clinton Lodge No. 7, I. O. O. F- January 1, 1866, he married Caro- 
line, daughter of Isaac Van Ness of Stuyvesant, N. Y., who died in 1875, leaving 



153 

two children : Robert H., jr., and Grace E., graduates of the Albany High School 
and State Normal College respectively. In 1894 he .married Louise, daughter of 
Ephraim House of Albany and for over twenty years a teacher in the public schools. 
O'Brien, Dr. Francis J., son of Francis and Catharine (CoUopy) O'Brien, was born 
in West Troy, June 13. 1860. He was educated in the public schools, the Troy Busi- 
ness College, and the New York College of Pharmacy, graduating from the latter in 
188"2. In 1887 he was graduated from the University of Vermont with the degree of 
M. D. From 1883 to 1886 he studied with the late Dr. Swinburne of Albany, N. Y. 
Since graduating from the Universty of Vermont he has practiced in West Troy. 

Chapman, jr., Edgar T. , is the eldest son of the well known and prominent Epis- 
copal clergyman. Edgar T. Chapman was born at West Troy in 1872, on the eld 
homestead on the Troy and Albany road. Mr. Chapman began the study of law in 
1891. He was graduated in 1894 and at once admitted to the county bar under the 
most favorable auspices, and began the practice of his profession in Albany. A 
younger brother, John K. Chapman, is now supermtendent of the freight office for 
the N. Y. C. R. R., at West Albany. 

Simpson, Anson A., was born at Hillside, N. Y., in 1842. He was the son of Ben- 
son Simpson, a merchant of that place, and was educated at Hudson River Institute. 
He began life as a clerk in a general store at Craryville. Mr. Simpson has traveled 
a good deal and has been engaged in many and various enterprises. In 1865 he 
went to the far West, and spent five years in Colorado and California as a miner, 
hotel keeper, fruit dealer, etc. In 1870 he drifted to Pittsburg, Pa. , and traveled 
for a glass manufacturing company there. He then engaged in the mercantile busi- 
ness at Kinderhook Depot, remaining there till 1885, when he came to Troy and be- 
came connected with the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. now nominally occupying 
the position of inspector of signals. He is especially fertile in the line of inventions 
and has produced many valuable appliances, which have been adopted and are in 
daily use, among others, a time signal, and a life saving fender for motor cars, which 
possess peculiar merit and will, without doubt, come into general use. 

Fonda, Douw H., son of Garrett T. B. and Rachel (Polhemus) Fonda, was born 
September 10, 1831, in Fonda, N. Y., which derives its name from the family. The 
first American ancestor was (l^ Jellis Douwse Fonda, who came from Holland and 
was in Beverwyck as early as 1654. The line is (2) Douw Jellise Fonda, who resided 
at Lubberdeland (Troy) in 1676; (3) Jellis Adam Fonda, born in 1668, married a 
daughter of Peter Winne in 1695; (4) Douw Fonda, of Caughnawaga (now Fonda), 
who served in the Revolutionary war and was killed by the Indians in 1780 ; (5) Adam ; 
(6) Douw Adam Fonda, member of the Legislature, died in 1855 ; and (7) Garrett T. 
B. Fonda, who was born in Fonda in 1808. Douw H. Fonda, after completing a 
common school education, engaged in railroading. He was then a mere boy. When 
thirteen he went to New York city as clerk in a men's furnishing store, where he re- 
mained two years. Returning home he finally became a clerk in a general store in 
Rome, N. Y., and two years later engaged in railroading, being ticket agent at Pal- 
atine Bridge under the later Hon. Webster Wagner for four years. In September, 
1853, he became teller of a bank in Canajoharie and two years later was made cash- 
ier, which position he held until 1865, when he came to Albany as a partner in the 



1.54 

wholesale drug^firm ofiFonda & Bagley, the founders of the business being Thomas 
and Joseph Russell, who were succeeded by a Mr. Pulling, who was followed by J. 
H. McClure&Co., whom Fonda & Bagley bought out. During all these changes 
the business has been located at Nos. 70-72 State street and No. 13 Norton street 
and is the oldest of the kind in the city. In 1877 Mr. Fonda became sole proprietor 
and in 1879 he formed the firm of D. H. Fonda &Co., by admitting Henry R. Wright 
and William B. French. In 1889 the Douw H. Fonda Drug Company was incorpor- 
ated and since then Mr. Fonda has been its president. He is a member of Temple 
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and has served as school commissioner two terms. He 
married first at Canajoharie. Mai-y A. French, and after her death he married Ellen 
A. Barker of Barry, Vt. 

Lochner, Dr. George Emory, was born in Albany, July 19, 1867, and is a son of 
Jacob L. Lochner, who for twenty-five years was engaged in the fruit business at 
the'corner of South Pearl and State streets. On the maternal side Dr. Lochner is 
descended from Revolutionary stock, his mother being Nellie J. Best of Schoharie. 
When Dr. Lochner was eight years of age his mother died. His early education 
was received at private schools and in Public School No. 11, and was graduated from 
the High School in 1885. He then registered with Dr. Albert Vander Veer, under 
whose care he studied medicine for three years. He had previously attended clinics 
at the City Hospital. While with Dr. Vander Veer he attended the Albany Medical 
College, graduating in March, 1888, being honored by selection as historian of the 
class. At the competitive examination which followed for appointment to the Al- 
bany Hospital, Dr. Lochner outstripped all competitors and the result entitled him 
to the place. During the summer of 1888 he continued his studies in New York 
city. In September, 1888, he entered the Albany Hospital and served twenty 
months as ambulance surgeon and house physician and surgeon. His term expired 
in April, 1890, and upon retirement he received a diploma from the staff, gift of 
surgical instruments from matron and associates, and a letter of commendation from 
the Board of Governors. Leaving the hospital, he began the practice of his pro- 
fession at No. 1 South Hawk street. In 1890 he was appointed by Dr. J. M. Bigelow as 
an instructor in the Albany Medical College in laryngology and rhinology and the fol- 
lowing year by Dr. J. P. Boyd, as instructor in obstetrics and gynaecology and m 
anatomy by Dr. S. R. Morrow, which place he still holds. In October, 1891, he re- 
ceived the appointment of physician to the Albany Hospital Dispensary for diseases 
of women and children. As a member of the Albany County Medical Society he 
was, in October, 1891, chosen as its secretary and served as censor in 1893 and 1894. 
In 1892 he was appointed physician to the Albany Fire Department. Dr. Lochner 
is a member of the alumni associations of the Albany High School, of which he is 
no'w serving as president, and Medical College, and of the executive committee of 
the High School; he also belongs to the Press Club, A.K.P., and P.E.K. fraternities; 
is also a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M. 

Burrick, Rev. JuHus J., was born m Waeregheu, in the diocese of Ghent, Belgium, 
in 1858. His early education was acquired under eminent tutors of St. Nicholas 
College. His philosophical course was subsequently pursued at the same college, 
and his theological at the Seminary of Ghent. Before his assumption of holy orders 
and in recognition of his superior talents, he was promoted to the dignity of a pro- 



« 



♦ 



155 

fessor's chair, which he held until April, 1892, when, coming to America, he was ap- 
pointed pastoral director of his present charge, the Sacred Heart of Mary, French 
Catholic church, of Watervliet, N.Y. As a clergyman of marked religious zeal, and 
a scholar of broad culture in many languages, he enjoys the merited esteem and 
confidence of all his ecclesiastical and secular associates. 

Bell, Thomas H., son of George and Martha (Turner) Bell, was born in Carlisle, 
North of England, August 27, 1861. He was educated in the public schools and was 
for five years a clerk in the bonded warehouse of the County Hotel and Wine Com- 
pany, England. In 1880 he came to America and settled in Albany, and through 
the influence of his uncle, William Gray, he obtained a situation in the office of the 
Troy Steel & Iron Co., where he remained six years. During that time he became 
interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association and in 1885 was 
one of the prime movers in the organization of the West Troy Y. M. C. A. He was 
made president of the preliminary organization and later accepted the office of ex- 
ecutive secretary of the permanent organization, and willingly gave his time to the 
work free of charge. In 1886, at the solicitation of the general secretary, Frank 
Ober, of the Albany Association, and the Rev. George A. Hall, State secretary, he 
resigned his position with the Troy Steel & Iron Co. and entered the school for 
Christian Workers at Springfield, Mass. , to prepare for the general secretaryship of 
the Y. M. C. A. In 1887 Mr. Bell was appointed general secretary of the Lansing- 
burgh Y. M. C. A., but ill health forced him to resign in the spring of the following 
year. He was then appointed assistant to Supt. J. D. Rogers of the Round Lake 
Association and remained in that position until 1891, when he entered into partner- 
ship with Lee Rivers, in the hardware and electrical supply business, at West Troy, 
Albany county. In July, 1893, they dissolved partnership, and since then Mr. Bell 
has been engaged m the electrical business, for a time at West Troy and now at 
No. 24 Green street, Albany. He is a member of the Evening Star Lodge No. 75, 
F. & A. M. , of West Troy, and is also a member of the official board of the First 
Avenue Methodist church of West Troy. October 22, 1890, he married Louisa W., 
daughter of P. R. Robson of Albany, and they have two children: Ernest B. and 
Edith May. 

Ouinlan, George B., D. D. S., of West Troy, has practiced four years, having 
graduated from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He first entered the 
New York Dental College in 1889, and was a student of the Troy Business College 
before that time. His father, J. W. Quinlan, was a M. E. clergyman, once located 
in West Troy, and is now in that field of labor. His great-grandfather came from 
Northern Ireland, and was a physician of note in Philadelphia. Dr. Ouinlan was 
born in Columbia county, N. Y. 

Wilcox, George W., a prominent resident of Green Island, was born at Troy, No- 
vember 20, 1854, and is a son of th? well known Alanson Wilcox, who was born at 
Amsterdam, N. Y., in 1814, and has been a resident of this place for over thirty 
years. He was a carpenter by trade, but is now retired from active business. 
George Wilcox began life for himself when sixteen years of age by engaging in the 
news business and after five years went into the grocery business and conducted it 
for seventeen years, and is at present not engaged in active business life. He main- 
tains a deep interest in the local affairs and ranks high among the prosperous and 



prominent business men of the town. He has been tax collector and trustee of the 
village, and ranks high among the Masonic and benevolent and social fraternities. 

Wiswall, Eben S. — This is one of the oldest families in the vicinity. Mr. Wis- 
wall's paternal grandfather came from Newton, Mass., about the first of the present 
century, and settled in Troy, engaging in general store business; in this connection 
it is remembered he put in the first soda fountain known here. He afterward owned 
a share of the ferry to West Troy, at a period when the boats were operated by 
horse power, subsequently purchasing an interest in the other two ferries. The 
lower ferries were at that time propelled by means of long poles. Mr. Wiswall was 
born in the house which he now occupies, August 19, 1846. The old mansion occu- 
pies a commanding eminence overlooking Troy, and is called "Hillside." It was 
also the home of his father, Ebenezer Wiswall, who was born at Newtown, Mass., 
in 1818 Most of the land surrounding the old home and comprising the original 
Wiswall farm lies within the present corporate limits of West Troy. Mr. Wiswall 
was liberally educated at various Massachusetts institutions, and subsequently en- 
gaged in farming. In ISS.") he took up the manufacture of brick on a large scale, and 
now employs thirty men in that industry. 

Wiswall, Charles E., was born in West Troy, N. Y., December 13, 1884, and has 
always lived here, except when his business affairs necessitate his extended absence 
He is engaged in steam dredging, and is now operating in the Hudson toward Al 
bany. Elsewhere in the work may be found details, not only concerning his ances 
tors on the Wiswall side, but also of his mother's family, that of Edward Learned 
Hoth were very early identified with West Troy and its growth and settlement, ant 
perhaps of equal prominence in the early annals of the locality. 

Durant, Fayette B., was born as Pittsford, Vt., in 1848, and was educated in the 
grammar and high schools of Troy. He has been associated with James Roy & Co., 
of Watervliet Mills, since 1875. Previous to that time he had engaged in the insur- 
ance and real estate business, having resigned in 1873 from a position as teller in the 
National Bank, at West Troy, where he had been employed for eight years. He 
was also for three years in the Central Bank at Troy, where his father, William C. 
Durant, carae in 1855. He is a foundryman and in 1858 engaged in that business at 
West Troy, where he is still located. 

Arnold, jr.. Major Isaac (Ordnance Department), was born in Connecticut and 
graduated from the Military Academy, June 17, 1862. He was promoted .second 
lieutenant of the Second Artillery the same date and was assigned to Battery F. 
He joined Battery K, Fourth Artillery, at Harrison's Landing, Virginia, and served 
with the same in the Third Corps, Army of the Potomac, until after the battle of 
Chancellorsville, and was present at the following engagements: Second Malvern 
Hill, Chantilly, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville, and was wounded at the latter 
place. He was transferred to the Ordnance Corps. April 27, 1863; he served at 
Washington Arsenal, District of Columbia, until about January 1, 1864, when he was 
transferred to St. Louis Arsenal, Missouri. From that point he was detached in the 
spring of 1864 and sent to Springfield. 111., to arm the one-hundred-day men. After 
three or four months he was relieved from that duty and ordered to Hilton Head, 
South Carolina, where he served as chief ordnance officer of the Department of the 



157 

South until the close of the war. Lieutenant Arnold served a short time as assistant 
at AUeghenj' Arsenal, Pennsylvania, and was then assigned to the command of the 
San Antonio Arsenal, Texas, and chief ordnance officer of the Department of Texas; 
was promoted captain of ordnance March 7, 1867. From Texas he was ordered to 
Springfield Armory, Massachusetts, as an assistant, and moved from there to Alle- 
gheny Arsenal. Pennsylvania. He then took six months' leaveof absence, on expiration . 
of which he was ordered to Benicia Arsenal, California ; he was ordered to Indian- 
apolis Arsenal in 1878 where he remained over eight years (whilst in command of 
the Indianapolis he was complimented in orders by Major-General Hancock, com- 
manding Department of the Atlantic, for services rendered in the suppression of 
civil disturbances following the strike of railroad employees in 1877). He was pro- 
moted major of ordnance. May 29, 1879, and was then sent to command San Antonio 
Arsenal, Texas, and was chief ordnance officer. Department of Texas per S. O. 236 
and 261, respectively, H. Q. A. 1883, remaining there four years; he was then sent 
to Fort Monroe Arsenal, Virginia, per S. O. 223, H. Q. A. 1887, where he was sta- 
tioned for two years, and then assumed command of Columbia Arsenal, December 
1, 1889, per S. O. 272, H. Q. A. 1889, and superintended the completion of the build- 
ings constructed at that post; member of board for the purpose of considering and 
reporting upon the subject of field and siege carriages, &c., per S. O. 108 of May 7, 
1892; was relieved from command December 14, 1892, and assumed command of the 
Watervliet Arsenal, New York, December 19, 1892, per S. O. 290 of December 12, 

1892, where he is at present. Now president of board for testing rifled cannon, per 
S. O. 119 of May 26, 1893. 

Mayell, James H., son of Henry and Elizabeth (Northrop) Mayell, was born Feb- 
ruary 5, 1856, in Albany, where his father settled about 1834. His mother died in 

1893. Henry Mayell, a native of New York city, engaged in business in Albany as 
a dealer in rubber goods March 1, 18.53, on the corner of State street and Broadway, 
where it has ever since continued. He gradually developed a large wholesale trade 
in connection with his retail establishment, and in 1880 admitted his son, James H., 
as a partner under the firm name of Henry Mayell & Son. Upon the father's death 
in August, 1890, the son succeeded to the business. Henry Mayell was vice presi- 
dent of the Albany City Savings Institution. James H. was educated in public 
school No. 8 and since the age of nine years has been connected with the store 
founded by his father. For two years he was police commissioner under Mayor 
Manning. He married Miss Jennie B. Brooksby, in September, 1894. 

Pratt, Aaron B., son of Silas and Lydia (Goodell) Pratt, was born in the town of 
Lawrence, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., January 31, 1833. He was educated in the 
common schools and was graduated from the State Normal School at Albany in 1853. 
He taught school for one year and then studied law in the office of S. F. Higgins and 
Robert H. Wells, of Albany. Mr. Pratt was admitted to the bar in 1854 and has 
since been practicing in Albany. In 1895 he formed a partnership with E. W. San- 
ford, the firm being Pratt & Sanford. Mr. Pratt is an honorary member of the Cal- 
edonians and a life member of the Young Men's Association ; also a member of the 
New York State Bar Association. In 1869 he was supervisor of the Third ward of 
Albany, and in 1881 was a member of the New York State Assembly from the city 
district of Albany. In 1857 he married Jane C. McEntee, whose son, Colonel Charles 
S. McEntee, performed such gallant service in the Rebellion. 



158 

Tebbutt, Marshall, was born in Bedford, England, January 20. 1820, came to 
America in 1852 and settled in Albany and died there April 14, 1885. He engaged 
in the undertaking business with a partner, under the firm name of of Tebbutt & 
Vail. This firm was succeeded in 1866 by Tebbutt & Morange and in 1870 Mr. 
Tebbutt became their successor ; afterwards he admitted his sons, Marshall W. and 
Harry K., who, since their father's death, have continued the business under the 
style of M. Tebbutt's Sons. Mr. Tebbutt was a supervisor from the Seventh ward 
and was well and favorably known by a large number of Albany's citizens. His 
worth as a citizen was recognized and appreciated. He was one of the deacons of 
the Emanuel Baptist church. Marshall W. Tebbutt is a member of the Masonic 
order, being a 32d degree Mason and Knight Templar; he is also treasurer of De 
Witt Chnton Council No. 22, and a member of Cypress Temple, Mystic Shrine. He 
was married October 18, 1881, to Elizabeth Greene, of Brooklyn, N. Y. ; they have 
three children living. Harry K. Tebbutt is also a Mason, and married Jennie Sims 
of Albany ; he has five children. 

Ten Eyck, Jacob L., was born in Albany, N. Y., July 8, 1864. When four years 
of age he went to live with an uncle, after whom he was named, on the old family 
homestead. His education was recived at a country district school and the public 
schools of Albany. After eighteen months in Albany High School, he went to the 
lumber district as tally boy for a firm, and remained one season. He then entered 
the employ of T. P. Crook & Co., provision dealers, as assistant bookkeeper, where 
he remained three years. While there he helped organize the Young Men's Demo- 
cratic Club. He then began the study of law in the office of Messrs. Chase & Dele- 
hanty. and while a student was appointed agent of the Barber Asphalt Paving Com- 
pany. Through his energies Albany adopted the asphalt pavement. He attended 
the Albany Law School but was admitted to the bar before graduating. He formed 
a partnership with his brother-in-law, William S. Dyer, which still exists under the 
firm name of Dyer & Ten Eyck, one of the leading firms of Albany. During the 
session of 1895 Mr. Ten Eyck represented the Third assembly district of Albany 
county m the New York State Legislature. 

Sabin, W. B., M. D., was born in 1862, and was a son of Dr. Robert H. Sabin, a 
well known physician who practiced here for thirty years, previous to his death 
seven years ago at the age of fifty-six. Dr. Sabin in his chosen profession not only 
follows that of his father, but also that of his great-grandfather, who was a noted 
physician of Rockingham, Vt. He began practice in 1882, after graduating from 
the Albany Medical College and taking a course at New York Post-graduate School. 
He makes a specialty of the diseases of the eye and the ear, and was at one time 
associated with Dr. Merrill of Albany, the celebrated specialist. Dr. Sabin is well 
known in both political and social circles, and is at present one of the .school com- 
missioners of West Troy. He is a Mason of the 32d degree and is past master of 
Evening Star Lodge No. 75, of which he is treasurer. He is also a member of the 
Albany County Medical Society and of the New York State Medical Association. 
October 4, 1888, he married Miss Emma L. Dixon of Philadelphia, Pa. ; they have 
one daughter named Edith. 

Merrill, Cyrus Strong. M. D., son of Edward Henry and Sarah Wilson (Strong) 
Merrill, was born in Bridport, Vt., September 21, 1847, received his preparatory 



I 



159 

education under private tutelage and at Newton Academy, spent one year at Middle- 
bury College, and was graduated with honor from Amherst College in 1867. In 1871 
he was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city 
and soon afterward became resident surgeon to the Brooklyn Eye and Ear Hospital, 
where he remained a little over a year. In 1872 he went to Europe and spent two 
years yi Paris, London, Zurich, Vienna and Heidelberg, preparing himself for his 
specialty, that of oculist and aurist. Returning in 1874 he settled m Albany, where 
he has since resided and successfully practiced his profession, and where he was at 
once appointed ophthalmic and aural surgeon to St. Peter's Hospital. Later he occu- 
pied a similar position in the Child's Hospital and subsequently took charge of the 
eye and ear department of the Troy Hospital. In 1876 he was chosen professor of 
diseases of the eye and ear in the Albany Medical College and the medical depart- 
ment of XTnion College, and ophthalmic and aural surgeon to the Albany Hospital, 
which positions he has since held. He has frequently contributed valuable papers 
to current medical literature, and has a wide reputation in his profession. In 1875 
he married Mary E., only child of Hon. Stephen Griffin, 2d, a prominent lumber 
dealer in Warrensburg, N Y. 

Stevens, George H., son of George and Margaret (Browne) Stevens, was born m 
Albany September 28, 1850, and attended school No. 8 and the Boys' Academy. In 
1868 he entered Rutgers College and was graduated with high honors in 1872, de- 
livering the valedictory. He read law in the office of Hon. Amasa J. Parker for 
one year and was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1874, being one of the 
commencement orators. The same year he w-as admitted to the bar in Albany. In 
November. 1874. he was appointed by John M. Bailey assistant district attorney, an 
office he held for three years. For about five years he was a member of the Exam- 
ining Board of the Third Judicial Department, being appointed by the Supreme 
Court. Being a staunch Republican he was elected alderman of the Fourteenth 
ward in the spring of 1892 and re-elected in 1894, and was noted in the Common 
Council for his hard work for economy, honesty, and good government. He is a 
member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Fort Orange Club, and the 
Empire Curling Club, and from 1876 to 1892 was president of the Capital City Club. 
He was also for several years a director of the Ridgefield Athletic Club. In 1880 he 
married Mary Hand Ogden, daughter of Edward Ogden of Albany, and they have 
one son, Ogden Stevens, born July 30, 1882. 

Allanson, James E., is a grandson of Peter AUanson, sr., a carpenter and a native 
of Leeds, England, who settled in Albany and died here. Peter Allanson, jr., father 
of James E., was born in Albany, in 1811, was also a carpenter and builder and died 
here in 1880. He married Jane Easterly. James E., born in Albany, October 23, 
1846, was educated in School No. 8, learned the trade of carpenter and was asso- 
ciated with his father until the latter's death. In 1880 he engaged in the insurance 
business and was secretary of the New York State Relief Association during its ex- 
istence. In December, 1888, he organized the Permanent Savings and Loan Asso- 
ciation and has since been the secretary and manager. This association represents 
$125,000 assets, has paid off about §80,000 matured stock and has experienced a steady 
growth. Its stock matures in about seven years. Mr. Allanson is a member of 
Mount Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., of which he is past master. Temple Chap- 



160 

ter No. 5, R. A. M., of which he is past high priest, De Witt Clinton Council No. 23, 
R. & S. M., of which he has been recorder since 1872 and is the present incumbent, 
Temple Coramandery No 2, K. T., past commander, Cyprus Temple N. O. M. S., 
past chief rabbin, and the Acacia Club, and was one of the incorporators and first 
secretary of the Masonic Hall Association. He was supervisor of the Fifth ward in 
18T4. In 1879 he married Susan J. Hewson, who died in March, 1881, leaving one 
son, James E. , jr. He married second, in October, 1884, Mary C. Hitchcock, who 
died in 1886, leaving a daughter, Harriet A. 

Brady, John J., son of John and Ann (Farley) Brady, natives of County Cavan, 
Ireland, was born in Albany on the 16th of January, 1870. He attended St. Joseph's 
Parochial School and was graduated from the Christian Brothers' Academy in 1884 
and from Manhattan College in 1888, taking the degree of A. B. The latter institu- 
tion conferred upon him the degree of M. A. in 1892. After leaving college he spent 
one year in Ireland and in 1890 entered the law ofKce of Judge John W. Walsh and 
George T. Kelly. He was admitted to the bar by the General Term of the Su- 
preme Court in February, 1893, and at once opened a law office with Judge Walsh 
and Mr. Kelly. Mr. Brady is a ready speaker and good debater, a devoted and 
constant worker for the societies of which he is a member, and in 1894 was unani- 
mously elected national secretary and treasurer of the Catholic Young Men's National 
Union of America, which is composed of the various Catholic clubs throughout the 
country. This office he still holds, being re-elected in 1895. He is a trustee of the 
Catholic Union of Albany, a member and ex-president of Cor Jesu Council No. 84, 
C. B. L., ex-president of the Sacred Heart Sodality, a rr.ember of the alumni socie- 
ties of Manhattan College and the Christian Brothers' Academj', and a member of 
the Knights of Columbus. In the fall of 1895 he was elected on the Democratic 
ticket alderman of the Ninth ward, and is leader of the Democratic majority in the 
Board of Aldermen. 

Eaton, Calvin W., descended from one of the oldest families of New England (see 
sketch of James W. Eaton), is a son of James W. Eaton, and was born in Albany, 
July 26, 1842. He was educated at the Boys' Academy and became a clerk m the 
old Union Bank, where he rose to the position of teller. In 1871 he engaged in the 
wholesale lumber business as a member of the firm of Van Santford & Eaton, and 
thus continued until 1886, when he removed to Utica and carried on the same busi- 
ness for four years. Returning to Albany in 1890 he has been engaged in the real 
estate and the insurance business. He is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member 
of the Masonic bodies of Albany, is past master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., 
and is treasurer of the Lodge of Perfection and also Sovereign Consistory. He is 
treasurer of the Acacia Club, a member of the Albany Camera Club and other Albany 
clubs, and was quartermaster of the 10th Regt. N. G. N. Y. under General Parker. 
October 13, 1864, he married Anna F.. daughter of Amos P. Palmer of Albany, and 
their children are Mary E., Alice I., James P., and Edward De L. 

Walker, Edward, is one of the leading manufacturers of the city of Cohoes, and 
has been a resident of this city since 1857, where he first held a position as overseer 
of the spinning department in Harmony Mills. In 1875 he engaged in the business 
with David Williams, under the firm name of Walker & Williams. As a manufac- 
turer of cotton batting he has been located at the present factory, corner of Rensse- 



I 



161 

laer and Courtland streets, since 1891. Mr. Walker in his busy life has little time to 
devote to political matters, yet he has served five terms as alderman and is] now a 
member of the Board of Health. He is of New England ancestry, and his mother 
was a native of this State. He is a native of Delaware county, born in 1831, and is a 
son of Horace Walker, also & native of that county and a lumberman on the Dela- 
ware River in early life. Mr. Walker's early manhood was spent at his birthplace. 
New Berlin and Utica. He is the father of one son and five daughters. ;, He is a 
member of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M., and of Cohoes Chapter R. A. M. 

Ball, Dr. Ogilvie D., son of Joseph S. and Freelove (Mitchell) Ball, was born at 
Schuyler's Lake, Otsego county, February 4, 1840, was graduated from Hartvs'ick 
Seminary in 1858 and then entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New 
York city, where he remained one year. In November, 1861, he entered the U. S. 
volunteer service as medical cadet, attached the 3d N. Y. Light Artillery, and in 
1864 was transferred to the line of the same regiment, becoming regimental quarter- 
master; later he served in various capacities, being assistant adjutant-general of 
North Carolina, and was mustered out in August, 1865, with the rank of first lieu- 
tenant. Returning home he re-entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons and 
graduated therefrom as M. D. in 1867. He began the practice of medicine at 
Schenevus, Otsego county, and served as county coroner for three years. He was a 
member and for one year president of the Otsego County Medical Society. In 1874 
he came to Albany, where he has since resided. He joined the Albany County 
Medical Society in 1874 and has been its censor, vice-president and president. He 
is a member of the New York State Medical Society and a member and past master 
of Schenevus Valley Lodge No. 592, F. & A. M. ; he was also for several years con- 
nected with the Albany Medical College as demonstrator of and adjunct lecturer on 
anatomy. In 1871 he married Addie Van Derzee. of Trumansburg, N. Y., and they 
have one daughter, Fannie D. Dr. Ball received the honorary degree of A. M. from 
Union College in 1376. 

Barker, James F. , M. D. , son of William and Catherine Barker, was born in Sche- 
nectady, N. Y., July 1, 1851, was graduated from Union College as A. B. in 1874 and 
as A. M. in 1877, read medicine with Dr. James H. Armsby, of Albany, and graduated 
from the Albany Medical College in 1877 under the degree of M. D. He began the 
practice of his profession in Albany the same year in partnership with Dr. Armsby, 
and since 1879 has continued alone. Dr. Barker is a member and ex-vice-presidentof 
the Albany County Medical Society, a member of the New York State Medical Society, 
a member and senior warden of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., a member of Capi- 
tal City Chapter, R. A. M., Temple Commandery, K. T., and the Scottish Rites 
bodies, a 32d degree Mason; also a member of Cypress Temple, Nobles Mystic 
Shrine ; he is also a member of the Albany Unconditional Club, the Albany Club, 
and the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, through his great-great-grandfather, 
Lieut. Walter Switz, on his mother's side. In 1887 he married Miss May E. Evans, of 
Albany. 

Cooper. John L., Dr., son of Jacob L. and Mary J. (Core) Cooper, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., March 17, 1857. He was graduated from the Philadelphia High 
School in 1874, attended Pierce's Business College and the medical department of 



162 

the University of Pennsylvania, graduating from the latter in 1877, with the degree 
of M. D. He was resident physician in the Philadelphia Hospital for a short time 
after graduation and practiced in Philadelphia until 1880, when he came to Albany, 
where he has since resided. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, 
Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 243, R. A. M., De Witt 
Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., Cypress 
Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. November 3, 1880, he married Anna, daugh- 
ter of MatheWjWallace of Albany, and they have two children: John L. and Eliza- 
beth W. 

Dyer, Zeb A., is a son of David S. , a grandson of Bradbury, and a great-grandson 
or James Dyer, an Albany county farmer and a Revolutionary soldier. His mother 
was Louisa Bell. The family were early settlers of Berne, Albany county, where 
Zeb A. Dyer was born December 1, 1860. He received a common school education 
in that town and in Albany, learned the trade of cigarmaker and was graduated 
from the Albany State Normal School m 1882. He then taught school in Berne and 
Guilderland and meantime read law in Albany with John B. O'Malley, and was 
graduated from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1885. He at 
once began active practice in the office of Isben Hess, then collector of internal 
revenue, and in May, 1893, formed a copartnership with Henry S. McCall, which 
still continues. He is a leading Democrat, a member of the Democratic General 
County Committee and has been a delegate to several political conventions, includ- 
ing the judicial convention of 1891 which nominated Hon. D. Cady Herrick for jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge, Temple Chap- 
ter and De Witt Clinton Council of Masons; past noble grand of Friendly Union 
Lodge No. 381, 1. O. O. F., of Slingerlands; a member of New York Encampment, 
I. O. O. F., and of the Albany Press and Acacia Clubs; and a charter member of the 
Albany Club. In 1889 he married Jessie L., daughter of John R. Adams, of Delraar, 
Albany county, and they have one son, John Adams Dyer. 

Ecker, Jerome W. , de.scends from one of the early families of the Schoharie valley, 
one of whom was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war. David Ecker, his father, 
born in Berne, Albany county, in 1815, was a farmer and died March 17, 1896. His 
wife, Mary E., daughter of Adam Saddlemire, al.so born in 1815, died in February, 
1892. One of their sons. Miner, enlisted in the 62d N. Y. Vols., and died from dis- 
ease contracted in the service. Jerome W. Ecker. born in Knox, Albany county, 
July 21, 1847, was educated at the Knox Academy, the Albany State Normal School 
and the Fort Edward Institute and was graduated from the Albany Law School and 
admitted to the bar in February, 1872. He afterward continued his legal studies 
with Hungerford & Hotaling and since 1877 has been in the active practice of his 
profession. In October, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 172d N. Y. Vols., under Capt. 
Morgan L. Filkins, and served ten months, participating in the siege of Port Hud- 
son and the two expeditions to the Amite River. He is past officer in the subordi- 
nate lodge and encampment of I. O. O. F., member of the Grand Lodge and the 
daughters of Rebekah, member of Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. of P., Albany Divi- 
sion No. 2. Uniformed Rank, K. of P., the Grand Lodge of this order since 1888, 
and Lewis O. Morris Post No. 121, G. A. R. June 12, 1872, he married Charlotte 
ter of Jacob Kniskern of Knox, and they have had six children : Nellie G. , 



Frederick (died aged nine months), George W. (a student at Rutgers College, class 
of 1899), Edward, Howard J. and Eva (deceased). 

Greene, Dr. Frederick R., son of Warren S. and Celia (Randall) Greene, was born 
June 8, 1863, in Petersburgh, N. Y. He was educated at the district school in Peters- 
burgh and at Hoosick Falls Academy, and after reading medicine one year with- 
Dv. L. B. Newton, of North Bennington, Vt., entered the Albany Medical College in 
the fall of 1881, graduating in 1884 with the degree of M. D. He practiced in Peters- 
burgh, N. Y., for a year and a half, and in the fall of 1885 located in Albany, where 
he is now practicing. Dr. Greene is a member of the Acacia Club, Ancient City 
Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Mountaineer Lodge, I. O. O. F., New York Encamp- 
ment No. 1, K. P., and the Albany County Medical Society. October 6, 1886, he 
married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas R. Blackburn, of Albany, and they have one 
son, Frederick R., jr. 

Hendnck, James, is the son of a Dutch merchant in the West India trade and on 
his mother's side is of English descent. He was born in Walsall, England October 
10, 1825, was brought to America when five years old, and received a private school 
education in New York city. He read law in Albany and was admitted to the bar 
in 1852, but in 1853 became a local insurance agent here, and m 1859 was appointed 
general agent of the Liverpool & London Insurance Company, which absorbed the 
Globe Insurance Company in 1864. Mr. Hendrick was general superintendent of 
the Inland Navigation Department of the Mercantile Marine Insurance Company 
from 1861 to 1876 and of the same department of the Orient Mutual from 1867 to 1886. 
He was president of the board of Lake Underwriters, vice-president of the Atlantic 
Mutual Life of Albany in 1868, president of the Albany City Fire Insurance Company 
in 1868; has been connected with many industrial, mining and transportation enter- 
prises as president or trustee; was associated with J. H. Ramsay, J. Pierrepont 
Morgan and others in the celebrated railroad war between Fisk and Gould of the 
Erie and the directors of the Albany and Susquehanna Railroads in 1867; was en- 
gineer and inspector of the Third Division, New York State Militia, from 1853 to 
1860; and was a member of the State Board of Charities under Governor Seymour. 
Has also served as president of the Board of Trade of Albany. Latterly he has con- 
fined his attention chiefly to his local insurance agency and to his extensive dairy 
farm and nurseries at Fort Grove, near Albany. 

Hungerford, Sidney A., is a member of an old Berne, Albany county, family, the 
first of whom was John, who came from Connecticut. His father, Alexander Hun- 
gerford, was born there December 23, 1823, and in 1870 removed to the foot of the 
Indian Ladder road, in Guilderland, where he still resides. He had twelve children ; 
Daniel, John V. S., Eleanor C. (.Mrs. Isaac B. McNary), Morgan (deceased), Lewis A., 
Barbara (Mrs. Peter F. Barkhuft), Myron, Sidney A., Isaac, Mary E. (Mrs. Jacob M. 
Chesbro), Chester and Ira. Sidney A. Hungerford, born in Berne, June 11, 1858, 
attended the district school, also the old State Normal of Albany, read law with John 
Folmsbee and later with Hungerford & Hotaling, of Albany, and was admitted to 
the bar November 23, 1883. Since 1884 he has been engaged in the active practice 
of his profession, having an office at No. 50 State street. He is an active Democrat, 
a member of Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. P., and the K. O. T. M., and councillor 



164 

of Capital Council, Order of the Chosen Friends. October 28, 1885, he married Eva 
A., daughter of John Furback, of New Scotland. 

Jones, James, is the eldest son of William Jones, born of Welsh parentage in 1816, 
who came from England to America about 1832 and soon afterward settled in Al- 
bany, where he died in September, 1889, having long been engaged in the cooperage 
business. Mr. Jones's mother, Ellen Cahill, of Irish descent, died in 1861, leaving 
six children. Mr. Jones was born in Albany, July 4, 1839. He received a public 
school education and while yet a youth became a clerk in the shoe store of George 
A. Woolverton & Co. In 18T3 he acquired a partnership in the firm and in 1883 suc- 
ceeded to the old firm and has successfully conducted the business alone, carrying 
on a large w^holesale trade at 330 Broadway. July 29, 1875, he married Catherine, 
daughter of James Dolan of Albany, and their children are James W. and Mary 
T. M. 

La Rose, Anthime Watson, son of Anthime F. and Kate (Kappes) La Rose, of 
French descent, was born December 6, 1865, in Albany, where his father settled 
about 1858, coming from Canada. The latter started with his brother Peter the first 
steamboat (freight) line between Albany and Troy. Mr. La Rose was educated at 
the Albany Academy and in 1883 engaged in the manufacturing business with his 
father. He was graduated from the Institute of Technology at Boston m 1888 and 
then spent a year each with Ogden & Wright, architects, and Sullivan & Ehlers, 
contractors, of Albany, receiving with the latter practical experience in iron con- 
struction. January 1, 1890, he opened his present architectural office. Among the 
many structures designed by him are several fine residences and manufacturing 
plants and the brew house for the Dobler Brewing Company, recognized as one of 
the best of its kind in the State. October 16, 1883, he enlisted in Co. D, 10th Bat., 
N. G. N. Y., was promoted first sergeant October 20, second lieutenant July 10, 1884, 
and first lieutenant May 30, 1888, and resigned January 19, 1892. September 20, 

1892, he was appointed assistant inspector-general with rank of major, which posi- 
tion he still holds. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., 
Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., the Albany Press and Camera Club and the New 
Manhattan Athletic and United Service Clubs of New York city, and an honorary 
member of Delta Chapter of the Theta Xi fraternity. 

Michel, Fred G., M.D.S., son of Dr. Frederick W. and Saloma (Bergman) Michel, 
was born in Boonville, N. Y., July 16, 1851, and was educated in the public schools 
of Utica, where the family settled about 1855. He first learned the trade of manu- 
facturing jeweler with Jeremiah Gumph of Utica. March 8, 1871, he came to Al- 
bany and entered the employ of H. G. Gumph. manufacturer of fine tools, with 
whom he remained until 1883. He then began the study of dentistry with Dr. S. W. 
Whitney, and in 1889 associated himself with Dr. H. L. Whitbeck. In 1893 he re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. S., from the State Board of Examiners and in April, 

1893, began the practice of dentistry alone. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge 
No. 417, F. & A. M., a charter member of William Macy Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F., 
and was a charter member and is past chancellor of Flower Lodge No. 336, K. P., 
and was a charter member and is now commander of Albany Tent No. 363, K. O. 
T. M. In 1873 he married Charity, daughter of Alanson Hitchman, of Howe's Cave, 



N. Y., and they have had two children: Emily and George C, both deceased. Dr. 
Michel is treasurer and trustee of All Souls Universalist church. 

Smith, Dr. Charles H., was born on Madison avenue in Albany, July 14, 1830, and 
is a son of John and Sarah (Capron) Smith, natives of New England, who came here 
about 1810. John was a gardener and died about 1842; his wife died in 1881. Dr. 
Smith read medicine with Dr. Richard H. Thompson (later health officer of the port 
of New York) and was graduated from the Albany Medical College in 1854. Soon 
afterward he was appointed resident physician to the Albany County Alms House, 
where he had charge of the cholera patients during that memorable year. The last 
case in the institution was his own. After recovering he obtained through Dr. 
Thompson an appointment as physician and surgeon on Marshall O. Roberts' steam- 
ship line from New York to Havana, New Orleans and Aspinwall. He continued in 
this capacity for four years, acquiring a large experience in the treatment of yellow 
and other southern fevers, and returning to Albany in 1859 he has since practiced 
his profession. In 1864 and 1865 he was acting assistant surgeon in the Ira Harris 
U. S. General Hospital, located at the old barracks in Albany county. In 1859 he 
opened a drug store, which he has since continued, and which has been located at 
246 Washington avenue since 1866. Dr. Smith has been a member of the Albany 
County Medical Society since about 1855, was president of the Albany County Phar- 
maceutical Association at one time, has served in the old volunteer fire department, 
and in Co. F, 10th Battalion, N. Y. N. G., was supervisor of Thirteenth ward for six 
terms, and was president of the Albany Busine.ss Men's Association for one year. 
He is now serving his third year as a member of the Albany Board of Health. In 
1867 he married Lucy, daughter of John Blair of Albany, and they have four chil- 
dren: Dr. James E., a graduate of the Albany Academy and the Albany Medical 
College, inspector of rifle practice in the Tenth Battalion, and a practicing physician 
with his father; Lucy E., a graduate of the Albany Female Academy, the Albany 
State Normal College, and the Woman's College of Baltimore. Md. ; Charles H., jr., 
a student of pharmacy associated with his father: and Charlotta J., a student at the 
Woman's College of Baltimore. 

Toedt, Emanuel B., son of John C, was born in New York city, October 22, 1857, 
and was prepared for college, but in 1873 entered the New York office of Fairbanks 
& Co., where he remained eight years. He has ever since been connected with this 
well-known firm, rising from the humblest to a high post in their employ. In 18X0 
he came to Albany to take charge of their books and in 1882 was made manager of 
this branch, which position he still holds. The business of the Albany house was 
comparatively small when Mr. Toedt assumed charge, but he has successfully in- 
creased it eightfold. Since 1890 it has been conducted under the name of the Fair- 
banks Company, incorporated. This is the largest scale and mill, factory and rail- 
road supply business in this section of the State, and its growth and prosperity are 
largely due to Mr. Toedt's able management. He is a member of the Fort Orange 
Club and an associate member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers. In 
February, 1889. he married Miss Lucy, daughter of Samuel M. Yan Santvoord of 
Albany, and they have one daughter, Marian Van Santvoord Toedt. 

Whitbeck, Theodore H., D. D. S., of Holland Dutch descent, is a member of an 
early Coeymans, Albany county, family, the first of whom was Thomas Whitbeck 



166 

and his son John T. Thomas, son of John T., married Rachel A. Garrett and they 
were the parents of Dr. Whitbeck, who was born near Coeymans. March 31, 1869. 
The latter was educated in the public schools and under private tutelage, studied 
dentistry with his brother, Dr. Henry L. of Albany, and received the degree of 
D. D. S, from the dental department of^ the University of Pennsylvania in 1891. 
Since then he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession in Albany. 
He is a member of the Third District Dental Society and of the Albany Press Club. 
He is also a knight of the Essenic order. 

Walker, John M., descends from the Walker and Burt families, early settlers of 
New England, son of Samuel and Mary (Burt) Walker, born m Springfield, Mass., 
June 27, 1838. He was educated at the Springfield Academy and in April, 1861, en- 
listed on the first call for troops, in Co. F, 2d Conn. Vols., for three months. He 
continued in the service until the war closed as United States inspector of contract 
arms, under the War Department, and in 1865 became a traveling salesman for 
Milton, Bradley & Co., publishers, of Springfield, Mass., with whom he remained 
until January, 1874, when he came to Albany. In November, 1875, he founded the 
present business of the Hudson Valley Paper Company, and in 1876 Andrew B. 
Jones became his partner. They do an extensive wholesale business in paper, sta- 
tionery and printers' supplies. Mr. Walker is a Republican and a member of George 
Dawson Post No. 63, G. A. R. In January, 1879, he married Lucy P., daughter of 
Charles C. Russ of Albany. 

Balch, Lewis, M. D., Ph. D., of English and French ancestry, and eldest son of 
Rev. Lewis P. W. Balch, D. D., and Anna Jay, was born in New York city July 7, 
1847. His father, born in Leesburg, Va., in 1810, died in Detroit, Mich., while rector 
of Grace Episcopal church, in 1874, was for three years a cadet at West Point, was 
educated at Princeton College, and for fifteen years was secretary of the House of 
Bishops of the United States. His grandfather, Hon. Lewis P. W. Balch, of Lee- 
town, Va., was a volunteer at Fort McHenry in the war of 1812, and afterward a 
United States judge, and was the son of Rev. Stephen Bloomer Balch, born in 1740, 
a graduate of Princeton College in 1774, pastor of a church at Georgetown, D. C, 
and died in 1833. Dr. Balch's mother was a daughter of Hon. William Jay, the 
second son of John Jay, and a judge of Westchester county, N. Y., one of the founders 
of the American Bible Society, and a prominent anti-slavery advocate and died 
October 14, 1858. John Jay was the first chief justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, 
governor and chief justice of New York, minister to Spain, and a celebrated factor 
in national histor)-. Dr. Balch was educated at the Maryland Institute in Baltimore, 
the Berkely Institute in Newport, R. I., the Vermont Episcopal Institute in Burling- 
ton, and the medical department of McGill University at Montreal. He was grad- 
uated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city in March, 1870, 
served at different times in the Montreal General Hospital, the old New York Ho.s- 
pital on Broadway, the Children's Hospital on Ward's Island, and the Brooklyn City 
Hospital, and began practice in New York, where he was appointed attending sur- 
geon to the Northern Dispensary. In 1873 he came to Albany, where he has since 
resided and practiced medicine. He has been attending surgeon to St. Peter's Hos- 
pital and the Albany City Hospital and surgeon to the Child's Hospital and the Hom- 
oeopathic Hospital. In 1876, on the reorganization of the Albany Medical College, 



I 
I 



167 

he was appointed professor of anatomy in that institution. He was appointed by 
Hon. A. B. Banks a district physician, city physician, and health officer of Albany, 
and became secretary of the State Board of Health in 1886. Soon afterhis gradua- 
tion he entered service in the National Guard and was promoted to the post of sur- 
geon. In 1870 he married Miss Jane B. Swann, a niece of Governor Swann, of 
Maryland, and they have one son, born in 1872. 

Cook, Hon. John T., was born in Albany, February 22, 1854, and is the eldest 
child of John and Martha Cook. His father, a native of Boston, Lincolnshire, Eng- 
land, came to this country and settled in Albany in 1848. John T. Cook was edu- 
cated at the public schools of his native city and in the autumn of 1868 entered the 
"Albany Free Academy, ' now Albany High School, where he remained about a 
year. After learning a trade he, in 1876, entered the office of Smith, Bancroft & 
Moak as a clerk and student at law and prosecuted his studies until 1879, when he 
was admitted to the bar at the January term of the Supreme Court. He remained 
with Smith, Moak & Buchanan, the survivors of the old firm, until the spnng of 
1884, when he established an office for the general practice of his profession. He 
has edited the "Eastern Reporter" and " English Reports," and in connection with 
Irving Browne, then editor of the Albany Law Jouraal, he engaged in preparing 
Weed, Parsons & Co's. edition of the reprint of the 'New York Court of Appeals Re- 
ports, which is still under his charge. His annotated edition of the Penal Code and 
the Code of Criminal Procedure of New York State is held in high estimation by the 
legal profession. The Albany Law Journal says: " Mr. Cook is one of the most ex- 
perienced, industrious, and capable law editors in this country and in these two vol- 
umes gives admirable evidence of comprehensive research and accurate discrimina- 
tion." He has a choice library containing 2,000 volumes, besides a select private 
collection of books on general literature. Mr. Cook is the present assistant district 
attorney of Albany county, and in 1894 represented the Se\'enteenth ward in the 
Common Council of 1894-96. 

Eaton, James Webster, son of James W. Eaton, was born in Albany, May 14, 1836. 
His lineage is traced to John and Anne Eaton, who in 1634 settled in Salisbury and 
afterward in Haverhill, Mass., where the family lived for several generations. John 
Eaton was a soldier in the settlement of Haverhill. Ebenezer Eaton, the great- 
grandfather of James Webster Eaton, served in the Revolutionary war under his 
brother, Capt. Timothy Eaton. James W. Eaton was graduated from the Albany 
Boys' Academy in 1875 and from Yale University in 1879; in the latter year he be- 
gan the study of law in Columbia Law School, which he left in May, 1880, to become 
professor of Latin in the Albany Boys' Academy, which position he held until his 
admission to the bar in 1882. In 1883 Mr. Eaton formed a copartnership with George 
W. Kirchwey, a former Yale classmate, which continued until July, 1891. In the 
following autumn he was nominated by the Democrats and elected district attorney 
of Albany county and held that office until January 1, 1895. He has been instructor 
in the department of evidence and contracts of the Albany Law School for some 
years, and is engaged in active practice at the bar of his native city. As a lawyer 
he is strong in argument, candid and successful; he is strong at nisi prius, still 
stronger before the court in banc. It is said that in some respects his characteristics 
resemble those of the late Judge Ambrose Spencer. He is a member of Masters 



168 

Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the Fort Orange Club and other organizations of Albany. 
July 18, 1894, he married Mrs. Hortense Willey Vibbard, of Dansville, N. Y. 

Andrae, M., treasurer and manager of the American Soap and Washoline Com- 
pany, was born in 1846 in Germany and came to this country in 1856, and took up 
his residence in Cohoes and after a short time went to Canada. He returned to 
Cohoes in 1860, and in 1861 enlisted in Co. D, 88th N. Y. Vols. Throughout 
McClellan's campaign he braved the hard.ships and privations of a soldier's life, and 
then served aboard the United Stales Ironclad Roanoke. After leaving the gunboat 
he was honorably discharged in April, 1864. The next September he enlisted in Co. 
A, 175th N. \'. Vols., serving until the close of the war. Returning here he engaged 
in the meat market business until 1888, then entered the American Soap and Washo- 
line Company at its reorganization. This important industry increased under his 
able management. They employ many men, and 100,000 pounds of soap can be 
produced weekly, which finds a ready sale from Maine to Oregon among manufac- 
turers. A member of the Cohoes Lodge, F. & A. M., since 1869; member of N. G. 
Post Lyon, No. 43, G. A. R., director of the Fairview Home for Friendless Children, 
Watervliet, N. Y., since its organization; director of the Mohawk and Hudson River 
Humane Society since its organization ; vestryman of St. John's Episcopal church for 
nine years, and warden for seventeen years; a member of Diocesan Convention of 
Albany for twenty-six years. 

Dodge, William T., president of the Cohoes Saving Institution, and for more than 
thirty years the leading insurance agent of the city. Mr. Dodge was born in Berlin, 
Vt., in 1839. He was of Pilgrim ancestry, inheriting the sterling qualities of heart 
and hand characterizing those founders of a noble race. He is emphatically a self- 
made man, though so trite a phrase does bare justice to a bank president who began 
with a common school education, and who spent his early manhood on the farm 
where he was bom, and later as a factory operator. Mr. Dodge became a resident 
of Cohoes in 1852, and in 1860 he married Miss Sarah Maria Steenburg, who left at 
her death in 1883, one daughter, Carolina Jane Dodge. In 1855 he embarked in 
business in the flour and feed line, and in 1862 in insurance and real estate busi- 
ness, and has for not less than twenty-eight years occupied his present office at 
Mohawk and Ontario streets; for nearly forty j'ears he has been a member of the 
M. E. church. He was deputy sheriff of Albany county from 1873 to 1875, and 
alderman from 1878 to 1880. In 1873 he was elected a trustee of the Cohoes Savings 
Institution, and in 1877 a director of the National Bank of Cohoes. 

Featherstonhaugh, J. D., M. D., one of the most scholarly and eminent of the med- 
ical profession of Cohoes. He was born at Washington, D. C, in 1845. His father 
was James D. Featherstonhaugh, a civil engineer. Dr. Featherstonhaugh's boy- 
hood was passed in France and England, where he received his preliminary edu- 
cation. Returning to America he entered Union College at Schenectady in 1863, 
graduating four years later with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He at once began 
the study of medicine in the office of the late A. M. Vedder of Schenectady, and was 
graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of the City of New York in 1870, 
and began the practice of his profession during the same year at Cohoes. He has 
taken an active part in educational matters and in municipal government, having 
served for a number of 5'ears as curator to the Albany Medical College, as school 



IBi) 

commissioner for several terms, and is at present secretary of the Public Improve- 
ment Commission of Cohoes. The doctor is a member of the Albany County Medi- 
cal Society, and also of the State organization. He was married in 1892 to Caroline 
M. Johnston, daughter of the late Robert Johnston, of Cohoes. 

McGarrahan, John F., M. D., began his successful practice in his native city. Co- 
hoes. He was born there in 18T3 and is the son of Michael McGarrahan, super- 
intendent of a wool store in Troy, and was educated at Egberts High School, and 
at eighteen years of age he began the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Mitchell of 
Cohoes, with whom he was associated for three years. He entered Albany Med- 
ical College in 1891. graduating with high honors in 1894, receiving the Boyd 
prize in obstetrics. He began practicing his profession July 7, 1894, opening an 
office at 73 Vliet street, where he still continues his practice. He is acting physician 
for the Knights of Columbus, of which he is a member, also for the C. M. B. A., and 
as.sociate member of the Medical Society of Troy and Vicinity. On September 33. 
1895, he was married to Mary A. Cooley, daughter f)f John and Kate Cooley, long 
residents of Cohoe.s. He has one son, John. 

Mott, R. H., a prominent merchant of Cohoes, came here when thirteen years old 
with his father, B. D. Mott, a tinsmith, and began the tinsmithing business with 
him in 1883, as B. D. Mott & Son, store and shop at No. 173 Remsen street At the 
death of the father in 1885 this firm was dissolved, then continued as R. H. Mott 
until 1888. when he bought out the furniture business at No. 73 Oneida street of T. 
P. Hildreth, late of Cohoes, whose daughter Mr. Mott married in 1884. This store 
was enlarged and remodeled, making it one of the most modern establishments in 
the city, carrying a fine stock of house furnishing goods, draperies, crockery, car- 
pets and oil cloth, hardware, stoves and ranges. There are four floors, two of them 
100 feet deep, filled with choice goods and operated with all modern methods. The two 
younger brothers associated with Mr. Mott are G. F. and Dudley B. ; the firm is 
now R. H. Mott & Bros. Mr. Mott was born at Fort Edward, N. Y., in 1860. 

Speir, Stuart G., was born in West Milton. Saratoga county, N. Y., May 29, 1847. 
His father was Robert Speir, a prominent, influential representative citizen, well 
known to business men throughout the State. His mother is Elizabeth Vedder 
Speir of this city. In 1876 he married Ida Cutler, an Albany lady ; they have a family 
of four children : Mabel R., Grace E., Ruth E. and William Stuart. All are members 
of the Madison Avenue Dutch Reformed church, except William, the youngest. Mr. 
Speir is deacon in this church. In early life Mr. Speir mastered the rudiments of a 
common school education, graduated from the Ballston Academy in 1862, and from 
Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, in 1866. Being an expert bookkeeper 
he was appointed assignee by the courts to settle several large estates during 1866, 
1867 and 1868. The largest of these was that of Edward C. Koonz, wholesale and 
retail carpet dealer. Mr. Speir devoted a year to the preliminary study of law, and 
graduated from the Albany Law School, class of 1879-80; was admitted to the bar 
May 25, 1880. He served as official court stenographer to the Court of Special 
Sessions in 1881 and 1882; to the law department of the city of Albany, 1883; also 
reported in the various City, County, State and United States Courts. Mr. Speir was 
president of the Albany Stenographers' Association in 1887. This was an organiza- 



no 

tion of about twenty stenographers, consisting mainly of the official court reporters 
of the city, county and State, and of stenographers connected with the executive, 
legislative and judicial branches of the State government, together with a few from 
the ranks of those employed in business and professional offices. Mr. Speir being 
musically inclined, in early life devoted considerable attention to vbcal music, occu- 
pying several positions as solo tenor in Albany and Troy churches. On January ]0, 
1877, he was elected president of the jMendelssohn Vocal Club, a triple quartette of 
Albany's best male voices. This popular club for several years catered to the music 
loving public of Albany and vicinity, winning many laurels for its muscial skill. In 
Masonic circles Mr. Speir is what is known as a correct ritualist. He was raised in 
Masters Lodge Xo. 5, F. & A. M., November 22, 1875; was advanced in that lodge 
to the several subordinate places and stations in regular succession, covering a period 
of eight years, and was senior deacon two years. He is a Royal Arch Mason in 
Capital City Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., and also Royal. Select and Superexcellent 
Master in De Witt Clinton Council No. 23, this city. On December 14, 1896, he was 
elected Master of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M., the initial lodge in Ameiiea, 
constituted in Albany on February 21, 1765, under the title. Union Lodge, F. & A. M. 
Sill, John De Friest, was born in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, Novem- 
ber 10, 1853. He is a son of Francis NicoU who was born March 18. 1818, and who 
removed to Albany in 1854 and established himself in the coal business on the cor- 
ner of Grand ^id Hamilton streets. He represented his vyard at different times as. 
alderman and supervisor and for a long time prior to his death was president of the 
Albany County Bank. He died August 23, 1895. Mr. Sill's ancestors all possessed 
that superior type of manhood that shows itself so plainly in the characters of their 
descendants. Coming as he does from such a worthy line of ancestors we will men- 
tion them in their order: John Sill left England in 1637 and located in Cambridge, 
Mass , about eighteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. Joseph, 
son of John, was born in England in 1636, and was the father of Joseph 2d (born 
January 6, 1678) who married Pbebc Lord of Lyme, Conn. Next in the order of 
descent is Lieut. John Sill who was born February 14, 1710, and died October 17, 
1796. He was a farmer at Lyme. Conn., and served in the Revolution. Silas 4th 
son of Lieut. John, was born November 17, 1749, and died October 26, 1811. He 
was a tanner and shoemaker residing at Silltown, Conn., and was the father of Maj. 
Richard Sill of Albany, who was an officer of the Revolutionary army and served as 
an aid to Lord Sterling. Judge William N. Sill of Bethlehem. Albany county, was a 
son of Major Richard and the father of Francis NicoU Sill, and grandfather of John 
D. .■ ill the subject of this sketch, who is also a direct descendant of the Van Rens- 
selaers and Nicolls, two of the most prominent and influential families in the 
early history of the State. His mother was Elizabeth Ann, daughter of John De 
Friest of Greenbush, N. Y She was descended from an old family of Knicker- 
bockers living in and near Schaghticoke, N. Y. John D. Sill was educated at 
the Albany Normal School and Albany Business College and in 1872 went to the 
Albany County Bank as clerk where he rapidly rose to the position of teller. In 
1881 Isaiah Page and Francis N Sill bought the D. S. Woods Malleable Iron Works 
and John D. Sill left the County Bank to become the manager of the foundry, which 
position he now holds, but since his father's death he has acquired his interest. Mr. 



Sill is a member of the Albany Club. In 1875 he was married to Charlotte A. Far- 
rington of Newburgh, N. Y. They have one one daughter, Florence K. 

Read, Major Harmon Pumpelly, traces his ancestry to Edward Read, armiger, 
lord of the manor of Beedon in Berkshire, England, high sheriff of Berkshire, 1439, 
and back to Thomas de Read of Northumberland. The cavalier Richard Read of 
Oxfordshire, with his greatnephews, Sir Compton and Edward Read, defended Barton 
Court against the Parliamentarians until it was burned over his head. His great- 
grandson, Col. John Read (grandson of Sir Charles, who came to Dublin where he 
held estates) born in Dublin, Ireland, January 15, 1688, became a large land owner 
in Maryland and Delaware and a founder of the city of Charleston. Hon. George 
Read, his son, born September 17, 1733, in Maryland, died September 21, 1798, in 
New Castle, Delaware, was the author of the first constitution and the first edition 
of the laws of Delaware and signed the original petition to the king of the Congress 
of 1774, the Declaration of Independence, and the constitution of the United States. 
Hon. John Read, son of George, was U. S. agent-general from 1797 to 1809. His son, 
Hon. John Meredith Read, LL.D., was one of the candidates for the presidency of 
the U. S. in 1860, was U. S. district attorney eight years, attornej'-general of Penn- 
sylvania, solicitor-general of the Treasury Department, chief justice of Pennsylvania, 
one of the most emment of the leaders of the Freesoil movement which gaye birth 
to the Republican party, grand master of Masons of Pennsylvania, etc. Gen. John 
Meredith Read, son of the latter, born in Philadelphia, Pa., February 21, 1837, was 
graduated from Brown University and the Albany Law School, and in 1860 became 
adjutant-general of New York and also organized the " wide awake" movement in this 
State. He was the first U. S. consul-general to France and Algeria during the Franco- 
German war, and at the request of the German government he occupied the same po- 
sition for that country. November 7, 1873, he became U. S. minister to Greece. He 
later resigned from that position, and for distinguished services on behalf of Greece, 
was created by King George a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Redeemer, the 
highest dignity bestowed by that country. April 7, 1859, he married Delphine Marie, 
daughter of Harmon Pumpelly of Albany. Their son, Harmon Pumpelly Read born 
July 13, 1860, was educated at St. John's Military Academy, Sing Sing, N.Y., and Trin- 
itv College, Hartford, Conn., and spent some time in study abroad. As a Republican, 
he has always taken special interest in the laboring classes and in 1885 was nomi- 
nated for the Assembly, but was defeated in a Democratic stronghold. He was 
president of the Y. M. A. in 1886 and the same year was a member of the civic 
day and tableting committee during Albany's Bi-Centennial celebration. In 1893 
he was the vice-chairman of the committee appointed by the mayor of Albany to 
receive the Duke of Veragua. He became acting-chairman on account of the absence 
of the chairman, Charles Tracey, and upon Major Read alone devolved the whole 
responsibility of the public reception and grand tour through the North Woods. 
With what success he carried out these various duties is shown in the Duke of 
Veragua's own words: "Among my most pleasant remembrances of America will be 
my reception in Albany and trip to the Adirondacks. " He has taken an active in- 
terest in genealogy and history, is quoted as one of the three greatest authorities on 
heraldry in this country, and in 1894 was one of the original promoters of Albany's 
historical pageant of December 3, •") and 7. January 15. 1895, he was elected Regent 



172 

of Philip Livingston Chapter Sons of the Revohilion, succeeding Hon. Matthew Hale, 
the first president. He was inspector of rifle practice in the old oth Brig., N. G. S. 
N. Y. He is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society of France, the Historical 
Societies of New York and Pennsylvania and of many other learned societies of 
Europe and America. In 1889 he married Marguerite, daughter of the late Jacques 
Frederic de Carronot Franche Comte, France, a descendant of an ancient Huguenot 
family. He has been an active Scottish Rite Mason and is looked upon as one of the 
most learned of the ciaft in the history of the order. He has made a special study 
of the social condit4ons of the various classes in Europe and America before the 
American Revolution, and of the customs and laws relating to the nobility, gentry 
and yeomanry of that period. He has been a constant contributor to the press, 
writing under various names. 

Rickard, Hon. Michael, was born in East Creek, Herkimer county. February 1, 
1837. His father was a section boss on the old Utica and Schenectady (now the 
Central) road, and lost his life by the cars. Shortly after his father's death Mr. 
Rickard was employed as line boy for civil engineers who were surveying the route 
for new tracks. Later he was employed as ticket agent at Amsterdam, N. Y., then 
clerk in the freight house at Fort Plain, N. Y., and subsequently he went on the 
road as fireman. It was not long, however, before he was promoted to the position 
of engineer and he soon became one of the most expert in charge of a locomotive. 
For some time he was engine dispatcher at Utica, M. Y., and then went back on the 
road, being placed in charge of engines on some of the most important trains on the 
Central. He was prominent in the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, was one 
of the charter members and held various offices. November 14, 1887, he was ap- 
pointed a railroad commissioner to succeed John D. Kernan, resigned. Governor 
Hill reappointed him for the term of five years oh January 29, 1888, and on January 
29, 1893, Governor Flower reappointed him for another term. The first Mr. Rickard 
knew of his appointment was on November 14, 1887, when he stepped off his engine 
at the Union Station and was handed his commission by a friend, who had obtained 
it from Governor HiU to hand to the commissioner when he arrived in Albany on his 
locomotive. Commissioner Rickard left a widow and four children, who reside in 
Albany at his late home, No. 233 Madison avenue. One daughter is the wife of 
Fred S. Howell, the well-known broker. Edward H., the elder brother, is employed 
by the Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville railroad. Another son, Raymond C, is 
a stenographer in the office of the car shops at West Albany. Mr. Rickard was al- 
ways at his desk in the Capitol when the committee was not in session. He had 
many friends among railroad men and was beloved by all. 

Wallace, Major William A., son of Dr. James Jefferson and Eliza Thompson (Bond) 
Wallace, was born in New York city in the early forties. His father's ancestors came 
from Argyleshire, Scotland, and settled in the town of Londonderry, N. H., in 1719. 
John Wallace, the great-great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of 
the founders of Londonderry and he and Miss Annis Barnet were the first couple 
married there. His son William was married to Miss Hannah Thornton, a sister of 
Dr. Matthew Thornton, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His 
son, also William, moved to Canada where he acquired 96,000 acres of land, but the 
spirit of patriotism led him to relinquish all and at the time of the War of 1812 he 



173 

moved to Rochester, N. Y., and was one of the founders of that flourishing city. 
He was married to Miss Ann Doudal, of Orange county, a granddaughter of Gen- 
eral Wisner who was a member of Congress, a general in the Revolution and who 
died in 1777. Major Wallace's maternal great-grandfather was Joseph Bond who 
served three years in the Revolution as a member of a Massachusetts regiment ; and 
his maternal grandfather was Abijah Thompson of Woburn, Mass., who was in the 
French and Indian war and in the Lexington alarm of 1775. Benjamin Thompson, 
a member of this family was knighted by the King of Belgium and took the title of 
Count Rumford ; he was governor of Munich: he left $50,000 to be used to endow a 
chair at Harvard University, of which he was a graduate; this chair is now called 
the Rumford chair; he was appointed commanding officer of West Point but died 
while crossing the ocean to fulfill his commission. Major William A. Wallace at- 
tended the Brooklyn Grammar School. At the time of the completion of his educa- 
tion the Rebellion broke out, and he enlisted in the 13th R^gt. of Brooklyn. After 
his return from the war he was made confidential clerk for Claflin & Co., dry goods 
merchants of New York. He remained there until 1873, when he removed to Albany, 
N. Y., where he has since been engaged in the fire insurance business. He is now 
first assistant clerk to the Board of Contract. Major Wallace joined George S. Dawson 
Post No. 63, G. A. R., in 1876 and has been once its commander, and its adjutant for 
eight years. He has been assistant adjutant general of the department of New \ ork, 
G. A. R., under three commanders. For five )-ears he was confidential clerk to Gen. 
James M. Warner, postmaster. He has been a Mason for thirty years and is now a 
member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Crescent Chapter No. 320, R. A. 
M., of New York city. MaJQr Wallace is also a charter member of the Philip Livings- 
ton Chapter, Sons of the Revolution. September 23, 1878, he married Frances lone 
Abbe, of Huguenot ancestry. Major and Mrs. Wallace are members of St. Peter's 
church. 

Cox, James W., jr., was born on the northeast corner of Maiden Lane and Chapel 
street, Albany, N. Y., April 14 1859, and is the oldest .son of the late Dr. James W. 
Cox. He received his education in the Albany Academy, graduating in 1877. He 
possessed a very delicate constitution and in order to gain strength he spent four 
years in the employ of the Hon. Erastus Corning on his stock farm near Kenwood, 
Albany county, N. Y. In 1881 Mr. Corning appointed Mr. Cox as his private secre- 
tary, which position he still occupies. In the spring of 1895, Mr. Cox organized the 
.\lbany Felt Company and Mr. Cox was elected its president. He now devotes con- 
siderable time to the business. Mr. Cox has been for fifteen years a trustee and 
secretary of the Board of Directors of the Albany City Homoeopathic and Dispen- 
sary Association and for fourteen years a trustee of the Albany City Savings In.sti- 
tution, and is the chairman of the Bond and Mortgage Committee. He is a member 
of the Fort Orange Club. Society of the Colonial Wars, Sons of the American 
Revolution and Society of the War of 1812. In December, 1885, he married Mar- 
garet, daughter of Thomas Riggs, of Baltimore, Md. They have three children: 
James W., 3d., Thomas Riggs and Margaret Riggs. 

Shaffer, Edwin C, was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, N. Y., April 30, 
1845. His parents were born in Schoharie county. N. Y. ; his ancestors on his 
father's side (Shaffer and Weidman) were of Holland and German descent, and on 



174 

his mother's side (Possone and West) were of English and French descent, and some 
of them served in the Revolutionary war. When the subject of this sketch was 
seven years old his parents moved to Schoharie village, where he was educated in 
the public school and Schoharie Academy. At twelve years of age he engaged as 
clerk in a general merchandise store in Schoharie, where he remained two years. 
He then went as clerk in the Schoharie county clerk's office and in 1861 removed to 
Albany, N. Y., where he obtained a situation as bookkeeper in a wholesale grocery 
house. In 1863 he accepted a position in the office of the paymaster-general of the 
State of New York and was there until the close of Governor Seymour's administra- 
tion. Mr. Shaffer was an active member of the Albany Burgesses Corps for several 
years and was elected financial secretary three con.secutive years. In the spring of 
1865 Mr. Shaffer was appointed assistant paymaster of the .New York Central Rail- 
road, which position he retained until 1871, when he was appointed to a clerkship in 
the office of Governor Hoffman, where he remained until the latter's term of office 
expired in 1873. He then engaged with the D. & H. Co.'s railroad as traveling 
auditor and continued in that position until March 1, 1882, when he resigned to ac- 
cept the position of general agent, at Albany, of the People's Line of Steamers, 
which position he now holds, having been in charge of the Albany end of the line 
for fifteen years. Mr. Shaffer is also a member of the Albany Club. In 1869 he 
married Fannie Augusta Jenkins, daughter of George Jenkins of Albany. Mrs. 
Shaffer was born in the old State Capitol, her father having been superintendent of 
the old Capitol for many years. 

Walker, Peter, one of the leading and prominent men of Guilderland, was born in 
that town September 36, 1844. He is the son of the late Israel Walker, who was also 
a native of the same town, a man of sterling qualities and a wise coun.selor, whose 
opinion was often sought in matters where questions both difficult and important 
were involved. When but eleven years of age he began to learn the trade of shoe- 
making which he followed for many years, but later devoted his attention to farm- 
ing. His wife was Maria Van Valkenburgh, a daughter of Johakim and Rebecca 
Van Valkenburgh, who were also residents of this tovv-n. Side by side and hand in 
hand, they went together through life, and their industry and perseverance were 
rewarded by the accumulation of a good property. He died in 1887, his wife in 1894. 
The grandfather, Peter Walker, was also born in this town, and for many years 
held the office of justice of the peace. He afterward removed to the town of Knox, 
where his last years were spent. Mr. Walker received his early education at the 
district schools and later at Knoxville Academv. He remained on the farm with his 
father until the death of the latter, except four years that he was manager of a gen- 
eral store at Altamont; since then he has remained on the farm. He was elected 
and filled the office of justice of the peace for twenty consecutive years (serving two 
years as justice of sessions), and resigning that office in 1893 to accept the office of 
supervisor. He was re-elected in 1894, and is now filling that office. He is a mem- 
ber of the Mascnic fraternity, St. George's Lodge of Schenectady, and a member of 
the Knights of Pythias. In December, 1870, he was married to Miss Eva Anna 
Keenholts, daughter of Andrew and Alida (Blooraingdale) Keenholts. 

Turner, John H., was born in England, June 13, 1821. and is a son of Peter, a son 
of Reginald, who lived and died in England at the age of ninety-five. The wife of 



175 

Peter Turner was Sarah Lawton, born in England. The parents of John H. came 
to America about 1827 and settled in Berne, where he died in 1839 and his wife died 
in 1857. John H. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He 
had two brothers and three sisters, of whom one brother and two sisters are now 
living. Mr. Turner worked out by the day and month for five years, and in 1858 
bought the farm of 150 acres which he now owns. In 1845 he married Eliza Norton, 
by whom nine children have been born; Sarah A., Emma, Lydia, Newton, Bertha, 
Charles (deceased), Wesley (deceased), Channing, and Eliza. Channing was edu- 
cated for a physician and died at Oak Hill after practicing for one year. 

\'eeder, Peter J., was born in the town of Guilderland, on the Veeder homestead, 
in 1831. Volkert Veeder, the great grandfather, was a native of Albany county and 
an agent of Stephen Van Rensselaer, and was also an active worker in the coloniz- 
ing of this territory. He owned 1,180 acres of land in one body, on the Glass House 
and Norman's Kill, which was on the Van Ball's patent He was active and enter- 
prising and owned one mile of land on the Norman's Kill and two miles on Glass 
House Creek. He reared four sons and three daughters Peter, the grandfather, 
was born in Guilderland on the homestead, where he died when thirty-five years of 
age. His wife was Ellen Bullock, daughter of Matthew Bullock, by whom five chil- 
dren wQreborn: John B., Ellen, Annie and Peter. John B., the father, was born 
on the same farm, and died on a portion of this tract, which farm his son William 
D. now owns. He spent his life successfully as a farmer and left a good property 
valued at §16,000. His wife was Ellen Holmes of New Scotland, daughter of Sey- 
mour Holmes, a successful farmer of that town. To them were born three children: 
John S. (deceased). Peter J. and William D. He died August 13, 1864, and his wife 
died in 1850. Mr Veeder is trustee of the Presbyterian church and was later elected 
elder, which office he held up to the time of his death. Peter J. received his educa- 
tion at the Charlotteville Boarding School and Princeton Academy in Schenectady 
county. In 1854 he entered the junior class at Union College. He returned to the 
farm and remained with his father until the latter's death. He then purchased the 
personal property and conducted the farm of 148 acres. This he conducted until 
1874, when he sold his interest to his brother William, and removed to the village 
of Guilderland, and eight years later purchased the property where he now resides. 
In 1892 he was appointed by Governor Flower as United States loan commissioner, 
which position he held for three years. In 1866 he married Emma Weaver, born in 
Watervliet and daughter of Daniel Weaver. He has been trustee of the Presby- 
terian church for twenty-five years and treasurer for seven years. For a number of 
years Mr. Veeder has been retired from active business. The Veeder family dates 
back to 1616. when the first Veeder came to America from Holland. He was granted 
a large tract of land in what is now Albany county. Van Rensselaer was later 
granted a tract of land by the queen, covering the Veeder tract. Van Rensselaer 
endeavored to dispossess Veeder, and the litigation that followed ended in leaving 
1,180 acres in the possession of Veeder. Van Rensselaer being English, and favorc<l 
by the crown, the arbitrators returned the above deci.sion. 

Ferguson, William H., was born in the town of New Scotland in 1845 on the farm 
lie and his brother Andrew now own. The farm was bought by his grandfather. 
Lot Ferguson, in 1812, who was a native of West Chester county, N.V., and Dorn in 



1764. He came to New Scotland in 1785, where lie followed teaching. Here he 
met and married Miss Anna Bruce, a native of the place; he then purchased and 
settled on a tract of land on Black Creek; meeting with misfortunes on this farm, 
he sold it and in 1812 purchased and settled on the farm now occupied by William 
H. and Andrew Ferguson; here he met with unusually good success and accumu- 
lated a large property. His children were William, John. Michael, Hannah and 
Elizabeth. He died August 17, 1829, and his wife March 5, 1847. William, the 
father of William H. Ferguson, was bom on his father's farm in 1800; after the 
death of his father he purchased the farm of the heirs and spent his life there. His 
wife was Jane E., daughter of William and Helen (Murray) Fuller, and their chil- 
dren were William H., Andrew, Ellen, Alice, John, Edmund, Margaret and Ada. 
He died in 1879 and his wife in 1886. William H. Ferguson attended the common 
schools, and a select school two terms. He learned the carpenter's and builder's 
trade, also coopering, wagonmaking and millwright work, studied engineering and 
learned it practically by running his own engine, and so made himself mastei of 
details in running their extensive cider and vinegar factory. William, Andrew and 
John built a new mill in 1865 and put in better presses with large wooden smashers; 
the business grew and in 1881-82 the present mill was built, 53 by 54, with a si.xteeu 
hor.se power steam engine to run the machinery, with the latest improved grinders 
and presses, William taking charge and operating it. In 1882 they put in the quick 
process for making vinegar and their goods are much sought after. Mr. Ferguson 
studied chemistry for twelve years and was a close student of the chemical change 
of cider when passing from the juice to the finished cider or vinegar, and became an 
expert in that line. He has invented several improvements, which are in use and 
greatly benefit the manufacturers. He is a regular correspondent for several jour- 
nals which are devoted to the trade and the manufacture of cider and vinegar, and 
is considered the highest authority. It is an acknowledged fact that he has defended 
the cause of the cidermakers of the United States, without recompense, and has 
done more for them than any other man in America. He is a member of the New 
York State Cider and Vinegar Association. From 1882 to 1891 he was on the road a 
portion of each year, selling and erecting vinegar machines. In addition to the 
cider and vinegar factory the brcthers run a box factory, in which they use annually 
many thousand feet of planed lumber. In 1894 they put in fruit evaporators, with 
which they are now doing an extensive business, nearly their entire product going 
direct to Germany and France. The homestead they have changed from a grain 
and stock farm to a fruit farm. Mr. Ferguson is a member of the Odd Fellows, 
Voorheesville Lodge, of which he is past grand. In 1868 he married Emma, daugh- 
ter of Isaac and Lauraetta (Sprung) Morrison of East Greenbush, and their children 
are Lulu May and Nellie Hendrick. 

Walker, Charles Ashbel, son of Alphonsoand Jeannette(Judd) Walker, both natives 
of Albany, was born in the capital city June 23, 1843. His father was a dry goods 
merchant there and died in 1854, aged thirty-five. His mother was a descendant of 
Thomas Judd, a colonial settler of Connecticut. Mr. Walker was educated in the 
public schools of Albany, and at the outbreak of the Rebellion was clerk to Speaker 
T-ittlejohn of the Assembly and also a member of Co. B, Washington Continentals. 
In the Spring of 1861 he enlisted in Co I, 5th N. Y. Vols., Duryee's Zouaves, was 



promoted corporal, and assisted his regiment in building Fort Federal Hill at Balti- 
more. In the spring of 1862 the regiment joined the 5th Army Corps,of McClellan's 
Army of the Potomac, at Fortress Monroe en route to [Richmond, where it partici- 
pated in the seven day's fight and where Mr. Walker was wounded at Gaines Mills. 
May 37, 1862. At the close of McClellann's campaign he was sent to New York city 
with a detachment under Major Hull to raise another regiment of Zouaves to form a 
brigade under Gen. G. K. Warren, his old regimental commander. This became 
the 165th N. Y. Vols., 2d Duryee's Zouaves, in which Mr. Walker was commissioned 
second lieutenant. The new regiment was ordered to the Department of the Gulf 
under General Banks and served through the Port Hudson, Louisiana and Texas 
campaigns. Mr. Walker was promoted first lieutenant and captain and brevetted 
for meritorious service with rank of major by Gov. R. E. Fenton in 1864. He was 
then detached and sentto Riker's and Hart's Islands in New York harbor for his regi- 
ment's quota of conscripts, and while there was assistant adjutant-general on Gen. 
H. W. Wessel's staff, commandant of post and provost-marshal in charge of 3,500 
rebel prisoners, whose release he superintended on their taking the oath of allegi- 
ance. He was mustered out of service September 15, 1865, and on returning to 
Albany became successively second and first lieutenant of Co. B, Washington Conti- 
nentals (now the 10th Regt. N. G. S N. Y.), and was also brevetted captain in the 
National Guard. He remained with this regiment until January 1, 1876, when he 
removed to New York city, where he has since resided. On October 1, 1866, he be- 
came associated with the Albany and Susquehanna Railroad in the freight depart- 
ment at Albany. This road is now a part of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. 
system, and of the latter company Mr. Walker has been treasurer since 1890. He 
has been in the service of these roads thirty-one years, rising by gradation through 
every department. He is a trustee of the Franklin Savings Bank_'and a member of 
the Colonial Club, both of New York city ; a member of the Military Order of the 
Loyal Legion of the United States, a member of the Albany Society of New York, 
member of Veteran Associations of the 5th N. Y. and 165th N. Y. Vols, in New York 
city, and a director in the Albany & Susquehanna, New York & Canada, Schenec- 
tady & Duauesburgh, Cherry Valley, Sharon S: Albany, Adirondack, and Rutland 
Railroad Companies, and the Adirondack Stage Co. In politics he has always been 
a Republican. 

De Voe, David, was born December 3. 1837, the oldest of ten children (nine of 
whom are living), bom to Henry I. and Sarah V. (Winne) De Voe. He attended the 
district school until sixteen years of age, followed by two terms at Fort Plain (N. Y.) 
Seminary. He then followed farming up to the time of the beginning of the war of 
the Rebellion, with the exception of teaching school one winter. Under the first call 
for 75,000 men he enlisted on the second day after the call in the 18th N.Y.Vols., Colonel 
Jackson's Regiment. He was engaged in both Bull Run battles, both attacks on 
Fredericksburg, at South Mountain and Antietam. His father died in April, 1862, 
and he obtained a furlough to come home, thereby escaping the dangers and priva- 
tions of the Peninsula campaign, and returned and served his term of enlistment, 
being corporal when he was discharged. In 1866 he went on a whaling voyage, and 
serving ten months left the ship at the Island St. Catharina. Brazil, whence he went 
to Montevideo, spent ten months between there and Buenos Ayres and Paraguay, 



178 

and returned thence to New Orleans, arriving at the latter place April 7, 1868, hav- 
ing been gone two years. He has taught school nineteen winter terms, and has 
been assessor six years; in politics he is a Democrat. February 14. 1884, he married 
Sarah J. Warner, widow, whose maiden name was Bolster. His mother died No 
vember 13, 1891. 

Swarthout, William, born in Wcsterlo, January 10, 1829, was a son of George W. 
and Catherine (Patre) Swarthout, and grandson of Peter Patre, and Cornelius Swart- 
hout. Peter Patre was a native of Holland and an early settler of Westerlo. Cor- 
nelius^Swarthout came from Dutchess county to Westerlo in pioneer days. George" 
W. Swarthout was a farmer of Westerlo and a Whig, then Republican in politics, 
and a member of the Dutch Reform church. He died in 1857 and his wife in 1870. 
William Swarthout was brought up on the farm and in 1855 married Catherine, 
daughter of John Crawford of Westerlo, and they have one son, George W., who 
married Annie Adrience, daughter of George Adrience, farmer of Westerlo. George 
W. Swarthout works the homestead farm with his father, which consists of 104 acres; 
they also carry on a farm of C. Hinckley of 140 acres. In politics they are Repub- 

Gilbert, Edmond J., was born in Troy in 1847, and has devoted much of his time 
to the public service of his country. He is a son of A. J. Gilbert and was left moth- 
erless at three years of age. When sixteen years of age he enlisted in Company A, 
21st New York Cavalry, and endured all the privations of a soldier. He was cap- 
tured at Ashby's Ford and incarcerated in Libby prison for three and a half months 
After one year in Panama, with the Panama Railroad Company, as a machinist, he 
enlisted in the regular army artillery in the capacity of sergeant major, remaining 
for three years. He is a member of the G. A. R , and his private business began 
with the Gilbert Car Company, in 1870, where he superintended the machine shops; 
he was for three and a half years in Brazil for the same Company as superintendent 
of construction. Mr. Gilbert has been collector of the village, and is now president 
of the tenth district. 

Bloomingdale, John P., an old and highly respected citizen of the town, was born 
in 1818. John, his grandfather, was a farmer in Guilderland. He was twice mar- 
ried; by the first marriage two sons were born and by the second several sons and 
daughters. Peter, his father, was a farmer of Guilderland. His wife was Lydia 
Gray, daughter of Robert Gray, who was a hotel-keeper. Their children were Lucan, 
Jane Mary. Ann, Lydia, John P., Robert, and Peter. Mr. Bloomingdale remained 
on the farm, a.ssisting his father, until twenty-six years of age, when he began for 
himself at farming at which he continued many years, with unusually good success. 
He added from time to time to his real estate possessions until he owned many farms 
throughout the county, and at the time of his death owned five farms containing sev- 
eral hundred acres, and also for years was an extensive money loaner. In 1871 he 
retired to the village of Guilderland Center, where he owned a large amount of real 
estate and there devoted a number of years of his time to the building of residences 
and disposing of them. He erected among other buildings a large cigar factory, 
which he leased. Mr. Bloomingdale will long be remembered by many to whom he 
has rendered financial assistance at opportune times. In 1839 he was married to 
Hannah Young of the town of New Scotland, and daughter of George Young; to 



17ft 

them was born one son, Joel, of New Salem. His wife died very young, and five 
years after her death he married Mary M., daughter of Frederick Crounse of Guilder- 
land. She died in 1870. Mr. Bloomingdale died in July, 1896. 

White, Isaac, was born in the town of Berne, September 30, 1837. His great- 
grandfather, Leonard Berkeman, was an Orangeman, living in the North of Ireland. 
Mary, his daughter, while a young girl in her native place, was playing one day on 
tl:e dock, at a time when a ship was about to sail for America. Owing to the jeal- 
ousy which existed between the Catholics and the Protestants, she was kidnapped. 
.She was allowed to come on board the ship where she was seized and cast into the 
hold and not permitted to come above until the ship was far out to sea. She was 
brought to America and sold for her passage. She married James White, an Eng- 
lishman, and they settled in town of New Scotland. Frederick White, his grand- 
father, was born on his father's homestead in New Scotland. David, the father of 
Isaac White, was also a native of New Scotland and was a farmer and speculator in 
live stock. He settled in town of Berne, where he owned a large farm. Some years 
later he exchanged this farm for another in town of New Scotland and there lived 
to time of his death in 1847. His wife was Hannah Schermerhorn of Berne, and 
their children were: Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Elias, Frederick, Margaret, Harriet and 
Jeremiah. His wife survives him and now resides in New Salem. Isaac White 
grew to manhood in New Scotland and attended the common district schools. In 
18.58 he returned to the town of Berne with his mother, where she bought a farm ; 
he later purchased half of this farm and subsequently the other half, to which he 
has added several farnjs, now owning over 500 acres, the most of which he superin- 
tends himself. He was one of the organizers of the Berne Cheese Company, of 
which he is now president and stockholder in the factory. Mr. White has repre- 
sented his town on the Board of Supervisors two terms and filled other minor offices. 
He has provided all of his children with liberal educational advantages, all of whom 
are teachers except the youngest. In 1865 he married Miss Melvina E. Flansburg, 
and their children arp Elsie, Frank, EHas, Emma and Floyd. 

Abrams, John D., was born in Vermont, July 1, 1826. and was a son of Daniel 
and Althea Drake, he born in Long Island and his wife in Vermont. They came to 
Westerlo in 1837, thence to Rensselaerville, and thence to Greene county, where he 
died September, 1879, and she, April, 1878. John D. Abrams was reared on a farm 
and educated in the common schools. November 16, 1858, he married Caroline 
Travis, daughter of David and Susan Root. David Travis was born in Dutchess 
county January 21, 1783, and died in Rensselaerville, December 19, 1871; his wife 
was born in Greene county March 10, 1790, and died in Rensselaerville February 20, 
1877. To Mr. and Mrs. Abrams was born one daughter, Allie S., wife of William F. 
Van Valkenburgh of Greene county. Mr. Abrams was a Whig and is now a Repub- 
lican. The family attend the Baptist church. Mr. Abrams owns 160 acres of land, 
which he bought in 1873. 

Fitch, Dr. John H., was born in New Scotland, April 2, 1837. His father, Ebe- 
nezer A. Fitch, w-as a descendant in the sixth generation from Rev. James Fitch, 
who emigrated from England in 1638 and was one of the founders of Norwich, 
Conn., where he preached over fifty years. The mother of Dr. Fitch was Eliza, 
daughter of John A. Crounse and granddaughter of David Martin, a soldier of the 



180 

Revolution. Dr. Fitch received his education at the New York Conference Semi- 
nary, Charlotteville. N. Y., and at the New York State Normal School at Albany, 
from which institution he was graduated in 1858. He spent two years in teaching 
and in September, 1861, enlisted in Co. D, 48th N. Y. State Infantry. He served 
three years, seeing much active service and was honorably discharged in 1864. He 
commenced the study of medicine in 1866 and was graduated from the New York 
Eclectic Medical College in 1868. He commenced practice in New York city and 
was house surgeon of its dispensary, demonstrator of anatomy two years and in 1870 
was appointed adjunct professor of anatomy. He removed to Albany in 1872, where 
he was surgeon in the Albany Homeopathic Hospital in 1872-73; since 1873 he has 
resided in New Scotland Dr. Fitch has been to some extent a contributor to cur- 
rent medical literature, is the author of articles in "The Encyclopedia of Materia 
Medica Pura," and in conjunction with Dr. R. E. Kinze of New York, of a work en- 
titled " A Monograph on Cactus," published in 1875. He is a member of the Albany 
Homeopathic Medical Society and of the International Hahnemann Association ; is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Masonic fraternity. Dr. Fitch was 
married in 1874, to Mary, daughter of A. W. Twitchell, of Albany, who died in 1882 
and by whom he had one daughter. May. In 1884 he married Melissa, daughter of 
James McCulloch, of New Scotland. 

Wright, Fred, was born in the town of Berne, January 26, 1861. John S., the 
great-grandfather, was a resident of the town of Berne, and was a farmer by occu- 
pation and also burned charcoal in large quantities. He reared a large family and 
died in 1850 at the age of seventy years. Silas, the grandfather, was a resident of 
Clarksville, was born in the town of Berne in 1812, and spent many years of his life 
as a miller in different places. He served the town of Berne as supervisor and 
held other offices for several terras. Since 1856 he has resided in Clarksville, where 
he conducted a mill for many years and later engaged in the mercantile business, 
which he continued until he retired from active business life. He was postmaster 
for sixteen years and was also justice of the peace. He is alive and enjoys good 
health. Jacob M., the father, was born in Berne in 1836, and spent his early life on 
the farm and attended the common schools. His first enterprise was that of a hotel- 
keeper in his native town, and during the late war was employed by the Remington 
Firearms Company in their factory at Ilion ; later he was janitor at the Normal 
School in Albany, where he remained for five years, and then conducted a livery for 
some time. In 1878 he removed to Clarksville and erected buildings and put in a 
baking furnace and has been interested in the baking business since. He served as 
tax collector while in the town of Berne. His wife is Celinda E., born in Berne and 
a daughter of John and Charity Bell. To them were born three children: Silas J., 
deceased; Fred, and Charles J., deceased. Fred spent his early life on his father's 
farm and attended the common schools and the Albany public schools. He delivered 
bread for his father until he was twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the 
cigar business as jobber, doing his own selling. In 1884 he returned to Clarksville, 
where he has ever since been engaged in the bakery business. He has also been in- 
terested in various enterprises, and officiated as town clerk in 1886. He is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias, of the National Union of Albany, and Schuyler Coun- 
cil No. 705. In 1886 he married Emma, daughter of Martin S. Van Derzee, and 
have one child, Maud. 



181 

Clapp, Augustus {ienly, was born in Albany, August 18, 1865. He is a clesceiid- 
ant of Richard Clapp of Dorset, England, whose son Thomas, born 1597, tame t<^ 
America in 1833. He first settled in Scituate, Mass., but soon removed to Dorclics- 
ter, Mass., of which town he enrolled as freeman in 1638. In 1649 he was deputy to 
the General Court; died April 20, 1684. His wife's name was Abigail. Their son, 
Thomas, born May 15. 16.39, died 1703, married Mary Fisher. They were the par- 
ents of Samuel, born August, 1682; he married first, Elizabeth Fethers, second 
Bertha Dean; parents of Samuel, born July 6, 1710, married Mary Dean. He repre- 
sented his town in the General Court; parents of Noah, born 1747. died November 
10, 1820. He married Olive Shepard, who died in 1845 at ninety-one years. They 
were the parents of Reuel Clapp, born April 4. 1792, who in early manhood came to 
Albany, N. Y., where he became its chief builder and contractor. During the last 
thirteen years of his life he was principal proprietor aud n;anufacturer of Townsend's 
Sarsaparilla, in its day a most popular and curative medicine. He died of heart- 
failure January 14, 18.50. He married, June 26, 1816 Eliza, daughter of Roelof and 
Catharine Coon, of Holland descent, by whom six children were born^ all of whom 
are dead, leaving no descendants. After death of Eliza he married Sarah, sister of 
his first wife, December 33, 1830, to whom one daughter, Sarah, was born February 
29, 1832, died September 25, 1859, married Thomas B. Van Alstyne 1851; left sur- 
viving her, son, Thomas B. Van Alstyne. of Tustin, Cal., lawyer and fruit grower. 
After the death of his second wife Mr. Clapp again married, January 13, 1836, Hul- 
dah Miles, daughter of the Rev. Noah Miles of Temple, N. H. ; she survived her hu.s- 
band and died in her eighty-eighth year, February 12, 1891. Of her marriage four 
children were born, two of whom died in infancy: Charles, born February 2, 1839, 
died December 13, 1873; Edwin Apollos, born June 19, 1840, died October 13, 1880, 
who after receiving an academic education became a druggist and pharmacist; he 
served in the Rebellion as assistant .surgeon 25th N. Y. Vols. ; he married Josephine, 
daughter of the late Edward Henly of Albany. Four children, Reuel Frederick, 
Augustus Henly, Marie Josephine and Cora Miles, survive. Augustus was educated 
in the Albany schools and at fourteen became a clerk in the book store of Bernard 
Quinn, with whom he remained twelve years. In May. 1892, he started his present 
book, stationery and periodical business. 

Bloomingdale, Hon. Frank, was born in the town of Guilderland, in July, 1852. 
He is a son of Adam Bloomingdale, who was also born in this town in 1823. He 
was one of three sons; Jacob, John and Adam, born to Adam, who was a farmer in 
Guilderland. Adam, the father, grew to manhood on his father's farm, and in 1849, 
when twenty-six years of age, went to California to seek his fortune in the gold 
mines. He remained in California for four years, meeting with some success, and 
returned to New York city, where he remained three years, and then returned to his 
native town and engaged in farming. After some years he removed to Schenectady 
and interested himself in the hay and straw business; ten years later he moved to 
Voorheesville, where he died in April, 1894. He was twice married; his first wife 
was Margaret Van Waggoner, daughter of Jacob and Mary Van Waggoner of 
Rhinebeck. They had six children, of whom three sons and one daughter grew to 
maturity. His wife died in 1879, at the age of fifty-two. Frank was reared to farm 
life and attended the common schools. When he was eighteen years of age his 



182 

father placed him in charge of a hay and straw business, which he conducted for 
some time. He was also for a time associated with his father in business in Schenec- 
tady. In 1875 he moved to the village of Voorheesville, where he engaged in a 
small way unaided in the hay and straw business on his own account. To his busi- 
ness he has added other lines, and for a number of years was a dealer in agricul- 
tural implements. He has erected several storage houses along the railroad in the 
village, and has erected for himself a fine office and residence. In 1894 and 1895 he 
was elected to the Assembly. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Voorheesville 
l^odge, of which he is past noble grand, and is also a member of the Masonic fra- 
ternity, Noah Lodge of Altamont, of the Temple Chapter No. 5, Clinton Council 
No. 22, and of the Cypress Shrine of Albany, and also a member of the Uncon- 
ditional Club, and the Acacia Club of Albany. In 1873 he was married to Caroline, 
daughter of Jacob C Wormer of Guilderland. Their children are Alice M., 
Josephine and William J. In 1880 his wife died. His second wife was Alice, 
daughter of Frederick H. La Grange of New Scotland, by whom one child was born, 
Frederick A. He has two brothers and one sister living, younger than himself; the 
latter is Mrs. Carrie Bradt, now resides at Voorheesville. N. Y. His brothers, 
C. A. Bloomingdale and W. C. Bloomingdale, who now reside in Brooklyn, N. V., 
are now considered among the largest commission men in hay and straw and 
farmers' produce in Brooklyn. N. Y., and started on their own resources. 

Andrae, Paul H.. came to America, when fifteen years of age, from Bruiting, 
Germany, where he was born in 1856. He was a son of Paul Andrae, a hotel keeper 
of that place. Mr. Andrae came to Cohoes in 1871, and engaged in the meat market 
of his brother for eight years. In 1879 he opened a meat and vegetable market at 
23 White street. In 1881, having erected a new building, including a residence and 
a commodious market at £6 White street, he removed his business to his new build- 
ing, where he has at present one of the finest meat and vegetable markets in the 
city. In his dealing with his fellowmen he is a most honorable and upright man. 
He was president for one year of the Business Men's Association. 

Keeler, William Henry, son of Daniel, was born in Albany, March 23, 1843, and 
received a public school education. When twenty he opened an oyster house on 
Green street, which soon became one of the most popular and famous in Eastern 
New York. This was the beginning of his wide reputation as a restaurateur and 
landlord. After successfully continuing the business for seven years he sold out. 
In 1872 and again m 1874 he was elected on the Democratic ticket as alderman of 
the Fourth ward and served in all four years. He was street commissioner five 
years and in 1882 was elected .sheriff of Albany county, which office he held three 
years. In 1886 he purchased the building No. 26 Maiden Lane, handsomely remod- 
eled it, adding dining rooms and other conveniences and opened it as a restaurant, 
which rapidly increased in popularity. January, 1890, he purchased the Broadway 
front, remodeled it on a handsome scale and has since conducted the combined 
structures as Keeler's Hotel, which now embraces eight buildings and fronts on 
three streets, and is the most popular hostelry between New York and Chicago. In 
1877 Mr. Keeler married Catherine, daughter of Robert Taylor of Albany, and they 
have five children: John D., William H., jr., Rufus P., Grace and Harriet. 

Richardson, William J. and Ale.Nauder, are sons of William Richardson, who came 



is:? 

from Ireland in 1830 and settled the fann where his sons now live. William J. mar- 
ried Jennie Ross, who died in 1892, and left three sons and three daughters: George 
A., Walter J., William, Anna, Jennie, and Lottie. The grandfather of Mr. Rich- 
ardson, John Richardson, came to America at the time of the Revolutionary war. 
He was a soldier and returned to Ireland, where he died. 

Reynolds, Lewis W., born in Westerlo, is the son of Jared and Delilah E. (Showers) 
Reynolds, both natives of Westerlo, and grandson of Lewis and Elizabeth (Husted) 
Reynolds, who lived and died on the farm where Lewis W. Reynolds now resides, 
and which was bought by his great-grandfather, Jared Reynolds. Jared, the father 
of Lewis Reynolds, was a farmer, merchant and hotel-keeper at South Westerlo. 
Me had a general store and did alarge business in handling farm implements. After 
his death in 1893 Lewis W. Reynolds carried on the store until 1892, and the hotel 
until 1894. Mr. and Mrs. Jared Reynolds were married in 1864 and had six children : 
Jennie, wife of Frank Ingalls, Lewis, Electus, Myra, Jessie and Harry. Mr. Rey- 
nolds was a Democrat and deputy sheriff and gave support to the Christian church. 

Whitehead, Samuel. — The Moulding Sand Business know-n as Whitehead Bros. 
Co. was established in the year 1850 by Samuel Whitehead, sr. , his sons succeeding 
to the business in 1860 and continued the business as a copartnership until 1891, 
when it was incorporated in a stock company under the New Jersey laws, with Ly- 
dell Whitehead as president, Alfred J. Miller, vice-president, Van Loan Whitehead, 
secretary and William H. Smith, general manager. It is the largest Moulding Sand 
Company in America, dealing in all kinds of moulding sand, fire sand, foundry clay, 
kaolin, cupola and foundry supplies, stove plate moulding sand a specialty. This 
company does business in New Jersey and different points on the Hudson River and 
on the Erie Canal. Mr. Samuel Whitehead, sr., is one of the members of the firm 
having charge of the work at Coeymans, Selkirk and Cedar Hill, N. Y., w'ilh his son 
Samuel G. Whitehead as asssistant. Samuel G. Whitehead married the charming 
Miss Eliza H. Clapper, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Clapper of Cedar Hill, N. V. 
Mr. Samuel Whitehead, sr., resides with his son and daughter in their beautiful villa 
on the banks of the Hudson. 

Van Leuven, Peter, born December 2, 182.'j, is a son of Peter Van Leuven and 
Cathrine (Myers) Van Leuven and grandson of Peter and Cathariue (Brietl) Van 
Leuven, who came from Dutchess county, and on the passage across river in a 
scow, they were upset and nearly all their goods were lost. They settled a farm 
near Chesterville, where they spent their lives. Peter Van Leuven, sr., always fol- 
lowed farming, commencing near Chesterville, where he died August 15, 1863, and 
Mr.s. Van Leuven in 1866. During the war of 1812 he conveyed with his own team 
ammunition and provisions from Albany to Sackett's Harbor. Peter Van Leuven, 
jr., has been a successful farmer and has made many improvements on the home- 
stead, which consists of 162 acres; he also owns 200 acres, part of which he rents. 
He is a Republican. In 1891 Mr. Van Leuven married Juliett, daughter of !)r. 
Josiah W. Lay of Chesterville, who was a prominent physician there. On the ma- 
ternal side Mr. Van Leuven is a descendant of Philip Myers, who was brought to 
Coeyqians when a small boy by his father from Germany. The father returned for 
the rest of the family and was never heard of. Philip was reared by Peter Whit- 



184 

beck of Coeyraans. He came to Westeilo and took a large tract of land and became 
one of the most prominent farmers of the town. 

Spaulding, Alonzo, born in Westerlo, February, 1825, is a son of Hugh and Mary 
(St. John) Spaulding, who were lifelong residents of Westerlo. The grandfather, 
Elnathan Spaulding, came from Connecticut to Kinderhook and engaged in farming. 
He afterwards removed to Westerlo where he died. He was twenty-five years 
justice in Westerlo. Alonzo Spaulding was reared on the farm and educated in the 
common schools. He studied law with Rufus Watson of Greenville, then with Ly- 
man Tremain, and in 1851 was admitted to the bar and for many years practiced his 
profession in Albany county. Mr. Spaulding has always had his residence on the 
old homestead, with the exception of four years spent in Rensselaerville and less 
than one year in Kingston. 

Moore, William J., son of Dr. John and Eleanor (Hagadon) Moore, born in Al- 
bany, N. Y., February 27, 1838, was educated in the public schools and the Albany 
Business College, after which he engaged in the gardening business on Van Rensse- 
laer Island. His father died in 1863; he then took charge of the latter's business, 
settled up the estate, and continued the business until 1886, when he sold out his 
interest in the garden to William Glosser. He has leased the Van Rensselaer 
Island for the last thirty years. He then bought a farm at Castleton, N. Y., and 
conducted it as a horse farm, which he still owns. He then embarked in the livery 
business on Hudson avenue and conducted that about four years; then .sold out the 
business to Mills & Sanborn. February, 1895, he bought the retail department of 
the Standard Wagon Co.. located at 447 and 449 Broadway. May. 1896, he moved 
to his present location 26 and 28 State street, where he still carries on the business. 
May 2, 1888, he married Lillian L. Holmes, and has one son, William J., jr. 

McKown, William, was born in the town of Guilderland, July 13. 1842. John Mc- 
Kown, his second great-grandfather, was a native of Scotland and founder of the 
McKown name in America about 1767. John McKown, his grandfather, was born 
in the McKownville Hotel in 1778, and in this hotel he grew to manhood and lived 
until seventy years of age. James, the father of Mr. McKown, was also born in the 
McKownville Hotel in the year 1814. He assisted his father in the hotel until the 
latter rented it, and then moved to the farm, which came into his possession at the 
death of his father, where he lived and died. He was an active and successful 
farmer and for years was a breeder of cattle. His wife was Sarah Ann White, born 
in the town of Guilderland, a daughter of Jesse and Sarah White, formerly of Ver- 
mont. They had one child, William. Mr. McKown died in February, 1878, and his 
wife died in 1879. William McKown spent his early life on his father's farm, at- 
tending the common schools and the Boys" Academy in Albany When he was 
eighteen years of age he entered the grocery store of Samuel C. Bradt in Albany, 
as clerk, the store standing where the capitol now stands. After two years as clerk 
he became a partner in the business, remaining there seven years longer, when, on 
account of his father's failing health, he closed out his business and returned home 
to take charge of his father's affairs. His father died the next year and he remained 
on the farm for fifteen years, when, in 1887, he retired to McKownville, erecting a 
fine residence, where he has since resided. He now owns several farms which he 
looks aftei. He was for some time president of the Guilderland Mutual Insurance 



i 



185 

Association. In 1863 he was married to Leviua McMillcn, who was born in the town 
of New Scotland, a daughter of Alexander and Margaret McMillen. Their children 
are James, Margaret, Ella, Jessie, Alexander, Anna, and Eva. The three oldest 
died when nineteen, eighteen, and seventeen years of age, respectively. His wife 
died in 1890. His second wife was Mrs. Rachel (Jacobson) Buchanan, who was 
born in the town of New Scotland, a daughter of Jacob Jacobson. She died Sep- 
tember 29, 1890. 

Hollenbeck, Jerome M., born in the town of Rensselaerville, N. Y., June 15, 1855, 
is a son of Charles Hollenbeck, who was born in Columbia county, July 4, 1810, and 
came to Albany county with his parents in 1814, where he was a farmer. He died 
August 3, 1894. His wife was Hannah Hess, born August 22, 1815, and died June 
21, 1893. Jerome Hollenbeck was educated in Rensselaerville Academy and select 
schools and is by occupation a farmer and speculator. October 6, 1880, he married 
Ida Cartwright, daughter of Salmon S. Cartwright, and they have two children : 
Malla May and Bertha. 

Gaffers, Will R., was born on the old homestead in 1863. He is the eldest son of 
a family of five children and one of the executors of the late William M. Gaffers. 
The latter was born at Albany in 1825, and began life without capital, achieving 
substantial success by force of character. He came to Watervliet, now Colonie, in 
1850 and purchased a farm, the nucleus of the present large estate of nearly 500 
acres. It was he who proposed the name of Colonie for the town, having been 
largely instrumental in its separation from West Troy in 1895. He died May 11, 
1896, leaving a widow and five children, all of vphom are of age; the widow now re- 
sides on the old homestead. W. R. Gaffers is recognized as a rising young man, 
having the courage of his convictions and is a fluent speaker, having mastered sev- 
eral languages. He is the fifth generation of the paternal ancestry since the first 
William Gaffers came from Sippling, Brunswick. Germany, over 100 years ago, and 
fought gallantly under Colonel Bremen at Bennington. 

Cole, William S., was born in 1832. He was the son of Charles, and the grandson 
of Shubael, who came from Rhode Island to Coeymans in 1795. He had seven sons: 
Lanson, Nathan, George, Charles, Hardy, David and Merritt. Charles Cole had 
two sons: Madison and William S. William S. had one son and two daughters: 
William, Mrs. Stephen Tompkins, and Mrs. Jessie Hotaling. He bought a farm at 
Indian Fields, where he has always been a prominent and successful farmer. 

Koonz. John F., was born in the town of New Scotland, November 5, 1839. His 
great-grandfather came from Germany and settled in the town of Westerlo. Peter 
Koonz, the grandfather, was born in Westerlo, where he became a farmer and spent 
his life. His wife was Catherine Cline, and they had thirteen children. She lived 
to be 106 years of age, and when 104 years, without the use of glasses, she hemmed 
a linen handkerchief for each of her granddaughters, the needle work on which 
would have been creditable to one half her age. She died in Albany. Samuel, the 
father of John Koonz, was born in the town of Westerlo in 1809. When a young 
man he went to Albany and learned the weaver's trade and soon after married 
Elizabeth, the only child of Jonathan and Hannah (^Van Burcn) Folmsbee of New 
Scotland. Mrs. Folmsbee was a first cousin of President Martin Van Buren. Im- 



186 

mediately after his marriage Mr. Koonz moved on to the farm of his father-in-law, 
consisting of sixty-two acres, which he took charge of, and later added forty acres 
more to the farm, and here spent his remaining (Jays. Their children were Mary, 
Hannah, Catherine, Peter (who died when two years of age), Phebe, John F., Abram, 
Peter, Samuel (who died in infancy) and Sarah. Mr. Koonz died December 29, 1871. 
and his wife in 1888. John F. Koonz grew to manhood on his father's farm and at- 
tended the common district schools. When twenty-one he married and began life 
for himself as farmer in the town of Guilderland on a rented farm ; two years later 
he purchased a small farm of ten acres in the town of New Scotland, and in 1865 
purchased his present farm of seventy-three acres, and' here has ever since resided. 
Since 1875, in connection with his farm, he has been an extensive dealer in fertilizers, 
and for four years had his ofBce in Albany, where he had a heavy trade. For fifteen 
years he spent the autumns and winters as traveling salesman, in the interest of his 
fertilizing business, the balance of the year being spent on his farm. Mr. Koonz is 
an active member of the American Protective Association. He has been twice mar- 
ried; his first wife was Nancy, daughter of Frederick J. Tygert of Guilderland, by 
whom he had seven children: Ellen J. (wife of Jacob Allbright), Libbie (wife of 
Fred Nickelson), Samuel C, John E. (who died when nineteen from injuries received 
on a railroad), Fannie, Frederick J. and Daisy. Mrs. Koonz died m October, 1S88. 
In 1891 Mr. Koonz married Miss Jessie, daughter of William Vanderbilt of Iowa, and 
they have two children, Harlan and Harold. 

Wetmore, Edward Willard, was born in Detroit, Mich., September 5, 1846. He 
is a son of Frederick Wetmore and Cornelia Piatt Willard, who was the granddaugh- 
ter of Dr. Elias Willard of Albany, N. Y., who was a surgeon in the Revolution and 
a direct descendant of Simon Willard, the founder of Concord, Mass. The Wet- 
mores came from Middletown, Conn., where Amos Wetmore was a captain in the 
Connecticut Line in the Revolution. He was the great-grandfather of E. W. Wet- 
more. Mr. Wetmore's mother was the fourth in descent from Robert Livingstone, 
jr., mayor of Albany and Indian commissioner; and the fifth in descent from Peter 
Schuyler, first mayor of Albany. Edward W. Wetmore, the subject of this sketch, 
was educated in the public schools of Detroit and the University of Michigan, from 
which he was graduated in 1867 with the degree of A. B. In 1870 he received the hono- 
rary degree of M. A. from the same institution. In 1869 Mr. Wetmore took a course 
in metallurgy at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.V. He also took a 
two years course in Auburn (N. Y.) Theological Seminary, after which he received 
the appointment of instructor in natural sciences in Robert College, Constantinople, 
where he remained three years. Since then Mr. Wetmore has been a teacher of 
natural sciences with the exception of ten years of business life spent in Detroit and 
Connecticut. Since 1891 he has been the professor of natural sciences at the State 
Normal College at Albany, N. Y. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fra- 
ternity, Sonsof the Revolution, Society of the Colonial Wars, Fortnightly and Cres- 
cendo Clubs and the Albany Institute. He has always been actively identified with 
church, Sunday school andY. M. C. A. work, was for four years the president of the 
association in Detroit, Mich., and is now chairman of the educational committee of 
the Albany Y. M. C. A. In 1883 he was married to Martha, daughter of William H. 
Cox of Brooklyn, N. Y., and they have two children: William Cox and Edward Van 
Dyke. 



187 

Moore, Albert T. , was bom in Rensselaerville, N. Y. , December 1, 1827, son of 
Apollos and Deborah (Stone) Moore. His father, ApoUos Moore, was born in Pitts- 
field, Mass.. 1765; he was a, soldier in the Revolutionary war, enlisting at the age of 
si.xteen, and served three years. He came to Rensselaerville about 1785, built a 
substantial house two miles east of the village, which became his home for life. He 
was a prominent man in the town, holding most of the town offices and was ap- 
pointed judge of Albany county, which office he held for many years. He was by 
occupation a farmer and miller. He died in 1841. Deborah Stone, his wife, was 
born in Windham, Greene county, 1788, and died in Rensselaerville, 1857. Their 
children were George Stone. Albert Tuttle, and Jerome B. Albert T.. the subject 
of this .sketch, was reared on the farm, educated in the common schools, and has 
always been a farmer by occupation. In politics he is a Demorcrat. For five years 
he held the office of supervisor of the town. For the last ten years he has lived a 
retired life in the village of Rensselaerville. In 1855 he married Ann B. Knowles, 
who was also born in Rensselaerville. 

White, John J., son of Isaac and Ann Eliza (Cramer) White, was born in Fulton- 
ville, N.Y., September 4, 1848. His paternal grandfather, Isaac White, moved from 
Nine Partners, Dutchess county, to near Duanesburg, N. Y., later to Otsego county, 
and in 1828 to Palmyra, N. Y., but finally returned to Duanesburg. Hon. Isaac 
White, son of Isaac, was born in Maryland, Otsego county, February 10, 1820, was 
educated at Gallupville Academy, taught school, became a merchant in Gloversville 
and afterward a farmer in Duanesburg and in 1866 came to Albany and entered the 
employ of George A. Wolverton & Co. On October 3, 1843, he married Ann Eliza 
Cramer, and in March. 1871, he formed with his son, John J., the firm of Isaac White 
& Son and purchased the notion and fancy goods business of George H. Knowlton. 
In 1874 another son, Edgar M., was admitted under the style of Isaac White & Sons. 
January 1. 1883, Mr. White withdrew, Edgar M. gave place to his brother, Frank, 
and the firm became Isaac White's Sons & Co. In January, 1885, Edgar M. White 
again became a member of the firm and m 1887 Addison B. Wells was admitted, 
Frank White retiring at this time on account of ill health. In 1890 the business was 
closed out and the firm dissolved, and in 1892 John J. White, Addison B. Wells and 
Frank J. Wilkins, organized the present firm of White, Wells & Wilkins, from which 
Mr. Wilkins withdrew in December, 1894, the other two partners continuing under 
the same name. The business is exclusively wholesale dry goods, notions and fancy 
goods, and has been conducted in the present block on Broadway since 1871 and is 
the only one of the kind in the city. John J. White was educated at the Gloversville 
Academy, came to Albany in 1867 and was a clerk for Mr. Knowlton until 1871. He 
is a director in the Albany County Bank and a trustee of the Albany County Savings 
Bank. In 1873 he married Anna E., daughter of Jacob Miller of Albany; she died 
in March, 1875. leaving one son. Frederick J., who is associated in business with his 
father. In 1870 Mr. White married, second, Charlotte E., daughter of Launcelot 
Bevv, of Albany, and they have five children: Launcelot Bew (deceased), Mary Bew, 
John J., jr., William Bew, and Ruth. 

Groot, James Bleecker, was born in the city of Albany in 1848. He is the son of 
Philip Wendell Groot, who was a native of Fonda. Montgomery county. N. Y.. and 
a descendant of the old and widely known Groot family of Amsterdam. He was for 



188 

many years a broker in New York city. In 1840 he came to Albany and engaged in 
the dry goods and real estate business but after a time returned to New York city 
and resumed his operations as a broker. His wife was Deborah Sanders, a rative 
of Schenectady, and a daughter of Barent and Cathalina (Bleecker) Sanders. Mr. 
and Mrs. Groot reared three children, two daughters and one son ; he died about 
1870, and his wife survived him eight years. James Bleecker, the subject, spent 
most of his time in early life traveling about for his health ; after a time he studied 
law and later engaged in the mercantile business for a time in Albany. In 1887 he 
accepted a position as assistant paymaster on the Delaware & Hud.son Canal Rail- 
road which he now holds. In 1888 he erected a residence on the mountain side, 
above the village of Altamont in the town of Guilderland. In 1893 he erected his 
handsome and imposing residence on the mountain side, above the village, a pic- 
turesque spot, commanding a beautiful view of the valley At this beautiful residence 
he and his sisters make their permanent home. In this home they have old pictures, 
furniture, and rare old china, Japanese and Russian tea sets, comprising hundreds 
of pieces of the most elegant and antique ware, worth thousands of dollars. All 
these articles were inherited as the portion of the estates of Groot, Bleecker, San- 
ders, and Van Rensselaer families, from whom they are descended. Mr. Groot is a 
natural mechanic and mathematician, and spends much of his time in the manufac- 
ture of fine and complicated clocks of his own designing, having a room setoff as his 
work shop, which he has well stocked with all the finest and modern tools, etc. He 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Noah Lodge and Noah Chapter of Allamont, 
and is a thirty-second degree Mason of Albany Lodge. 

Deitz, Wallace E., M. D., was born in the town of Berne, November til, 1857. 
Col. Johan Jost Deitz, his great-grandfather and founder of the family in America, 
came from Switzerland and was one of the first settlers in the town of Berne, coming 
there between 1750 and 1760. Jacob, the grandfather, was born in Berue about 1787. 
He was a lifelong and successful farmer, accumulating a fine property in the Beaver- 
dam Valley. His wife was Mary Elizabeth Zimmer. John G , the father, was born 
in Berne in 1836, his early life being spent on his father's farm. In 1878 he removed 
to Gloversville, N. Y., where he was engaged in the grocery business for about fif- 
teen years, when he retired to the village of Slingerlands, where he died November 
17, 1896, and was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery of Berne. His wife was Lydia J., 
daughter of John H. Engel, of Berne, and they had eight children : Isadora, Wallace 
E., Laura, Charles F., Elmer, Seward, Carrie, and Adella, of whom four survive. 
Wallace E. was reared on the farm and educated m the common district school. At 
the age of eighteen he began for himself, contmuing his schooling winters. Urged 
on by his success in his studies, he was soon enabled to secure a certificate to teach. 
He was then engaged in teaching and studying until 1877, vi-hen he passed the State 
examination and soon after entered the Albany Medical College, from which he was 
graduated March 3, 1883. He began the practice of his profession m Howe's Cave, 
Schoharie county, two years later removing to Berne, where he has since resided, 
enjoying a large and lucrative practice. He owns a farm, also a saw mill, which he 
superintends. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and the I. O. 
O. F., Orion Lodge No. 624 of Gallupville, of which he is past noble grand. In July, 
1889, Dr. Dietz married Theodora, daughter of David and Louis (Rheinhart) Ball, 
of Berne. They have an adopted daughter. 



189 

Reid, William James, was born in New Salem, Albany county, March 6, 1835. 
George the grandfather, was a native of Scotland, who came to America, before 
1785, and settled in the town of New Scotland. He was a farmer and reared eight 
children, and died in 1805. One of his sons, James, was the first supervisor of the 
town and held the office from 1833 to 1838. Alexander, the father, was born in New 
Scotland in 1801 and spent most of his life here. When a young man he settled 
in the town of Berue, where is now Reidville, which was named in his honor. 
Through his efforts a post-office was established and he was appointed postmaster, 
and al.so conducted a store and hotel. He remained there for about six years, when 
he returned to New Salem, where he engaged as a wheelwright, which business he 
followed until he retired on account of ill-health. His wife was Sophia Thompson, 
born in New Scotland, by whom eight children were born: Eliza J., George A., Mar- 
garet, Maria, Alexander, William J., Ann and John, Mr. Reid died in 1878 at the 
age of seventy-seven, and his wife died in 1869. William J., when sixteen years of 
age, began learning and working at the wheelwright trade in his father's shop and 
has followed this business since. For many years he manufactured sleighs and 
wago! s and employed several men to help him. After his marriage, in 1859. he 
opened a shop for himself and has always met with success m his business. In early 
life he manifested a keen and intelligent interest in the political affairs of his town 
and county, and when twenty-eight years of age was elected justice of the peace 
and filled the office with satisfaction for twenty years. He was justice of sessions 
during the years 1872, '73, '81 and '82, and was elected supervisor of the town for 
the years 1886, '87, and '88, and since 1883 he has been notary pubHc. He has been 
chosen many times as representative to county and State conventions. In 1859 
he married Catherine Paterson, daughter of Alexander Paterson, who was born in 
Kew Scotland and is of Scotch ancestry, his grandfather, John, being one of the early 
emigrant settlers in this town. Their children are Mrs. Margaret Raynsford of 
Jersey city ; Mrs. Mary Moak of the same place; and William P., who is with the 
National Express Company at Jersey city. 

Bennett, David W , was born in New Scotland, August .'JO, 1838. He was the son 
of William, who was one of three sons, William, Rushraore, and Thomas, and one 
daughter, Ann, born to Daniel Bennett, of England. William became a farmer in 
New Scotland, where he did a large and successful business. His wife was Catha- 
rine Bradt, daughter of David Bradt, and granddaughter of Storm Bradt; she was 
born on the farm now owned by David W. Bennett in 1814, as was her grandfather. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were born six children; Daniel. David W., A.nn, Abbie 
(died at twenty years of age), William H., and Hester. Mr.s. Bennett died in 1865, 
and Mr. Bennett spent the last fifteen years of his life in the town of Bethlehem, 
and died in 1876, aged sixty-nine years. David W. received his education in the 
common district and Albany schools. He remained on the homestead until he was 
twenty-four, when he purchased it of his father; he sold it in 1871, when he pur- 
chased of an uncle the original homestead of 113 acres of his maternal grandfather, 
where his mother was born, and four years later he removed to Albany, where he 
resided one year. For many years he has made a .specialty of high grade Jersey 
cows. He has also devoted much of his time to apple culture, and in the mean time 
has purchased sixty-eight acres adjoining the homestead. In 1861 he married Miss 



190 

Harriet Perry of New Scotland. She was the daughter of Casper and Amanda 
(Meade) Perry; this union was blessed with two children, William C. and Anella. 
William C. married Elizabeth Higgins and has one child, Edward J. Daniel Ben- 
nett, the grandfather of the subject, was born at Stone near Berkley, England, in 
the year 1777. He married Miss Abigail Rushmore of New Salem, and settled near 
there on a farm, where he died while yet a young man. 

Barber, Morgan F., was born in the town of Berne, April 6, 1849. Lemuel (Bar- 
bour) the great-grandfather, was a native of France. Gideon, the grandfather, was 
born in Dutchess county. He was a lifelong and successful farmer, and spent the 
last thirty-five years of his life in Berne, where he conducted a farm. His wife was 
Polly Nelson, and their children were Jesse, Nelson, Charles, Darius, John and 
Roxie. He died in 1874 and his wife died in 1868. Charles, the father, was born in 
Berne in May, 1825. He was also a lifelong farmer in the town of Berne and Wes- 
terlo, but now resides in Berne. His wife was Amanda M., youngest daughter of 
twenty-four children born to Richard Filkins by two wives, one of whom was 
Catherine Angell. The children of Charles and Amanda Barber were Morgan 
F.. Oliver J., Sanford H., Perry D. (who died when quite young), Frank, Ida 
E., Arthur (who died when young), Loren C, Jennie E., who died when eighteen 
years of age, and Fred. Morgan F. was reared to farm life and received his 
education in the old Filkins school house in Berne. When sixteen years of age 
he began for himself by working at farm work, which he followed until twenty- 
two years of age, with the exception of one year spent at carpentry; being 
of a speculative turn of mind he then turned his attention to speculating in various 
things, such as produce, stock, horses, agricultural implements, fruit, nursery stock, 
etc., which he has continued to the present time. In 1877 he removed to the village 
of Clarksville and owns a farm and cultivates many varieties of fruits. In 1892 he 
established a beer bottling business in Clarksville, is also agent for several large 
breweries, and is a jobber in cigars, doing a general wholesale business. During 
his nineteen years' residence in this town, seventeen of them have been spent in 
public office. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne Lodge No. 684. In 
1871 he married Ruth Emma, born in Westerlo in 1853, a daughter of Nathaniel and 
Christina (Wright) Newberry, by %vhom eleven children were born: Lillian, Ida, 
Evelyn, Lora and Cora (twins), Herman, Eugene, Lucy, Clyde, Morgan and Clifton. 
Mr. Barber was one of the original promoters and stockholders of the Clarksville 
and Furabush telephone line and is now one of the directors of the company. 

Becker. Howard, was born in Albany and is the son of Aaron, grandson of Aaron 
and great-grandson of Frederick Becker, who with his father, Frederick Becker, 
came to Houck's Corners when a boy and died there, leaving three sons: Christopher, 
Peter and Aaron. Howard Becker came to the farm where he now lives, near 
Jerusalem, with his father in 1857, where they are farmers. 

Barckley, Edward L., was born in the town of Knox, June, 1842. Michael Barck- 
ley, his great-grandfather, was a native of Germany, and migrated to America^ 
setthng in the town of Guilderland, a pioneer. Evert Barckley, his grandfather, 
was born in Guilderland and spent his life as a farmer, and died there in 1826. He 
had one son and several daughters. Henry, the father of Edward Barckley, was 
born in the town of Guilderland in 1816, and in early life followed blacksmithing. 



i 



191 

He subsequently settled in the village of Knox and owned a farm joining the vil- 
lage In 1856 he opened a store and engaged in general mercantile business, but 
still operated his farm; being a man of good judgment and of unusual business 
ability, he accumulated a large property. In politics he was iirst a Whig and later 
identified himself with the Republican party. He was elected town clerk and rep- 
resented his town on the Board of Supervisors for two terms, and was postmaster 
for a number of years. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. 
His wife was Magdalene, daughter of Aaron Livingston of Guilderland, and they 
had two children, Michael and Edward L. ; the former was lieutenant in Co. K, 7th 
N V Heavy Artillery: he was wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor and died from 
the effects of his wound. Henry Barckley was a member of the Dutch Reformed 
church in which he was elder, an active worker and a liberal supporter; his wife 
survives him and lives with her son. Edward L. Barckley received his education 
in the Knox Academy. He remained at home and assisted his father in the store 
and on the farm, receivmg thus a thorough and practical education. Years before 
the death of his father he assumed full control of his father's business and now owns 
the farm of 135 acres and store property. For many years Mr. Barckley has been 
prominently identified with the Republican party and is a recognized leader of that 
party in his town. The years of 1885, '86 and '87 he represented his town on the 
Board of Supervisors, in 1895 received the appointment of penitentiary commissioner 
and was postmaster under Harrison. In November, 1896, his party honored him 
with the election of treasurer of Albany county. He has often represented his dis- 
trict as a delegate to the County, Assembly and State Conventions. November 22, 
1865, he married Miss Eunice, daughter of Alvah and Amanda (Tyler) French, and 
they have one child, Grace. 

Merriman Willis E., son of Harmon N. and Emeline (Chambers) Merriman, was 
born in Carbondale, Pa., May 4, 1843. His father was a lawyer, a graduate of the 
Albany Law School, and captain of Co. H, 177th Regt. N. Y. Vols., that went from 
Albany, N. Y. He was severely wounded at the first attack on Port Hudson. May 
27 1863, and died at sea while being brought home. On the maternal side, Mr. 
Merriman is descended from the Lees who lived in Connecticut and who came to 
America shortly after the arrival of the Puritans. Mr. Merrimau's parents removed 
to Albany N. Y. , in 1847, and he was educated at the Albany Academy and Anthony's 
Classical' institute. After completing his education, he obtained a clerkship in the 
office of Surgeon-General S. O. Van Der Poel, M. D., April 19, 1861. He remained 
there until the close of the war, and on January 1, 1866, was appointed confidential 
clerk to State Comptroller Hillhouse, which position he held ten years. In 1876 he 
was appointed warrant clerk, the principal financial office, and served in that capacity 
until the creation of the office of second deputy, to which position he was appointed 
in January. 1895, by Comptroller Roberts. Mr. Merriman has been employed in the 
State comptroller's office thirty-one years, and in point of term of service, he is one 
of the oldest employees of the State. Since 1884 he has been a member of the Gen- 
eral Board of Examiners of the State Civil Service. He served thirteen years as a 
member of Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y., was a charter member of the Old Guard, 
Mbanv Zouave Cadets, and has held the offices of secretary and vice-president of 
same ' He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Albany Club. January 



192 

21, ISTf', he married Helen M. Clark, dauj;hter of Francis Clark of Albany. They 
have two sons: Willis E., jr , and Porter Lee. 

NtchoUs, H. A. — Among the business places of Coeynians village the furniture 
store of NichoUs & Robbins has supplied a long-felt want. Mr. Nicholls was born 
in Massachusetts and in early life went to Michigan. He returned and after grad- 
uating from Stamford (N. Y.) Academy in 1885, taught school until 1891, when he 
was compelled to retire from that field through ill-health. After spending some time 
in Coeynians he opened the above-mentioned furniture store, where is carried on a 
general furniture and undertaking business. S. L. Robbins was born in Greene 
county, N. Y. His early days were spent on a farm up to the time of his joining in 
business with Mr. Nicholls. He graduated after a thorough course of instruction 
from the Champion College of Embalming in the class of '96. Both partners are 
men of good standing and possess excellent business qualifications. 

Van Slyke, G. W., & Horton.— George W. Van Slyke, son of Peter B. and Sarah 
(Covert) Van Slyke, both of Holland Dutch descent, was born in New Baltimore. N. 
Y., September 5, 1831, and moved to Stuyvesant, N. Y., with his parents in 1839. 
His first American ancestor, Willeni Pieterse Van Slyke, settled in Beverwyck as 
early as 1628. Mr. Van Slyke was an engineer in a lumber mill for six years and 
later a general merchant in New Baltimo-re until 1868, when he came to Albany and 
engaged in the manufacture of cigars under the firm name of Gee & Van Slyke. Mr. 
Gee retired in 1870 and Mr. Van Slyke continued the business with slight changes in 
the firm name until 1880, when Wallace N. Horton was admitted under the style of 
G. W. Van Slyke & Co. In 1889 the present name of G. W. Van Slyke & Horton 
was adopted. Mr. Van Slyke died August 11, 1891, and since then his widow has 
represented his interest in the business, which is one of the best known of its kind 
in the country. The firm employs about 175 people and has developed an extensive 
trade as manufacturers and jobbers of fine cigars." Mr. Van Slyke was a director in 
the First National Bank, a founder, director and vice-president of the Homestead 
Savings and Loan Association, an original incorporator and president of The Pure 
Baking Powder Company, a member of the Holland Society of New York and the 
Albany Club, a trustee of the Madison Avenue Reformed church and president of 
the board from 1888 till his death, and president of the consistory of that body. In 
September, 1864, he married Georgianna Parsons of New Baltimore, who died in 
November, 1865. He irarried second, Februarys, 1870, Mary E.. daughter of Rich- 
ard T. and Margaret (Bailey) Hoag, of Albany, who survives him. They had two 
sons, George W. and William H., twins, born January 3, 1873, both graduates of 
Yale University, class of 1895. 

Batchelder, Robert C, son of Rev. Daniel and Lydia (Porter) Batchclder, was born 
in the State of Maine, the county and town of Knox, July A, 1856. His father died 
when he was three years old. Young Batchelder, when old enough to attend school, 
had to walk three miles, that being the nearest school. At the age of ten years he 
had to help work the farm and attended school only in winters. He graduated from. 
Freedom Academy in 1871 ; he then took entire charge of the farm for three years, 
at the end of which time, with his mother's con.^ent, he started out for himself ; in 
the spring of 1874 he arrived in the city of Boston, that being the next year after 
the great financial panic. Po.sitions were hard to obtain ; and although young 



I 



103 

Batchelder was used to hardships and disappointments, yet after a constant effort 
for over four weeks without obtaining any thing to do, lie was the nearest discour- 
aged of any time of his life; he, however, obtained a good position. In 1876 he 
went to Worcester, Mass., and engaged in the coal and wood business, and in one 
year had established a good trade. In 1877 he sold out his business there to his 
brother-in-law, B. F. Wiggins, and came to Albany and located in the same business 
at 82 and 84 Arch street. In the year 1873 Mr. Batchelder married Miss Lizzie P. 
Hungerford. lu 1883 he removed his business and took possession of the old estab- 
lished coal yards, 697 Broadway, e.\tending through to Montgomery street. In the 
fall of 1884 his yards were destroyed by fire. Early the next year he formed a part- 
nership with Robert A. Wallace; they carried on the coal and wood business until 
1888, when Mr. Batchelder bought out Mr. Wallace's interest and has since that time 
carried on the business at 774 Broadway and dockyard foot of Livingston avenue. 
In 1893 Mr. Batchelder built a large factory at Hawkesbury, Ont., for manufactur- 
ing kiln-dried bundle wood, from which point large quantities are shipped to the 
jirincipal New England cities as well as Albany and Troy. In the spring of 1894 he 
associated with him in business Mr. Joseph C. McClelland. Mr. Batchelder is a 
man of pronounced opinion and prompt action, a firm believer in having proper re- 
gard for the rights of others as well as to maintain his own rights. He admires 
men of good deeds and thinks that Genl. Grant ivas the good, great man in the 
truest sense; he believes that C M. Depew will go down in history as the greatest 
orator of this or any other age, and that he should be honored for the fairness with 
which he discusses all matters. Mr. Batchelder is a member of Ancient City Lodge 
F. & A. M., Capital Chapter R. A. M., and Temple Commandery No. 2,K. T. 

Burdick, Norman, is descended from an old Rhode Island family, his grandfather 
being Elkanah Burdick, of Granville, N. Y., born Augu.st 6, 1771, died April 21 
1832, who married Martha Worden. His father, Joseph Uriah Burdick, of Dexter 
Me., born in 1808, married Cynthia Morgan. Mr. Burdick was born in Middletown 
VI., June 2, 1834, received a common school education, learned the trade of iror 
niolder in Amheist, N. H., and came to Albany in 1864 as superintendent for Shear, 
Packard & Co., stove manufacturers. He continued with them and their successors, 
Perry & Co., in the foundry, until 1871, when he became traveling salesman for the 
latter firm. From 1877 to 1881 he had charge of the foundry at Sing Sing prison 
in 1881 he engaged in the manufacture of patent stove specialties in that city, and 
in 1883 moved the business to Albany. In 1885 his son, Bainbridge W., became his 
partner under the present firm name of Burdick & Son, and in 1888 they moved the 
establishment from Green street to the corner of Liberty and Division streets, where 
it is now located. The firm also has a .slate quarry at Hampton, N. Y., and a large 
stock farm of about 500 acres at the same place, where they breed fine trotting 
horses. Mr. Burdick has always been a Republican. He is a member of Custus 
Morum Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Post Lull, G. A. R., both of Milford. N. H., and is a 
member and past master of Benevolent Lodge, No. 7, F. & A. M., also of Milford. 
lie IS a member of all Masonic bodies of New Hampshire except De Witt Clinton 
Council, Temple Commandery and Cyprus Temple, of Albany. He is a charter 
member of the Acacia Club and a member of the Albany Republican Unconditional 
Club. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. C, 4th N. Y. Vols., was promoted second lieutenant 



104 

and served until 1864, when he was iumoralily discharged for disability. He married 
Mary V., daughter of Otis R. Fisher, of Wilton, N. H., and they have two children : 
Bainbridge W. and Ethel (Mrs. Elmer E. Wygant), both of Albany. Bainbridge 
Winfield Burdick, born in Amherst, N. H., February 13, 1864, is a member of Wads- 
worth Lodge, No. 417, F. & A. M., of all the Odd Fellow bodies, of the Republican 
Unconditional Club and of the Albany Burgesses Corps. 

Springer, J. Austin, son of Adrian Oliver and Jeanette (Squire) Springer, was 
born in Utica, N.Y., January 11. 1870. In 1878 his parents moved to Albany, N.V., 
where he was educated in the public and high schools. Music being his aim, and 
with a determination to devote his whole time to its study, he left the High School 
in the winter of 1888 and placed himself under the instruction of Dr. Jeffery and 
John Kautz for piano and Samuel Belding for organ. In June, 1895, Mr. Springer 
went to New York to further pursue the study of the piano under William Mason, 
Mus. Doc, A. C. M., who is recognized as America's greatest pianoforte teacher. 
At the present time he still continues his studies under the valued tutelage of this 
great master. In the spring of 1888 he received his first charge in the capacity of 
assistant organist of All Saints' Cathedral, Albany, N. Y., which position he held 
during the summer of that year during Dr. Jeffery's absence in Europe. The fol- 
lowing year he was appointed organist of St. Luke's Epi.scopal church at Cambridge, 
N. Y. In 1889 he went to the First M. E. church at Lansingburgh, N. Y., where he 
held the position of organist for three years. His next charge was at the North Re- 
formed church of West Troy, N. Y., and in September, 1894, he was appointed or- 
ganist and director of music in the First M. E. church of Albany, N. Y. In Novem- 
ber, 1896, Mr. Springer was chosen out of eighteen applicants to be the organist of 
the State Street Presbyterian church of Albany, which position he still holds, giving 
eminent satisfaction in that capacity. On June 13 1890, Mr. Springer was married 
to Olive G. Robertson of Albany. He has won for himself distinction as a piano- 
forte instructor and exponent of Dr. Mason's method. The "Springer Musicales," 
which are given every season by his pupils, show evidence of his conscientious work 
in this department. During the season of 1896-97 he has given a series of lecture 
musicales to his pupils on the "Principle of Devitalization as Applied to Artistic 
Piano Playing," and the " Lives and Works of Famous Composers." Mr. Springer 
has written many compositions for the piano and voice, his works having been ren- 
dered by such organizations as Gilmore's, Sousa's, and the United States Marine 
Band of Washington. His latest work, a " Valse Caprice," has been heard in con- 
cert and pronounced to be a work of decided originality with rich harmonica! treat- 
ment. He has also dedicated a "Slumber Song" to Mrs Olivia Shafer of Albany, 
and a "Lullaby" to Town.send H. Fellows, solo baritone of Grace church. New 
York. 

Beutler, William F., was born December 15, 1852, m Albany, and is a son of Frank 
Benjamin and Susannah (Stoehr) Beutler, both of whom came here from Prussia, 
Germany, in 1848. Mr. Beutler received a public schbol education and at the age of 
eleven years entered the law office of Ira Shafer and Jacob H. Clute, the latter being 
county judge of Albany county. In the fall of 1864 Alonzo B. Voorhees formed a 
copartner.ship with Mr. Shafer, and Mr. Beutler continued with the firm until it dis- 
solved in 1867 by the removal of Mr. Shafer to New York city. He then remained 



i 



195 

with Mr. Voorhees, and the firm of Voorhees & Norton, until his admission to the 
bar in 18T4, when he formed a copartnership with David J. Norton, as Norton & 
Beutler, which continued until 1888, and since then he has practiced alone. He was 
assistant district attorney in 1878, 1879 and 1880 and assistant corporation counsel 
from June, 1883, to May. 1884, and was long a member of the Unconditional Repub- 
lican Club, of which he was president in 1886. June 25, 1884, he married Adeline 
B., daughter of John W. Bartlett of Chelsea, Mass., and they have one daughter, 
Annie Louise, born March 8, 1886. 

Wood, Levi, was born in New Scotland in 1842. Gideon Wood, his grandfather, 
was a native of Cape Cod, Mass., born in 1778, a wheelwright by trade, and a manu- 
facturer of spinning-wheels. He came to the town of Westerlo, Albany county, 
about 1806, and devoted his time to farming and the manufacture of spinning- 
wheels. His wife was Jerusha Atkins, by whom he had four children: Uriah, 
Arnold, Anna and Elizabeth. He died in 1861, aged eighty-three years. Arnold 
Wood, the father, was born in the town of Westerlo in 1806. He devoted his early 
life to teaching and later followed farming; he removed to the town of New Scot- 
land in 1836, where he became fairly well-to-do. His wife was Mary Spencer, born 
in Rhode Island in 1806, and a daughter of Anthony, and a cousin of Senator 
Anthony Spencer. Their children were William, Levi, Ameha, Charles and Ann 
Eliza; the latter died when three years old. Arnold Wood died in 1891, and his 
wife resides in New Scotland on the homestead with her son Charles. Levi Wood 
received a very fair education, attending the common schools and the Albany Nor 
mal. He remained on the farm until he was twenty-one. His first enterprise was 
the grocery business, which he established on the corner of Bear and William streets, 
Albany, in partnership with Mr. Underbill, under the firm name of Underbill 
& Wood. Here he remained for seven years; the four following years were 
spent in Connecticut, engaged in the manufacture of paper, when he returned to 
Albany and again engaged in the grocery business at the same location, but this 
time for himself. He remained here for eight years when he again embarked in the 
P3.per manufacturing business in New Baltimore, Greene county, N.Y. In 1892 he 
came to the village of Voorheesville and engaged in the mercantile business, which 
he conducts at the present time. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Temple 
Lodge No. 14 of Albany, and of the Odd Fellows, Voorheesville Lodge. In 1863 
he married Harriet A. Martin, born in New Scotland, and a daughter of William 
and Mary A. (Moak) Martin, and their children are Mary Ella, wife of Dr. W. F. 
Shaw of Voorheesville, and Frank W., with the National Express. 

Chapin, Josiah D., son of Josiah B. and Caroline (Peck) Chapin, was born in 
Springfield, Mass., June 13, 1842, and moved with his parents to Albany about 1848 
and subsequently to Troy, N. Y. , where lie received a public school education. lie 
also attended the Quincy Grammar School at Boston and Bryant & Stratton's Busi- 
ness College in Albany. In 1861 he became a clerk in the wholesale and retail 
clothing store of Davis, Craft & Wilson, with whom he remained until the firm was 
dissolved in 1870. He then continued with R. C. Davis & Co., clothiers, till 1876. 
and afterward was engaged in the merchant tailoring business in Troy. January 1, 
1878, he returned to Albany and became bookkeeper for C. G. Craft, clothier, and in 
1890 was admitted as partner under the firm name of C. G. Craft & Co. Mr. Craft 



died in March of that year and since then Mr. Chapin and Benjamin M. Secor have 
continued the business as surviving partners. The firm manufactures and wholesale 
and retails clothing on an extensive scale. Mr. Chapin served in the local militia 
about nine years, and is a member of Co. A, of the Old Guard. In 1874 he married 
Emily, daughter of Benjamin F. Moseley of Albany, and they have one daughter, 
Abbie, who survives. 

Hallenbeck, George A., was born in Greene county, N. V., in May, 1857. Smith 
Hallenbeck, his great-great-grandfather, came from Holland with his two brothers 
and took up a large tract of land known as the Hallenbeck Patent. Jacob, the 
grandfather, was a farmer and spent his life in Greene county; he reared three chil- 
dren: George Jacob and Eliza. Jacob, the father, was a mason by trade and for 
many years and to the time of his death in 1858 had charge of a turnpike road ; he 
had also a contract for and built many of the stone arch bridges on that road. His 
wife was Phebe A. Renne, by whom he has had five children: William, Lucy, Mary 
(died young), Alice (died young) and George. Mr. Hallenbeck having died when 
George was but fifteen months old, his wife kept the family together and cared for 
them until she died in 1877. William, the oldest, when but seventeen enlisted in 
Co. I, Col, Pratt's Regiment, 20th N. Y. Vols., and was shot dead at the second 
battle of Bull Run. George A. began to care for himself when he was quite young; 
he first engaged as a drug clerk ; when seventeen he began to learn the cigarmaker's 
trade, and when he mastered that he worked for twelve years as a journeyman 
cigarmaker; he then began business for himself in Middleburg, Schoharie county, 
becoming the successor of J. C. Barst & Co. ; this business he conducted until 1886, 
when he removed it to Guilderland Center, where he drew plans and had a place 
built especially for himself. He is an energetic business man and public spirited ; 
he gives employment to from seven to sixteen men, and has two men on the road 
with his goods all the time, and covers about eighteen counties. He has an annual 
output of about three-quarters of a million, and his is the leading industry of the 
village. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge of Altamount, and Odd 
Fellows Lodge of Voorheesville. In 1890 he was united in marriage to Miss Isadore 
A. \'anderburg, daughter of Joseph Vanderburg of Greene county. 

Mclntyre, Archibald, son of James and Ann (Campbell) Mclntyre, was born in 
Johnstown, N.Y., June 6, 1837. He received his education in the public schools and 
Johnstown Academy, and on April 27, 1845, he removed to Albany, N. Y. , where he 
obtained a clerkship in the grocery store of S. T. Thorn. In 1846 Mr. Thorn sold 
out to Richard Bortle, and in 1852 Mr. Mclntyre went into partnership with Mr. 
Bortle. This partnership continued until 1862, when Mr. Mclntyre sold his interest 
to Mr. Bortle. Mr. Mclntyre then went into the wholesale provision business on 
Exchange street, handling flour, butter, cheese, etc. Subsequently he moved to 
State street and in 1871 to his present location on Hudson avenue. In 1885 he sold 
out and resumed again in 1889. Mr. Mclntyre is a member of Temple Lodge and 
Capital City Chapter; he is also a director of the Commerce Insurance Company, 
lu 1854 he married Jane Anne Bearcroft, and they have seven children, two sons 
and five daughters. 

McNamara, John W., son of Hugh and Ellen McNamara, who came to America 
from Ireland in 1832, was born in Watervliet, Albany county, January 9, 1839, and 



191 

moved with the family to Albany in 1844. He' was educated in the private schools 
of Michael O'SuUivan and the late Thomas Newman and at the State Normal Col- 
lege, from which he was graduated in 1858. In 1855 he was selected as an assistant 
in the compilation of the State census. He taught school for three years and in 1861 
became a law student in the office of Courtney & Cassidy. He finished his legal 
studies with L. I). Holstein. On the death of Mr. Holstein in 1864 the business was 
continued by Cheever & McNamara until 1868, when the latter formed a copartner- 
ship with S. Y. Hawley, which continued until Mr. Hawley's death in 1887. In 1869 
Mr. McNamara was elected police justice, vice Hon. S. H. Parsons resigned, and in 
1870 was re-elected for a full term of four j-ears. In 1864 he was chosen secretary of 
the Albany Railway Company to succeed Mr. Holstein, deceased, and held that posi- 
tion until 1880, when he was elected treasurer and general manager, which offices he 
still fills. In January, 1881, he became a charter member of the Committee of Thir- 
teen. He is first vice-president of the Law and Order League; was long a member 
of Mountaineer Co., No 5, of the volunteer Fire Department; was an incorporator 
of the Albany Stove Company; was one of the incorporators and a trustee of the 
Catholic Union of St. Vincent's Orphan Asylum and a member of the advisory board 
of managers of St. Peter's Hospital. In 1863 he married Martha J., daughter of 
Rev. Frederic Ramsey, of Lawyerville, N. Y. 

Page, Edward N., manager of the Cohoes Rolling Mill, has been associated with 
the iron industry since he was ten years of age. He was born in England in 1826, 
coming to America in 1848. and to Cohoes in 1862, when he became one of the firm 
of Simmons & Page (Jonas Simmons). In 1863 James Morrison bought out Jonas 
Simmons's interest, and the firm of Morrison, Cohvell & Page was then formed, and 
the business is still continued under the same firm name and management. Mr. 
Morrison died June 11, 1893. Mr. Page is a master of the details in iron and steel 
making, and is a man of wide experience in the work, having devoted his whole life 
to the closest study of all the branches pertaining to America s greatest industry. 

Bell, Horace S., son of Horace and Jane (Seaman) Bell, was born at Stuveysant 
Falls, Columbia county, February 8, 1845, and received a public school education at 
Castleton, N. Y. His mother died in 18.50 and his father in 1858, and in the latter 
year he became a clerk in Albany for James R. Hadley, with whom he remained 
eight years. In 1866 he purchased of Minor J. Veeder the retail grocery and grain 
business at No. 168 South Pearl street, where he has since been located. In the 
same year he formed a partnership with William L. Coffin, under the firm name of 
Bell & Coffin, and so continued until Mr. Coffin's death on February 25, 1896, when 
he succeeded to the business. Mr. Bell is a director in the First National Bank, a 
trustee and first vice-president of the Albany City Savings Institution, a director in 
the Equal Rights Insurance Company of Albany since its organization in 1882, one 
of the organizers and a director of the Albany County Loan Association, and for 
several years an elder in the Madison Avenue Reform church. • He was married in 
1873 to Mary, daughter of John McHarg of Bethlehem, N. Y., and thev have three 
children: Jessie, Horace and Mildred. 

Parsons, Francis Marion, of Scotch and German descent, was born in Camillus, 
Onondaga county, August 19, 1848. He is a son of David Henry Parsons, a farmer 
residing at Weedsport. N. Y. His mother was Emiline Mills, daughter of the late 



Samuel and Phoebe Mills, of Coeymans, Albany couuty. Her grandfather, another 
Samuel Mills, was a Revolutionary soldier. The grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch, Joshua Parsons, came from Scotland and settled in Dutchess county, N. Y. 
He later removed to Granby where he was supervisor of the town. In 1866, after a 
residence in Granby of seventeen years, the Parsons family removed to Camillus. 
Francis M., the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools for some time and 
entered the Baldwinsville Academy, meanwhile teaching school in the counties of 
Cayuga and Onondaga and working for a time in a Memphis store. While teaching 
school he read law with William B. Mills of Weedsport, and in 1871 he was admitted 
to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme Court held in Rochester, N. Y. He 
opened an office in Weedsport and soon became the leading lawyer in the northern 
part of Cayuga county. In 1879 he was elected special county judge on the Repub- 
lican ticket and retained the place for three years. In 1886 and 1887 he was elected 
and re-elected to the Assembly where he was both years a member of the ways and 
means committee. Mr. Parsons has also been a justice of the peace and has acted 
as town clerk for the town of Brutus. About January 1, 1894, he was appointed first 
confidential clerk to the attorney-general of the State. July 1, 1894, he wjts made 
deputy attorney-general of the State and now holds that office. He is a member of 
Weedsport Lodges of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias, and of the Unconditional 
Republican Club of Albany. He is also a tru.stee of the Methodist society. In 1871 
he married Hattie Eliza Bibbens of Brutus, N. Y., and they have three children: 
Minnie L., Frederick Jay and Eva Hattie. The family residence is at Weedsport, 
N. Y 

Tucker. Luther Henry, jr., was born in Albany, X. Y., September 9. 1869. He 
received his preparatory education at the Albany Academy, after which he entered 
Yale University and graduated in the class of T891. While at Yale he was a speaker 
in the junior exhibition for the H. J. Ten Eyck Prize. Mr. Tucker was also a speaker 
for the De Forest Medal in his senior year, and hence a Townsend prize man. He 
was class poet, editor of the Yale Literary Magazine, and a member of the Zeta Psi 
fraternity. Immediately after graduation Mr. Tucker sailed for Europe and visited 
Ireland, England, France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Holland and Bel- 
gium. He returned in December, 1891, and took a post-graduate course at Yale in 
1892 and 1893 (Foote scholarship) in English literature; in June, 1894, he received the 
degree of A. M. December 1, 1893, he entered the lirm of Luther Tucker & Son, 
since which time he has been an editor of the Cultivator and Country Gentleman. 
March 28, 1894, he married Florence Barnard, daughter of the late Stephen P. 
Barnard, M. D., of Hudson, N. Y., and Grand Rapids, Mich. They haveone daugh- 
ter; Katharine Barnard. 

Corliss, Stephen Potter, was born in Albany, N. Y., July 26, 1842, and received his 
education there, which was completed about the time of the breaking out of the war 
of the Rebellion. He at once enlisted as a private, was promoted through the reg- 
ular positions to that of captain, was brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel 
for great gallantry and distinguished bravery at the capture of the Southside Rail- 
road, April 2, 1865, and was also voted a medal by the Congress of the United States 
for his conduct at this time; spent about three months in Libby Prison in Richmond, 
Va., .served upon the staffs of Brig. -Gen. John Ramsey and Major-Gen. Nelson A. 



199 

Miles— with the latter went to Fortress Monroe, Va., to assist in the care of Jefferson 
Davis, then a prisoner there; finally upon his own request was discharged from the 
United States army, December 16, 186G. Returning to his native city, he was soon 
occupied in the pursuits of a mercantile life. March 1, 1866, he entered the employ- 
ment of Charles H. Strong, then a wholesale clothier in Albany, N. Y., as a com- 
mercial traveler, and covered the territory of Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. In Jan- 
uary, 1869, Mr. Strong retired from business and Colonel Corliss was at once engaged 
by Messrs. Davis. Craft & Wilson, at this time one of the largest manufacturers of 
clothing in our country. He remained through the various changes in this firm untii 
July 1, 1887, when he entered the service of Hackett, Carhart & Co., of New York, 
whom he now represents. He has from the time he entered the ranks of the com- 
mercial travelers been a conspicuous member and foremost in advocating and work- 
ing for whatever shall tend to add to their good name and advance their interests as 
a class; was a charter member of, and for ten years has been president of the Albany 
Commercial Travelers Club; is first vice-president Commercial Travelers Home 
Association of America, and also holds the same position in the Commercial Travelers 
Mutual Accident Association of the United States; is also a prominent member of 
the Masonic order, of the military order of the Loyal Legion, andof the Grand Army 
of the Republic, of which he was department commander in 1873 and 1874; also 
served up<m the staff of Major-Gen. Joseph B. Carr, who commanded the 3d Division 
National Guard of our State; was for years a member of the staff of the Washington 
Continentals, and later was captain of Co. B, 10th Battalion N. G. S. N. Y. 

Cutler, Edgar A., is the son of Martin L. Cutler, a native of Holliston, Mass., born 
in 1819; he came to Albany in 1847. Mr. Cutler comes of old New England stock ; 
his great ancestor, John, came from Norfolk, Eng., in 1637, and settled at Higham, 
Mass. ; he seems to have been a man of vigorous parts, with a mind of his own, for 
he early engaged in the religious controversies which form an essential ingredient in 
Puritan life, and suffered in consequence., Simeon, another ancestor, served with 
distinction in the Revolutionary war; he joined Washington at Boston, and remained 
with the army during its eight years of defeat and victory, and retired with a colo- 
nels commission. Mr. Cutler, sr., was engaged in the wholesale and retail millinery 
business at the time of his death, March 15, 1890; he was also trustee of the National 
Exchange Savings Bank, and prominent in the business circles of Albany. He mar- 
ried Maria A. Salisbury of Albany, who survives him; they had two sons, Walter S. 
of San Francisco, and Edgar A., born in Albany, November 13, 1858. He was edu- 
cated in the Albany Academy, and when eighteen entered his father's store, where 
he remained as salesman until 1890, when he succeeded to the business. He is one 
of the leading wholesale and retail milliners of Albany. The business, which has 
been located at Nos. .140-546 Broadway since 1847, is the oldest of the kind in the 
State outside of New York, and one of the oldest in the country. 

Bowman, Cassius M., was born in Troy, July 2, 1846. He is the son of Joseph 
Bowman, the well known veteran collar manufacturer of Troy. Joseph Bowman 
came to Troy when twelve years of age from Vermont. He was one of the pioneer 
manufacturers of collars in Troy, as early as 1854, but later removed to a farm in 
Fulton county. He is, however, a member of the present firm of Bowman & Sons, 
manufacturers of linen collars and cuffs, No. 555 to 561 Federal street, Troy. This 



200 

firm was established in 1876 with Cassius M. Howman and Joseph Bowman, jr., as 
active members, and employed about 100 people. C. M. Bowman has been a resi- 
dent of Green Island since 1882, and has taken an active part in local government. 

Zeilman, Charles H., was born in Albany, N. Y., September 35, 1839. He received 
a common school education and later went into the employ of Steele & King, where 
he learned the paper hanging business and subsequently served as an apprentice at 
the carpenter's trade, at which he was employed at the breaking out of the Rebellion. 
August 8, 1861, he enlisted in the 44th N. Y. Vols, and was successively promoted 
from the ranks to first sergeant, second and first lieutenant and captain; and com- 
manded Company F, the Albany company, from the Peninsula campaign until the 
company was mustered out of service in Albany, October 11. 1864. He participated 
in most of the battles in which the regiment was engaged, was severely wounded in 
the side at Gettysburg, and was slightly wounded in the left arm in the battle of the 
Wilderness. He has been a prominent member of the G. A. R. since 1867. January 
1, 1865, when the free delivery system was put in operation in Albany, Postmaster 
Dawson appointed him as a letter carrier and subsequently to a clerkship in the dis- 
tributing department, from which he resigned in the September following, to accept 
the position of chief clerk and property clerk of the Capital police force. He re- 
mained in that position until September, 1870, and on the fifteenth of that month he 
re-entered the postal service under Postmaster Smyth and for nineteen years was 
clerk at the stamp window. When Gen. James M. Warner was appointed postmaster 
in 18S9, Mr. Zeilman was appointed assistant postmaster and has held that position 
ever since, having been reappointed by the present incumbent, Hon. Francis H. 
Woods. He was a member and secretary of the Board of Civil Service Examiners 
for the Albany post-office from its establishment to the time he became assistant 
postmaster. 

Baxter, William C. , secretary of the David Judson Coal Company of Troy, is the 
son of the well known William E. Baxter, an early settler of West Troy, who is 
prominently connected with the Warford & Robin.son Transportation firm, and owns 
several boats. William C. is a native of West Troy, born in 1866; he finished his 
education at the Troy Business College, after which he entered the firm with which 
he is now identified. Mr. Baxter is a trustee of the Second ward, to which office he 
was elected in 1895, by one of the largest majorities ever given in the ward, and re- 
elected alderman, November, 1896, under the new city charter. He is a member of 
the Watervliet Club of West Troy, secretary of the Troy branch of the Commercial 
Travelers' Home Association, a member of the Y. M. C. A., Royal Arcanum, and 
Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. 

Happel, Dr. William H., son of John II., and Caroline (Kilzer) Happel. was born 
in Albany, April 22, 1866, and was graduated from the Albany High School in 1884 
and from Concordia College at Fort Wayne, Ind., in 1886. He taught for one year 
as adjunct professor of languages in St. Paul's College at Concordia, Mo., and then 
entered the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1890. In 
April of that year he was appointed house physician in the Albany City Hospital 
and served eighteen months. In October, 1891, he began the practice of his pro- 
fession in Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, and its 
present treasurer, and is a Mason, a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., 



Temple Chapter. De Witt Clinton Council, Temple Commandery No. 3, K. T., 
Cyprus Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Scottish Rite bodies. In 1891 
he married Irene, daughter of the late Elisha Schill of Ballston, N. Y., and they 
have two children : Ralph Schill and Irene Kilzer. 

McKinney, James & Son. — James McKinney, son of James and Jane Frances 
(Netterville) McKinney, was bora in Duanesburg, Schenectady county, August 39, 
1835. His father, a farmer who came to America about 1810, was born of Scotch- 
Irish stock in the North of Ireland and was the son of Rev. James McKinney, a 
Scotch Covenanter minister. James McKinney, the subject of this sketch, was edu- 
cated in the public schools and at the Canajoharie Academy, and in the latter vil- 
lage became a clerk in his grandfather's store. When eighteen he began learning 
the iron business at Palatine Bridge, N. Y., and in 1846 came to Albany to follow 
his trade, which he subsequently followed in New York city for a time. Returning 
to Albany in 1857, he formed in that year a copartnership with Abram Mann, and 
under the firm name of McKinney & Mann established the first architectural iron 
business in the capital city in a building on Lumber street, now Livingston avenue, 
near where the railroad bridge now stands. In 1863 the firm removed to De Witt 
street, to buildings specially erected for them. In 1867 Mr. McKinney became sole 
proprietor, and in 1873 erected and occupied the present plant at Nos. 935-933 
Broadway. In 1883 his son Edward N. was admitted as partner, under the firm 
name of James McKinney & Son, which still continues. This is the most extensive 
architectural iron works in Eastern New York outside of New York city, and fur- 
nished a large part of the iron work for the Albany post-office building, the State- 
Capitol building, the D. & H. C. Co.'s office building, the new Albany Safe Deposit 
and Storage Company building, the Dudley Observatory, and numerous other 
structures in Albany and elsewhere. Besides e.\ecuting contracts for heavy struc- 
tural work in buildings, such as columns, girders, trusses, etc., this firm makes a 
specialty of all kinds of the finest ornamental work in the line of stairs, elevator en- 
closures, wrought iron gates, railings, etc. They do a large business in New York 
city and vicinity, having put this class of work in many of the largest structures 
there. On account of their reputation for fine work they are asked to compete with 
the foremost concerns in the country in this line. Mr. McKinney is a vice-president 
of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, a director in the Standard Emery Wheel 
Company and the Marshall & Wendell Piano-forte Manufacturing Company, Limited, 
and has been a member of the Fourth Presbyterian church for forty years, an elder 
for twenty-two years and connected with its Sunday school for twenty-five years. 
He is a Republican, and was alderman of the Seventh ward one term. In 1850 he 
married Julia A. Poole of Albany, and of their six children three are living. Ed- 
ward N. McKinney, their only son, was born in Albany May 17, 1857. Since leav- 
ing school in 1874 he has been associated in business with his father, becoming a 
member of tlje firm in 1883. He is a director in the New York State National Bank, 
vice-president and treasurer of the Standard Emery Wheel Company, secretary and 
treasurer of the Albany Terminal Warehouse Company, manager and treasurer of 
the Marshall & Wendell Piano-forte Manufacturing Company, Limited, a director in 
the Albany Chamber of Commerce, and a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank and 
Second Presbyterian church. He was a member of the Albany Building Commis- 



202 

sion, which erected a number of school houses, engine houses and other public 
buildings in Albany. In 1888 he married Marion Louise Roessle of Washington, 
D. C, and they have three children. 

Hatt, Samuel S.— Among the members of the Albany county bar there are none 
more favorably known than Samuel S. Hatt. His education was obtained at the 
Fort Edward Institute, where he prepared for college, and at the Law Department 
of Union University, from which he was graduated in 1877 with the degree of LL.B. 
In the same year he formed a partnership with Charles \V. Mead, which has con- 
tinued until this day, and is one of the representative and successful law firms of the 
State. He has never entered the field of politics, preferring to devote himself strictly 
to the practice of bis profession. In addition to his extensive practice, however, he 
is prominently identified with the business, charitable and educational interests of 
Albany. He is a trustee of the Albany County Savings Bank, of the Albany Orphan 
Asylum, treasurer of House of Shelter, a member of the Historical Society of Albany 
and of the Fort Orange Club, and a trustee and the treasurer of the Emmanuel Bap- 
tist church, and an active member of the New York State Bar Association. In pub- 
lic and professional life he has always been held in the highest esteem and confidence. 
He married into one of Albany's oldest families, a daughter of Dr. Peter P. Staats, 
fcr many years one of Albany's prominent physicians, and has one son, now prepar- 
ing for college at the Albany Academy. 

Ward, John G., was born in the town of Westerlo in the year 1849 and is the pro- 
duct of Revolutionary stock, taking his name from Gen. John Ward who achieved 
signal military honors in the struggle of the American Colonies for independence. 
Mr. Ward also traces his ancestry back to Gov. Daniel Tompkins of this State. Mr. 
Ward's father is the Rev. Gilbert Ward, a retired and honored minister of the Meth- 
odist church. Mr. Ward's great-grandfather, Nathan Ward, came from Westchester 
county in 1797 and was one of the pioneer settlers of the town of Westerlo. The 
Hon. William L. Ward, congressman from the Westchester District, is a member of 
the same family. Mr. Ward's education was obtained at the local school and at Fort 
Edward Institute. His father owned large landed interests in Westerlo, and young 
Ward remained on the farm for several years, prosecuting his agricultural work 
along the most approved lines. He had erected a cider mill on his farm, where he 
also had a productive apple orchard. Mr. Ward's business ability could not be con- 
fined to his native town and with his clear and judicious insight into the future he 
saw that a splendid opportunity was presented for a cider and vinegar factory at 
Ravena, formerly Coeymans Junction, a growing and enterprising village on the 
West Shore Railroad in Albany county. He removed to Ravena, therefore, and 
erected an extensive plant ; which, with its improvements in the shape of modern 
machinery, etc., is one of the largest institutions for the manufacture of pure cider 
vinegar in the United States, turning out 50,000 barrels each year. His eldest son, 
Gilbert E., who possesses the keen business instinct of his father, is also interested 
in the business. Several thousand carloads of produce also are shipped yearly by 
the firm. Mr. Ward married Cecilia, a most estimable woman, daughter of Dr. John 
Keefer, and their home has been blessed with five children: Gilbert E., John H.. 
Grace L., Walter K., and Raymond; a happier family will not be found anywhere. 
Mr Ward's second son, John H., who has not yet chosen his life profession, has re- 



303 

cently graduated with high honors at Wesleyan University. Mr. Ward is one of the 
best known and popular men in Albany county and is well and favorably known 
throughout Eastern New York. He is what is called a big-hearted man, and many 
are the deeds of charity and kindness to those in need that he performs, alway.s, 
however, without ostentation. From the time he cast his first vote Mr. Ward, as a 
staunch Republican, always has taken a lively interest in politics and in every con- 
test of his party with its opponents he has ever been found doing faithful work for 
Republican success. In 1882 he was the nominee of his party for member of con- 
gress in a hopeless struggle against Democratic fraud at the polls. Mr. Ward is now 
a candidate for the appointment as collector of internal revenue for the Eastern 
New York District at the hands of President McKinley, and a look at the political 
horoscope indicates that he is to get the appointment, which will be a reward only 
in part for his party services. Mr. Ward possesses rare political sagacity, and 
with his ability to make and keep friends he is a political power in his county. 
His brother, the Hon. Walter E. Ward, who is an ex-member of the Assembly, owes 
a great deal of his political success to the unselfish efforts and splendid political judg- 
ment of his brother. Mr. Ward is a member of the M. E. church, to whose needs 
he subscribes liberally. Public spirited, amiable, and upright in his dealings with 
his fellows, he enjoys the esteem and respect of all who know him. 

Pearsall, G. L., represents one of the younger successful business men of Albany. 
While but comparatively young, he has established a business that extends over the 
larger part of the United States and Canada, and enjoys an enviable reputation 
among not only the business men of Albany, but throughout the country. Mr. Pear- 
sall is the son of S. W. Pearsall and Synthia E. Pearsall, and was born at Groomes 
Corners Saratoga county, N. Y., September 14, 1865. His father was the inventor 
of several photographic processes connected with the old wet plate process, and 
for years carried on a successful manufacturing business at Groomes Corners, N. Y. 
Mr. G. L. Pearsall came to Albany in 1886, and after completing his education at 
the State Normal College, entered on a business life, the success of which has few 
equals. Until 1895 he conducted the photographic business with his present busi- 
ness of supplying the photographic trade with electric light enlargements, bromide 
prints, crayon, pastels, sepia and water color portraits, also frames, and conducts 
one of the largest concerns of the kind in the country. His factory is located on 
I'ulton street. In 1896 he erected a handsome villa residence on Allen street, Pine 
Hill-s, which is an ornament to the city. In 1888 he married Miss Jennie Willard of 
Albany, and they have three children. Marguerite. Hazel Estelle and Willard Will- 
ard. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., William Lacy 
Lodge No. 33. I. O. O. F., the Albany Press Club, the Albany County Wheelmen 
and Camera Club, is active in politics and alive to all that will benefit and promote 
the business interests of Albany. 

Stephens, Peter A., police justice of Albany, is a son of John and Catharine F. 
(Allen) Stephens, and was born in Albany, March 4, 1856. His father, who was 
born in New York city in 1839, remained here with his parents in 1845 and resided 
here till his death in September, 1888. Judge Stephens was educated in the Albany 
public schools Free Academy (now Albany High School), read law with Hiram L. 
Washburn, jr., and was admitted to the bar at Binghamton, in May, 1877, when he 



204 

began the practice of his profession in his native city, where he has always resided. 
In the tall of 1885 he succeeded John A. McCall, jr., resigned as school commis- 
sioner, and in the following spring was elected for a full term of three years. De- 
cember 31, 1889, he was appointed police justice, vice Martin D. Conway elected sur- 
rogate, and in April, 1890, and 1892, and November, 1895, he was elected to this 
office by handsome majorities. He is an able lawyer, a skilled parliamentarian and 
a great lover of outdoor sports. His wit and humor are among his chief character- 
istics. He is a member, an incorporator and e.\-president of the Empire Curling 
Club, and a prominent member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and 
other fraternal societies. He is married and has five sons and one daughter. The 
family of Judge Stephens is an old one in the city of Albany, his paternal grand- 
parents, James Stephens and Elizabeth (l)evine) Stephens, who were married in the 
city of New York in or about the year 1815, having lived and died here, and his ma- 
ternal grandparents, John Allen and Mary (Cary) Allen, having been married in 
this city prior to 1820 and always resided here. 

Haverly. William J., was born in the town of Knox, July 5, 1849. The progenitor 
of this line of the family in America was John Haverly, who came from Wurtem- 
burg, Germany, in or about 1750, and settled in that part of Berne which is now 
Knox, and was a farmer. He had four sons, Karl, Jacob, John, jr., and George. 
The son Jacob was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. John 1., the 
grandfather, was born in Knox in 1783, where he followed carpentry. His wife was 
Marilla (born 1797), daughter of Henry Deitz, and their children were Cynthia A.. 
Elizabeth, Jacob, Eli and John D. He died December 2, 1866. and his wife August 
30, 1891. John D. Haverly, the father, was born in Knox, January 7, 1827, and 
attended the common district school. When a boy he worked on a farm by the day 
or month ; subsequently he worked at carpentry with his father, and also learned 
the shoemaker's trade, which he plied winters. When about thirty years old he 
engaged in buying and butchering cattle and .selling meat; this he followed seven 
years, when he bought and conducted a hotel in the village of Berne, which, two 
years later he traded for a farm, upon which the house had been destroyed by iire; 
he rebuilt the house, built new barns, wagon house and other outbuildings. In 1867 
he disposed of the farm and purchased his present farm of 170 acres in the town of 
Knox, where he has ever since resided. His wife was Sophia E.. daughter of Adam 
and granddaughter of Mathias Shultes. The latter was the progenitor of the Shultes 
family in America and a native of Holland. Their children were Willard J., Tsadore 
(who died when five years old), Rena and Nina. William J. Haverly has spent most 
of his life on the farm, engaged for many years with his father in the breeding of 
trotting and road horses, registered stock. They are the owners of the well known 
stallion, "Victor Mohawk," whose progeny has produced such satisfactory roadsters. 
When a boy Mr. Haverly attended the common schools and two terms at Knox 
Academy, taught school when seventeen years old, and later attended the Albany 
Normal School, from which he was graduated in June, 1869. He was then engaged 
in the grocery business in Albany for two years, afterwards returning to his father's 
farm, in which he took an interest, and followed teaching winters. Since 1874 he 
has been a dealer in farm machinery, and since 1890 has dealt in fertilizers. Since 
1887 he has followed teaching winter and summer, having taught in all twenty-nine 



30S 

terms. Mr. Haverly has for years been prominently identified with the Republican 
party, has filled the office of collector for the town of Knox, and was elected in 1878 
to represent his town in the Board of Supervisors, and again in 1882, 1891 and 1892, 
and is present supervisor of Knox. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Berne 
Lodge No. 684, and was for a number of years an Odd Fellow, until the lodge was 
disbanded. In 1883 he married Carrie M., daughter of Theodore Nauright, a native 
of Naurightville, N. J., and their children are Kdwin B.. May, Elmina D., Theo- 
dora N.. Nellie L., Ann A. and John W. 

Capron, William J., was born in the city of Albany, November 16, 1833. He was 
a son of John Capron, who was- born in Albany in 1790. He was one of two children, 
Sarah and John, born to William Capron, a native of Connecticut, who was a farmer 
and a soldier in the war of 1812. John, the father, was a farmer and a dairyman. 
He spent his last days in the town of Watervliet. His wife was Sarah Pangborn, 
daughter of George Pangborn. Their children were Sarah, wife of Robert Harper, 
of Albany; John P.. Martha, William J., and Mary. He died in 1849, and his wife 
survived him until 1887. When twenty-one years of age William J. began for him- 
self as a farmer, near Guilderland village, which he followed for some twelve years, 
when he opened a grocery store in Guilderland, which he conducted for fifteen years, 
and in addition to this he practiced as a veterinarian. He later disposed of his 
store and devoted his whole time as a veterinarian, at which he had gained a wide 
reputation. He was clerk for one term, justice for six years, and was overseer of 
the poor for many years. He was also elected constable for fourteen consecutive 
years. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Wadsworth Lodge of Albany, and 
of the Knights Chapter. He is also an officer of the Humane Society for the pre- 
vention of cruelty to animals and children, and has also been a member of the Board 
of Health for a number of years. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 10th New York State 
Volunteers, which was changed to 177th, and was discharged after three months on 
account of sickness. In 1864 he married Margaret Scott, born in the town of New 
Scotland, and daughter of Peter Scott; their children are Alice and John H. The 
latter is a telegraph operator. Mr. Capron has served his town as deputy sheriff, 
being appointed by a Democratic sheriff, which is much to his credit. 

Merritt, Mrs. Magdalene Isadore La Grange, poet, was born in the town of Guilder- 
land, September 17, 1864, at Elmwood Farm, the homestead of the La Grange family, 
originally De.La Grange. She is the seventh daughter of Myndret La Grange and 
Julia A. La Grange, his wife, second cousins, both descendants of Count Johannes 
de la Grange, a French Huguenot, who emigrated from La Rochelle, France, 1656, 
a son of whom settled upon the tract of land, and founded the homestead, which 
has since descended from father to son, and where the subject of this sketch was 
born. At the early age of eight years she was already writing verses, which were 
correct in rhyme. Brought up in a home of wealth and refinement, and surrounded 
with all that makes life desirable, spending much of her life out of doors in a coun- 
try unsurpassed for its beauty, it is but natural that her work should partake largely of 
the religious, and always of nature. She spent three years studying art under the 
tuition of Prof. Wilham P. Morgan at the Albany Female Academy, where she was 
educated. When but sixteen the editor of a daily paper, after hearing her repeat 
some of her verses, requested permission to publish them, which was given ; since 



206 

then she has been a contributor to various papers, some of her first poems having 
been pubHshed in the Brotherhood of Engineers' Journal, whose editor says of her 
poems: " They are of the highest merit and worthy to be placed among the finest 
songs of the day." She has received kindly encouragement from distinguished 
sources, and says the sweetest and most cherished is from Mrs. Frank Leslie, who 
was the first stranger to recognize her with words of praise. She is a fine prose 
writer and is an occasional contributor to the Christian Work and various other 
papers, with short stories and sketches. In 1893 she published a book of her earlier 
poems, 'Songs of the Helderberg," of which over 300 copies were sold in Albany 
county in two months. She is one of the poets whose biography appears in "A 
Woman of the Century." January 31, 1894, she married Aaron Merritt, of Port 
Jervis, N. Y. Mr. Merritt is a locomotive engineer on the West Shore Railroad, a 
gentleman of the highest integrity, who stands high in the esteem of his employers. 
Their home is at Oak Knoll, a fifty-acre farm belonging to the author, situated beau- 
tifully on the banks of the Norman's Kill. Here the author lives quietly and hap- 
pily, herself superintending much of the work of the farm and the care of her five 
thoroughbred Jerseys. Entertaining many distinguished people, and with the care 
of her family, her life is busy and useful. 

Lamoreaux, Maus, was born in Coeymans in 1864 and is the son of William J.. 
grandson of Jarvis, and great-grandson of George, whose father, James, came from 
Paris, France, and settled at Indian Fields. In 1885 Mr. Lamoreau.\ married Emma 
L., daughter of Henry C. Mosher, and settled on a farm near Wemple, where he is 
one of the leadmg farmers of the town. 

Lansing, Egbert W., one of the most prominent men of Cohoes, is a represent- 
ative of a family who were closely identified with the history of this city from its 
earliest period. His first American ancestor, Gerrit Lansing, whose death occurred 
in the vicinity of Albany prior to 1679, and from whom he is sixth in descent, came 
from Holland. The residence now occupied by Mr. Lansing was built in part by 
his great-grandfather, Johannes I. Lansing, about 1750. Mr. Lansing was born in 
1833, and was educated in Albany and has for the past twenty years been actively 
engaged in the real estate business. Politically he is a Republican, and was one of 
the first aldermen of his native city in 1870. His wife was Helena, daughter of Dow 
F. Lansing of this city, whom he married in 1860. Both are connected with the 
Reformed church. 

Orelup, William H., is the son of the late John Orelup, who died in 1S9'2 at the 
age of seventy two years. He was one of the most prominent men in Cohoes, and al- 
ways resided here, with the exception of fifteen years .spent in Ballston Spa, as an axe 
manufacturer. Here he was a contractor in the manufacture of axes, having reached 
the top of financial success by the results of his own labor and genius. He had the 
courage and mental strength to stand firmly by the principles of right. William H. 
was born here in 1849, where his grandfather, William Orelup, settled in 1830 as a 
local preacher. His mother, who is still living, was Eliza Hitchcock ; her only 
daughter, Mrs. Egbert P. Lansing, is now living in New York. He is chiefly inter- 
ested in real estate. ' 

Hall, James, B. N. S., (r. s.), A. M.. M. D., LL.D., son of English parents. 



207 

was born in Hingham, Mass., September 12, 1811. At the age of twenty he entered 
Rensselaer School at Troy, N. Y. (now the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) 
and closely followed instruction in geology. He was graduated in 1832 and 
remained in the school as assistant professor ot chemistry and natural sciences until 
1836, when he was made professor of geology. When the geological survey of the 
State of New York was organized in 1836, Professor Hall was appointed by Gover- 
nor Marcy assistant to the geologist in charge of the second district, and in the fol- 
lowing year he was made State geologist in charge of the fourth district. In 1843, 
upon the resignation of Mr. T. A. Conrad, the palaeontologist of the survey. Governor 
Bouck appointed Professor Hall to take charge of this work. He made investiga- 
tions outside of New York State, and it was due to them that, in 1855. he was ap- 
pointed State geologist of Iowa and in 1857 State geologist of Wisconsin. In 1855 
he was offered by Sir W. G. Logan, the government geologist of Canada the charge 
of the palaeontological work of that survey, but declined the position. He has made 
reports at various times for explorations and surveys conducted by the Federal Gov- 
ernment, such as Fremont's Exploring Expedition in 1845, Stansburys E.xpedition 
to the Great Salt Lake m 1852, Emory's United States and Mexican Boundarj- Sur- 
vey in 1857, and U. S. Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel in 1877. 
In 1866 he was made director of the New York State Museum of Natural History, 
and in 1893 was re-commissioned by Governor Flower State geologist and palaeontol- 
ogist, which appointment had been for eleven years previous in the control of the 
Regents of the University from 1882. Professor Hall has received many academic 
degrees and titles of distinction; Harvard, Hamilton, Union, the University of Mary- 
land, McGill University, Montreal and the Rensselaer Institute have conferred 
these. He has been president of the American Association for the Advancement of 
Science and of Geological Society of America and vice-president of the International 
Congress of Geologists. He is a member of about forty scientific societies, in manv 
of which his membership is honorary. In 1858 he received the Wollastnn medal 
from the Geological Society of London; in 1881 the Ricordodi Benemerenza from the 
International Geological Congress, and m 1882 the Order del Santi Maurizio Laz- 
zari) from the King of Italy; in 1884 the Walker prize of §1,000 from the Boston 
Society of Natural History, and in 1890 the Hayden medal from the Academy of 
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Profe.ssor Hall is the author of hundreds of scien- 
tific papers. 

Tennant, Albert C. is the great great-grandson of James Tennant, who, with two 
brothers came from England to Connecticut about 1700. His parents were Thomas 
and Dorcas J. (Briggs) Tennant, the latter being a granddaughter of Capt. John 
Briggs of the Revolutionary army. Mr. Tennant was born in WiUett, Cortland 
county, N. Y., November 11, 1846, was educated in the district schools and at Cin- 
ciunatus Academy and was graduated from the Albany State Normal School in 
January, 1868. He read law in Geneva, N Y., with Hon. W. F. Diefendorf about 
three years and afterward with Judge Edwin Countryman, then of Cooperstown, and 
was admitted to the bar at Albany in March, 1873. He then formed a copartner- 
ship with Hon. James S. Davenport and practiced at Richfield Springs until January 
1, 1884, when, having been elected surrogate of Otsego county, he removed to 
Cooperstown and at the end of a full term of six years was re-elected to that office. 



208 

being the only iJemoL-rat eleclcii in that county that year. He resigned the position 
May 1, 1894, and moved to Albany, where he has since practiced law as a member 
of the firm of Hale, Bulkeley & Tennant. In 1889 he was appointed by Governor 
Hill a member of the commission to revise the judiciary article of the State Constitu- 
tion. He was chairman of the Democratic Committee of Otsego county over ten 
years, has been a delegate to several State conventions and in 1892 was a delegate 
from New York to the National Democratic Convention at Chicago. He is a mem- 
ber of Richfield Springs Lodge and Chapter of Masons. October 4, 187G, he married 
Lizzie H., daughter of Hiram Getman of Richfield Springs, and they have one .son, 
Clermonte G. 

J. M. Jones's Sons, builders of street cars, was established in 1839 in its present 
location. Since that time there have been improvements and alterations which make 
the works far different than those which were from time to time built to increase the 
capacity of the concern, or to take the place of the structures destroyed by fire and 
worn out by the ravages of tmie. It is about half a century since the first street car 
line was constructed iu this county, and only since then has the Jones works been 
engaged in making cars: previous to that they made family wagons and stage 
coaches. The works now employ nearly 300 men in nearly every branch of industry, 
and the capacity of the plant is nearly 600 cars a year, sixty having been turned out 
in May last, the calculation being to complete two cars every working day. Jones' 
cars may be found in nearly every city in the country, and many have been shipped 
to foreign lands. 

Bowe, John, son of Michael and Mary (Purcell) Bowe, was born in Albany July 18, 
1847. He was educated in the public schools and the Albany Normal College, grad- 
uating from the latter in 1878. He then secured a position in the State Insurance 
Department as clerk, where he remained until elected treasurer of Albany county in 
the fall of 1890. In 1878 he was elected supervisor of the Third ward of Albany and 
served three years. In 1888 he was elected alderman of the Third ward and re- 
elected in the spring of 1890, serving four years in the Board of Aldermen, all of 
which time he was its president. In the fall of 1890 he was elected treasurer of Al- 
bany county, and re-elected in the fall of 1893 and served until his term expired 
on December 31, 1896. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. F, 176th N. Y. Vols., and served 
two years and eight months. He is a member of the Catholic Union, the Dongan 
and Press Clubs, and Post 131, G. A. R. Mr. Bowe is a director of the Albany City 
National Bank and a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution. 

Templeton, Charles B., of Scotch-Irish descent, is the grandson of Philip Tcmplc- 
ton, who came from the North of' Ireland to Albany about 1800. His parents were 
John and Cecelia (Payn) Templeton, of whom the former died in 1890. John Temple- 
ton was treasurer of the Albany County Savings Bank and cashier of the Albany 
County Bank and organized both institutions. He held various corporation offices, 
was president of the Young Men's Association in 1863, for several years president of 
the Y. M. C. A., and a trustee in a number of charitable and religious organizations. 
Charles B. Templeton was born in Albany, October 28, 1864, was graduated from 
the Albany Academy in 1880 and from Union College in 1884, receiving the degrees of 
A. B. and C. E., and read law with Ilungerford & Hotaling. He was graduated 
from the Albany Law School as LL. B. and admitted to the bar in 1886, and since 



t 



309 

then has been associated in practice with Hon. Lansing Hotaling. He is a member 
of the Albany Institute, the Alpha Delta Phi and the Fort Orange and Uncondi- 
tional Republican Clubs: was secretary and later president of the Young Men's As- 
sociation for several years ; was the first president of the Theta Nu Epsilon (soph- 
more) College fraternity ; was for some time secretary and treasurer of the Union 
College Alumni Association, and was the commandant of the Unconditional Cam- 
paign Club in 1892. He was the Republican candidate for district attorney in 1889, 
and judge of the City Court in 1892, and has taken an active interest in the League 
of the Republican Clubs of the State, having been for several years a member of the 
executive committee, representing Albany county. November 14, 1894, he married 
Margaret Elizabeth Edwards of Albany. 

Knowles, Charles R., is a son of the late Rev. Charles J. Knowles, whose father, 
Eli Knowles, was one of the first settlers of Greenville, Greene county, N. Y. and 
whose wife, Vina, was a daughter of Jonathan Sherrill, another pioneer of Greenville; 
her brother, Hon. Eliakim Sherrill, was a member ot the Thirteenth Congress, State 
senator in 18,54 and a colonel in the Union army; was killed at the battle of Gettys- 
burg. Mr. Knowles was born at Riverhead, Long Island, on May 16, 1839. His 
early education was in the academies at Riverhead, L. I., and Greenville, N. Y., the 
latter being one of the foremost academies of the State. It was here Martin Van 
Buren and Lyman Tremaine and many others prominent in State and Nation re- 
ceived their early education ; among the many eminent teachers of the academy was 
a brother of the late Hon. Amasa J. Parker, uncle of the editor of this work. Mr. 
Knowles has never lost his interest in Greenville or its material prosperity; he owns 
the old Sherrill homestead, where his mother was born, having modernized it for his 
summer home. He is the president of the Board of Trustees of the academy. His 
first business experience was as a clerk in his uncle's insurance office, in Washington, 
IJ. C, where he spent some three years; from Washington he entered the office of 
his cousin. Judge Knowles, of Potsdam, St. Lawrence county, as a law student. 
Before com:luding his law studies, after the battle of Bull Run in 1861, he enlisted 
as a private in the 92d Regt.. N. Y. Vols., organized a company and was elected 
its captain, and with his regiment served with the army of the Potomac, participating 
in its victories and defeats, its marches and countermarches through the Peninsula 
campaign, until after the battle of Fair Oaks, when sickness compelled him to resign. 
With returning health there came to him the appointment of judge advocate of the 
Mississippi squadron, with rank of acting master on the staff of Rear Admiral Lee. 
At the close of the war he .settled ixi Albany, became general agent of the Commerce 
Insurance Company, and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. In the same year he was 
appointed manager of the New York State Department of the Insurance Company 
of North America, and Royal of Liverpool, and Pennsylvania Fire Insurance Com- 
pany of Philadelphia. January 1, 1888, the Royal Insurance Company decided to 
unite the New York State department with the Metropolitan Department, under 
the management of E. F. Beddall, which left Mr. Knowles with the management 
of the North American and theM^ennsylvania Fire Insurance Companies. January 
1, 1890, the Philadelphia Underwriters was added to the list of his companies. A 
Republican in i)olitics, Mr. Knowles has been the representative of his party in the 
Board of Supervisors and State Legislature, as well as a popular stump speaker in 



many a hard fought conle&t in the Slate. He is a director of the Merchants' National 
Bank, a trustee of the Albany City Savings Institution, trustee of the Emanuel Baptist 
church, acting president of the Fairview Home for Friendless Children, vice-president 
of the Board of Trustees of the Y. M. C. A., governor of the Albany City Hospital, a 
member of the Fort Orange Club, and of the N. Y. Commandery of the Loyal Legion 
of the U. S.. In the Assembly he was chairman of the committee on commerce and 
navigation, and m that capacity was largely instrumental in saving to the cities of 
New York and Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Bridge, the charter of which was in danger of 
annulment. In 1862 he married Elizabeth F., eldest daughter of Hiram Gilbert, 
of Albany. Their living children are four daughters, JaneS., Margaret B., Elizabeth 
D., and MaryG., all of whom are or have been students of St. Agnes School, Albany, 
and Smith College, Northampton, Mass., and one son, Charles Piatt Knowles, a grad- 
uate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, class of '96. 

Van Rensselaer, William Bayard, is a lineal descendant of Killaen Van Rensse- 
laer, and were the English law still in force in this State, would be the ninth patroon, 
or Lord of the Manor of Rensselaerwyck. His great-grandfather, Stephen, known 
as "the young patroon," was a general in the United States array, lieutenant-gov- 
ernor of New York, member of congress, first chancellor of the Board of Regents, 
etc., etc., and married Margaret, daughter of Philip J. Schuyler. General Stephen's 
son, also Stephen, 1789-1868, married Harriet, daughter of William Bayard and had a 
son. Bayard Van Rensselaer, whose wife was Laura, daughter of Marcus T. Reynolds. 
They were the parents of W. Bayard and Dr. Howard Van Rensselaer (see sketch of 
latter for further genealogy). W. Bayard Van Rensselaer, born October 4, 1856, 
attended the Albany State Normal School, the Boys' Academy, a boarding school at 
Catskill and St. Paul's School in New Hampshire and graduated from Harvard College 
in 1879. He attended Harvard Law School one year, read law with Marcus T. and 
Leonard G. Hun in Albany and was admitted to the bar in 1882. He began active 
practice, but the death of Charles Van Zandt in 1881 soon placed him in charge of 
the Stephen Van Rensselaer estate. In 1885 the heirs conveyed their interests in this 
property to the Van Rensselaer Land Company of which he has since been treasurer 
and general manager. He is a director in the Cohoes Company (incorporated 18'23), 
which supplies all the factories in Cohoes with water power; and is also a director in 
the New York State National Bank, a trustee of the Albany Savings Bank, and presi • 
dent of Albany Terminal Warehouse Co., a foundation member of the Fort Orange 
Club and a member of the University and Reform Clubs of New York city. In 1880 
he married Louisa G., daughter of Professor Lane of Harvard University. 

Payn, jr., Samuel Giles, born February 4, 1845, in Albany, is a son of Samuel 
Giles, sr., wh'o was born in Fort Miller, Washington county, N. Y., December22, 
1815, who married Sarah Goodrich Noble of New York city in 1839, who was born in 
New York city December 30, 1817, and who died in Albany July 8, 1854; she was a 
descendant through her mother of the French Huguenot family of Emars, who early 
came to this country. Samuel Giles, sr., was for many years a prominent business 
man of Albany, being engaged in the flour and grain trade on lower Broadway. He 
was one of the organizers of the Young Men's Association and the Board of Trade 
of Albany, of which latter he was an early president. Their surviving children are 
John Goodrich, George Alexander, Samuel Giles, jr., Cornelius Noble, Sarah Jane 



I 



211 

and Frederick Amar (Eniar); by his second wife he had one daughter, Catherine. 
Benjamin Hawjey Payu, father of Samuel G. Payn, sr., who was born in Fort Miller, 
Washington county, N. Y., in 1783, was a son of Noah, who took an active part in 
the struggle for American Independence. Noah Payn was born in Pomfret, Conn., 
November 24, 1729, and settled in Fort Miller in 1766; he was the only son of Stephen 
Pain 3d, born June 21, 1699, in Pomfret, Conn., who was the seventh son of Samuel 
Paine of Rehoboth, Mass., who was born May 12, 1662, he being the fifth son of 
Stephen Paine 2d, born in Norfolk, England, in 1629, and who came to New England 
with his father when about nine years of age. He was the first son of Stephen 
Paine, sr., who came from Great Ellingham near Hingham, Norfolk county, Eng- 
land, in the year 1638, in the ship Diligent of Ipswich, John Martin, master, bringing 
his family consisting of his wife Rose, three sons and four servants. Resettled first 
in Hingham, Mass., but removed to Rehoboth, Mass., in 1644. From him many of 
the Payn, Pain, and Paine families of America trace their descent, all being from 
one common ancestry. Stephen 3d dropped the final c of his name, and Noah changed 
the I to J'/ there are many of this family, cousins of Samuel G.. jr., who add a final 
c- to Payn. Stephen Paine 1st was undoubtedly a descendant of the only Paine of 
the time of William the Conqueror, who was enumerated or mentioned in the Domes- 
bay Book, the great Survey or first Census of England, taken after the conquest by 
order of King William in 1086, a copy of which is owned by the Boston Public 
Library. Samuel Giles Payn, jr., attended the Albany Boys' Academy and Sand 
Lake Collegiate Institute. September 4, 1861, he enlisted as a sharpshooter in Capt. 
Elijah Hobart's Company of Berdan's 2d Regiment U. S. Sharpshooters. Governor 
Morgan, fearing that as L^. S. troops they would not be credited to N. Y. State's 
quota, forced the company into the 93d Regt. N. Y. Vols., as Co. B. He was with 
the regiment continually except two weeks in hospital at Newport News, Va., six 
weeks on detached service at Gettysburg, Pa., after that battle, and during his thirty 
days' veteran furlough, from his enlistment until he received the wound that inca- 
pacitated him from further active service, and from which he still suffers. His reg- 
iment participated in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, from its forma- 
tion to the clo-se of the war, and was engaged in the battles of Yorktown, Williams- 
burgh. Fair Oaks, Fredericksburgh, Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, Spottsylvania 
Court House and North Anna River, Va., and Gettysburg, Pa. While carrying the 
colors of his regiment in the charge of its brigade at North Anna River, Va. , May 
23, 1864, he was severely wounded in the left leg just below the knee: Shortly after- 
wards he was commissioned second lieutenant for his conduct on the battlefield, 
being promoted over all the non commissioned officers of the regiment. He was 
mustered out at the close of the war on July 28, 1865, while still suffering severely 
from his wound, having served almost four years. In 1867 he engaged with his 
brother Cornelius in the prepared flour business ; in 1869 began the study of art with 
Prof. Alexander Francois of Albany. Later he opened a studio for pastel and 
crayon portraiture, being the first artist in Albany to make life size crayon portraits; 
afterwards he added the solar printing and enlarging process, and still later the 
electric light and platinum process, and continued in this business until 1894. He 
then engaged in the manufacture of magnetic garments and appliancesat 611 Broad- 
way, Albany, N. V., under the name of " Suttonia" Magnetic Co. These consist of 
magnetic jackets, belts, leggins, shields, insoles, etc., for the cure of lung troubles, 



rheumatism, heart troubles, cold feet and cramp in limbs, etc. He is a charter mem- 
ber of William A. Jackson Post No. 644, Department New York G. A- R-, and has 
resided in Bath-on-Hudson since 1873. February 14. 1871, he married Isabella 
Laing Hutton of Schuylerville, N. Y., a daughter of John Hutton of that place, who 
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, August 8, 1812, who was a son of David Hutton, 
a merchant tailor of that place. John Hutton, her father, served during the war of 
the Rebellion in the 125th Regt. X. Y. Vols., that went from Troy, N. Y. He was 
.discharged for disability after serving almost two years. They have had three chil- 
eren: Anna Goodrich and Albert Pond Payn, both deceased, and Samuel Giles 3d, 
born at Bath on-Hudson, August 27, 1878. 

Robinson, James A., son of Albert S. and Anna M. (Preston) Robinson, was born 
in Brooklyn, N. Y., ia 1862. He moved to Albany with his parents in the early sev- 
enties, and attended the public and high schools and the Albany Academy. He 
afterward became a student in the law office of Cliflford D. Gregory and remained 
there five years, in the mean time bemg admitted to the bar. He subseijuently be- 
came connected with the Hon. Robert G. Scherer and remained with him three years. 
Since then Mr. Robinson has practiced law at No. 68 State street. He is a member 
of the Improved Order of Red Men and Capital City Lodge No. 440, I. O. O. F. In 
1893 he married Genevieve Bigelovv of Albany. 

Taylor, Robert B., was born in New Scotland, March 10, 1829. Robert, his grand- 
father, was a native of Ireland, born in 1758 and came to America when a young 
man and spent his life as a farmer in the town of New Scotland; his wife was Eva 
Ann Hotaling, born in 1762 ; they reared four sons and five daughters. John Tay- 
lor, the father, was born on the homestead in 1790, and spent his life in agricultural 
pursuits; his wife was Christiana, daughter of Rev. Harmon and Rachel (Bogart) 
Van Huysen; to them were born ten children; James, Mary J., Rachel, Harriet, 
Sarah, John V., Robert, Eva Ann, Eliza, and Catharine; he died in 1850. His wife 
was born in August, 1794, and lived to be eighty-six years of age. Her father, the 
Rev. Harmon Van Huysen, son of Harmon, a native of Holland, was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier, who ranked as captain, and after the war settled in New Scotland on 
the farm now owned by his grandson, Robert B. Taylor; it being the donation of 
his friends in that vicinity, each contributing ten acres. He entered the pulpit and 
was the founder of the Dutch Reformed church in Guilderland and New .Scotland. 
It was known as the Helderberg Reformed Church. He had three congregations 
and preached for thirty-one consecutive years. Robert B. lived on his father's farm 
and attended the common schools. When twenty-one years old Ijis father died, and 
the following year he began for himself on the same place where he erected his 
present sightly house. In 1853 he married Elizabeth (born in New Scotland), the 
daughter of Peter R. and Mary (Ostrander) Furbeck, and granddaughter of John 
Furbeck.of Germany, who was a prominent Revolutionary soldier in Washington's 
army. To Mr. and Mrs. Taylor were born five children: Alfred J., John B., and 
Rensselaer, all of whom are farmers in this town ; and Mary Anna, died when she 
was eighteen years old, and Ellen, died when she was sixteen years old. 

Court, Charles, was born in Coeymans in 1860, and is a son of Edward, who came 
from England and settled at Aquetuck in about 1856, where he built a wagon shop 
and carried on business until his death. Mr. Court, after attending the di.strict 



213 

school, went to the State Normal School at Albany, where he was graduated, and has 
been a teacher for several winters. In 1882 he bought the store at Aquetuck, which 
he has since carried on. and since 1892 he has been postmaster. He married Griffina, 
(laughter of Isaac Tompkins, by whom two sons and one daughter have lieen born : 
Jesse, Paul, Helen. 

Crannell, Monroe. — Standing on the sidewalk on Broadway, New York, one may 
look through the picket fence that surrounds Trinity church-yard, and read on a 
tomb stone near the inscription marking the burial place of Robert Crannell and 
Molly Winslow, his wife. From this English stock down through several genera- 
tions of ancestors of Huguenot and Dutch blood, Monroe Crannell was born in the 
city of Albany. He was educated at the Classical Institute, and at the Albany 
Academy, and was graduated from the Albany Law School before he attained his 
majority. He continued his studies in the law office of Judge Wolford and the Hon. 
Worthington Frothingham, until he was admitted to the Albany county bar. He 
was a member of the Albany Zouave Cadets, and served his full enlistment with 
this famous military organization. In politics he was a Republican, and at various 
times was importuned to accept nominations for public office; these overtures were 
always firmly declined. Yet, while refusing to act in an official capacity, Mr. Cran- 
nell labored earnestly and intelligently for all measures having for their purpose the 
improvement of the city of Albany. He was one of the projectors of the Hawk 
street viaduct, and when others lost courage, and sank into apathy at the seeming 
indifference of the citizens of Albany to the proposed improvement, or were silenced 
by the bitter attacks of those opposed to it, Mr. Crannell never faltered or wavered. 
He worked for three years combating wrong impressions, and forcing his views on 
the Legislature through representative speakers, until in June, 1888, he won his 
cause, and secured for the city what has proven to be one of the most appreciated 
improvements ever accomplished by Albanians. In testimony of his untiring efforts 
he was presented with a valuable watch and chain by grateful citizens, among 
whom were many of those who had opposed the construction of the viaduct. Mr. 
Crannell never married. He made his home with his brother, Mr. W. Winslow 
Crannell of Albany. He died suddenly April 26, 1893. 

Slingerland, Cornelius, was born September 15, 1839, in the house erected by 
Tunis Slingerland', his great-great-grandfather, in 1762. The first of the family in 
.Vmerica was Tunis Cornelius Slingerland, born in Amsterdam, Holland, April 7, 
1017, and came to America in 1650. In 1652 he purchased a tract of land lying east 
of the present Chapel street in Albany, and in 1605, with his brother-in-law, Jo- 
hannes Apple, bought of the Indians 8,000 acres of land east of the Helderberg 
mountains, which comprised a portion of the present towns of New Scotland and 
Bethlehem; in 1684 this purchase was confirmed by Governor Dongan. Of this tract 
he retained 2,000 acres, the remainder going to the Van Rensselaers. His wife was 
Engeltie Albertsie Bradt, and their children who reached maturity were Arent, Al- 
bert, Cornelius and Elizabeth. Cornelius was born June 7, 1670, and married Eva 
Mebie, May 28, 1696; of his children one was Tunis Cornelius, above mentioned, born 
March 1, 1722; he spent his life clearing and improving the land, and the brick house 
he erected in 1762 is still standing in excellent preservation ; he reared four sons; John, 
Cornelius. Peter and Henry, of whom Peter was the grandfather of the subject and was 



214 

born February 5, 1759. He was an energetic man, built and operated mills and con- 
verted the timber on his land into lumber; his wife was Gertrude Bloomingdale; 
their children were Maus and Agnes; he died in 1847, in his eighty-ninth year. 
Maus, the father of the subject, was born March 7, 1806; he owned 7O0 acres of land 
and the saw and grist mills built by his father; he was public spirited and active in 
the welfare of his town. He married Susanna, daughter of William Sayer of New 
Scotland, and had four sons and four daughters. His wife died in 1856, and he died 
July 7, 1892. Cornelius Slingerland, the subject of this record, has spent his life on 
the homestead ; he has between 250 and 300 acres, on which he has made many im- 
provements in the way of buildings, etc., having the best barn in the town. He has 
recently bought the saw mill property adjoining his farm, consisting of thirty seven 
acres, with two good houses, barns, etc. Aside from his farm interests he is con- 
nected with other business enterprises. He is one of the original promoters and 
now president of the Clarksville Telephone Company. Politically he is a Repub- 
lican and declined the nomination by that party for sheriff. He married, Septem- 
ber 9, 1863, Anna, daughter of Garrett and Eve (Van Derzee) Hotaling of Bethle- 
hem. They have two children: Mrs. Susie Shear and Evelyn C. Mrs. Shear has 
one son, Cornelius Slingerland. Mr. and Mrs. Slingerland are members of the Re- 
formed church, in which he has been deacon and elder for several years. Mrs. Sling- 
erland is a member of the Ladies" Missionary Society. 

Hurst, David T., was born in the town of Knox, March 10, 1851. Francis Hurst, 
his great-grandfather, was a native of England. Francis, his grandfather, was 
born in England about 1787. He grew to manhood in Albany and moved to the 
town of Knox where his father had provided him with a farm of 150 acres of land. 
His wife was Magdalene Keenholts, and they reared three sons and seven daugh- 
ters. He died when eighty-five years old and his wife died at about the same age. 
Robert, his father, was born in the town of Knox, March 20, 1825, and when a small 
boy went and lived among his relatives, with whom he grew up and worked for 
until twenty-six years of age. He then bought his father's homestead, where he 
lived for three years. He sold the farm and removed to New Scotland, where he 
lived some thirty-seven years. In 1887 he retired from his farm to the village of 
Altamont, where he purchased an acre of land and erected a nice residence. In 
1850 he married Mary Ann Mathies, a native of New Scotland, and daughter 
of Henry Mathies. Their children were Margaret, Ida, David T., Walter, Al- 
verenns. Frank, and Ira and Luella, deceased. David T. moved on his father's 
farm in 1872, and worked it on shares until 1880, when he purchased it. To 
this he added, in 1893, another farm of seventy-three acres, and here Mr. Hurst has 
done general farming. He is also a heavy fruit grower, having a fine large apple 
orchard. In 1872 he was married to Louisa M., daughter of George I. and Anna 
Reid, of New Scotland. Their children are Carrie G., Verner R., Lulu S. and 
George I. 

Greene, Lindsey, is the .son of Anson, and the grandson of Daniel, whose father, 
William Greene, came from Connecticut to Coeyraans about 1788 and settled in 
Coeymans Hollow. He had four sons: William, Russell, David and Anson. Anson 
(ireene was for many years a merchant; he died in l398 leaving two sons, Stanley 
and Lindsey, who still carry on the store where their father did business. In 



■>15 

1886 they bought the paper mills at Alcove, where they continued until 1891 when 
they were destroyed by fire. Mr. Lindsey studied law at the Albany Law School, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1880, after which he practiced for some years at Ra- 
vena, and, though now devoting most of his time to the mercantile business, has 
some law practice. 

Abrams, Augustus C. , was born in Rensselaerville in 1842. He is the son of Elijah, 
who was born in Greenville. Greene county, in 1808, being one of four sons and four 
daughters born to Benjamin, formerly a farmer in Long Island, who removed to and 
settled in the town of Rensselaerville. w-here he spent his last days. Elijah, the 
father, was a farmer and came to Guilderland in 1868, where he was successful, 
He was a man of many peculiarities but well liked. His wife was Thankful Bouton, 
daughter of David Bouton, by whom he had five sons and four daughters, four of 
whom are now living. Augustus C. remained with his parents until he became of 
age, when he went to California via the Panama route, where he remained for five 
years; he interested himself in the mines, meeting with fair success. He returned 
by request of his father in 1868. In 1870 father and son purchased a dairy farm of 
180 acres in Guilderland, and farmed it together, selling milk in Albany city until 
1889, when Augustus bought the father out. They had added fifty acres to the 
place and made many improvements, erecting a fine house which has since been re- 
modeled. The father lived mostly with Augustus until his death in 1891, and was 
buried from the old homestead by special request; his wife died in 1884. Augustus 
is a thorough, practical farmer. In 1869 he united with the M. E. church ; has been 
a class leader ever since, also superintendent of the Sunday school for fourteen 
years He has been a member of the Masonic order since 1864; also of the I. O. 
G. T. Was a member of the Sons of Temperance when seventeen years of age. In 
1871 he married Anna E. Herrick, daughter of Nathaniel and Nancy J. Herrick, 
who died in 1893, leaving two children, Lilly M. and Charles E., who are at home; 
Charles is engaged in the poultry and broiler business. His second wife is Anna 
Wise, daughter of Martin Wise. They have two children, Jessie I. and Ethel M. 
After many years of the closest and most friendly and affectionate relationship be- 
tween father and son, which lasted until the dying day of the father, strange to say, 
Mr. Abrams, through some unfortunate mistake was left entirely out of his father's 
will. 

Thornton, (Jeoige and Theron '1"., of Guilderland, are natives of Duanesburg, 
Schenectady county. N. V. Their paternal grandfather was Thomas Thornton, who 
married Betsey Richardson, both born in Londonderry, N. H. ; Thomas was a brother 
of Dr. Matthew Thornton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, 
and also of Major John Thornton of Schenectady. Their maternal grandparents 
were Joseph and Lydia (Thompson) Gaige. Their father was Charles Thornton, 
born in Duanesburg in 1797, where he was a lifelong farmer. In 1854 he moved to 
the Merry field farm and purchased it in 1856; this farm is now owned and operated 
by George and Theron T. In 1822 he married Almira Gaige. who bore him seven 
children, as follows: George, Lydia, Maria L., Theron T., Euretta. Charles W. and 
Amanda. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton were both members of the Dutch Reformed church, 
though Mrs. Thornton always retained a love for the Quaker religion, the faith of 
her ancestors. She died September 12, 1878, and he November 6, 1880. The Thorn- 



21(5 

ton Brothers are conducting a general farming business on the homestead. Both 
are staunch and ardent Democrats and thoroughly interested in the public affairs of 
their town and county. Have been elected delegates to county, assembly and judicial 
conventions and have the reputation of being true, fair and imjiartial jurymen. 
George has remained unmarried, and Theron T. married Susan M. Lainhart; they 
have one child, Amey L. 

Che-sebro, Thaddeus, son of William Chesebro, was born in the village of Guilder- 
land Center in 1832. Elijah, his grandfather, was a native of Stonington, Conu., 
born in 1759, and was of Welsh ancestry. • He was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war, and settled in the town of Knox, Albany, county, in 1789. He was married the 
same year to Thankful Williams, who was born in 1769, and also of Welsh ancestry. 
They had nine children; Eunice, who died when ten years of age; Hannah, Elijah, 
Jane, Mary, Lucy, Williams. Esther, and Sarah Ann. He died May 6, 1808, and his 
wife died May 22, 1858. Their son Elijah was a soldier in the war of 1812 and died 
in 1860. Williams, the father of Thaddeus, was born in the town of Kno.x. July 22, 
1802. He began life for himself when twenty-four years of age. He became a black- 
smith by trade and about 1826 moved to the village of Guilderland Center and i)ur- 
chased a blacksmith shop and carried on business there until 1836, when he .sold out 
his shop and purchased 100 acres of heavy timber land, which now comprises the 
farm of Thaddeus Chesebro. His wife was Roxana Chapman, daughter of Jonas 
and Susan Chapman of Knox. The children are Thaddeus, Sarah, Esther, Mary, 
Jesse and Charles. He died in 1877 and his wife died in 1881 at the age of seventy- 
nine. Thaddeus received a common school education, and at the age of twelve his 
father .set him to hauling cord wood and produce to the city of Albany. At this 
pursuit he continued until he grew into manhood. Several years before the death of 
his father he assumed full control of the farm business. Since then he has added to 
his estate forty acres of woodland and erected a large wagon house and barns. For 
some years past he has given considerable attention to dairying and possesses an ex- 
cellent lot of grade Jersey cows. In 1856 he married Miss Gertrude, daughter of 
Wendell Vine, who was a i)rominent man in Guilderland, where he was supervisor. 
Mr. and Mrs. Chesebro have two children: Mrs. Edna Grafters of Newtonville and 
Mrs. Carrie Goodrich of Pasadena, Cal. 

Fearey, Jo.seph, & Son. — Thomas and Joseph Fearey, natives of England, engaged 
in the retail boot and shoe busine.ss in Albany in 1844 and continued together until 
1865, when Thomas and his two sons, George D. and Thomas H., established a shoe 
manufactory. Joseph Fearey continued the retail business alone and soon ad- 
mitted his son William H. as a partner, under the firm name of Joseph Fearey & 
Son, which has ever since remained unchanged. Joseph Fearey died in 1890, and 
his son, in January, 1895, and since then the business has been carried on by Mrs. 
William H. Fearey, with William T. McMuUan as manager. The latter has been 
with the house since 1871, and in 1882 was promoted to his present position. The 
firm has two large stores in Albany and one in Troy, the latter being opened in 
1894. 

Terry, Washington C, was born in Coeymans, and is a son of Francis and Bar- 
bara (Carhart) Terry, and grandson of John and great-grandson of Philip, whose 
father was George Terry, who came from Rhode Island to Coeymans and settled 



217 

near Coeymans, and was mostly engaged in farming. Mr. Terry is a farmer on 
the farm where his father settled m 1847, and where he died in 1869. He married 
Sarah E., daughter of Daniel Carhart. 

Van Allen, Richard B., was born in the town of Bethlehem. Albany county, in 
1842. John Van Allen, the great-grandfather, was a native of Holland. John, the 
grandfather, was born in the town of Bethlehem in 1780, and was a practical and 
successful farmer. His wife was Anna Elmandorth, who was born in Kinderhook, 
a daughter of Jacob Elmandorth. They reared nine children; John, Samuel, Gar- 
rett, Philip, Jane, Catherine, Maria, Kaziah and Julia. He died in 1863 and his 
wife died several years before. Samuel, the father of Richard B. , is a native of 
Bethlehem, born September 2, 1815. He received a common school education and 
remained on his father's farm until twenty-two years of age, when he married and 
began for himself on a rented farm. He later purchased one-half of his father's 199 
acres, on which he resided until 1875, when he removed to Guilderland, bought a lot 
and erected a residence at Fuller's Station. Soon after he came into possession of 
the general store at that place, which he conducted for fourteen years. In 1890 he 
was succeeded in business by his son Richard and his brother-in-law. He has since 
led a retired life. While in the town of Bethlehem he was elected school commis- 
sioner and was trustee of the district school fgr fifteen years. In 1836 he married 
Elizabeth Becker, who was born in Bethlehem in 1813, and was a daughter of Rich- 
ard and Catherine (Snyder) Becker. Their children are John, Richard, Ira and 
George. His wife died in 1867. The past few years his children have quietly 
brought about a reunion at his residence, greatly to the surprise and delight of their 
aged parents. Richard B. worked on his father's farm and attended the common 
schools, but at the age of twenty-five left home and engaged as mechanic in the 
steel works of Troy, and later spent a time at farming, and from 1879 to 1883 he 
was in the produce business in Albany. In 1883 he removed to Fuller's Station, 
where he assisted his father in his store. In 1890 he, with his brother-in-law, pur- 
chased his father's store and business. He has also been a dealer in hay and straw 
for the past five years and was for a time interested in a cider mill. He was post- 
master at Fuller's Station for two years under Harrison and Cleveland. In 1888 he 
married Emma Goodman of Schenectady. Mr. and Mrs. Van Allen have two chil- 
dren : Voorhees and Mattie May. 

Washburn, Hiram L., son of Hiram L. and Magdalen T. (Clark) Washburn, was 
born in W^estford, Otsego county, N. Y., June 14, 1840. He is of English descent, 
being descended from one of three brothers who came from England to America 
prior to the Revolution ; and of Holland-Dutch descent, his maternal ancestors hav- 
ing been among the first to settle the town of Schenectady, N. Y. Mr. Washburn 
attended the Albany public schools and the Ballston Spa Institute, after which he 
studied law in the office of Hungerford & Hotaling of Albany and was admitted to 
practice in 1861. Since his admission to the bar he has practiced law in Albany. 
Mr. Wa.shburn was the attorney for four or five German banking and loan associa- 
tions that were organized between 1866 and 1875, and was for .several years searching 
clerk in the Albany county clerk's office. He also tried the case which brought about 
the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in New York State for several months 
after the war of the Rebellion, the question involved being in relation to the mus- 



218 

tenng out of men who had enlisted to fill unexpired terms. He was the inspector of 
rifle practice on the staflf of the Third, Fifth and Ninth Brigades, N. G. N. Y., for 
ten years and was on duty at the West Albany riots. Mr. Washburn is at present 
the attorney for the Permanent Savings & Loan Association of Albany and has a 
very large real estate practice. He is a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of Cap- 
ital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Masters Lodge No. 6. April 1, 18(i(i, 
he married Phebe Neemes of Albany, and they have three children: Mrs. William J. 
McKown, Mrs. R. J. LeBoef, and Lucius H. Washburn. 

Wallen, William, is a son of Frederick J. Wallen, born in Birmingham, England, 
October 21, 1837, who came to America about 1849 and settled in Philadelphia, Pa., 
where he learned the trade of gas and steam fitting. In 1860 Frederick J. came to 
Albany and had charge of the steam and gas fitting department of Tucker & Craw- 
ford until 1873, when he established business for himself. He became one of the 
leading steam and gas fitters in Albany. Mr. Wallen was a prominent member of 
the Philadelphia and Albany Volunteer Fire Departments from the age of seventeen, 
being foreman in Albany of Steamer No. 4 several years. He was also connected 
with the present fire department of Albany and while discharging his duties July l:!, 
1885, was killed in the Boardman & Gray fire, being forty-seven years of age. He 
was an active Republican and a member of the I. O. O. F. He married Elizabeth 
Virden. who died July 30, 1878, and of their ten children eight are living. Mr. 
Walleu's mother died in Philadelphia in 1892, aged eighty-two and his father, Will- 
iam, in Albany, in 1893, aged eighty-three. William Wallen, son of F. J., was born 
April 5, 1863, associated himself with his father in 1876 and on the latter's death in 
1885 succeeded, with his brother, George E., to the business, under the firm name of 
F. J. Wallen's Sons. George E. withdrew in February, 1895, and since then Will- 
iam Wallen has continued alone, having one of the largest plants between New York 
and Buffalo, and doing a large amount of steam, hot water heating and gas fitting. 
He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Elksand the Empire Curling and Albany 
Bicycle Clubs. April 15, 1884, he married Minnie E. Evans of Albany, and their 
children are Nathan Evans and Frederick William. 

Rankin, Edward W., is a great-grandson of William Rankin, who was born in 
Stirlingshire, Scotland, May 16, 1745 (died 1834), and came to Troy, N. Y., in 176:!. 
He married Wilhelmina Payne, daughter of Dr. Lodowick Dunkel, of New York 
city. William Rankin, his son, born 1785, died 1869, married Abigail Ogden, of 
Elizabeth, N. J., in 1809, and removing to Newark, N. J., became prominent in busi- 
ness and religious circles. His son, Edward E. Rankin, D. D., born 1830, died 
1889, was pastor at Springfield, N. J., then of the 42d Street Presbyterian church. 
New York city, 1849 to 1863, when he went to the war under the Christian Commis- 
sion. From 1866 to 1879 he was pastor of the First Church of Christ at Fairfield, 
Conn. Retiring m ill-health he settled in Hartford for two years and then returned 
to Newark, N. J. He was one of the directors of the Hartford Theological Seminary 
and a lecturer in his later years at the Bloomfield Theological Seminary. He mar- 
ried, 1847, Emily Watkinson, of Hartford, Conn., whose family came from Laven- 
ham, Suffolk, England, in 1795. Her father, Edward Watkinson, married Lavinia 
Hudson, of Hartford, and was a brother and partner of David Watkinson, the 
founder of the Watkinson Library. Edward Watkinson Rankin, sou of Rev. Dr. 



219 

E. E. Rankin, born in New York city, August 12, 1850, educated at Collegiate 
School, N. Y. C, Newark Academy and Williston, Easthampton, was gradu- 
ated at Princeton College in 1871, receiving degree of A. M. in 1874. He studied 
law at Southport, Conn, (where he also edited the Southport Chronicle), and at 
Bridgeport. He received degree of LL. B. from the 'Albany Law School and was 
admitted to the bar at Albany in 1873. He was in Europe until 1875 and studied for 
a time at Leipsic. He returned to Albany in 1875, since which time he has followed 
his profession, making a specialty of office practice and real estate titles. He is a 
member of the Albany Institute, Albany Historical Societj' and Albany Camera 
Club. June 3, 1884, he married Catharine Bogart Putnam daughter of Dr. Alonzo 
and Harriet Maria (Van Rensselaer) Putraan, who on her father's side traces her, 
descent back si.x generations to an ancestor coming from Holland. Her grand- 
father, Cornelius H. Putman, married Gazena Visscher Maybee, the granddaughter 
of Col. Frederick and Gazena De Grafif Visscher, of Caughnawaga. Mrs. Rankin's 
mother, Hawiet Maria Van Rensselaer, was the daughter of Robert Sanders Van- 
Rensselacr (married Catharine Bogart), who was the son of Col. Philip Van Rens- 
selaer (married Maria Sanders), who built the mansion " Cherry Hill," at Albany 
in 1768, in which Mr. and Mrs. Rankin now live. Col. Philip Van Rensselaer 
was a son of Col. Killian Van Rensselaer (married Arriantie Schuyler in 1742), and 
he the son of Hendrick Van Rensselaer (married Catrina Van Brugh, daughter of 
Catharine Roeloffsen, and granddaughter of Anneke Jans), who was a brother of Kil- 
lian Van Rensselaer, the third Patroon of Rensselaerwyck. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin 
have three children, Edward Elmendorf, Herbert Edward and Emily Watkinson. 

Keenholts, Hon. James, of Altaraont, was born in Guilderland, April 13, 1868, son 
of James Reenholts and Helen (Horner) Martin, grandson of Christopher, whose 
father was Chri.stopher. James Keenholts was educated in the district schools and 
remained on his father's farm until he was sixteen years old, when he engaged in 
the meat business on his own account in Altamont! In 1866 he engaged in the fruit 
and produce business, which he still continues. From 1889 to 1893 he conducted a 
livery in addition to his other occupations. Mr. Keenholts is a Republican and act- 
ive in politics; he assisted in the incorporation of the village of Altamont, and is 
now serving his third term as trustee thereof; he was a prime mover in establishing 
the Altamont Driving Park and Fair Association, of which he was made superin- 
tendent, and has been a director since the organization; on January 9, 1897, he was 
elected president of the association. In 1894 he was elected to the Assembly and 
re-elected in 1895. He is a member of the Voorheesville Lodge I. O. O. F. and Na- 
tawa Tribe of Red Men of Albany. In 1887 he married Delia C. Griggs of Cobles- 
kill, daughter of C. L. Griggs. They have had three children: Ella, Anita and 
Helen J. 

Reynolds, Charles W., was born in Petersburgh, Rensselaer county, N. Y., Feb- 
ruary 8, 1848. He is descended from William Reynolds of Providence, R. I., who, 
on August 20, 1637, with twelve others including Roger Williams, signed the follow- 
ing compact: 

iire to inhabit in llie town of Providence, do promise to 
• obedience to all such orders or agreements as shall be 
an orderly way by the major assent of the present inhab- 



Wc, 


who 


se n; 


ames a 


re here iinde 


lib jet 


;t ou 


rstli 


.■es in 8 


ictive and pr 


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ubli 


c Rood 


of the bod; 



220 

itants, masters of families incorporated together into a town fellowship, and such others whom 
they shall admit unto them, only in civil things. ' 

The great- grandfather of Charles W., William W. Reynolds, came from Westerly, 
R. I., and settled in Petersburgh in 1780. Prior to this, in 1777, he served in the de- 
fense of his country against the English, at the battle of Bennington. He spent his 
remaining days in Petersburgh, being supervisor in 1801, 1802 and 1803, and magis- 
trate for many years. The grandfather of this subject was Parley Reynolds, who 
was born in Petersburgh in 1780. He became a merchant and for many years, in 
partnership with his brother Thomas, conducted an extensive and profitable business 
in Petersburgh, and was supervi,sor in 1837 and 1838. William W. Reynolds, the 
father of Charles W., was born September 25, 1816, and died June 4, 1876, and was 
supervisor in 1847, 1848, 1856 and 1857. He was married to Mary (born January 14, 
1825), daughter of Braddock Peckham, jr. (born June 4, 1781. died January 7, 1834), 
and granddaughter of Bfaddock Peckham, sr. (born May 4, 1757, died January 9, 
1830), who was a soldier in a Rhode Island regiment during the Revolutionary war. 
Previous to this service he was .second in command in an expedition composed of 
patriotic citizens of Wickford, R. I., that made a prisoner of the British General 
Prescott, July 10, 1777, at Newport, R. I. ; the prisoner was delivered to General 
Washington at Newburgh by the same party, and on July 18, 1777, was exchanged 
for Major-General Harry Lightfoot Lee. At the close of his connection with this 
duty, he came to the valley of the Little Hoosick, looking for a future home. He had 
but just arrived when Captain Hull's company was being formed to go to the relief 
of General Stark at Bennington; he joined this company, was made lieutenant and 
served in that capacity at the battle of Bennington and continued with the company 
until after the battle of Bemis Heights and the surrender of Burgoyne, when the 
company was disbanded ; he then joined the command of General Gates and with 
that little army of 1,500 marched away to New Jersey. He was at the defeat of 
Brandywine and on the bloody field of Monmouth. He remained with General 
Gates's command until the latter was superseded by Gen. Nathaniel Greene, and 
with him saw the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. At the termination of the 
war he returned to his home in Rhode Island, and in 1786, accompanied by his brother 
Abel, came to the beautiful valley of the Little Hoosick and there reared a family 
of thirteen children and where many of his descendants still reside. The first an- 
cestor in this county of Braddock Peckham was John Peckham of Newport, R. I., 
who was admitted an inhabitant May 20, 1638; he married Mary Clarke, who was a 
sister of the Rev. John Clarke from Bradfordshire, England, " one of the ablest men 
of the seventeenth century and a founder of Rhode Island." In 1648 John Peckham 
was one of the ten male members in full communion of the First Baptist church. 
Charles W. Reynolds grew to manhood on his father's farm, and obtained his educa- 
tion in the common schools, at Fort Edward Institute and Alfred University. When 
twenty-one years of age his father assisted him in purchasing an interest in a general 

1 "The government established by these primitive settlers of Providence was an anomaly in 
the history of the world. At the outset it was a pure democracy, which for the first time guarded 
jealously the rights of conscience by ignoring any power in the body politic to interfere with those 
matters that concern man and his Maker. Principle, not precedent, formed their only standard 
of judgment. Could the record of their proceedings have been preserved (meetings were held 
monthly), with what interest should we now pursue the debates of this earliest of modern democ- 
racies!" — Arnold's History of Rhode Island. 



231 

store in the village of Petersburgh in partnership with the late David H. Kellyer where 
they soon after, in connection with their mercantile interests, began the manufacture 
of shirts by contract, and with such encouraging success that in 1874 they sold their 
store and engaged exclusively in the fnanufacture of shirts on their own account, in 
which undertaking they have been successful as well as furnishing employment to a 
large number of people. Mr. Reynolds makes the village of Petersburgh his home, 
but spends the winters at his Albany residence where his children enjoy greater ed- 
ucational advantages. In 1874 he married Lucy M. Gifford, born December 7, 1856, 
a native of Albany and daughter of Alonzo (born March 9. 1832) and Mary J. (Hakes) 
Gifford (born August 4. 1835), who has borne him five children, as follows. William 
G., born August 13, 1875; George T., born September 21, 1878; Grace born Decem- 
ber 31, 1880; Alonzo P., born January 21, 1886: and Noyes, born April 8, 1891. Mr. 
Reynolds has traveled extensively over the United States, and in 1891, accompanied 
by his son William G., was of the party of over two hundred Knights Templar who 
visited Europe. Mr. Reynolds has never sought office, but in the spring of 1896 
was elected supervisor of Petersburgh without opposition- and at a considerable per- 
sonal sacrifice consented to serve in that capacity. 

Thacher, Ralph W., was born in Brockport, N. Y., April 24, 1839. He is a son of 
Dr. Ralph Thacher, who was born in Lebanon, Conn., where five generations of 
Thachers have lived or were born. Mr. Thacher's mother was Jerusha B. Harri- 
son of Williamstown, Mass. The first member of the Thacher family in America 
was the Rev. Thomas Thacher, first pastor of the Old South church in Bo.ston, 
Mass., from whom is also descended John Boyd Thacher, mayor of Albany. Rev. 
Thomas Thacher landed at Boston in the ship James in August, 1635, in charge of 
his uncle, Anthony Thacher, who had been a curate of his father's church in Salis- 
bury, England. Rev. Peter Thacher, the father of Rev. Thomas, was rector of St. 
Edmund's church at Salisbury, England, and lies buried in the churchyard under 
the shadow of Salisbury cathedral. Ralph W. Thacher, the subject of this sketch, 
and seventh in descent from Rev. Thomas Thacher, spent the years of 1855 and 
1856 at Williams College and was graduated from Hamilton College in 1859. While 
at Hamilton he was a member of the Phi Upsilon fraternity. After leaving college 
Mr. Thacher removed to Albany, N. Y. , in 1860 and engaged in the grain business 
with David N. Glazier and Harvey D. Leonard. After three years Mr. Thacher was 
taken into partnership and the firm became Glazier, Leonard & Co., which existed 
five years. Mr. Leonard then retired and the firm became for two years Glazier & 
Thacher. In 1870 Mr. Thacher withdrew and went to Kansas, where he established 
the First National Bank of Ottawa, of which he was cashier five years and vice- 
president four years, including two years after he returned to Albany, in 1877. 
When Mr. Thacher returned to Albany he bought of David N. Glazier the business 
that he was originally interested in. Mr. Glazier was then in failing health and 
shortly after died. Mr. Thacher continued in this business until July, 1891, coupling 
with it a mill and elevator at Schenectady, N. Y., a mill and elevator at Kenwood, 
near Albany, two malt houses in Albany and a coal yard in Schenectady, having in 
all ninety employees. He retired from that business to go into the export trade in 
New York in 1891, that being the year when there was a shortage in all the wheat 
producing countries in the world save America. Mr. Thacher was very successful 



222 

in New York and in the fall of 1892 he retired from active business on account of 
impaired health. In November, 1896, he took the presidency of the Albany Art 
Union as a pastime, growing out of his liking for amateur photography and to some- 
what satisfy his love of the beautiful in art. Mr. Thacher is a member of Masters 
Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M., and a demitted member of Temple Chapter, R. A. M. ; 
he was also a charter member of the Fort Orange and Albany Clubs. He is now a 
member of the University Club of New York and of the New York Produce Ex- 
change. He was formerly a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce and the 
Chicago Board of Trade. His first wife was Anna Elizabeth Glazier, of Brockport, 
N.Y., by whom he has one daughter. Mrs. F. W. Stedman, of Albany. His present 
wife was Louisa C. Huntington, of Albany, by whom he has a son, Ralph Hunting- 
ton Thacher. 

Lawson, Stephen, was born in 1830, and is a son of Levi, and grandson of Law- 
rence Lawson, who first settled at Bethlehem and later at Rufus Corners, where he 
died and left two sons, James and Levi. Levi came to Coeymans in 1830 and bought 
the farm where Stephen now lives. He was a farmer and died in 1860. He had 
four sons: Henry, William, Isaac, and Stephen, who remained on the homestead, 
and has two sons: Frederick and Howard. 

Griffen, Edward C, son of Edward and Harriett (Perkins) Griffen, was born in 
Newark, N. J., September 5, 1868. In 1875 he moved with his parents to Schuyler- 
ville, N. Y., where he attended the high school at that place. Subsequently he at- 
tended the Albany Business College and graduated from that institution June 6, 
1887, when he entered the employ of Henry Russell, flour merchant, and remained 
with him seven years, rising to the position of bookkeeper. In January, 1894, Mr. 
Griffen resigned his position with Mr. Russell and opened a store at No. 43 Hudson 
avenue, where he deals in flour, feed, hay and grain. He is one of Albany's young- 
est merchants and is respected for his integrity, perseverance and fair dealing. Feb- 
ruary 10, 1892, he married Harietta Meader of (Juaker Springs, N. Y., and they have 
one son, Chauncey Rider. 

Miller, S. Edward, jr., was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1855. His father for many 
years was a prominent merchant on Broadway. His mother's maiden name was 
Sarah Frances Silsby. On the paternal side, Mr. Miller is descended from Elizabeth 
Staats (great- grandmother) who was born just below Albany in the old Staats home- 
stead, the oldest inhabited house in America, bearing date of erection of 1630. 
Mr. Miller received his education in the public and high schools and was bookkeeper 
for Coming & Co. until 1882, when he opened a men's furnishing store at No. 36 
Maiden Lane. His business rapidly increased so that in 1891 he took premises at 
No. 34 Maiden Lane; now he occupies Nos. 34 and 36. He began this business in a 
small way and owing to his pleasant manner and fair dealings, was not long in hav- 
ing it very well established. He now has a plant outside used solely for the manu- 
facture of shirts giving employment to a large number of hands. Mr. Miller has a 
large double store and does the largest strictly furnishing goods business in the State, 
outside of New York and Buffalo. He has a very large custom shirt trade extending 
to all parts of the United States, and the Hanan shoe agency which is developing 
into a large business. He is a member of the Albany Club, Old Guard, Albany 
Zouave Cadets and the Empire and Capital City Curling Clubs. Mr. Miller is also 



a life member, ex-vice-president and director of the Young Men's Association and a 
member of the Y. M. C. A. In 1880 he marriedSarah Louise Nash, daughter of John 
II. Nash and sister of Willis G. Nash, cashier of the New York State Bank. They 
have two children: Louise Adele and Edgar Nash. 

Danaher, John E.. son of Francis M. and Mary E. (Hillenbrant) Danaher, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., March 4, 1861. He attended the publicschools and Christian 
Brothers' Academy and graduated from the Albany High School in 1878. After 
leaving the high school he obtained a situation as bookkeeper for Tallmadge & Carter, 
commission merchants, and remained with this firm a year and a half. Subsequently 
he was bookkeeper and afterward traveling salesman for William H. Livingston, 
wholesale liquor dealer, with whom he remained seven years, when in 1886, he started 
in the wholesale liquor business for himself at No. 34 Green street. He remained at 
that location for one year and then owing to increased business he moved to Nos. 
304 and 396 Broadway, where he was located five years, when his business became 
so large that he was compelled to find more suitable quarters and moved to his pres- 
ent location No. 97 Hudson avenue, corner of Grand street, with storehouse in the 
rear at No. 14 Grand street. Mr. Danaher is a member of the Catholic Union, the 
Commercial Traveler's Club, and is a member of the Board of Control of the National 
Wholesale Liquor Dealers Association of America. He married Elizabeth B., 
daughter of Patrick McCarthy, for many years a builder and alderman of Albany. 
They have one daughter, Hortense E. Mr. Danaher's success may be accounted for 
so.-newhat by the fact that he was born of that good stock, Irish and German. His 
maternal grandparents were of the first German immigrants to locate in Albany, where 
they came in 1830. Mr. Danaher if a self made man and great praise is due to his 
efforts. He does a strictly wholesale business, being a large direct importer of wines 
and brandies and has sole control of the "Optimus" brand of whiskey. He has a 
large busmess equal to and as important as any in Albany. 

Ertz Berger, Edmund J., son of William G. and Mary L. (Sheridan) Ertz Berger, 
was born in Albany, N. Y., Septembers, 1856. About 1765, Daniel Ertz Berger came 
to America from Basil, Switzerland, and settled in Albany and engaged in trading 
skins and furs with the Indians, and was in many a bloody encounter with them. 
Daniel, his son, the grandfather of Edmund J., vyas born in Albany in 1788, and 
Charlotte Dunlap, his wife, was born in Albany in 1794. William G., the father of 
Edmund J., was a manufacturer of cigars and candies in Albany and did an exten- 
sive business during the war. He died in 1885, aged seventy-five. Edmund J.'s 
mother died when he was two years old and he went to live with an uncle who put 
him through the public schools and high school, from which he was graduated in the 
English and mathematical course in 1874. He then entered the employ of S. L. 
Munson, shirt and collar manufacturer, where he learned the business and with whom 
he remained twenty years, rising rapidly until he had entire charge of the shirt de- 
partment. In 1881 Mr. Ertz Berger went West on an extensive trip for his health. 
In 1894 he entered the Hudson River Garment Company in partnership with William 
R. McGraw, and is now junior partner and financial manager. Mr. Ertz Berger is 
a member of the Unconditional Republican Club, the Ancient Essenic Order and 
treasurer of the Albany Bicycle Club. In 1883 he married Eloise Ross of Albany, 
and they have one daughter. Edna D. 



224 

Cass, Lewis.— This citizen of Albany, for many years ]5rominent aniony those in- 
terested in the welfare of the city, was born at Decatur, Otsego county, N. Y., De- 
cember 30, 1853. His father was a farmer, and his early life was passed upon his 
father's farm. At the age of twelve, he was left an orphan. At the age of sixteen, 
he began to teach in the district schools in Otsego county, at "a dollar a day and 
boarded around." Afterwards he passed successfully through the State Normal 
School, Colgate Academy at Hamilton, N. Y , graduating from the former in 1872 
and the latter in 1874. He pursued a collegiate course at Union College, and grad- 
uated from that institution in 1878. In the summer of 1878, he began to study law 
with the celebrated firm of Smith, Bancroft & Moak, where he remained for three 
years, when he opened an office of his own for the transaction of business. In 1886 
he married Miss Kate Landon, eldest daughter of Judge Landon of Schenectady, N. 
Y. Mr. Cass early took a high rank as a lawyer, and especially as an advocate, be- 
ing connected with many important litigations, notably, the case of " McDonald 
against the Village of Gloversville," and " The Trumbell will case " in Albany county, 
and many other important litigations in Circuit, Probate and Criminal Courts. He 
was attorney for the New York State Dairy Commissioner, and afterwards for the 
Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of New York for seven years, and for the 
past two years attorney for the New York State Veterinary Medical Society. Mr. 
Cass is well known as an ardent, fearless advocate of progress, and has been a 
potent factor in various reforms and improvements in the city, notably, the project 
of the construction of Beaver Park in the south portion of the city. To no one man 
is there more credit due for this much needed improvement than to Mr. Cass. Being 
a forcible and fluent public speaker, his services are eagerly sought in political cam- 
paigns. Although deeply interested in politics and political affairs, he has never 
sought nor held a political office, preferring to remain a private citizen. He has a 
well selected library of classic and historic literature and fiction, with which he is 
exceedingly familiar. He was selected in 1888, to deliver the annual address before 
the Adelphic Society of Union College, and chose for his subject "The Duty of the 
Educated Man to Business and Society." Another topic upon which he has been 
heard with interest and propriety is "The Puritans," which perhaps is his best known 
lecture. Love for his early occupation abides with him, as shown by the fact that 
he is one of the most successful amateur florists in the city, turning his special atten- 
tion to roses, having ,a collection unsurpassed by any in the city. 

Gilbert, Henry S., is one of the leading citizens of Guilderland. He was born in 
the town of New Scotland, March 5, 1846. His father was Williams Gilbert, born in 
the town of Bethlehem, April 18, 1823. His paternal grandfather was also Williams, 
who married first Ora Hart, who bore him eleven children: Glazier, Noah, Elkanah, 
Maria, Laura, Ann, Bradley, Alvin and Calvin (twins) and Prudence: his second wife 
was Charity Barber, by whom he had four children: Eliza, Rachel Ann, Joseph and 
Elisha. WilHams. father of Henry S., married Hannah Houghton (born in New- 
Scotland, April 4, 1831) in December, 1843; she was one of a family of ten children 
born to David ( born January 24, 1878) and 4nna (Bryant) Houghton (born February 
2, 1777), and granddaughter of John and Dorcas (Lawrence) Bryant ; her brothers 
and sisters were Polly, Lucy, John, Silas, Eli, Catharine, Smith, Sally and Jane Ann ; 
she was the last survivor of her family. Williams followed farming all his life, living 



325 

some years in New Scotland and in 1856 removing to Guilderland where he bought a 
farm and resided until 1865, when he sold his farm and removed to Glenville, Sche- 
nectady county; there he bought a farm on which he resided until his death, which 
occurred in September, 1873. The only child of Williams and Hannan (Houghton) 
Gilbert was Henry S., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Gilbert survived her husband 
many years, cared for by her son till the time of her death, January 14, 1895. Henry 
S. Gilbert attended the district school and remained with his father until the latter's 
death, when he sold the farm and bought his present one of 100 acres near Fuller's 
Station, to which he moved in 1874. He has been successfully engaged in dairying, 
keeping a fine lot of choice cows; he also takes much pride in keeping fine horses. 
In 1890-91 he engaged in mercantile business at Fuller's Station, where he owned a 
store, and where he was also postmaster under Harrison's administration, but not 
liking the business he sold out and returned to his farm, on which he has since re- 
sided. He deals in agricultural implements, handling the Johnson harvesting ma- 
chines; he is a director and stockholder in the Altamont Driving Park and Fair As- 
sociations, and was chairman of the committees on fruit and vegetables, and on 
stock and poultry, also horses. In January, 1867, he married Helen C. Weaver, a 
native of Glenville, Schenectady county, daughter of Benjamin aad Hannah (Clossen) 
Weaver. They have two children, William W., born January 14, 1868, and Burton 
H., born April 29, 1876. William W. married Hattie, daughter of Leroy Main, and 
has one child, Ethel ; he remained on the farm with his father until April, 1896, when 
he removed to Voorheesville where he now resides. Burton A. is at home with his 
parents. 

Frederick, Charles F., son of Philip and Catharine (Gomph) Frederick, was born 
in Albany, N. Y., August 21, 1865. He is a grandson of Philip Frederick, who was 
born in Germany, and who came to Albany in 1830, where he engaged in the furni- 
ture business and was one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of 
Albany. His son, the father of the subject of this sketch, followed his father's 
business with the addition of the undertaker's business, and gave promise of build- 
ing up a remarkable business, but was cut off in early manhood. He died in 1874, 
aged thirty-seven, leaving a family of eight children, all of whom are now living. 
He was prominent in fraternal and social circles, being a Mason, an Odd Fellow, 
and Knight of Pythias; he was also an ex-niember of the 25th Regiment, and in 1870 
represented the then Tenth ward in the Board of Supervisors. Charles F. Fred- 
erick, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools and learned the 
trade of bookbinder with R. G. Hendrie, with whom he remained eight years; at 
the end of five years he was promoted to the position of foreman of Mr. Hendrie's 
establishment and held that position when he left Mr. Hendrie's employ. In 1886 
Mr. Frederick removed to Washington, D. C, where he obtained an appointment as 
l30okbinder in the government printing office and remained there si.x years, resign- 
ing to go into the grocery business in Washington. He was compelled to abandon 
this business after three years owing to ill health, and in September, 1895, returned 
to Albany. In January, 1896, he took a course in the United States Embalming 
College in New York city, from which he received a diploma. In March of the 
same year he started his present business, that of undertaker and embalmer, at No. 
118 Washington avenue. Mr. Frederick is a member of the American Legion of 



Honor, the International Brotherhood of Bookbinders and Clinton Lodge No. T, 
I. O. O. F. November 16, 1887, he married Sarah Furman of Albany, and they 
have one son, Charles F., jr. 

Van Valken burgh, Hon. John W., was born in the village of Chatham, Columbia 
county, N. Y., June 23, 1826, and is a son of James B. Van Valkenburgh, also of 
Chatham, who fought gallantly at Plattsburgh during the war of 1812. He lived 
until he was eighty-one years of age, dying August 15, 1868. The maiden name of 
Mr. Van Valkenburg's mother was Clarinda Pitts, an aunt of Hon. Edmund Pitts, 
ex-speaker of the Assembly. She died July 3, 1871, at the age of eighty-one. His 
grandfather, Bartholomew Van Valkenburgh, was a native of Holland and came to 
America at an early date, settling at Chatham, N. Y. He served with distinction 
in the Revolutionary war. In his early youth, J. W. Van Valkenburgh, the subject 
of this sketch, attended the common schools in Chatham and worked on his father's 
farm. When he became of age he joined a military company and on November 16, 
1849, was comtnissioned first lieutenant in the old 23d Regiment, N. Y. Militia. This 
commission he held thirty-six years, until the regiment went out of existence. In 
1853 Mr. Van Valkenburgh's services were secured to push forward the work of the 
Lebanon Springs Railroad, and he is said to have thrown out the first shovel of 
earth and hired the first man on the work. He displayed great energy and ability 
in this enterprise. He took a deep interest in politics and early joined the Demo- 
cratic party. In 1853 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Columbia county and 
served for three years. In 1856 he was made route agent for the general post-office 
department and ran the first night express train on the Harlem Railroad from Al- 
bany to New York. When the Civil war broke out Mr. Van Valkenburgh offered 
his services and was commissioned first lieutenant of Co. E, 128th Regiment, N. Y. 
Vols. August 22, 1862, he was duly mustered into the service. His career was a 
most creditable one. In January, 1863, he served as a member of a court martial 
in New Orleans, and continued in the service until April 18, 1864, when on advice of a 
surgeon he tendered his resignation and was honorably discharged. In 1865 he ac- 
cepted a position as conductor on the Harlem Railroad. The following year he was 
elected member of assembly from Columbia County. In 1867 Mr. Van Valken- 
burgh removed to Albany and has since been an active and esteemed citizen of 
that city. In 1868 he accepted the superintendency of the Albany and Susque- 
hanna Railroad and in 1872 became interested in the New York and Albany Rail- 
road, now known as the New York Railway. When the Lebanon Springs Railroad 
became involved Mr. Van Valkenburgh was appointed receiver and held that posi- 
tion for three years. In 1873 he was elected a member of assembly from Albany 
county and has thus had the honor to represent both Albany and Columbia counties. 

Hennessy, John V., M. D., son of Thomas and Margaret (McKinley) Hennessy, 
was born in New York city in 1854. When he was a boy his parents removed to 
Bath-on-the-Hudson; here young Mr. Hennessy attended the public schools. After 
leaving school he obtained a situation as clerk in the office of his father, who was a 
well known and prosperous builder in Albany. He remained with his father until 
1880, when he entered the Albany Medical College and in 1884 was graduated from 
that in.stitution, receiving the degree of M. D. Dr. Hennessy has practiced in Al- 
bany since his crraduation. He is a surgeon on the staff of St. Peter's Hospital, at- 



tending physician at the Boys' Orphan Asylum, lecturer on materia medica at the 
Albany Medical College and a member of the Albany County Medical Society. In 
1878 he married Sarah Elizabeth Kane of Amsterdam, N. Y. 

Williams, C. Franlc, son of Isaac A. and Sarah M. (Carpenter) Williams, was born 
in Brattleboro, Vt., October 17, 1859, and attended the public schools of Brattleboro, 
and Worcester, Mass., after which he learned the printer's trade in Brattleboro. In 
1878 Mr. Williams removed to Albany, N. Y., where he followed his trade until 1880, 
when he opened a printing office in S. R. Gray's building in partnership with J. H. 
Prouty. This partnership lasted for four years, when Mr. Williams organized the 
C. F. Williams Printing Company, which existed until 1892, when it was completely 
burned out at No. 36 Beaver street. Immediately after this fire the company was 
dissolved and Mr. Williams resumed alone at his present location. No. 9-11 Green 
street. Mr. Williams is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 453, F. & A. M., Al- 
bany Lodge No. 641, K. A. E. O. , Unconditional and Capital City Clubs and Albany 
Republican League. June 13, 1884, he married Frances E. A. Pangburn of Albany, 
and they have three children. 

Grogan, Michael, was born in Ireland and was brought to America when an in- 
fant, John Grogan, having preceded him two years before and who had directly 
located in West Troy, was a pioneer settler and for years in the employ of the Har- 
rington planing mill. Here Mr. Grogan has spent most of his life, first acquiring 
the cooper's trade, which he followed for thirteen years. He served one year as 
clerk in the weighlock and then entered the county clerk's office under John Larkin, 
acting as clerk for four years. In 1884 he was appointed deputy sheriff', filling the 
position for eleven years. 

Murray, Wilham H., M. D., son of Francis and Sarah (Lockwood) Murray, was 
born in Poundridge, Westchester county, N. Y., December 8, 1845. He attended 
Betts's Academy at Stamford, Conn., and graduated from that institution in 1863. 
In the fall of that year he entered Union College at Schenectady, N. Y. , and grad- 
uated in 1877, receiving the degree of A. B. During the year 1867-68, he taught 
school at Bellefonte, Pa., with Governor Hastings, present governor of Pennsylvania. 
In the fall of 1868 Dr. Murray entered the Albany Medical College and received the 
degree of M. D. from that institution in 1869. In 1868 he married Martha W. 
Bouck, granddaughter of the late Governor Bouck; they have two children living, 
Frank and Bessie. In 1870 Dr. Murray began the practice of medicine in Albany 
and has since continued there, making a specialty of obstetrics. He has been prom- 
inently identified with the Democratic party and has sacrificed much time to further 
the interests of the city of Albany; there is no man better known or more highly 
respected in his ward, the Si.\teenth. He can call everybody by name. His love 
for his profession and his devotion to his fellows have contributed to his holding the 
following offices; Supervisor of his ward for five terms, president of the Board of 
Aldermen one term, district physician, police surgeon, county physician, coroner's 
physician, penitentiary physician, and at present city physician. Dr. Murray has 
been president of the Board of Trustees of the Hospital for Incurables since its 
foundation. He has also been prominently identified with social and fraternal 
organizations; he has been through all the chairs in Odd Fellowship, and is a mem- 
ber of all Masonic bodies, and has the thirty-second degree; he has also been a 



228 

member of the K. of P. and Red Men. He is now a member of the Albany and 
Acacia Clubs and the Albany County Medical Society. 

Hall. Charles Roswell, son of John Peck and Sarah Hart (Purdy) Hall, was born 
September 17, 1853, in Guilford, Chenango county, N. Y., where his father owned a 
farm and died in 1875. The family were early settlers of Connecticut, coming origi- 
nally from England in the seventeenth century, and held commissions in the State 
troops of their State in the Colonial wars, and in the Continental army during the 
war of the Revolution. Mr. Hall after receiving a common school education, be- 
came a teacher in his native town, and in the fall of 1870 entered the State Normal 
School at Brockport, N. Y. After entering and before finishing at the State Normal 
School he taught school several terms, in this State, and in the States of Massachu- 
setts, Connecticut and New Jersey. He read law with Judge Alberto T. Roraback 
in Canaan, Conn., with Hon. Horace Packer, in Oxford, and with Judge Albert F. 
Gladding in Norwich, from whose office he was admitted to the bar at Saratoga in 
September, 1880. He began the practice of his profession in Norwich, where he was 
elected justice of the peace, clerk to the Surrogate's Court, and in Ja.uua.Ty, 1884, 
he received an appointment as assistant to Attorney-General O'Brien, with charge 
of the Land Department of that office. In the fall of 1880 he was offered and ac- 
cepted the office of Deputy Comptroller, being the youngest man to hold that impor- 
tant position, and occupied it until the close of the term of the then comptroller. 
Later he formed a copartnership for the practice of the law with Mr. Frederick E. 
Wadhams, the special study of the law in reference to State lands and the tax laws 
made while he was assistant attorney-general, and deputy comptroller, being found 
to be of great advantage. April 16, 1889. he was appointed deputy superintendent 
of the Banking Department, by the then superintendent, Willis S. Paine, and has re- 
mained connected with that department since. He has filled every position in it 
from deputy and acting superintendent to bookkeeper, has made a special study of 
the laws affecting the organization, conduct and supervision of financial institutions, 
both under the State Banking Laws and the National Bank Act, and is the author 
of Hall's Bank Laws, a recognized authority on such subjects. He has written much 
for the press, has delivered lectures and read papers on financial subjects, has won 
honors as an orator, has always been a staunch Democrat, being delegate to local, 
State and National conventions. He is a member of the Albany Clubs and other 
organizations. 

Collins, Hon. Lorenzo D., was born in the town of Whitehall, Washington county, 
July 13, 1821. He is of Puritan ancestry and Revolutionary stock, both grandfathers 
having served in the Revolutionary war. His father, Daniel Collins, fought in the 
war of 1813. Mr. L. D. Collins received a district school education and when nine- 
teen years of age, left his father's farm and located in West Troy, Albany county, 
where two years later, he opened a canal barn and grocery and provision store. He 
was a member of the old Whig party and when the Republican party was formed in 
1856, he became a member and has been very active ever since. Mr. Collins was 
trustee of the village of West Troy in 1853 and the next year was chosen village 
president; in 1859 and 1860, he was a member of the Assembly and in 1866 was 
elected State senator. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the committee on 
canals and in 1867 introduced in the Senate a bill for the erection of the New Capi- 



239 

tol building, which he liad passed. Every bill he introduced, while in the Legisla- 
ture, was passed and became law. In 1865 he was a delegate to the International 
Convention at Detroit, Mich. In 1895 when the town of Watervliet was divided and 
the town of Colonie erected, Mr. Collins was chosen the first supervisor and was re- 
elected in the spring of 1896. He was named by Governor Morton as one of the dele- 
gate.s from New York to the National Farmers' Congress and Good Roads Parlia- 
ment, which were held at Atlanta, Ga., during the Cotton States and International 
Expcisition in 1895. He is president of the State Farmers' League and chairman of 
the executive committee of the New York State Farmers' Congress, both of which 
were organized largely through his individual efforts. Mr. Collins was a director of 
the Union National Bank of Troy, for twenty years, and was for six years captain 
of the Light Guards, a military company of West Troy, Albany county. He is a 
charter member of Evening Star Lodge, No. 75, F. & A. M., of West Troy. 

Anlemann, Herman W., son of Gottlieb and Augusta (Scherff) Antemann, was 
born in Saxony, Germany, April 21, 1847. He came to America with his parents 
when he was five years old and settled in Albany, N. Y., where he was educated in 
a private German school and the public schools. He obtained his first employment 
with Thomas R. Van Loon at No. 480 Broadway, where he learned the jewelry busi- 
ness. In 1870 Mr. Antemann and Mr. Van Loon formed a partnership. Six months 
later Mr. Van Loon sold out to Mr. Antemann and for the past twenty-four years 
Mr. Antemann has been in business at his present location, No. 14 James street, 
where he now does a large business as a manufacturing jeweler. He is a member 
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeem.er and a member and dii-ector of 
the Albany Musical Association. February 10, 1870, he married Elizabeth Huber of 
Albany, by whom he has four children, Elizabeth, Kathryn, Millie and Augusta 
Elsie. 

Winne, Charles Visscher, is descended from Pieter Winne, born in Ghent, Flan- 
ders, and Tannatje Adams, his wife, born in Leeuwaerden, ^'rieslandt, who came to 
America and settled in what is now Bethlehem, Albany county, July 6, 1684. The 
line of descent is (1) Pieter Winne; (2) Livinus, 1647-1706, of Albany, married first 
Teuntje Martense and second Mrs. Williamje Viele Schermerhorn ; (3) Benjamin (by 
second wife), 1705-1797, married Rachel Van Arnam ; (4) Livinus, 1745-1825, mar- 
ried Marytje Lansing; (5) Livinus Lansing, 1783-1816, married Ann Visscher, at- 
torney, graduated from Union College in 1804, captain U. S. Army 1812, and served 
in that war; and (6) Nanning Visscher, 1807-1858, a physician, graduated from 
Union College in 1824 and from Yale in 1826, commissioned surgeon with rank of 
lieutenant-colonel on Maj.-Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer's staff, and married Rachel, 
daughter of Garrett Van Zandt Bleecker. All these spent their active careers in 
Albany. Charles V. Winne, son of Dr. N. V., was born January 27, 1848, was edu- 
cated at the Albany Boys' Academy and in 1871 entered the employ of the D. & H. 
C. Co., where he has since remained. He was first attached to the engineering 
corps and since 1873 has been in the paymaster's office, becoming paymaster in June, 
1891. He is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Temple Chapter No. 
5, R. A. M., the Fort Orange Club, the Old Guard Albany Zouave Cadets, and the 
Ridgefield Athletic and Albany Camera Clubs; has been president of the Young 
Men's Association since 1894; was commodore of the American Canoe Association 



230 

in 1892; was for six years captain of the Mohican Canoe Club; and is secretary of 
the Albany Country Club; a trustee and treasurer of the Albany City Homoeopathic 
Hospital, member of the Holland Society of New York and recorder of the Board 
of Governors of the American Cauoe Association, in which he is very prominent. 

Young, William P., was born in the town of New Scotland, August 7, 1834, Peter, 
his grandfather, being a native of the town of Knox, where he was born about 1784, 
and where he spent his days as a farmer. He was a prominent and active member 
of the State militia, in which he took great pride and spent considerable money, 
being an officer in a company of cavalry. His first wife was Miss Toles, by whom 
he had six sons and four daughters, his second wife being Miss Bundy, by whom 
three children were born. He died in 1864, at the age of eighty years. Peter, the 
father, was born in Knox, June 6, 1806. He commenced at the age of sixteen to 
learn the carpenter's trade and followed it about forty years, when, in 1851 he 
bought a farm in Guilderland and in 1856 bought an adjoining farm. In 1863 he 
engaged in farming in Guilderland, where he spent his remaining days. He was also 
a member of and drummer in the State militia. His wife was Rebecca (Williams) 
Austin, and their children were John A., Charles W., Henry W., Sarah A., Mar- 
garet J., Lois R., Mary (who died at the age of twenty-five), Eliza O. and Gouvenier 
M. He died August 15, 1881, at the age of seventy-five, and his wife died April 28, 
1892, at the age of seventy-seven. William P. remained at home until twenty-one 
years of age, when he rented, in 1856, a farm for one year for himself in the town 
of Coeymans. In 1857 he returned to Guilderland and worked his father's farms for 
nine years, and in 1866 purchased a farm in New Scotland which he still owns. In 
1883 he bought a second farm in New Scotland, where he now resides. He has 
made a specialty of fruit culture and has several varieties on his farms. The farm 
on which he now lives is known as the Dr. Sager farm, and was originally owned by 
Dr. Day. Dr. Sager lived with Dr. Day and later married his adopted daughter. 
Mr. Young has erected new houses and barn buildings on both of his farms, being 
his own architect. December 9, 1854, he married Mary S. Koonz. born in New Scot- 
land and daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Folmsbee) Koonz, and granddaughter 
of Nathaniel and Catherine (Cline) Koonz; the latter lived to be 106 years of age. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Young were born four children: Mary, widow of Albei-t Relyea, 
who died January 4, 1885, was married to him August 18, 1875, leaving two children 
surviving her: Lizzie B., and Levi E. William H. married Libbie Main of Guilder- 
land, March 10, 1885, and have two children: Olive and Lelah ; he is an extensive 
berry grower. Hannah E. married Henry Goodfellow of Guilderland, October 7, 
1880, and have two children: Florence and Ernest. Elizabeth E., who still resides 
at home. Of the brothers and sisters of William P. Young, John A. Young resides 
at Brodhead, Wis., having married in 1852 Maria Groat of Guilderland, by whom 
he has had four children. Charles W. Young lives at Whitewater, Wis., and mar- 
ried Mary Jane Chism. and has no children. Sarah A. Young married Peter Van 
Patten and now lives in Centralia, Kansas, having one daughter. Margaret J. 
Young married Charles Gemlich and resides in Guilderland and has one son. Henry 
W. Young was married to Joanna Gates and lives in the city of Albany. They are 
the parents of two children. Lois R. Young married David Van Patten, a brother 
of Peter, and lives on an adjoining farm in Centralia, Kas. Thev have two chil- 



231 

dren. Eliza O. Young married Charles Severson and resides in Guilderland, having 
borne him one child. Gouvenier M. Young resides at Whitewater, Wis., having 
married Elva Martm of Guilderland, by whom he has had two children, of whom 
one survives. 

Niles, Nathaniel, son of John H. and Fannie (Mosher) Niles, was born in Bethle- 
hem, Albany county, September 1, 1856, and is a grandson of Nathaniel Niles, who 
came from Connecticut to Coeymans, Albany county, at an early day and died there 
in 1876. The latter was prominent in town affairs, serving as supervisor, etc. John 
H. Niles, a farmer by occupation, died in 1861. Nathaniel Niles attended the public 
and private schools, was graduated from the Albany Free Academy in 1874 and from 
Dartmouth College, with the degree of A. B., in 1878, and read law in Albany with 
Judge Rufus W. Peckham. He was admitted to the bar in 1880 and for a time acted 
as clerk for Peckham, Rosendale & Hessberg, in whose offices and the offices of their 
successors, he has successfully practiced his profession ever since. In politics he is 
a Democrat. 

Mead, Charles W., son of Delois L., was born in Clymer, N. Y., December 3, 1843, 
and pursued his education under private tutors and in the academies of Chautauqua 
county, graduating in 1863. He completed his collegiate studies at Painesville, 
Ohio, and for seven years was principal of academies and union schools in his na- 
tive county. In the fall of 1870 he came to Albany and entered the Albany Law 
School, from which he was graduated and admitted to the bar in 1871. He imme- 
diately began the practice of his profession and in 1877 formed a copartnership with 
Samuel S. Hatt. which still continues, the present firm being Mead, Hatt & Palmer. 
He is a staunch Republican and in 1882 was appointed a U. S. circuit court commis- 
sioner, which position he has since held. He takes an active interest in the welfare 
of the citv, was at one time a member of the legislative branch of its government, 
and has given considerable attention and takes high rank in the social and fraternal 
organizations of Albany. He is a member of Grand Lodge, F. & A. M., is promi- 
nently identified with the fraternal co-operative associations, and was the represen- 
tative of one of the leading orders of the State in the matter of State legislation and 
one of the framers of the present law governing the same. In 1874 he married M. 
Manila Burnap, one of the leading contraltos of Albany, and they have one daugh- 
ter, Edith M. 

Amyot, Bruno E., D. D. S., is a leading member of the dental profession in 
Cohoes, and is a son of Bruno Arayot, who has been a resident of this place for 
nearly half a century. He came from Vercherer, Province of Quebec. Doctor 
Amyot was born in 1869 in Cohoes and was educated in the parochial schools. At 
the age of nineteen he entered the New York College of Dentistry, and after two 
vears graduated, in 1890, beginning practice here at once, where he_enjoys a large 
patronage. He is a member of the Third District Dental Society of New York 
State. September 30, 1896, he married Miss Rosa de Lima Masson of Cohoes. 

Beras, James H., was born in 1863, a son of James Berns, an artist; his mother 
being a teacher, made the home of his childhood a dwelling of culture and refine- 
ment. Mr. Berns is a Democrat and is a member of the County Committee. 
James H. is one of the leading young lawyers of Cohoes, and came to the front be- 
cause of his able handhng of the celebrated case of Cahill, who was indicted for 



232 

shooting his brother-in-law, Charles Scholield, at Cohoes. In 1893 he entered the 
Albany Law School, after graduating from the High School and the Albany busi- 
ness College. After his admission to the bar in 1894, he opened an office and began 
practice. 

Bullock, Joseph, came to Cohoes as early as 1846, and has been a resident here 
since, with the exception of eight years in Lockport, where he was engaged in the 
knitting business. He was of Dutch ancestry, born in Guilderland, in 1835, and de- 
cidedly a self-made man, adding to his limited education by close observation and 
personal research. In 1872 he returned to Cohoes and in 1877 established a baking 
business, which he conducted with marked success until it was purchased in 1894 by 
his son, John H. Bullock, who still conducts it at No. 116 Remsen street. Mr. Bul- 
lock is a man of great strength of character and convictions. He appreciates highly 
the picture of the domicile of his youth where both father and mother were l)orn ; it 
was built in 1704 and is yet intact; the Ijrick in the fireplace and chimney were 
brought from Holland. 

Belanger, Israel, justice of the peace, and a scholarly young man, had the courage 
and perseverance to break the fetters of circumstances which surrounded his youth, 
and gain his way to the front "amid the maddening crowd's ignoble strife."' When 
nine years old he began life in the mill where he remained until twenty years of age 
as a weaver. He then returned to Joliette, Quebec, where he was born in 1863, and 
entered Joliette College. In 1890 he graduated with degree of Bachelor of Letters 
from Laval University, QueV^ec, and came to Cohoes. Here he studied law with 
Hon. George H. Fitts and was admitted to the bar in 1892. Besides his law practice 
and office duties, he is identified with an insurance and real estate agency. He is 
now justice of peace of the city of Cohoes. 

Campbell, Hon. George, a well known citizen, long identified with the interests of 
Cohoes, is of Canadian birth, and first located at Cohoes in 1847, and after sixteen 
years' residence at Waterford, where he learned the machinist's trade and was for a 
time in partnership with George Gage, he returned to this city in 1863, and estab- 
lished with John Clute the present firm. In 1873 they erected a commodious modern 
block ou their old location opposite the Harmony Hotel. He makes a specialty of 
machinery for knitting, but produces much other work of high grade. Mr. Camp- 
bell was formerly a leader in local politics, and besides various minor offices pre- 
viously held, he was elected in 1881 to the Assembly by a large majority. 

Carter, William H., superintendent of the carding department of the Tivoli Mills 
since 1868. Mr. Carter was born in the city of Albany in 1836. and fourteen years 
later his father, Michael Carter, moved to Cohoes, when William went to work in 
the Egberts Mills, where he remained for fifteen years. He was made a foreman in 
1860 and took charge of the carding department. In 1S68 he became associated with 
Commodore A. J. Root of the Tivoli Mills, and has for nearly thirty years occupied 
a responsible position. In 1880 Mr. Carter began operating a mill at Troy with Mr. 
Corliss, but they were burned out two years later, and the venture was abandoned ; 
meantime he had maintained his connection with the Tivoli Mills. Mr. Carter is 
one of the pioneer people of Cohoes. He is a member of several charitable organ- 
izations. 



233 

Crawford, James F., has been a lawyer in active practice at Cohoes for half a cen- 
tur\-, coming here in 1849 after two years' practice in Albany. At the close of an 
academic course at Augusta, N. Y., where he was born in 1819, he began legal study 
in Oneida Castle, N. Y. , with the late Timothy Jenkins, a lawyer of much prom- 
inence. After four years he came to Albany and resumed his studies with Edwin 
C. Litchfield, then district attorney of Albany county. He was admitted to the bar 
in 1846, and was very successful from the start. As a citizen of Cohoes he has been 
prominently identified with every interest which has tendered to develop its growth 
and prosperity. He is a Democrat in politics and was a member of the Legislature 
in 1866, when the first appropriation was made for the State Capitol. 

Clark, WilHam B., was born in New York city in 1858, but has been a resident of 
Cohoes since he was four years of age. He began business life empty handed, but 
possessed the sterling qualities of his Scotch ancestors, and has achieved substantial 
success. In every department of the milling business he has labored, and was eight 
years in the plumbing business, putting in heating apparatus in the Cascade Mills 
and other large buildings. The Continental Knitting Company was organized in 
1891 as the Clark & Wilson, but John C. Bennett is now the junior partner. He is a 
member of both the Masonic fraternity and the L O. O. F. 

Dawson, John, late of Cohoes, retired from active business only a short time pre- 
vious to his death in 1895. At that time he was engaged in the manufacture of 
knitting needles used here in the hosiery mills. He was born at Nottingham, Eng- 
land, coming to America when nine years old, and a later year to Cohoes. His 
father was a lace manufacturer, and he brought his machine here but never used it. 
Mr. Dawson was a skilled machinist and very successful in all his enterprises. He 
allied himself with one of the first families here when he married Mary, daughter of 
John Long. They had seven children: William H., Lincoln J., Lizzie, Maria, 
Frank R., Alice and Herbert G. 

Elliot, W. J., is city clerk of Cohoes since 1894. He is a young man of wide popu- 
larity, born in 1860, and is a son of James Elliot. The latter now deceased, was a 
native of England, but he spent most of his life here as a merchant in the confection- 
ery line. Mr. Elliot was educated here and first engaged in job printing, the firm 
being known as Craig & Elliot, and carried on an extensive business. Mr. Elliott is 
a Republican and is serving his first official engagement with credit. 

Foley, Edward, has been one of the leading builders and contractors of Cohoes, 
where he came in 1865 to take charge of the building of the Cohoes Company dam. 
He was educated in the county schools of Ireland, where he was born in 1831. He 
also acquired the mason's trade there, and came to America, to New York city, 
when he was seventeen years old. After two years he came to Albany and there 
superintended bridge construction and church building, erecting St. Peter's church 
and other buildings. In Cohoes he built the Harmony Mill, one of the largest in the 
world, the Episcopal church, and other smaller buildings. By his untiring efforts 
he has made a financial success, and now lives a retired life. He has five children, 
the elder son, Edward, jr., is now a resident of Kansas City, and is engaged in the 
real estate business. 

Garland, Jerome, has for eight years held the responsible position of manager of 



tlie Cohoes Iron Fouudiy and Machine Company, to whicli he came in 1871 as super- 
intendent, having held a like position in the Laconia Company Iron Works, Bidde- 
ford, Me., where his boyhood was spent and where he learned the machinist's trade. 
He was born in Medina, N. Y., in 1833, and is a son of Joseph P. Garland, a lock 
builder and contractor, and when six months old passed through Cohoes on the canal, 
but was not of sufficient age to have any personal remembrance of the trip. When 
a boy he had a predilection for the sea, but one voyage as a sailor changed his mind. 
He spent one year in California during the gold excitement Mr. Garland is a Re- 
publican, and has served as alderman of the Second ward, and was also a member 
of the Board of Health and of the Excise Board. He is a master Mason and a mem- 
ber of the I. O. O. F. 

Kennedy, Thomas, is superintendent of the celebrated Tivoli Mills, Root Manu- 
facturing Company, with which he has had a long terra of association, having first 
entered them in 1863. He has always been a machinist and acquired the trade at 
Gage's shops at Waterford. He also operates a factory at No. 49 Mohawk street, 
which manufactures special machinery for knitting mills, and is in charge of his son, 
T. Frank Kennedy. He was born in County Galway, Ireland, in 1842, coming to 
America in 1848. He was on the Board of Education in 1878-79. Mr. Kennedy is a 
prominent member of the Catholic church. 

Leversee, Hon. Jacob D., has been a resident of Cohoes only since 1878, but has 
taken a very front place in business and manufacturing circles. He was born in 
Brunswick, N. Y., in 1858, aad received a common school education at that place, 
where his father was then a farmer. Mr. Leversee learned the paper box making 
trade at Lansingburgh, and in 1885 established the present firm of Leversee & 
Snyder, with W. W. Snyder of Cohoes, of which he is president; he is also presi- 
dent of the Daily News Company of Cohoes. In social and financial circles he is a 
central figure, and has served as alderman of the Third ward. In 1896 he was 
elected member of assembly to represent the Fourth assembly district of Albany 
county. He is a member of Apollo Commandery No. 14 of Troy, also a mernber of 
B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 141, and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member 
of the Cohoes City Club, the Mystic Club, the Waterford Club, Pafraets Dael Club 
of Troy, and is treasurer of the Park Club of Lansingburgh. Mr. Leversee was 
married September 9, 1880, to Katie Fitzgerald of Cohoes. 

Lowery, Rev., J. F., LL.D., the talented and faithful pa'tor of St. Agnes church, 
which is just completed, was its first pastor and builder. He has labored for years 
for its erection. Rev. Father Lowery has done glorious work, which will be for cen- 
turies a remembrance of one who labored zealously and effectually for the salvation 
of souls and for the up-building of the church of God. He was born in Utica, N.Y., 
March 2, 1841, and studied in the common .schools of his native city, and after an 
academic course, went to St. Charles College. Maryland, where he made his classical 
studies, and afterwards completed the higher studies at St. Mary's University, Bal- 
timore, and St. Joseph's Provincial Seminary, Troy, where he was ordained to the 
priesthood, June 15, 1S67. He was appointed to Saratoga, and then to St. Joseph's, 
Albany. His finst pastoral charge was in Oswego, in which city he built the church 
of St. John the Evangelist, and he afterwards built St. Cecelia's church in Fonda. 



335 

The University of Niagara conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of 
Laws in April, 1894. 

McDermott, Martin, one of the popular and successful druggists of the city of 
Cohoes, has been engaged in that business since 1880, when he began as a clerk for 
C. S. Clute. He was born at Halfmoon, Saratoga county, in 1859, and is a son of 
Roger McDermott, then a farmer, but now a resident of Cohoes. Mr. McDermott 
opened the Model Pha macy at 103 Remsen street, Cohoes, and the establishment is 
indeed a model in every respect He is a member of the Business Men's Association 
of the city of Cohoes. 

Millar, W. L., an enterprising young man of Cohoes, is practically a lifelong resi- 
dent of that city, though born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861. He came with his 
father, Alexander Millar, a blacksmith, to America in 1866. He first entered River- 
side Mills as a cutter, where he remained for seven years, and was afterward em- 
ployed in other mills. In 1889, with his father-in-law, George P. Steenburg, he 
opened up a coal yard on Central avenue; in 1890 Mr. Steenburg died, and he has 
since operated the business alone. 

Mansfield, W. K., editor and proprietor of the Cohoes Daily News, was born in 
1856, in Waterford, where he still resides. He was educated in the public .schools 
of Cohoes and at Amherst College Amherst, Mass. From 1877 until 1884 he was in 
business in Saratoga county. He purchased the Daily News from James H. Mas- 
ten, in October, 1884. and has since conducted it. He served for six years as jus- 
tice of the peace in the town of Halfmoon, Saratoga county, and is now serving the 
third term as justice of the peace of the town of Waterford. He is a member and 
past master of Cohoes Lodge No. 116, F. & A. M.. and is also a member and past 
high priest of Cohoes Chapter No. 168, R. A. M., and is a member of the Riverside 
Club of Lansingburgh. The Daily News is the oldest daily paper publislied in the 
city, having been established in 1873 by Edward Monk, the original .size of the 
sheet being 13 liy '30 inches. The increasing demand upon its columns necessitated 
enlargements in 1875, 1876, 1879, and again in 18S'3, when the present form, 24 by 
36, was adopted. In June, 1874, Samuel Sault entered the firm, which was known 
as Monk & Sault. In December, 1873, the office was removed from the corner of 
Ontario and Remsen streets to enlarged quarters in the Campbell & Clute block on 
Mohawk street. In July, 1879, Mr. Sault's interest was transferred to James H. 
Masten, the veteran editor of the city, for many years editor of the Cataract. In 
April, 1881, the firm of Monk & Masten was dissolved, Mr. Monk retiring. Mr. 
Masten continued as editor and proprietor until October, 1884, when he disposed of 
the paper to Mansfield & Harrington. In October, 1885, the firm of Mansfield & 
Harrington was dissolved and the News passed into the hands of the present editor 
and proprietor, W. K. Mansfield. In November, 1885, the News office was removed 
to the present location in North's block. The News is published daily at noon, Sun- 
days and holidays excepted. It presents all the local and vicinity news and full 
telegraphic reports from all parts of the world. It is in every sense a family paper 
and does not depend upon the sensational or scandalous for its circulation. It also 
furnishes its readers with the very best miscellaneous matter and illustrated serial 
stories of home reading. The News enjoys the distinction of being the only noon 
pajjer published in the country, or so far as is known, in the world. The News took 



a prominent part iu the labor ditiiculties of 1886 and 1887 and contended for the 
constitutional freedom which was denied by the advanced labor agitator of that 
time. The News and its editor went under a boycott for several years, as a result of 
the stand taken at that time on behalf of individual liberty. 

Stevens, Joseph, the well-known news dealer and stationer, has been located for 
thirty-four years on Remsen street. He first entered the business in 1863 under the 
firm name of Jones & Stevens, but since 1865 he has conducted the business alone. 
He has a varied line of school books, blank books, envelopes, writing paper, pens 
and ink, also fashion magazines, and he makes a specialty of Butterick patterns of 
which he has the agency. Mr. Stevens is a native of Cohoes, and a lifelong resi- 
dent. He was born in 1839, and is the son of John Stevens, a mechanic. He re- 
ceived a common school education and first worked in a woolen mill. In 1870 Mr. 
Stevens married Miss Lucy M. Reinhart of Berne, N. Y. They have two children, 
Charles and Lydia F. 

Slade, E. F, a son of Benjamin J. and Elizabeth (Flager) Slade, both natives of 
Saratoga county, N. Y. . was born May 28, 1866 ; he was educated in the public schools 
at Waterford. The original location of his business was at Nos. 21 and 29 Church 
street, but in 1892 he established the coal business down town, by purchasing the 
large yards of F. B. Shattock at 148 Saratoga street, where he also handles wood, 
hay, and feed; he also owns extensive ice houses at the north end of the city of 
Cohoes. He is a Republican and is a prominent official in the Masonic fraternity; 
is a member of Apollo Commandery, also a member of the order of the Mystic Shrine 
and a member of the Mystic Club. He was married April 1, 1891, to Anna Ladd, of 
Waterford. They have one son, Benjamin J. 

Shine James H., is emphatically a self-made man, owing the important social 
and political status he occupies to his own exertions and character. He was born at 
Waterford, N. Y., in 1846, of humble parentage. The exigencies of life took him out 
of school when but twelve years old, and thenceforward he was a man among men. In 
early life various occupations on the canals, farming labor, and the cooper's trade re- 
ceived successive attention. In 1864 he enlisted in the 16th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 
and saw nearly two years' service. Mr. Shine was canal weighmaster from 1874 to 
1880, and collector of canal statistics from 1882 to 1890. From 1885 to 1890 he was en- 
gaged in the manufacture of knit goods at 'Valley Falls, N. Y. While a resident of 
Waterford he served as trustee of the village, and as supervisor for three years. In 
1891 he assumed his present position as manager of Hope Knitting Mills at Cohoes. 
In 1896 he was appointed a member of the Public Improvement Commission of the 
city of Cohoes. 

Spillane, P. H., one of the most popular and enterprising druggists of the city, has 
been in the city .since 1876, when he opened a store under the firm name of Spillane 
& Davis. In 1880 he purchased his partner's. interest, and removed to LarkinHall, and 
in 1890 to his present location. Mr. Spillane was born in Rochester in 1858. and isa son 
of 'David Spillane, now a retired resident of Cohoes. He has been engaged in the 
drug business all of his lifetime and is a past master of its requirements and the ac- 
cessory lines, and although young in years is the oldest druggist in point of re.sidence 
at Cohoes. He is a prominent Democrat and has filled various offices, such as com- 
missioner of schools, etc. 



237 \ 

Simpson, John F. has been a resident of Cohoes since 1840, and during that time 
has been associated with the Harmony Mills, and now has a responsible position as 
superintendent thereof. He is a descendant of an old family. His maternal grand- 
father, Avery Le Roy, came from France with La Fayette, and took part in the 
Revel utionar)- war. He was born at Saratoga in 183", and is a son of Stephen Simp- 
son, a farmer and millwright, who died here. Mr. Simpson was but nine years of 
age when he entered the cotton mills. He is a Republican, and was village trustee 
for a time. He has been police commissioner for two years and still holds that 
position. 

Simmons, George E., a prominent citizen of Cohoes since 1859, came from Troy 
where he was educated, and engaged m mercantile life, keeping a grocery store for 
many years before conducting the Harmony Hotel. He reopened the new building 
in 1880, and selling again in 1885. He now has two large farms in the suburbs of 
Cohoes. He IS a son of A. C. Simmons, a farmer, and was born at Pocstenkill, 
Rensselaer county, in 1835. Amelia Shelton was his first wife, whom he married in 
1856. In 1808 he married Margaret Jane Baker, his present wife, who is a daughter 
of A. M. Baker, of this city. Her great-grandfather was Capt. Seth Baker, who was 
a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and her grandfather, Lewis Baker, was killed at 
Sackett's Harbor in the war of 1812. Mr. Simmons has been prominently identified 
with public affairs, serving seven years as supervisor. In 1879 he was appointed 
assistant superintendent of public works, which position/ he held until 1895, Their 
son, Abrara B., died in 1893 at the age of twenty-four years. He was a graduate of 
the Albany Medical College and had begun to practice at Amsterdam. He was re- 
garded as a young man of great promise and his death was a heavy blow to his 
family and friends. There are two daughters now living, Annie E. and Amelia M. 

Slavin, Thomas, though a native of Waterford, N. Y., where he was born in 1833, 
has been a lifelong resident of Cohoes. His reminiscences of the place in its infancy 
are very interesting, and he is regarded as a personal landmark and compendium of 
data concerning the early times. His testimony is regarded as impeachable in cases 
involving boundaries and conditions of a half century ago. Here has been the 
scene of his early struggles in early business life, for Mr. Slavin is a self made man. 
He has been compelled to gain his own maintenance since he was nine years of age, 
as he was one of the seventeen children of Michael Slavin, who came from Ireland 
in 1832. He firs^ engaged as a teamster for flour mills. In 1865 he established a 
coal business and in 1869 came to No. 135 Saratoga street, where he also deals in 
wood, hay, flour, feed and corn. In 1859 he married Elizabeth Bannon of Troy, by 
whom he has had eight children, four sons and four daughters; Thomas F. and 
Charles J. are associated with him in business. 

Wilcox, Rodney, is a personal "landmark" of Cohoes, where he came in 1856, 
when the village had about 6,000 population. He was born in Victory Mills, N. Y., 
in 1833, and is a son of John Wilcox of English birth. His early manhood was spent 
on a farm, but he first engaged in the mercantile business at his native place. On 
coming here he resumed the business, under the firm name of Stiles & Wilcox, until 
wiped out by the panic of 1857. He then traveled in the West, returned one year 
later and began business again under the firm name of Marshall & Wilcox. Since 
1867 the establishment has been under his own name, and contains a general line of 



238 

dry goods, draperies, etc. He is a Republican in politics and is interested in the 
success of the party. He is an attendant of the M. E. church. In 1872 he married 
Miss Adeline Coon. They have an adopted daughter, Mary Elizabeth. 

Wertime, Walter H., was born in Ilion, N. Y., in 1871. His father was Herman 
Wertime, born in Cologne, Germany. He was educated at the University of Bonn, 
and came to this country in 1862. He enlisted in the Union army immedialely after 
his arrival and served until April, 1865. He was honorably discharged at that time ; 
he then settled in Herkimer county. Although a college graduate and a man of 
unusual attainments, he practiced no profession, but conducted a grocery store in 
Cohoes, to which place be came in 1874 and died in 1879. Walter H. Wertime was ed- 
ucated in the public schools and graduated from the Egberts High School in 1888; 
he taught school for one year and then began legal studies with D. C. McElwain of 
this city. He entered the Albany Law School in 1891, graduating in 1892 and was 
admitted to the bar that same year, after which he began practice in Cohoes. In 
January, 1893, he formed a copartnership with George H. Fitts (now surrogate of 
Albany county), and is actively engaged in the practice of the law. He was a mem- 
ber and secretary of the Republican County Committee at the age of twenty-one. 
He IS probably the youngest official as city attorney, yet the Common Council of 
Cohoes appoirited him to this important position in 1895. The able manner in which 
he discharged the onerous duties devolved upon him proved the wise, selection of that 
body as he was by heredity, education, and character pecularly fitted for the re- 
sponsible work. On October 8, 1896, he was appointed assistant district attorney of 
Albany county by Eugene Burlingame. On the 6th day of August, 1896, Mr. Wer- 
time was married to Estella Farrelly, of Cohoes. 

Harrington, Francis A., son of Enoch Harrington, a prominent farmer and mill 
owner. He was born in Morris, Otsego county, N. Y., March 31, 1843, and was 
educated in the public schools of his native town. When sixteen he entered the 
famous old Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, N. Y., and was graduated in 
1864. Meanwhile he had taught school to defray his expenses. In the spring of 1865 
he entered the service of the old Albany and Susquehanna Railroad (now a part of 
D. & H. C. system) in the chief engineering department, and on the completion of 
the road continued with the company in the operating department until 1886, he en- 
tered the service of the N. Y. C. & H. R. Railroad as general freight agent at 
Troy. January 1, 1890, he was made assistant superintendent of the N. Y. Central 
system between New York city and Syracuse. In 1891 he was made superintendent 
of the Mohawk division with headquarters at Albany. In 1893 he was made super- 
intendent of the Mohawk and Malone Railroad from Herkimer and Utica to Maloiie. 
He is also managing director of the Troy Union Railroad. 

Mather, Andrew E. and A. Dan, are of the ninth generation in America from 
Rev. Richard Mather, who was born in Lowton, England, in 1596, came to Boston, 
Mass., August 17, 1635, and died in Dorchester, Mass., April 22, 1669; he married 
first, Catherine Holt, and second, Sarah Story (widow of Rev. John Cotton) and was 
the father of Increase and the grandfather of Cotton Mather, both noted in New 
England history. The line under consideration is (1) Richard, son of Thomas and 
grandson of John, of Lowton, England; (2) Timothy, 1628-1684; (3) Richard, 1653- 
1688; (4) Timothy, 1681-17.55; (5) Timothy, nil-lKK); (6) Jehoida, 174(1-1811, all of 



239 

Lyme, Conn.; (7) Dan, 1774-1856, of Burlington, N. V.; and (S) Andrew A., father 
of Andrew E. and A. Dan. Andrew Adrian Mather (8), son of Dan and Susannah 
(Onderhouk), was born in Burlington, Otsego county, October 17, 1812, and still re- 
sides where his father, a tanner, settled in 1811. He has been a staunch adherent 
to the temperance party since 1841 and in 1853 was elected by it to the Legislature. 
He was elected sheriff of ( )tsego county in 1860 and was appointed deputy provost 
marshal in 1864. He married first, September 7, 1834, Teresa Davis Cummings, who 
died January 37, 1860, leaving si.x children: Adrian O., born May 23, 1835, married 
Sarah Whitford May 31, 1863, and died July 18, 1883; Andrew E., born July 3, 1837; 
Addison Dan, born November 12, 1838; EHas C, born April 8, 1840, mustered into 
Co. K, 131st N. Y Vols., August, 1862, appointed lieutenant and adjutant 20th U. S. 
Colored Inf., September, 1864, married Mary Whitford, January 37, 1867; Kate 
Maria, born May 36, 1843; and Fayette, born January 11, 1845, died January 15, 
1849. Mr. JIather married second, January 6, 1862, Addie J. Birdsall and had two 
children; Clara Louise and Jennie A. In August, 1862, Andrew E. Mather was 
mustered as first lieutenant of Co. K, 121st N. Y. Vols., was promoted captain Janu- 
ary, ise?), major Ma\- :!, isr,:;, fcjv 'gallantry al second Fredericksburg, where he was 
wounded in the sli'iulilci .m S;il(.'iii Ik'i;.;hls, was appointed lieutenant-colonel Janu- 
ary, 1S64, and traiislci nM i.> lliu ;,'llih C. S, Colored Inf. January 30, 1865, was ap- 
pointed acting inspe<.tiir-L;enerul of artillery and Forts Morgan and Gaines at Mobile 
Bay, and May 3(1 was appointed commissioner to parole officers and men under Gen. 
E. Kirby Smith and others at New Orleans, where, on April 19, he had been field 
officer of the day when ueusof Line ilns assassination had been received. In 1868 
he joined liis ImciIIkis, Ailnan it aii-1 A Uaii, who had established themselves m 
the wholesale :<r..ici\- Ijusiiicss hi .\lban\- m IMIo, under the firm name of Mather 
Brothers. Adrian O. died July 18, 1883, and since then A. E. and A. D. have con- 
stituted the firm, which has been located at Nos. 463^65 Broadway since 1886. An- 
drew E. was commissary of siibsLstence on the staff of Gen. Frederick Townsend 
and adjutant--uinial mi Cuiural Lords staff, 3d Brigade. He has been one of the 
governorsiit i!ic .\li),iii\ i ii \ ll";]iiial since 1873 and president of the board one 
year, is one •■! the numa-t i-. oi the Ihinie for Aged Men, and a trustee of the Home 
Savings Bank. Both he and Adrian (.). were charter members of the Fort Orange 
Club. A. Dan Mather is a member of the Albany Club. Both are charter meml)ers 
of the order of the Founders and Patriots of America. 

Jenison. I", liaiwiii, was liorn in Albany, November 38, 1859, being the son of 
William L Kiiisini ami a descendant of Robert Jenison, who came to America from 
Culcliestcr, I'.sscx county, England, in 1630, and settled in Watertown, Mass. 
Mr. Jenison is therefore of the eighth generation of the Jenison faniih in this coun- 
try. His education was obtained at the Albany High School in the class of 1878, 
and in 1H83, after a few years of clerkship, he entered the office of the Commerce 
Insurance Company of Albany as its cashier. On October 13, 1886, he was pro- 
moted to the office of assistant secretary of the company and on May 31, 1890, suc- 
ceeded Richard V. De Witt as its secretary, a position he still holds. In February, 
1886, he became associated in the local fire insurance Ijusiness with Garret A. Van 
Allen and R. V. De Witt, under the firm name of De Witt & Co., and in 1890, upon 
the retirement of Mr. De Witt, the business was continued with Mr. Van Allen un- 



240 

(lev Ihe present name of Jenison & Co. In 1885 Mr. Jeuison was married to Miss 
Anna Van Allen, only daughter of Garret A. Van Allen. In politics Mr. Jenison is 
a Republican, but he has has never held or sought public office. 

Snyder, Henry F., was born in Albany, July 18, 1850. His ancestors were Dutch 
and came to this country in the sixteenth century. One of them, Johannes Snyder, 
was a member of the second Council of Safety appointed in October, 1777, of the 
third Congress of the United States, and of the first Assembly in 1777. Mr. Snyder's 
father was for many years an attorney and counselor at Bethlehem, N. Y., and died 
in 1863. His mother's maiden name was Houghtaling. She was a native of the town 
of Bethlehem, and died December 7. 1896, at the residence of her son, Henry F. 
Snyder in Albany. Mr. Snyder was educated at the district school of Bethlehem 
and in 1863, upon the death of his father, was obliged to discontinue his studies. 
He worked about five years in a small grocery store and was next employed in Lar- 
rabee's steam bakery in Albany, where he remained seven years. In 1878, with his 
brother, he engaged in the grocery business which they carried on successfully fur 
ten years. In 1890 Mr. Snyder established his present grocery store at No. 11 Sec- 
ond avenue, which is now in charge of his youngest son. In 1886 he was elected a 
Republican member of the Board of Supervisors from the First ward, which position 
he also filled in 1887 and 1888. In 1892 he was chosen treasurer of the Republican 
County Committee, in 1894 and '95 he was president of the Republican City Commit- 
tee, and is now a member of the Executive Republican Committee of the county of 
Albany, representing the First Assembly district. He has been an able campaign 
speaker since 1884. January 1, 1893, Mr. Snyder was appointed deputy clerk of 
Albany county by Hon. James D. Walsh. Upon the election of Hon. George H. 
Fitts, the present surrogate, Mr. Snyder was appointed deputy surrogate, the posi- 
tion which he now holds. He has displayed fine literary taste and talent in several 
articles which he has contributed to newspaper literature. He is a member of the 
Capital City Republican Club of Albany, the Republican League of Albany and the 
Republican League of New York. In 1869 he married Adelia, daughter of the late 
David Mull of Coeymans, and they have two sons; Lemuel H. and Alvin. 

Severence, Matthias J., jr., born in Albany, November 6, 1861, is the eldest son of 
Col. Matthias J. Severence, who was born on the Moselle River in Germany in 1837, 
and has lived in the capital city since he was two and a half years old. Colonel 
Severence was for many years engaged in the grocery and mineral water business, 
was connected with the old Volunteer Fire Department and State militia, and in 
1861 became lieutenant of Co. H, 43d N. Y. Vols., in which he served two years dur- 
ing the Rebellion of 1861 to 1865. Later he was made captain of Co. H, 35th Regt. 
N. G. S. N. Y., and was promoted colonel. He is connected with all the German 
singing and several fraternal societies of Albany, and was one of the marshals of 
the Great German Jubilee in 1871, and of -'All Nations" day during the Albany bi- 
centennial celebration in 1886. He has been a brigadier-general of the Uniformed 
Rank K. of P., was commander of Post 5, G. A. R., w-as the independent candidate 
for sheriff in 1884, served as supervisor of the old Tenth ward several years, and is 
now connected with the Albany Brewing Company. His first wife, Margaret C. Mc- 
Guinness, died in 1875, leaving six children; Matthias J., jr., being the third. He 
married, a second wife, Mrs. Ophelia (Nichols) Haney. Matthias J. Severence, jr.. 



241 

was educated in the public and German private schools and academy of Albany, 
read law with Nathan P. Hinman and Hon. Simon O Rosendale, and was graduated 
from the Albany Law School and admitted to the bar in 1889, being in the mean 
time deputy property clerk under Mayor Swinburne. He practiced for a time in the 
offices of Hinman & Farren and Reilly & Hamilton, served three years as an exam- 
iner in the State Banking Department under Charles M. Preston, and in November, 
189."), was elected judge of the city court for a term of four years from January 1, 
1896. He is a Democrat, a past chancellor of Columbia Lodge K. of P. and a past 
captain of the Sons of Veterans, the L O. Red Men, trustee of the Elks, Lodge No. 
49. and several German singing societies. He was aide-de camp with rank of lieu- 
tenant-colonel on the staff of Leland J. Webb, commander-in-chief of the Sons of 
'N'eterans of the L^nited States. January 28, 1891, he married Margaret C, daughter 
of the late Charles Kirchner of Albany, and they have one child. Marguerite Annette 
Severence. 

Barber, Fletcher, son of Isaac L and Mary (Dominick) Barber, was born in the 
town of Wright, Schoharie county, N. Y. , and is the sixth in descent from his pater- 
nal ancestor, who came to America from Hertfordshire, England, in 1634, and who 
was one of the first settlers of Windsor, Conn. Mr. Barber attended the Schoharie 
Academy and later the Fort Edward Collegiate Institute. In 18.55 he moved to Al- 
bany, N. Y., where he entered the office of M. & S. Patten as a clerk. At their sug- 
gestion and with their advice and assurance of their faith in his future success, in 
1860 he began business for himself at No 5 Hudson avenue, making a specialty of 
buckwheat flour and grass seed, in connection with mill feed and grain. This was 
continued until 1879, when he removed to Broadway, where the firm of Barber & 
Bennett was formed. Here the same line of business has been continued and the 
house is a leading one in its specialties. Financial success has crowned Mr. Barber's 
efforts. He has been an active member of the Albany Board of Trade since its for- 
mation and has served on committees and in various offices, including that of presi- 
dent. He is a bank director and occupies other offices of trust. In 1865 he was 
married to Rhobe, daughter of Simeon Morgan of Gallupville, Schoharie county. 

Delehanty, Hon. Michael, son of Daniel and Margaret Delehanty, was born m 
Ireland, July 12, 1820, came to America with his parents in 1825 and settled in Al- 
bany, where his father died in 1845 and his mother in 1847. His father was a mer- 
chant and dockmaster here for several years. Mr. Delehanty was educated in the 
private schools and academy of Albany and when sixteen learned the trade of tin 
and coppersmith with Whitnej' &• CUiett. with whom he remained five years. In 
1841 he established himself in the tin, copper, stove and plumbing business at No. 8 
Green street, his partner being William R. Whitney. Two years later he withdrew 
and started the same business on Beaver street, whence he removed in 1848 to Nos. 
36-82 Green street, where the house has since carried on a large general plumbing, 
stove, furnace, tin and copper trade. In January, 1892, he gave the active manage- 
ment of the business over to his son, John S., who carries it on under the name of 
M. Delehanty's Son. Mr. Delehanty is a Democrat and was alderman of the old 
Second (now Fifth) ward four years, supervisor two years, school commissioner eight 
years, and police commissioner under the capital police system appointed by Gov- 
ernor Hoffman, four years; was unanimou.sly appointed by the Common Conncil as 



242 

a life member of the Water Commission. In January, 1892, he was appointed b)^ 
Governor Flower superintendent of the State Capitol and served until May, 1895. 
He is a trustee of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank. In 1841 he married Mary, 
daughter of Charles Ouinn of Albany, and their surviving children are Julie, wife of 
Hon. Edward Murphy, jr., of Troy: Daniel, lieutenant commander U. S. Navy and 
supervisor of the Port of New York since 1894; John S., of Albany; William E., of 
New York city, and Mary F., Francis B., attorney of Albany, and Helen J. of 
Albany. 

Capron, John D., son of William and Clarissa (Dodge) Capron, was born in Al- 
bany, October 27, 1830, and on his mother's side is descended from the Peabodys of 
New England. Mr. Capron, after receiving a public school education, became a 
clerk for AVilliam N. Cassidy, grocer, and later entered the employ of Ford & Grant, 
druggists, on the site of the Hawk street entrance to the Capitol. Four years after- 
ward he purchased Mr. Grant's interest and in 1860 withdrew to form a partnership 
with Edmund L. Judson and engaged in the wholesale flour and provision business. 
The firm of Judson & Capron continued until 1887, when Mr. Judson retired and it 
became Capron & Smith, which on Mr. Smith's retirement was succeeded by John 
D. Capron & Co., which was dissolved in October, 1895. Mr. Capron was one of the 
founders and incorporators of the Home Savings Bank, which opened for business 
May 4, 1872, and was vice-president until the death of William White in 1882, when 
he became its president. The treasurer, Edmund L. Judson, died in 1890 
and Mr. Capron acted as both president and treasurer for two years, when 
he resigned the presidency and has since continued as treasurer, being the only 
charter member of the bank still living. He was supervisor of the Sixth ward one 
year. In 1861 he married a daughter of William White, and they have one son, 
William White Capron, a graduate of the Albany Academy (being major of the 
Cadet Corps) and of Yale College, and now of the wholesale provision firm of Lester 
& Capron of Albany. 

Davidson, Andrew, was born in February, 1840, in Morebattle, Roxburgshire, Scot- 
land. When six years old he came with his parents to this country and settled in 
the county of Otsego, N. Y. His father, James Davidson, is still living in the same 
county at the advanced age of ninety-one. His grandfather, Robert Davidson, also 
a native of Morebattle, Scotland, possessed considerable poetical ability and wrote 
several small volumes of "Poems on the Border." His mother's maiden name was 
Jane Curie, who died in 1885 aged seventy-six years. Both of his parents early united 
with the Presbyterian church, of which they became prominent members. The boy- 
hood days of Andrew Davidson were passed upon a farm and in attending the com- 
mon schools. He began teaching school at the age of seventeen, and for some time 
taught school in the winter months, while he attended the Cooperstown Seminary m 
the summer, where he was fitted for a collegiate course. In August, 1862, he enlisted 
in Company E of the 121st N. Y. Volunteers. He had previously been commissioned 
by Governor Edwin D. Morgan to recruit a company for the regiment, which he 
.speedily organized. He received the appointment as second sergeant in Co. E early 
in September of the same year and went with his regiment to Washington, and after 
an encampment of a few days at Fort Lincoln marched with the regiment to the 
front. For the first time Sergeant Davidson and his splendid fighting regiment faced 



243 



the storm at Crampton's Gap, South Mountain, Maryland. The 121st regimen jas 
left to g^rd the Gap dur.ng the progress of the battle of Anfetam On the 3d o 
May of the following year (1863) Davidson, now made first -rgeant o h.s Co., wh:l 
Sing n. the battle of Salem Church. Va., was shot through both legs above the 
knel b? a mmnie ball. He was removed to Douglas hospUal at Washington as soon 
aspos ible where he was treated for his dangerous wounds unt.l he was able to 
".o'inhfs regiment at Warrenton, Va., in Augustof the same year. Upon hjs return 
« dutv Colonel Upton promoted him to be sergeant-major. On the 29th ot Febru- 
:^^r 864,tetas appomted a first Heutenant of the 80th U. S. colored troops then 
crlanizing in Baltimore, Maryland. When the regiment was fully organized he was 
„ ade Its first adjutant. Early in the spring of 1864 the 30th colored regiment joined 
he army of the Potomac and Adjutant Davidson was with it from that time until 
e surrender of General Johnston at Raleigh. N. C. He was with his regiment in 
he Battle of the Mine at Petersburg, Va., July 30th, 1864, when some four thousand 
Un,!if oldiers lost tneir lives or were taken prisoners. Adjutant Davidson wears 
a medal ot honor, awarded him by the war department under an act of Congress for 
" lant conduct on that occasion. While stationed at Go dsboro. N. L- after he 
Surrender of Johnston, Adjutant Davidson was appointed aide-de-camp on the staff 
of Gen Delevan Bates, commanding the brigade, and soon alter was niade acting 
assistant adjutant-general on his stafE and promoted to a captaincy. He was sub- 
sequently acting assistant adjutant-general and acting assistant inspector-general 
on the staff of Gen. C. J. Paine, commanding the eastern district of North Carolina 
"t Hie wfsmusteredout with his regimentin Baltimore, December, 1865. It would 
srreatlv e..ceed the limits of this sketch to follow Captain Davidson through all the 
battle; in which he participated during his services in the war tor the Union. We 
here merely mention the names of these engagements in their chronological order: 
Crampton-s Gap, South Mountain, Md., September 14, 1863; Fredericksburg \ a 
DecTmber 11-16 1862; Fredericksburg, Va.. May 2, 1863; Marye's Heights, May 3, 
1863- Salem Church, May 3, 1863; Rappahannock Station, Va., November ,, 1863; 
mL Run Va. November 26, 1863; Petersburg, Va., June 10, 1864, to December, 
? ;" Sine Explosion, or Battle of the Mine, Petersburg, Va.. July 30^ 1864 Hatchers 
Run' Va October 37-28, 1867; Fort Fisher, N. C, December 25, 1864; Fort Usher, 
N C Jani?ar> 13-15, 1865; Sugar Loaf Hill, N. C, January 19, 1865; Sugar Loaf 
Bat'e'ry N C , February 11, 1865; Coxs Bridge, X. C, March 34, 1865; Johnston's 
surrender March 36, 1865. Though severely wounded in battles. Captain Davidson 
came out of the fiery ordeal of war a scarred veteran. A year after the close of the 
wTr he carried on a mercantile business until the spring of 1870. when he removed to 
Cherry Valley and began the study of law in the office of his brother-in-law Judge 
lames W Barnum. He completed his course af legal studies in the office of Judge 
Samuel A Bowen, of Cooperstown, and was there admitted to the bar m November 
■is"3 m 1874 he became editor and proprietor of the Ot.sego Repubhcan, pubhshed 
in Cooperstown. He was elected to the State Senate for the term of 1884-,x He 
He served on the committees on finance, miscellaneous corporations, villages and 
oublic printing. In March, 1890, President Harrison appointed him first deputy com- 
missioner of pensions. After the resignation of General Raum in the ear y days o 
March 1893 he was acting commissioner of pensions until relieved m the latter part 
of \pr'il following. He then returned to his journalistic work at Cooperstown. On 



244 

the 31st of May, 1866, Captain Davidson married Miss Altana R. Barnum, eldest 
daughter of Sylvester W. Barnum, esq., of Middlefield, N. Y. He has three children, 
Clarence W., now associate editor of the Otsego Republican, and two daughters, 
Linda W. and Myra B. Captain Davidson is a member of the Presbyterian church 
at Cooperstown. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the 
Loyal Legion, the Union Veterans' Legion, Medal Legion of Honor, and of the 
Masons and Odd Fellows. For many years he was chairman of the Republican 
County Committee, was twice chosen a member of the State Committee, and was a 
frequent delegate to State Conventions. Captain Davidson was not an applicant for 
deputy secretary of state, but General Palmer, his friend and comrade, shortly after 
his election in November, 1893, as secretary of state, tendered him the position, 
which was accepted, and he entered upon the duties of his office January 1, 1894. 

Drislane, William E., was born in Tarrytown, N. Y., in 1851. He received his 
education in the public schools of Ulster county and in 1875 went into the grocery 
business for himself in Newburgh, N. V. He also started branch stores at Tarry- 
town, Sing Sing, Poughkeepsie and Peekskill, and in 1884, having given up his 
branch stores he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he opened a grocery store at No. 
147 South Pearl street. In 1886 he bought the old Jewish Synagogue property at 
Nos. 153 to 159 South Pearl street, and after overhauling it started a grocery store 
there. In 1890 he opened another grocery in the old Music Hall where he carried 
on a very successful business until January, 1894, when the property was destroyed 
by fire. Mr. Drislane then purchased the old Female Academy property on North 
Pearl street, which he thoroughly overhauled, putting in a new front and opened for 
business there June 15, 1894. His first year's business in Albany amounted to §50,- 
000 and last year's to §350,000. He has seventy-five people in his employ. 

De Witt, Richard Varick, son of Richard V. and Sarah (Walsh) De Witt, was born 
in Albany, N. Y., in 1832. He is a grandson of Simeon De Witt, who was born in 
Ulster county in 1756 and who joined the line of the Continental army as volunteer 
and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne, October 17, 1777. In 1778 Congress 
appointed Simeon De Witt geographer-general and chief of topographers to the 
Continental army, which positions he retained until the close of the Revolutionary 
war. In 1784 he was appointed surveyor-general of New York State and served as 
such until his death in 1834; in 1784 he was appointed by Congress surveyor-general 
of the United States, but he declined. He was a regent of the University of New 
York from 1798 until his death, and was vice-chancellor from 1817 and chancellor 
from 1829. He was also one of the founders of the Society of the Cincinnati. The 
father of the subject of this sketch was born in 1800 and died in 1868. From 1823 
until 1828, he was brigadier-general commanding the forces in Albany county and 
was vice-president of the Society of the Cincinnati from 1848 until his death. Both 
father and grandfather of the subject were for many years elders of Second Dutch 
church of Albany. Richard Varick De Witt, the subject of this sketch, was educated 
at the Albany Academy and in 1849 went into the employ of the Albany Insurance 
Company as clerk. In 1854 he was appointed to a clerkship in the New York State 
Bank and remained there until 1868, when he again engaged in the insurance busi- 
ness. Mr. De Witt was secretary of the Commerce Insurance Company from 1872 
to 1890 and was secretary of the Albany Insurance Company from 1890 to February, 



245 

1896, when he resigned to engage in business for himself. He has been a member 
of the Board of Fire Commissioners since 1887; a trustee of the Madison Avenue 
Reformed church for ten years, and was at one time a director of the Albany Ex- 
change Savings Bank. He is now president of the Albany Board of Fire Under- 
writers, a trustee of the Albany Medical College, a member of the standing commit- 
tee of the Society of the Cincinnati of the State of New York, and president of the 
Albany branch of the Local Fire Insurance Agents' Association of N. Y. State. 

McCredie, James, son of Thomas and Margaret (Smith) McCredie, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., February 37, 1861. Thomas McCredie was born in Glasgow. Scot- 
land, on St. Andrew's day, November 30, 1808. When Thomas McCredie was very 
young his parents died and his foster parents apprenticed him to a master carpenter 
for three years and six months. But his mind and attention turned toward malting, 
inasmuch as his father had been a wine and malt liquor dealer. He had always been 
a great student and, having read much of America he determined to visit it, and on 
October 30, 1838, he reached the city of Albany. He soon made the acquaintance of 
Peter Ballantine, the famous maltster and brewer, a fellow countryman of Mr. McCre- 
die, and he commenced work in the malt house of Howard & Ryckman. The three 
following years of his life were spent in the Andrew Kirk malt house and brewery, 
he having decided upon malting as his life work. For two years he was superin- 
tendent of the Andrew Kirk plant. For six years after this he was in the employ 
of Robert Dunlop. another Scotchman, as superintendent of his houses at Troy, 
N. Y. He then went to Philadelphia as superintendent of a malt house owned by 
the Messrs. Gaul and remained there one season, after which he returned to Albany 
and entered the employ of Mr. Dunlop again. In 1848 he married Miss Ellen Dunlop, 
who lived only two years and who left an only daughter who survived but a short 
time. About this date Thomas McCredie entered or formed a partnership with Mr. 
Robert Dunlop, which partnership proved an unusnallj' happy and agreeable one for 
both. In 18.51 Robert Dunlop's death occurred, and at the settlement of the latter's 
estate Mr. McCredie acquired possession of the Dunlop malt house on Clinton 
avenue. From this date a character, which for careful and undivided attention to 
business and a studious effort to equal, if not excel the best in the line of work 
which he had undertaken, showed itself and not without its beneficial results. 
Soon after he obtained the entire control of the malt house of John McKnight, 
corner of Orange and Hawk streets. Thirty years before his death he was ac- 
corded the first place among the maltsters of the United States, and he sustained 
his reputation as a maltster until his death March 24, 1892. He took a great interest 
in all matters pertaining to the welfare of Albany. He was a member of the board 
of governors of the Albany Hospital and served as a director of the Mechanics' and 
Farmers' Bank, and a trustee of the Mechanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank. He 
was a member of the Albany City Curling Club and St. Andrew's Society. Four 
times he visited the land of his birth, but he never lost interest in the land of his 
adoption. He was ever kind-hearted and deeply religious, and was beloved of all 
who knew him. At the time of his death he was a member of the board of trustees 
of the First Reformed church. In 1854 he married Miss Margaret Smith, of Albany, 
by whom he had five children, two daughters and three sons. In a word, for a person 
of such prominence and wealth, Thomas McCredie was a most unostentatious man, 



246 

never seeking jireferment except in his own business or pursuit, but giving his un- 
divided and liberal support to whatever of outside matters that fell to his charge; 
his best attention to whatever he was willing to undertake with a most singular 
fidelity. James McCredie, his son, for whom this article is intended, was educated 
in private schools, the Albany Academy and was graduated from the Riverview 
Military Academy at Poughkeepsie, after which he learned the brewing business in 
Smith & Brother's brewery in New York city. He then returned to Albany, and up to 
the time of his father's death was engaged in the management of his father's bu.siness. 
After the death of his father James succeeded to the control of the business and has 
successfully conducted it ever since. He is a young man inheriting or possessing in 
a large degree all those qualities which made his father so interesting and prominent 
a character in whatever line he undertook. James McCredie is of a singularly happy 
and sunny temperament or nature, a close observer, is quick, resolute, active and 
decided in his mental attributes, giving his best efforts and time to those positions 
which he has been selected to fill, in all of which he has proved himself eminently 
t]ualitied, as is evidenced or proved by his continuing to fill the positions to which 
he as been elected, year after year without a single intermission. It is James 
McCredie's nature to do all or everything that falls to his lot to do, whether in a 
public capacity or in private life, with the most scrupulous care; nothing is ever 
neglected; no regard is paid to the labor, attention or time required so that the un- 
dertaking may result beneficially. Every young man does not possess this character, 
this capacity for work, the care taken in its doing, the determination to finish all work 
undertaken, and if in a public capacity with an entire view to the public interest. 
June 16, 1890, Mayor James H. Manning appointed Mr. McCredie a member of the 
Board of Fire Commissioners to succeed James D. Coleman. On January 18, 1897, 
Mayor John Boyd Thacher reappointed Mr. McCredie fire commissioner, which term 
will expire June 1, 1900. He has been chairman of the supply committee, which is 
the principal committee, and has been a member of the hose, telegraph and real estate 
committees of the Board of Fire Commissioners. January 11, 1895, he was unani- 
mously elected secretary of the board, which position he has held ever since. In 
1892 he was elected governor of the Albany Hospital in place of his father, who 
resigned owing to ill health, and shortly after he was elected secretary of the board, 
and in February, 1896, was elected president of the board of governors. Mr. McCredie 
has been a member of St. Andrew's Society for fifteen years, and in November, 
1892. he was elected one of the managers, filling the vacancy caused by the death of 
his father. He is also a member of the Caledonian Club, a Scottish organization, 
jiresident of the Albany City Curling Club, and a member of the Fort Orange Club. 
TJecember 6, 1889, he was elected a director and secretary of the Albany Railway 
and still holds the position. September, 1892, he was .elected a trustee of the Me- 
chanics' and Farmers' Savings Bank. 

Willerton, Edmund Ronslow, son of Thomas and Helen (Metcalf) Willerton, was 
born iu the city of York, England, in 1845 and when an infant came with his parents 
to America and soon after settled in Albany, N. Y. He received his early education 
in Albany in schools Nos. 5 and 13. He began his work as a messenger boy for the 
Western Union Telegragh Company, in Albany, March, 1864, advancing to various 
positions, including assistant bookkeeper, and when he left in 1870, he was cashier. 



247 

He then went into the employ of the Albany & Susquehanna Raih-oad (afterwards 
the Delaware & Hudson Railroad), in the general passenger department, where he 
has remained ever since, and is now chief clerk in that department. Mr. Will- 
erton is a member of Ancient City Lodge, No. 452, F. & A. M., and was elected 
master of the lodge for the years 1895-96. He is a member of Temple Chapter 
No SRAM and was high priest during 1895-66. He is a member of De Witt 
Clinton Council No. 23, R. & S. M., and was elected master for 1897; is a member of 
Temple Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and of Cyrus Temple Nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine, and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish Rite Mason. Mr. WiUerton is 
also a member of St. George s Society, the Albany Club, the Acacia Club, and of the 
Dutch Reformed church. January 13, 1869, he married Frances Ameha Dole of 
Albany, and they have three children: Florence M., Edna G. and Fred D. 

Kernochan, Edward L., was born in New York city, October 3, 1870. His parents 
were F E. Kernochan and Abba E. Learned. His great-grandfather came from the 
North of Ireland and settled in Orange county. His grandfather was for many 
years a lar-e dry goods merchant in New York city, with branches at Mobile and 
New Orleans Mr. Kernochan's father was graduated from Yale in 1861 and fol- 
lowed the profession of lawyer in New York city until 1873, when he went to Pitts- 
field Mass and engaged in the manufacture of woolens. He died m Pittsfield m 
1S84 Mr. Kernochan's maternal grandfather, Edward Learned, was for many 
years one of the well known financiers of New York city and was at one time largely 
interested in railroad construction and mining interests. He furnished the stone for 
the foundation of the New York State Capitol from his Maine quarries. E. L. Ker- 
nochan eno-aged in business in a pulp mill at Madison, Me. Later he removed to 
Albany n"y. and was elected a director of the Taylor Brewing and Malting Com- 
pany, and in 1895 was elected vice-president of the same company. Mr. Kernochan 
is a member of the Albany Country Club. 

Van Vranken, Adam T., M. D., was born at Vischers Ferry, Saratoga county, 
N Y September 14, 1850. His paternal ancestors came from Holland and settled 
in Albany N Y in 1646, afterwards purchased a large tract of land beyond the 
Mohawk River a iH.nion of which is still in possession of the family. He was the 



of 

ived his earl\- education 



iken and Dorcas Cregier, both of Holland descent. Ht 
the district schools of his native place, and finished 
WsHterkry studies at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, and was graduated from the 
Albany Medical College in 1873, was house physician in the Albany Hospital and 
located in West Troy in 1875, where he still resides. He was for ten years attending 
nhvsician to the Trov Hospital, and is now upon the consulting staff. He is a mem- 
ber of the Medical Society of the County of Albany, and was its president in 1895-96 ; 
also a member of the New York State Medical Association, and of the State Medical 
Society He was the president of the Alumni Association of Albany Medical Col- 
lece in 1895 and is now the president of the Young Men's Christian Association of 
West Troy, also president of the Board of Education. He married Miss Lizzie M. 
Shoemaker of Albany, N. Y., who died in 1886. He then married Miss Emma Har- 
mon of West Troy in 1889. 

Sturtevant Stephen V., one of the most prominent men of Watervliet. is the son 
of George A. Sturtevant, a pioneer settler here from Fort Miller, N. Y., where 



248 

Stephen was born in 1844. He was educated here and has always been engaged in 
the lumber and coal business, forming a partnership with William Andrews in ISHl. 
Mr. Sturtevant is now president of the Board of Fire Commissioners, of which he 
has been a member for fifteen years. He has an interesting war record, participat- 
ing in several big battles. He enlisted in Co. — of the Seventh N. V. Heavy Artil- 
lery in 1863, and served until the close of the war as sergeant. 

Phelps, Arthur T., was born in West Troy, March 18, 1853. He is the son of 
James Francis and Lucina (Tyrrel) Phelps. His parents were natives of Schroon, 
Essex county, N. Y. After their marriage they moved to West Troy, and for over 
twenty years he was engaged in the lumber business. He was a director of the 
National Bank of West Troy ; about ten years ago he moved to Davenport, Iowa, 
where he is living retired. Mrs. Phelps, the mother of Arthur T., died in West Troy 
in 1853, shortly after the birth of her son. Mr. Phelps subsequently married Jenette, 
daughter of Capt. Nehemiah Finch. Arthur T. Phelps is descended from a Connec- 
ticut family, who in turn were the direct descendants of one William Phelps, who 
settled in Tewksbury, England, in 1521 , having moved from Wales. The Phelps 
family originally came from Italy, where the name was Guelph, went to Wales where 
the name was changed to Whelps; on removal to England it was anglicized to 
Phelps. The family came to America and settled in Windsor, Conn., where they 
were farmers, importers and breeders of fine cattle. Arthur T. Phelps was gradu- 
ated from Crown Point Academy in 1867, and from the Troy Business College in 
1868; he became a professor in the same in 1869 which place he resigned to accept 
the position of bookkeeper for the firm of Phelps & Smith, lumber dealers of West 
Troy. He was appointed general bookkeeper in the National Bank of West Troy, 
Februarys, 1871, and cashier of the same bank ten years later, which position he now 
holds He was appointed sewer commissioner for West Troy in 1892 and school 
commissioner in 1895. He was president of the Board of Education in 18!i6, and a 
water commissioner the same year. He is an admirer of fine horses and dogs. His 
horses are never entered in the professional races, but are always ready for a friendly 
brush on road or track. He is the proprietor of the celebrated Watervliet Kennels, 
which contain many fine St. Bernards, several of which were imported from the old 
countries, and have won many prizes at bench shows, etc. Mr. Phelps is well known 
in musical circles, and for several years was a tenor singer in many large churches. 
He has been prominent in local charities. The ilational Bank of West Troy was or- 
ganized in 1852 with John Knickerbacker president, and A. C. Gunnison cashier; it 
became a national bank in 1865. Thomas A. Knickerbacker, a son of the first presi- 
dent, is the present president, and Mr. Phelps is cashier. Mr. Phelps was married 
to Miss Emma E., daughter of Samuel Stover of West Troy, June 9, 1874. The 
Stovers were one of the old Dutch families of West Troy, where the ancestors had 
resided for several generations. Mr. and Mrs. Phelps have three children : Lucina 
M., Alice J., both educated at the Troy Female Seminary, and Hawley Stover, stu- 
dent at the Troy Academy. The family attend the Episcopal church of West Troy. 
As a business man, Mr. Phelps takes rank among the careful and conservative busi- 
ness men of the county, and has made a most excellent record as a financier. He is 
a member of the Park Club of Lansingburgh, and for five years was president of 
Watervliet Club of West Troy, of which he was one of the organizers. In politics 
he has always been a staunch Republican. 



249 

Eckert, Heury E., the leading jeweler of the city of Watervliet, was born in 
Baden, Germany, and when fourteen years old went to Austria and learned the 
jeweler's trade. He became an American in 1861, his complete mastery of his trade 
gaining him lucrative employment with a firm of chronometer makers at Albany. 
In 1870 Mr. Eckert opened a store in West Troy, where he has by superior work- 
manship and high personal character built up a fine business. His son, Henry J. 
Eckert, recently graduated with distinction from the Spencer Optical Institute of 
New York, will henceforth be associated with his father, and adding a large and at- 
tractive stock of optical goods. 

Getman, Edward M., third son of Charles and Chloe (Hutton) Getman, was born 
in Troy, N. Y., April 5, 1844. He is a lineal descendant from John Frederick 
Getman, who came from Germany in 1720 and settled in the present town of Ephra- 
tah in Fulton county, N. Y., and whose four sons served in the colonial army under 
Sir William Johnson in 1755. The grandson, George, had four sons, all of whom 
were soldiers in the Revolution. One of these sons, George, the great-grandfather 
of Edward M., had six sons, all of whom served in the war of 1812. In the late war 
were two sons of Charles Getman, who were at the Watervliet Arsenal: another was 
on special service up the Yazoo river to General Grant. About 1846 Mr. Getman's 
parents moved to Watervliet, N. Y., then West Troy His schooldays w-ere limited 
to a few sessions in the public schools of that time, which were meagre as compared 
to the public schools of to-day. At seventeen he was appointed to a clerkship in the 
Watervliet Arsenal, resigning December 31, 1864. He was one of the t\vo persons 
who laid the trains blowing up buildings in Troy in the greai. fire of 1862. In 1863 
he was sent as special messenger with a large train of cars filled with munitions of 
war to Louisville, Ky., for General Buell in the memtSrable Buell and Bagg race into 
Kentucky for supplies. January, 1865, he moved to Kentucky and aided in the or- 
ganization of the Louisville City National Bank, where he continued in the banking 
business until he was appointed by the government as bank examiner. As an expert 
he was called by the mayor to examine the sinking fund of Louisville and at a subse- 
quent period was requested to examine the water works of said city, a property of 
$7,000,000 value and owned by the city. In Februuary, 1878, at the request of Sec- 
retary B. H. Bristow, Gen. John M. Harlan (now on the Supreme Bench at Wash- 
ington, D. C.) and Hon. Martin I. Townsend of Troy, he was appointed a national 
bank examiner for Kentucky ; Tennessee and part of West Virginia were added to 
his charge late in 1878. In 1879 he was ordered to New Orleans during a panic and 
suspensions there, rendering valuable service. An official trip through Texas and 
Arkansas followed. He was then made the special examiner at large for the Central 
\Ve.st and on critical cases was sent into Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Ohio and Mich- 
igan, at the same time giving proper attention to his original district. In 1886 he 
was transferred to New York State and assigned from Buffalo to New York on the 
southern tier of counties, and after fourteen years of this service he resigned in De- 
cember. 1892. He has since been engaged in the lumber business in the city of 
Watervliet, N. Y. Mr. Getman "s father was canal collector one tern; his brother, 
Charles, was a member of the last Connecticut Legislature, and Edward M., na- 
tional bank examiner, w-hich are the only public offices ever held by the family. Mr. 
Getman has been an unswerving Republican, casting his first vote in Kentucky for 



250 

Grant. In 1896 he was nominated for the office of mayor of the city of Watervliet, 
but was defeated by only a very small majority. September 19, 1867, Mr. Getman 
was married to Emma, second daughter of John Morris of West Troy, and they have 
two children: Archie R. and Edith M. 

Langan, John, was the son of William Laugan. who, after leaving his bir.thplace, 
first settled in Schenectady. He was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1843. He learned 
the blacksmith's trade in the locomotive shops there, then entered the Arsenal shops. 
In 1861 he enlisted in the Ordnance Department as a private, and soon was made a 
corporal, acting-sergeant and quartermaster, being six years in the service. After 
the war he came to West Troy and established a grocery, market and liquor store. 
Since 1880 he has dealt in liquors at wholesale only. Mr. Langan has taken a lively 
interest in political affairs and held various offices. He was town clerk for two 
years, overseer of the poor for two years, and deputy sheriff for eighteen years. 
He was also on the Board of Excise for fifteen years. He has also .served on the 
Democratic County Committee for a number of years. 

Day, Michael J., mayor of Watervliet, is a native of Troy, but a resident here 
since 1856, when he came with his father, Daniel Day, a well-known grocer of 
this place. Mr. Day was educated here and at La Salle Institute at Troy. At six- 
teen years of age he entered the store of William H. Frear of Troy as clerk, remain- 
ing there for twelve years, and advancing to the position of head cashier. In 1882 
an opportunity presented itself for his engaging in the coal business with James 
Crummy. The firm is now known as Crummy & Day. Mayor Day, in the year 
1882, married Miss Jennie McKeever, and has one daughter, Mary. 

Neil, George, one of the foremost figures in the business life of Cohoes, was born 
at St. Thomas, Ont., in 1842. He was early thrown on his own resources and has 
achieved success by his own efforts. In 1865 he came to Cohoes as an employee in 
a knitting mill, and in 1870 received an engagement with J. H. Parson & Co., as 
salesman and bookkeeper, a responsible position which he held for fourteen years. 
Later he formed a partnership with George McDowell, which existed for five years. 
In 1891 he went into the Atlantic Knitting Co. as treasurer and manager, and is a 
man well quahfied forihe position, as he possesses full knowledge of every branch 
of the business. He has traveled extensively and is a well known man in trade. 

Williams, David, was born in Troy and removed to Cohoes at a very early age. 
He was a blacksmith by trade and conducted a blacksmith shop from 1872 until 1874. 
He then sold out and went into the bat and shoddy business with Edward Walker, 
the firm name being Walker & Williams Mfg. Co. He was appointed fire commis- 
sioner in 1893 and served until June, 1896. He is a member of Cohoes Lodge No. 
116, F. & A. M., Cohoes Chapter No. 168, R. A. M., and resides at 108 Mohawk 
street. 

Garside, John, ex-mayor of the city of Cohoes and one of the foremost business 
men of that city, was born in Halifax, England, in 1838, and came to America when 
eight j-ears of age. Mr. Garside has for fifteen years been a heavy dealer in Chi- 
cago beef, having first associated himself with the Swifts in 1881, and has been a 
resident of Cohoes since 1854. He was one of the original promoters of the Cohoes 
City Railroad and is now vice-president of the concern, having been identified with 



251 

the management from its inception. Mr. Garside's administration as mayor of the 
city, from 1886 until 1892, was marked bj' the good sense and practical qualities for 
which he is somewhat distinguished. In 1857 Mr. Garside married Miss Elizabeth 
Wagstaff. They have one daughter, Mary, wife of Harry Green, who is associated 
with Mr. Garside in the meat business, he having charge of the branch ofhce in 
Schenectady. They have two children, John and Grace. 

Benson, Samuel J., is one of the most successful builders of his day, as the many 
buildings in Cohoes and elsewhere will attest. Among them are the "Cascade Mills" 
for (Jeorge H. McDonald & Co., and the " Granite Mills" for William Moore, also 
tlie Presbyterian church which he is now building. Mr. Benson is a native of Lim- 
erick, Ireland, commg to America when three years old with his father, John Ben- 
son, a mason. He first settled in Newburgh, N. Y., then in 1866 he came to Cohoes 
where he learned the stone-mason trade, which pursuit he has always followed most 
successfull)\ As a citizen he is well known for his sterling integrity and worth. 

Kelly, Hon. George T., born in Albany, May 12, 1864, attended the Christian 
Brothers' Academj', and later public schools Nos. 15 and.8, and was graduated from 
the Albany High School in 1883. He entered the law office of Peckhani, Rosendale 
& Hessberg, and subsequently became their managing clerk. In the mean time he 
took a course of lectures at the Albany Law School and Union University, graduat- 
ing with the degree of LL. B. in 1886, being the honor man and the youngest mem- 
ber of his class. He was admitted to the bar at the General Term of the Supreme 
Court in May of the same year. On March 1, 1887. he formed a copartnership with 
Judge John W. Walsh, which continued until January, 1890, when Mr. Kelly resumed 
the practice of his profession individually. He is a man of refined tastes and of ex- 
tensive reading in general literature. He is interested in all public matters and in 
politics is a Democrat. At the Democratic Assembly Convention of 1895 he was 
nominated for member of assembly of the Third Assembly District, an office which 
he filled with honor and ability. In 1896 he was re-elected to this position, being the 
only Democrat elected in Albany county. Mr. Kelly married the daughter of Hon. 
William C. McFadden of Harrisburg, Pa., and they have three children. He is a 
member of the Dongan Club, Catholic Union, C. M. B. A., and Phi Delta Phi 
Society. 

Montignani, John F., only son of John O., a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, was 
born in (ilens Falls, N. Y., June 24, 1855. His father came to America and settled 
in Albany about 1845, and after residing for a few years in Glens Falls, returned to 
this city, where he died January 8, 1894; he was superintendent of various factories, 
was a manufacturer and dealer in pianos and was a prominent Mason, holding mem- 
bership in Temple Lodge No. 15, F. & A. M. ; he was also active in Scotch societies, 
was one of the founders of both the curling clubs of Albany, was prominent in musical 
circles, was a founder and the first secretary of the Albany Burns Club and married 
Elizabeth Ferguson, of Kortright, Delaware county, N. Y., who died June 1, 1889. 
John F. Montignani was graduated from the Albany High School in 1875 and then 
entered Cornell University, but owing to ill health was forced to abandon a college 
course. He read law in the office of Edward Wade of Albany and later with Paddock, 
Draper & Chester, a leading firm composed of William S. Paddock, then Recorder, 
Andrew S. Draper, afterward state superintendent of public instruction, and Alden 



252 

Chester, now a justice of the Supreme Court. He was admitted to the bar in 1881 
and at once formed a copartnership with Hon. Robert G. Scherer, which continued 
until 1888. In 1890 he formed his present partnership with George H. Mallory and 
William S. Elmendorf, the firm name being Montignani, Mallory & Elmendorf. 
While in the Albany High School he held all the offices of the Philodoxia Society and 
was one of the founders and a charter member of the Philologian Society. In 1876 
he was one of the principal organizers of the High School Alumni Association, which 
now has nearly 3,000 members, and served as its president for four years from 1883. 
He assisted in founding the Friendly Few Society of High School graduates m 1877 
and has been its secretary ever since. In 1893 he aided in reviving the Albany Burns 
Club, of which he has since been the secretary. He is a member and for some time 
was secretary of St. Andrews Society, is a member of the Albany Caledonian Society, 
at college became a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity, and in 1895 was one of 
the organizers of the Albany Workingmen's Educational Club. A Republican, he 
has been prominent in politics, was a candidate for recorder in 1895, managed the 
Wilson mayoralty campaign, and in 1896 established -the McKinley League in Albany 
county and city. In 1894 he was engaged in New York as counsel for the "Anti- 
Machine Republicans," representing them before the State Committee. He has a 
general law practice in all the courts and is attorney for the Mechanics' and Farmers' 
Bank. He was counsel in the celebrated McPherson case, in which the constitution- 
ality of the collateral (now the transfer) tax law was attacked. In 1885 he w-as mar- 
ried in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Clementina Petrie-Montignani, daughter of Henry 
G. Montignani, and they have two children Jiving: Elizabeth F. and Jennie M. 

Thompson, David A., was born at Mannington, Salem county, N. J., May 29, 1844. 
His parents were of English descent and Quakers, his forefathers migrating to West 
Jersey about 1680. He obtained his rudimentary education at the Salem Friends 
School and Academy, and later became a student at Haverford, Pa., w^here he re- 
mained one and one-half years. In 1866 he entered Princeton College and was grad- 
uated in 1868. lie then removed to Albany, entered the Albany Law School and 
was graduated in 1869, w-hen he was admitted to the bar. For ten years, until 1879, 
he practiced his profession alone. In the latter year he formed a partnership with 
Arthur L. Andrews, under the firm name of Thompson & Andrews, which continued 
until 1885, when the firm became Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, George L. Sted- 
man being the senior member. This copartnership was dissolved January 1, 1896, 
Mr. Stedman retiring, and since then the firm has been Thompson & Andrews. 
In 1874 Mr. Thompson was appointed first clerk to Edmund L. Judson, mayor of 
Albany, which is the only public office he ever held. He was for many years a mem- 
ber and trustee of the First Congregational church, the Home for Aged Men, the 
Albany Orphan Asylum, the Albany Mutual Insurance Company, the Albany Female 
Academy, the Home Savings Bank, and the Albany Safe Deposit and Storage Com- 
pany. He has been a member of the Committee of Thirteen since 1882 and is now 
secretary and treasurer of that society; he is also a member of Masters Lodge. No. 
5, F. & A. M. October 4, 1871, he married Margaret, daughter of the late Dr. 
James McNaughton of Albany, and they have three children: James McNaughton, 
Andrew and Margaret McNaughton Thompson 

Andrews, Arthur L., son of Dr. George and Julia A. (Hooker) Andrews, was born 



253 

in Marion, la., April 16, 1855, and descends from William Andrews, who in 1635 
came from England to New Haven, Conn., where the family lived for generations, 
and held State and Federal offices. Dr. George Andrews, a physician, removed to 
Westfield, Mass., in 1857, and died in Wallingford, Conn., November 27, 1895. 
Arthur L. Andrews attended the private schools at Westfield, was graduated from 
Westfield High School in 1871, and received the degree of B. A. from Wesley an 
University in 1875. being one of the honor men in his class, and taking while there 
a prominent part in all the athletic exercises. On July 7, 1875, he came to Albany 
and entered the law office of Stedman & Shepard, and was admitted to the bar Sep- 
tember 8, 1877. He remained with his preceptors as managing clerk until August 1, 
1879, when he formed a copartnership with David A. Thompson, as Thompson & 
Andrews. On February 16, 1885, this firm became associated with George L. Sted- 
man, under the name of Stedman, Thompson & Andrews, and on January 1, 1889, 
George W. Stedman was admitted as partner. January 1, 1896, this firm dissolved 
and since then the style has been Thompson & Andrews. In November, 1895, Mr. 
Andrews was appointed by Governor Morton as commissioner to devise charters for 
cities of the second class. He has been attorney for the Board of Supervisors for 
two years and counsel for the Republican organization for two j'ears, and is a trustee 
of the Albany Home School for oral instruction of the deaf, a member and deacon of 
the State Street Presbyterian church, a member of the Fort Orange, Ridgefield 
Athletic, and Capital City Clubs, president of the McKinley Guards, and a member 
of the Psi Upsilon Club of New York city. September 4, 1879, he married Alice, 
daughter of Samuel Anable of Albany, and they have one son, Harold Fourdrinier 
Andrews, born July 3, 1884. 

Ward, Hon. Walter E., was born December 5, 1853, in Westeiio, Albany county. 
His father. Rev. Gilbert Ward, formerly of Westerlo, whose long services in the 
ministry of the M. E. church have been signally blessed, is still living. His mother, 
Emeline Garrett, a native of New Baltimore, Greene county, died several 5'ears ago. 
His grandfather, Gilbert Ward, was a pioneer farmer of Westerlo, a justice of the 
peace in 1822 and a man of prominence. This branch of the Ward family in America 
is descended from the same ancestry as Gen. John Ward of Revolutionary fame. 
Walter E. Ward worked on his father's farm in Westerlo summers and attended the 
district school in winter. When seventeen he entered the Collegiate Institute at 
Claverack, N. Y., then under the principalship of Rev. Alonzo Flack, D. D. While 
there he taught school a part of the time, earning money enough to pay his educa- 
tional expenses. On leaving Claverack in 1873 Mr. Ward entered Wesleyan Uni- 
versity, where he was a member of the university football team and boat crew, and 
rowed in the intercollegiate regatta at Saratoga in 1876. He was graduated from 
Wesleyan with honor in 1877. He then took up his residence in Albany. Prepara- 
tory to entering the Albany Law School he read law in the office of Hungerford & 
Hotaling, and about the same time gave private instruction in Latin and Greek. 
Mr. Ward was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1879, and was at once ad- 
mitted to the bar. In 1880 he opened an office in Albany and four years later asso- 
ciated with himself his present partner, Frederick W. Cameron, the firm name 
being Ward & Cameron. While carrying on his general legal practice. Mr. Ward's 
attention was turned to a careful investigation of the laws relating to patents, and 



254 

he has made this subject a special department by bringing together all the important 
authorities, so that this collection of books in this line is the largest of any lawyer 
in this city. He has had charge of important infringement suits in which he has 
gained a wide reputation, and is a lecturer on patents, trade marks and copyrights, 
in the Albany Law School. As a Republican, Mr. Ward, in the fall of 1890, was 
nominated for member of assembly from the Second Assembly district and was 
elected over Dr. De Graft' of Guilderland by a majority of .564, being the only 
Republican chosen to any office from the county m that election. He served with 
credit on the Committees on Cities, Revision of Laws, and Excise Matters. In 
1891 he was re-elected by a majority of 1,072 over ex-County Clerk W. D. Strevell 
and was again the only successful Republican nominee on the ticket for Albany 
county. During his second legislative term Mr. Ward served on the Committee on 
General Laws and Revision. He is a member of the Unconditional Republican, 
Camera and Albany Clubs and a member of Trinit)' M. E. church, and in 1891-92 
was superintendent of its Sabbath school. In 1881 Mr. Ward married Miss Carrie, 
daughter of Luman Stanton of Westerlo, and they have three children: Maude E., 
Florence and Walter J. 

Potts, Jesse Walker, is the only son of Jesse Charles Potts, who was born September 
30, 1811, in Albany. His grandparents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Duns) Potts, the 
former being a Friend, who came to Albany from Pennsylvania in 1790. lie is 
descended from David Potts, who came from "\^^ales and settled in Bristol town,ship, 
Philadelphia county. Pa., before 1692. David Potts, a member of the Society of 
Friends, married Alice Croasdale, who with her parents came to America with Will- 
iam Penn in the Welcome in 1682. Jesse Potts died December 21, 1811, leaving a 
widow and six children. Elizabeth Duns was born in Scotland. Jesse Charles Potts 
attended the old Lancaster school and was at the opening of the new building in 
1817, where the Albany Medical College is now. When thirteen he worked for Mrs. 
Cook who kept a reading room on Broadway near Maiden Lane, and afterward in 
a grocery on old Van Schaick street. In 1828 he was apprenticed to learn the molder's 
trade at Corning & Norton's Eagle Foundry, and after the firm sold their business 
to Many & Ward in 1830, he finished his apprenticeship with Francis Low at the Clinton 
Foundry. He worked for Howard Nott & Co., manufacturers of the famous Nott 
stoves, and was with Rathbone & Silliman for about a year. In 1835 he formed a part- 
nership with Benjamin Thomas for the manufacture of stove castings, on the site of 
the present First Baptist church. In 1836 the firm was changed to Thomas, Potts & 
Wells. Subsequently Mr. Potts sold his interest to the other two and became the 
foreman of De Graffs Foundry. In 1837 he entered into partnership with Levi S. 
Hoffman, with whom he remained until 1846, when he bought Mr. Hoffman's inter- 
est and four years later sold the business to Shear & Packard ; in 1852 he formed 
with Jacob H. Shear and Joseph Packard, the firm of Shear, Packard & Company; 
in February, 1857, he sold his interest to Shear & Packard and retired from active 
business. In 1850 and 1851 he became interested in real estate and built many dwell- 
ings in the city. In 1851 he went to Europe in company with the late George Daw- 
son. He represented the old Third ward as supervisor in 1852, being elected as a 
Whig. He was an admirer of Henry Clay and when the latter made his second 
canvass for the presidency in 1832, Mr. Potts cast his first vote. He continued 



255 

a Whig until the Republican party was formed in 1836, when he joined it. He 
joined the Volunteer Fire Department August 17, 1835, and was foreman of Truck 
No. 1. He was one of the organizers of the Commerce Insurance Company in 1859 
and a director from that time, and was also a director of the First National Bank. 
He was a member and for many years a vestryman of St. Peter's church and was 
one of the committee (the other two being John Taylor and Dr. Philip Ten Eyck) 
tliat had chargeof the erection of the present building in 1859 and 1860. He also at the 
request of the family of John Tweddle, superintended the completion of the tower in 
1876. He was one of the founders of Fireman's Lodge of Odd Fellows, March 111. 
1837, and was also a member of the Histrionic Association. He took a great interest in 
American coins and medals and his collection probably ranked with any in the 
country. December 23, 1835, he married Eunice U. Walker, who died in June, 1890. 
Mr. Potts died February 3, 1891, leaving two children, who are now living. In 1895 
the new rectory of St. Peter's was built and given to the church as a memorial to 
Jesse Charles Potts and his wife, by their son and daughter, Jesse Walker Potts and 
Sarah Benham Potts. 

Boyd, James P., M.D., is a native of Albany and a son of one of the foremost phy- 
sicians of the city in his day. He received his eaiMy education at the Albany Boys' 
Academy and was graduated from Princeton College in 1867. He then entered the 
Albany Medical College where he pursued the studj- of medicine with that assiduity 
which had characterized his earlier school days. Subsequently he entered the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city and received the degree of M.D. 
from that institution in 1871. The next two years Dr. Boyd devoted to higher 
studies in his chosen profession in the famous universities of Germany. He began 
the practice of medicine in Albany in 1873, and has steadily increased until now; 
he stands in the foremost rank of the eminent physicians of the city. He is a mem- 
ber of the Albany County Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, the 
American Medical Association, the American Association of Obstetricians and the 
Gynecological Society. He is also a member of the British Gynecological Society. 
He is also attending gynecologist to Albany Hospital, consulting obstetrician to St. 
Peter's Hospital and professor of obstetrics, gynecology and diseases of children at 
the Albany Medical College. 

Guthrie, Alfred A., son of Samuel and Catherine (Minear) Guthrie, was born in 
Troy, Davis county, la., September 20, 1850, was prepared for college in the acad- 
emy of his native town and received from the State University of Iowa the degree 
of A. B. in 1875 and that of A. M. in 1877. After graduating he began the study of 
law in the office of Hatch & Hatch. o{ Hannibal, Mo., but in 1883 removed to Albanv 
and took a partial course of studies at the Union Law School, receiving the degree 
of LL. B. and being admitted to the bar of New York in June, 1884. He was asso- 
ciated in practice with his brother, William R. Guthrie and Andrew J. Colvm, until 
the former'.^; death in 1890, and since then has continued alone. He has always been 
a Republican, has held several positions of trust and honor, and is pre-eminently a 
scholar, a lover of books and a thorough student of jurisprudence. He is a thirty- 
second degree Mason, past commander of Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., past 
thrice illustrious master of De Witt Clinton Council, No. 32, R. & S. M., past high 
jjriest nf Capital City Chapter No. 343, R. A. M,, past master of the Ineffable and 



2.56 

Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection of Albany, a trustee representing his chapter in 
the New Temple Commission, and a member of the Grand Commander)- of New York 
and has been the representative of the Grand Comraandery of Texas. In Odd Fellow- 
ship he has from its inception been counsel without compensation for the trustees 
of the New Odd Fellows Temple of Albany. He was elected grand warden of the 
Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows of the State of New York in 1893, deputy grand master 
August L 1894, and grand master in August 1895, holding the latter office one year. 
He IS continually called upon to deliver addres.ses in all parts of the State. Decem- 
ber 25, 1877, he married Ella, daughter of Rev. Samuel M. Osmond, 1). D., of Phil- 
adelphia, Pa., who died in March, 1879, leaving one son: Keith Osmond Guthrie, 
now a student at Yale College, class of 1899. 

Hallenbeck, Charles W —Garrett J. Hallenbeck, born in the town of Guilderland, 
in December, 1816, was a prominent citizen of that town. The first of the family 
that emigrated from Holland to America were William and Michael F., who settled 
on the Livingston Manor about 1740. Isaac, the son of William and grandfather of 
Garrett J., settled in the town of Guilderland where he reared four sons; Tunius, 
Garrett, Abram and Jacob I. Jacob I., the father of Garrett J., was born in Guild- 
erland December 14, 1791, where he was a well-to-do farmer. When twenty years 
of age he married Christiana Waldron and their children were Isaac, George Y., 
Garrett J., Margaret and Jane Ann, all decea.sed except Margaret. He died in 1877 
and his wife in 1875. Garrett J. devoted bis life to farming and in early life he 
bought and sold many farms. In 1853 he settled permanently on the farm of 128 
acres, which is now owned by his sons, Charles W. and Alexander. He took great 
pride in the breeding of fine horses and cattle. In 1844 he married Lucinda Van 
Valkenburg, who was born in Guilderland in July, 1823, daughter of Johoicam and 
Rebecca (McMichael) Van Valkenburg. Their children were Jacob G., Rebecca, 
Cornelius (deceased), Isaac H., Alexander, Jane Ann, Emma, and Charles W. of 
Albany. Johoicam Van Valkenburg was a native of the town of Guilderland, and 
the son of John Van Valkenburg. He was a farmer and lumberman, owning a 
good farm and a .saw mill. He reared ten children, all of whom grew to maturity 
except one boy, who was accidentally killed. -Alexander McMichael, the maternal 
grandfather of Mrs. Hallenbeck, was a native of Ireland, who was for years a hotel 
keeper and farmer. 

Wolff, John, son of John A. and J. J. (Mayen) Wolff, was born in Arnhem, Holland, 
July 22. 1836. He received his education in the public schools, and Almkerk Univer- 
sity from which he graduated in 1855. Immediately after his graduation he was 
appointed assistant teacher of the Holland and French languages and filled that chair 
until 1857, when he came with his parents to America and settled in Albany, N. Y. 
Mr. Wolff obtained the position of shipping clerk with Wheeler & Melick and held 
that place until 1888, when he associated himself with the Wheeler & Melick Manu- 
facturing Company. While shipping clerk, Mr. Wolff was abroad seven times in the- 
capacity of salesman. The firm went out of existence in 1890, and Mr. Wolff assumed 
control of the business and continued in that capacity until January, 1896; since then 
he has been engaged in a general repair and commission business. In 1863 he mar- 
ried Miss D. (i. F<.,ta!ii,-v ,,f R,>iierdMm. Holland, and they have one son and four 
daughters. 



I 



357 

Ogden, Charles G., son of Edward and Julia (Hand) Ogden, was born in Albany, 
N. Y. , January 25, 1858. Mr. Ogden's father was born in England and on the ma- 
ternal side he is descended from New England ancestors. He received his education 
in the Albany Academy, from which he was graduated in 1877. He then entered 
the office of his father, where he learned the business of architect and draughtsman. 
In 1892 he was taken into partnership, the firm being Edward Ogden & Son, located 
at No. 61 State street. In 1884 Mr. Ogden married Lizzie, daughter of Peter Kin- 
near, of Albany, and they have two children, a .son and a daughter. 

Banker, William Soules, son of John and Christiana (Kent) Banker, was born in 
Clinton county, N. Y. He received his education at the Plattsburgh and Cham- 
plain Academies, after which he went into business with the Redford Crown Glass 
Works at Redford, N. Y. He remained with this concern for many years, until 
their retirement from business. His worth as a salesman had become well known 
during his connection with the Redford works, and after leaving them he was con- 
nected with some of the most important houses in the United States. They were 
J. W. Blodgett & Co., of Boston; J. R. Jaffrey & Sons, of New York, and N. K. 
Fairbank & Co., of Chicago, later the N. K. Fairbank Company. In April, 1888, 
Mr. Banker removed to Albany, representing the latter house, also the Cudahy 
Packing Co., South Omaha, Neb., and he continued to represent the Fairbank Com- 
pany until November, 1895. He now represents the Cudahy Packing Co. , South 
Omaha, Neb.; Central Lard Co., New York city; the Waverly Refining Co., New 
York city; the National Linseed Oil Co., Buffalo, N. Y. ; American Preservers Co., 
Philadelphia, Pa.; Muscatine Oat Meal Co., Muscatine, la.; Eli Pettijohn Cereal 
Co., Minneapolis, Minn.; Mohawk Condensed Milk Company, RochestQi', N. Y. ; 
Jacob Beck & Sons, Detroit, Mich. ; De Land & Co. (Cap Sheaf Soda), Fairport, N.Y. ; 
the Rockford Sugar Refining Co., Rockford. 111. ; Connecticut Extract Witch Hazel, 
Middletown, Conn.; Delgado & Co., New Orleans, La.; Theo. Brierre's Sons, New 
Orleans, La.; Standard Rice Co. , New York city; American Soap Co., New York 
city; Columbia Falls Packing Co., Columbia Falls, Me.; and the Marshall-Kennedy 
Milling Co., Allegheny, Pa. Mr. Banker has also other large milling interests; his 
office and warehouse at 65 and 67 Hudson avenue is one of the best in Albany, large, 
attractive, and contains all the up to date improvements, including steam power and 
steam heating. 

Van Aken, De Baun, son of Dr. David F. and Abigail (Lansing) ^'an Aken, was 
born in Lishaskill, Albany county, N. Y., January 3, 1863. Dr. David P., the father 
of the subject of this sketch, is still a practicing physician at Maiden. Ulster county, 
N. Y. Mr. Van Aken is descended from French-Huguenot stock; from those who, 
shortly after the massacre of St. Bartholomew's, moved to Holland. Two brothers 
left Holland and came to America just previous to the Revolution and one of them, 
Henry, great-great-grandfather of Mr. Van Aken, performed gallant service in the 
war. Mr. Van Aken's grandfather, Alanson, is now living in the town of New Scot- 
land at the ripe old age of ninety-two; he has been justice of the peace of New 
Scotland for a number of years. On the maternal side Mr. Van Aken is descended 
from Gerritt Lansing, who came from Holland and whose descendants have had an 
important part in framing the history of Albany county. Mr. Van Aken was edu- 
cated in the Saugerties Institute, the Union Classical Institute at Schenectady and 



258 

the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he received the degree of Ph. G. in 
1884. After leaving college Mr. Van Aken was associated with Dr. C. H. Smith on 
Washington avenue for twelve years and was a partner during the last five. In 1894 
he purchased the store on the corner of Hamilton and Hawk streets, where he is 
now doing a large business. He is secretary of the College of Pharmacy and in- 
structor in chemistry therein. For one term he was president of the Alumni Asso- 
ciation of the college. Mr. Van Aken is a member of the State Street Presbyterian 
church and has been its Sunday school superintendent for the past five years. In 
1890 he married Jessie W. Scherraerhorn of East Greenbush, and they have one son. 
Homer Lansing. 

Hawley, Mrs. Clara M. — Among the numerous printing establishments in Albany 
it would be hard to find one where prompt service and fair dealing more abound 
than in that owned by Mrs. C. M. Hawley. This business was originally established 
in 1871 by L. H. Burdick, for general job and newspaper printing, at No. 51 North 
Pearl street. Mr. Burdick continued to own and manage the business until 1878, 
when, having taken James Taylor into partnership, the firm became Burdick & 
Taylor. The plant was subsequently moved to Martin Hall and later to No. 481 
Broadway, where the business was continued until 1893. In November, 1890, the 
partnership was dissolved and Lewis J. Roberts came into the firm, making the firm 
Taylor & Roberts. Mr. Roberts died after thirteen months, but the firm name con- 
tinued until 1893, when Charles H. Hawley succeeded to the Roberts interest. Mr. 
Hawley died in November, 1893, and the interest has since been carried on by Mr. 
Hawley's widow. Mrs. Clara M. Hawley. January 31, 1897, Mrs. Hawley bought 
Mr. Taylor's interest and has since then been sole owner of the plant, at Nos. 36-88 
Beaver street, and secured the services of L. H. Burdick to manage the business for 
her. Mr. Burdick, bemg the founder of the business, is of course a most valuable 
man and will build up the concern to hold its own as among the first of its kind in 
the city. Mr. Burdick also represents the Pennsylvania Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany and for eight years has been secretary of the West End Savings and Loan 
Association. He is very popular in social and fraternal circles, and is a Knight 
Templar, Mason, a past grand in the I. O. O. P., and an encampment member. 

Anderson, Charles W., was born April 28, 1866, in Oxford, Ohio. He graduated 
from the High School of that town, Spencerian Business College of Cleveland and 
Miami University. He determined upon the legal profession, and to prepare himself 
read law with Judge Weed of Cleveland. He did not complete his studies, however, 
but moved east to New York and entered politics. He was for a time on the staff of 
the New York Age, and was connected with the late Col. Elliot F. Shephard until his 
death. He was appointed United States Internal Revenue Ganger by Hon. William 
Windom, which position he held until December, 1893, when he resigned to accept 
the appointment of private secretary to State Treasurer Colviu, which position he 
now holds. Mr. Anderson is regarded as one of the most scholarly colored men of 
the country, and has probably been honored as much as any living man of his race. 
He responded to the sentiment, "The Citizen and the Nation," at the annual ban- 
quet of the Garfield Club of Providence, R. 1., in 1891, and to that of "The Future 
of the Republican Party," in 1892. He also responded to a toast at the annual ban- 
quet of the St. Patrick's Club at Hotel Brunswick, New York, March 17, 1892; he 



259 

was one of the speakers at the banquet given by the government of Venezuela, 
through her commissionar, Hon. Napoleon Domiuici, at Delmonico's, to the Ameri- 
can advocates of the Monroe Doctrine in the same year. Mr. Anderson responded 
to the toast of "The Emancipation Proclamation," at the Lincoln banquet of the 
Marquette Club of Chicago, at the Grand Pacific Hotel, February 12, 1895. He has 
delivered many lectures, among them being "The Delights and Defects of Conver- 
.sation," "The Life, Times and Teachings of Rousseau," "Abraham Lincoln," "The 
Abolitionists," "Frederick Douglass," "The Philosophy of Prejudice," " The Ama- 
teur Thinker," and "The Brotherhood of Man." He has made many occasional 
addresses and is regarded as one of the readiest and most polished speakers of his 
age in the State. He was appointed a commissioner to the Tennessee Centennial by 
Governor Morton, and was selected by the Republican State Committee to accom- 
pany Hon. William McKinley on his speaking tour through New York State during 
Hon. Levi P. Morton's canvass for governor. Mr. Anderson makes many friends 
wherever he goes, as is evidenced by the fact that he was tendered a complimentary 
luncheon by members of the Union League Club of Chicago, October 17, 1896. 

Wrightson, George W. , was born in England and came to America when four 
years of age, and settled in Utica and in 1859 engaged with the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. 
R. Co. as fireman, and acted as such on the engine that took President Lincoln to 
the White House, also taking his body west when killed. From fireman he was 
promoted to engineer, and ran the first passenger engine from Ravena on the AVest 
Shore R. R., and .settled there. He also ran an engine on the Mohawk division. He 
married Miss Rachel Lang of Utica, and built a fine residence at Ravana, where he 
reared a family of three daughters; Ada L. (Mrs. G. C. Boyl), Eva M. and Grace M. 
He was and is yet the principal mover in the organization of the Christian church at 
Ravena, which was built in 18^9, and of which he is a leading member and sup- 
porter. 

Don, William G., son of John G. and Julia (Crew) Don, was born in Albany, N. Y., 
March 39, 1854. He attended Professor Luther's school on Eagle street and Folsom 
Business College, after which he worked for the Van Rensselaer estate and as tally 
boy for Clark, Sumner & Co.. lumber dealers, where he rose to the position of clerk 
In 1876 he went to work for Thomas S. Murphy as bookbinder. In 1894 Mr. Murphy 
died and in March, 1895, a new company was formed, Thomas S. Murphy & Co 
which Mr. Don was elected treasurer, and which office he now holds. Mr. Don 
active in the politics of the Republican party at the time of the late John F. Smyth 
and was a charter member of the Capital City Club in 1868, and is also a member o: 
the Unconditional Club. In 1883 he married Harriet S. Cochrane of Ogdensburg 
N. v., and she died the same year. 

Gibbons, Erastus, born in Coeymans, January 11, 1842, is a son of Erastus and 
Martha (Wheat) Gibbons. Erastus Gibbons, sr. , was a native of Westerlo and she 
of Albany; the grandparents, John, came from Dutchess county to Westerlo in pio- 
neer days. Erastus, father of Erastus Gibbons. ]r., was a carpenter by trade and 
resided in Coeymans for some years, Init spent his last days in Westerlo on a farm 
and died in 1873; Mrs. Gibbons died in 1N71. iMastus Gibbons, jr., was edutated at 
the academy at Coeymans and in 1867 married Carrie E., daughter of Abner Garret, 
of Westerlo, and to Mr. and Mrs. Gibbons have been born eight children ; Mattie, wife 



260 

of William Fish, of the N. Y. C. R. R., Syracuse, N. Y. ; Nettie, Estella and Bertie, 
now living; Adella, died aged six years; Willie, died age ten years; Jessie, died age 
ten years, and Erastus died aged two years. Mrs. Gibbons died in 1888. From the 
farm Mr. Gibbons went into general mercantile business in Dormansville in 1866, 
and with the exception of two years has carried on the business to the present time. 
He was postmaster under Cleveland, during his last term. In 1863 Mr. Gibbons 
enlisted in Co. D, N. Y. Vol. Inft. , but was soon honorably discharged on account of 

sickness. He is a member of Post S. Evan N. , G. A. R., and a Republican. 

Shultes, Abrain, a landmark and well known citizen of Berne, was born in Berne 
(now Knox) March, 1827. The parent tree of the Shultes family in America was Ma- 
thias (Mottise) Shultes, who was born in Holland in 1726, his father being killed the 
same year by religious persecutors, the mother fearful that her own life and the life of 
her child might also be sacrificed, fled to America with her babe, when he was but 
six months of age. She settled in the woods (probably in Schoharie county) among 
her Dutch friends and there reared her boy to manhood. He later became one of 
the first settlers in the town of Berne and from time to time took up 400 acres of land, 
made him a home and cared for his mother until the time of her death. He fought 
Indians during the French and Indian war from 1754 to 1763, and fought Tories and 
Indians during the war of the Revolution. During this war, the Indians and Tories 
were determined to kill him and many a time he was obliged to seek shelter in the 
woods, to escape from their attacks. His son William was lieutenant of a regiment 
during the Revolutionary war. He reared six sons and several daughters. Lieut. 
Wm. Shultes, the grandfather of Abram, was a native of Berne, where he was a 
farmer. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and died when forty-five years 
of age. His wife was a Miss Post, daughter of the notorious tory Jacob Post, and 
they had four children. For his second wife he married Miss Sternberger, by whom 
two children were born. Peter W. Shultes, Abram's father, was born on the home- 
stead in 1801. He came in possession of one of his father's farms and succeeded in 
accumulating a large property and at the time of his death was worth §40,000. His 
wife was Magdalene West, daughter of Peter and granddaughter of the celebrated 
artist Sir William West and they had twelve children, but only five grew to, maturity. 
He died in 1853 and his wife survived him many years and died at the home of her 
son, Abram. Abram Shultes attended the the common district school and took an 
academic course at the Gallupville Academy. When nineteen years of age he began 
teaching, this he followed about six months of the year for several years, when he 
settled on the homestead, where he remained until forty years of age, when the farm 
was sold and divided among the heirs; he then bought his present farm of 160 acres 
on West' Mountain and moved there in 1867 and he owns another farm of 120 acres 
in the town of Rensselaerville. In 1855 he married Margaret Turner, born in Eng- 
land and a daughter of George and Dorotha (Pptter) Turner, who came to America 
with his family in 1832. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Shultes a.'-e Florence (wife 
of Wallace R. Peasley), George D., De Forest, Mary, Alice, Joseph T., Charles A., 
William J., Margaret and Susan E. George, Joseph and William are now in Cortez 
Valley, Nevada, in the silver mines. George Turner, father of Mrs. Shultes, was 
born in England in 1772. He was a farmer and cartman, carting coal principallj-. 
He settled in Berne on West Mountain in 1832 and died October 10, 1833. His wife, 



261 

Dorothy, was born in 1786 and died December 15, 1838 and they had eight children: 
George, Margaret, Joseph Jonathan, Elizabeth, Mary, Susan and Leah. 

Rice, Joseph Taft, who for many years was prominently identified with Albany's 
interests, was born in Shrewsbury, Mass., January 22. 1787. He was a lineal de- 
scendant from ?"dmund Rice, who was born in Wales in 1594, moved to Hertford- 
shire, England, and in 1638, with his wife and seven children came to this country 
and settled in Sudbury, Mass. He died at Marlboro, Mass., March 3, 1663, and was 
buried at Sudbury. Joseph Taft Rice settled in Albany in 1808 and engaged in the 
most extensive manufacture of silver ware west of New Yoik city, continuing it until 
1832. Many of the older citizens yet have the productions of his manufacture which 
are highly prized as heirlooms and for their sterling worth. September 4, 1811, he 
married Jane, daughter of Gilbert Gumming of Strothspay, Scotland ; they were 
blessed with thirteen children all born and reared in this city. One of his sons was 
killed in the late war and the others have honorably filled responsible public posi- 
tions. Mr. Rice was one of the original members of the Republican Artillery organ- 
ized in/1810. He was closely affliated with De Witt Clinton, William H. Swan, 
iThurlow Weed and other public men of that period. He was very noticeable for his 
commanding figure and walk and was of a genial temperament. He died June 19, 
18.54. 

Worraer, Eliakim F., was born in the town of Guilderland, November 15, 1847. 
Peter and Mooney (Brougham) Wormer, his great-grandparents, were natives of 
Holland, and migrated to America and settled on Black Creek, in the town of Guil- 
derland. He lived to an old age and his wife, Mooney, lived to the age of 104 years, 
and retained remarkable physical and mental strength to the last. Cornelius, the 
next in line, was born in Guilderland about 1778, and became an active and success- 
ful farmer. He was prominent and influential in public affairs, and gave each of his 
sons a good start in life by placing them on farms of their own. His wife was Sarah 
Relyea; he lived to be nearly ninety-two and his wife lived to be ninety-five. They 
reared five sons and two daughters. Frederick, the father of Eliakim, was born in 
Guilderland in October, 1814. He has spent all his active life successfully as a farmer 
in his native town. For a number of years he lived in Guilderland Center, where he 
owns property. He passes his time by attending to his garden and small fruit 
growing. He and his wife are well preserved and spry old people and enioying the 
comforts of Hfe. His wife was Marie Blessing, who was born in the town of Guil- 
derland, June 5, 1816. Their children are Eliakim F., Francis, Rufus, Daniel, Fred- 
erick, William, David, Sarah and Hannah. Eliakim spent his early life on his 
father's farm, and attended the common district schools. When about twenty-one 
he engaged in business for himself as a dealer in apples, potatoes and other farm 
produce which he followed a few years with fair success; he then engaged in farm- 
ing, which vocation he has followed successfully to the present date. He is the 
most extensive apple grower in this section of the country. For some years past he 
has been a breeder of registered Holstein cattle and Shropshire sheep, he is also the 
owner of a fine thoroughbred French coach stallion. He was road commissioner of 
Guilderland for a number of years. In 1872 he married Eliza, daughter of James 
and Marie (Hallenbeck) Fryer; she was born in the town of Guilderland in 1851. 

jPaddock, Edward, son of William S. and Magdalen (Houghtaling) Paddock, was 



262 

born in Albany, N. Y., in 1859. William S. Paddock, the father of the Kubject of 
this sketch, was prominently identified with Albany interests and was for twelve 
years recorder and for two years acting mayor of Albany. Edward Paddock attend- 
ed the public schools and after completing his education he obtained a clerkship in 
the office of Smith, Craig & Co., lumber dealers. He remained there seven years, 
after which he was a clerk in the office of William McEwan, coal merchant, for five 
years. In 1890 Mr. Paddock opened a general sporting goods store at No. 93 State 
street and has since carried on a successful business there. He is a member of 
Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242. R. A. M., De Witt 
Clinton Council No. 22, R. & S. M., and Temple Commandery No.,.!. Mr. Paddock 
is also a member of the Albany County Wheelmen and was at one time its treasurer. 
September 10, 1890, he married Miss Mary Underbill of Albany, and they have one 
daughter. Ruth Magdalen. 

Fisher, David A., was born in I8;i4, and is the son of Daniel G., who was born in 
1808 and died in 1860, and grandson of Duncan, and great-grandson of Daniel 
Fisher, who was among the first settlers of Berne, in 1770. Mr. Fisher came to 
Bethlehem in 1856 and to his present home in 1881, where he is a farmer. He mar- 
ried Mary M. Long, and they have four sons and three daughters; Burton (who is a 
lawyer) Frederick D., Richard L. and David D., Anna, Eleanor and Maria D. 

Elmendorf, William Burgess, was born in Albany, N. Y., February 8, 1856. He 
is a son of John Elmendorf, jr., who was born March 3, 1819, and Caroline M. Bur- 
gess, and is directly descended from Jacobus Coenradt Van Elmendorf, who was 
born in Holland, came to America in 1652, and who married Greitje Aertse Van 
Wagenen in Kingston, N. Y., April 25, 1667, the ceremony being performed by a 
justice of the court with the consent of the bride's mother, inasmuch as the bride 
being under age, the Dutch church would not or could not perform the ceremony. 
All of Mr. Elmendorf's intermediate ancestors were born in Kingston, N. V., and 
are as follows, commencing with the son of Jacobus Coenradt Van Elmendorf, Coen- 
radt Elmendorf, who married Ariaantje Geritse Vandenburg at Albany, N. Y., June 
28, 1693; Cornelius Abraham Elmendorf who married Engeltje Heermans; Abraham 
Elmendorf who served in the Revolutionary war and who married Anaatje Crispell, 
April 22, 1758; and John Elmendorf, grandfather of William B., who married Mar- 
garet Folant. Mr. Elmendorf, the subject of this sketch, graduated from the Albany 
Stale Normal School in 1871, and spent two years at the Albany Academy and one 
year at the Albany Business College. He is a thorough transportation man and be- 
lieves in his business. For twenty-five years he has represented (with his father, 
the late Capt. John Elmendorf who died March 11, 1885), the popular Hudson River 
Day Line Steamers. Mr. Elmendorf is a member of the Society of the Sons of the 
Revolution, the Holland Society of New York, Royal Arcanum and the Albany City 
Curling Club. In May, 1877, he married Isabel H. Dalton, daughter of William 
Dalton. president of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank and late of the lumber firm 
of Dalton & Kibbee. She died m 1887, and by her Mr. Elmendorf had one son (de- 
ceased) and one daughter, Edna. In 1889 he married Victoria O'Brien, daughter of 
the late Wilham O'Brien, esq., of the banking house of O'Brien 6c Meridith of Mon- 
treal, and also Canadian representative of the Grand Trunk Railway. They have 
three children, Enid, Jean and Alice. 



263 

Alexander, Thomas, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1858. George Alex- 
ander, his father, was a native of Edinburgh, and was a carpenter by trade, but be- 
came one of the largest builders and contractors in the city of Edinburgh, some 
times employing as high as three hundred men at a time. He was a man of pro- 
gression, with great business ability and accumulated a good fortune. He made two 
trips to America, and was preparing for his third trip when death overtook him in 
August, 1892. His wife was Ann Murray, by whom sixteen children were born, 
seven sons and five daughters, who all grew to maturity. Thomas Alexander re- 
ceived a common school education and learned the mason's and stone cutter's trade. 
He worked with, and assisted his father for fourteen years, till 1885, when he left 
home and sailed for America, landing in Quebec, Canada, where he remained two 
weeks. While with his sister at Port Dover, he learned of the magnificent capitol 
building under way of erection in the city of Albany, and concluded that was the 
city for him, and after visiting Niagara Falls and ButTalo, he landed in Albany with 
but twenty-five cents in his pocket. He immediately sought and found employment 
as a mason, borrowing money from a stranger to buy his tools, and began work. 
He was not long to see the good qualities of the Helderberg blue flag stone and con- 
cluded to engage in the stone business; consequently in 1887, in partnership with 
his employer, he purchased fifteen acres of stone land where his quarry is now lo- 
cated, and later came in possession of the entire quarry, and subsequently purchased 
the remaining eighty acres on which the quarry is located, and after hard toil and 
careful supervision has opened up and developed one of the finest and largest quar- 
ries in the State, which is second to none in the country. In March, 1894, he married 
Miss Hannah Smith of Berne, a daughter of Henry J. Smith; she died five months 
later. 

Warren, Henry P., is one of the leading educators of the State and comes from 
the East. He spent most of his boyhood in Gorham, Me., where his father, the late 
Rev. Dr. William Warren resided. Mr. Warren attended the Gorham Academy, 
Gorham. Me., until 1855 when he entered Phillips Academy at Andover, Mass., then 
under the administration of Dr Samuel L. Taylor. Mr. Warren spent a year teach- 
ing in Merrimac, Mass, and was graduated from Yale in 1870. That same year he 
became principal of the Fifth Street Grammar School at New Bedford, Mass., wheie 
he remained a year and a half and then went to Dover, N. H., where he was prin- 
cipal of the Dover High School. He was obliged to go South for his health in 1875, 
and remained three years, when he returned to Dover. He took charge of the N. H. 
State Normal School in 1879 for four years, then went to Lawrenceville, N. J., and 
with six others established the Lawrenceville School, a preparatory boarding school. 
He remained there until January, 1887. In August, 1886, he was elected principal 
of the Albany Academy. 

Brunk, James H., was born January 8, 1840, m the town of Berne on the farm he 
now owns. Nicholas Brunk, his grandfather, was born in the Mohawk Valley, of 
Holland ancestry and was a descendant from one of five brothers who migrated from 
Holland and settled along the Mohawk River as pioneers; Nicholas settled in the 
town of Knox, where he cleared him a farm and made him a home on 130 acres of 
land. His wife was Elizabeth Miller and their children were Mathias, Hannah, 
Henry, Jacob, Gittie Ann, Eva, Catherine and Lydia. Henry Brunk, the father of 



■264 

James, was born in Knox February 38. 1806, where he was a lifelong farmer. He 
married Rebecca Fowler who was born in Berne on the farm now owned by her .son, 
March 17, 1809. After his marriage, he purcha.sed from his father-in-law the farm of 
146 acres and there spent his life. Their children were Alraira, Lydia Ann, Jabez, 
James H.. Elizabeth, Catherine S., Nicholas J., and Edgar. He died December 13, 
1865, and his wife May 36, 1893. She was a daughter of Lewis Fowler, who was a 
native of England and came to America in the time of the Revolutionary war and 
served seven years m the war. James H. Brunk has spent his life on the homestead 
farm. When a boy he attended the common district schools, but after the death of 
his father, he hired the farm from his mother and the other heirs and in 1868 pur- 
chased it and has added to it since then twenty-seven acres, where he has devoted 
his attention to a general farming and the breeding of fine grade cattle. Mr. Brunk 
has filled the office of overseer of the poor for several years. He is an influential 
member of the Patrons of Industry and president of the Evening Star Lodge of 
Berne. March 4, 1865, he married Louisa E. Hungerford of Berne, and their chil- 
dren are Willie J., Frank T.. Hattie (who died when nineteen), Lena, Alfred and 
Leroy. 

Cuyler. Edward Cornelius, son of Jacob C. and Mary Elizabeth (Henley) Cuyler, 
was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1859. He attended the Albany Academy, from which 
he was graduated in 1878, after which he took a course at Yale University and was 
graduated in 1883, receiving the degree of A. B. Mr. Cuyler has followed the pro- 
fession of the newspaper man and has been connected with the E.xpress as city 
editor under William Barnes, jr., and Walter F. Hurcomb; with the State; and the 
Times-Union under the late Ira Wales. For the past eight years he has been special 
correspondent for the New York Evening Post and various other papers throughout 
the country. In 1883 he married Clarinda Helene Busley, and they have two daugh- 
ters, Elizabeth and Kathryn. 

Haines, Luther H., born in Westerlo, December 25, 1889, a son of Adam and Eliza 
Ann (Hanney) Haines and grandson of Anthony Haines, who was reared in West- 
erlo but went to Schoharie county, where he died. Adam Haines was a farmer six- 
teen years in Coeymans, the remainder of his life was spent in Westerlo. Luther 
H. Haines has always been a farmer and rents 167 acres of land in Westerlo from 
Henry Hunt. He is a Democrat and has been collector and road commissioner and 
has taken great interest in having good schools. In 1859 he married Eraehne Coons, 
niece of Abram Co(ms of Albany, and they have seven children : Myron A., Jacob L., 
Ambers S., David, Ella, wife of Clarence Hopkins, Maggie, wife of Manley Mark, 
and Orson L. Mr. and Mrs. Haines attend the M. E. church. 

Clyckman, Frederick L., was born in the town of Knox, July 1, 1819, a son of 
Lawrence Clyckman, who was born in the same town about 1778, who was one of 
two sons and two half-brothers, sons of a native of Germany who served in the 
Revolutionary war, was a farmer by occupation, and began farming in the town of 
Knox, where he cleared a farm and built a log house and where he lived till his 
death, at the age of eighty years. Lawrence, the father of Frederick L., also spent 
his life as a successful farmer in the same town, owning a fine farm of 150 acres; he 
was a volunteer in the war of 1812; his wife was Maria Batcher, and their children 
were Jacob, Mary, Frederick, Gertrude, Adaline, Elida, Katie, Margaret and Sarah. 



265 

Mr. Clyckman was an elder in the Lutheran church for a number of years. Fred- 
erick L. Clyckman remained on the homestead with his father until he was thirty- 
eight years of age, when he came to Guilderland and bought a farm of 100 acres, 
where he has since resided ; by industry and perseverance h^ has paid for his farm, 
erected good and commodious buildings, and made many other improvements; he is 
an up-to-date and prosperous farmer. In 1850 he married Eva, daughter of Peter 
Walker, who bore him two children, Angelica M. and Jessie F. His second wife 
was Lydia, daughter of Conrad Batcher of Knox, who bore him one child, Jane A. 
Mr. Clyckman has been deacon and elder in the Lutheran church for several years. 
The oldest daughter, Angelica, married William J. Alkenbrack of New Scotland in 
November, 1884; Jessie married William D. Relyea of New Scotland in November, 
1882; and Jane A. married Shubael C. Jaycox of Bethlehem, March 14, 1892. 

Hoskins, Charles M., son of Martin and Helen (Pratt) Hoskins, was born in 
Jamaica, Windham county, Vt., June 25, 1861. He received his education in the 
public schools of Vermont and then learned the trade of shirt cutter in the factories 
of Starbuck and Joseph Fowler in Glens Falls, N.Y , where he remained five years. 
He then removed to Leominster, Mass., where he was employed by the Leominster 
Shirt Company and remained there three years, rising from cutter to the position of 
superintendent of the factory. Friuii LL-omiiister he removed to Albany, N. Y., 
where he was given the position of cutter ihi special orders in the factory of S. L. 
Munson. He stayed with Mr. Munson two and one-half years, leaving in February, 
1895, to accept his present position of manager of the Albany Shirt Company. Mr. 
Hoskins is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and Clinton Lodge No. 
7, I. O. O. F. August 21, 1889, he married Frances Mary Harris of Garrettsville, 
N. Y., and they have one son, Charles Albert. 

Steenberg, Byron V., M. D., son of Henry W. and Amelia C. (Usher) Steenberg, 
was born in Malta, Saratoga county, N. Y., April 18, 1839. He attended the Jones- 
ville Academy and Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, after which he went into busi- 
ness in Mechanicsville as a clerk in Hatfield's general store. He remained there a 
few years, after which he was made bookkeeper for W. J. & R. H. Scott at Albany. 
N. Y. He then went West and was connected with the dry goods house of C. J. 
Pettibone & C9. at Fon du Lac and Green Bay, Wis. While West he determined 
to study medicine and m 18R8 he returned East and entered the medical department 
of Vermont University at Burlington, where he took one course of lectures. Subse- 
quently he removed to Albany, N. Y., and in 1870 he received his degree from the 
Albany Medical College and has since practiced in Albany. Dr. Steenberg is a 
member of the Albany County Medical Society, of which he has been secretary, 
vice president and president. He is also a member of the New York State Medical 
Society and is a master Mason. In June, 1880. he married Ada H. Higgs of Albany, 
and they have one son, Victor. 

Van Derzee, John A. — Storm Van Derzee came to Rensselaerwyck in the year 
1030, having previously emigrated from Holland. He was a trader at Beverwyck, 
or Albany, in 1661. He married Hilletje, daughter of Gerrit Lansing, and had at 
least two sons who lived to maturity, viz. : Albert and Wouter. Albert, son of Storm 
and Hilletje Lansing Van Derzee, married Hilletje Gansevoort, January 20, 1706; 



26G 

their children were Ariaantje, born May 32, 1707; Storm, born June26, '[109; Harmon, 
born March 4, 1711. Harmon Van Derzee, son of Albert and Hilletje Gansevoort 

Van Derzee, married Eva (surname unknown); their children were Albert. 

baptized June 28, 1738; Cornells, baptized August 10, 1740; Storm, July 11, 1742. 

Cornells Van Derzee. son of Harmon Vaii Derzee and Eva , married Agnes 

Whitbeck, October 27, 1763; their children were Harmon, born September 3, 1774; 
Andrew, born May 23, 1766; Eve, born October ;3, 1769; Moyaca, born April 2.5, 
1783. Agnes Whitbeck Van Derzee died November 10, 1831; Cornells Van Derzee, 
her husband, died March 19, 1823. Andrew Van Derzee, son of Cornells Van Derzee 
and Agnes Whitbeck Van Derzee, married Jane Ten Eyck, March 17, 1797; their 
children were Agnes, born March 20, 1798; Garritie, born Septemcer 16, 1801, died 
October 9, 1889; Cornelius, born April 7, 1804, died April 11, 1885; Conradt Tin 
Eyck, born May 30, 1806, died September 36, 1865; John, born October 8, 1808, died 
December 3, 1861; Caroline, bbrn September 26, 1811; Barent, born December 22. 
1818, died December 39, 1857. Jane Ten Eyck Van Derzee, wife of Andrew \&n 
Derzee, died June 4, 1827.- Andrew Van Derzee married for the second time widow 
Charlotte Snyder (born Sherwood); their only child, Andrew S. Van Derzee, was 
born November 22, 1828. Andrew Van Derzee died April 23, 1835. Conradt Ten 
Eyck Van Derzee, son of Andrew and Jane Ten Eyck Van Derzee, married 
Maria Shear, June 19, 1834; their children were Jane, born August 19, 1836; 
Peter, born August 24, 1838; Agnes, born February 13, 1841 ; Elizabeth, born 
March 10, \9,iZ\ John A., born February 1, 1845; Albert, born May 9, 1847; 
Charles, born July 24, 1849; Caroline born January 16, 1856. Maria Shear 
Van Derzee died December 27, 1876. John A Van Derzee, son of Conrad Ten Eyck 
Van Derzee and Maria Shear Van Derzee, married Josephine Waterman October 22, 
1874; their, children were Jesse W., born October 30, 1875, died February 6, 1896; 
Florence G., born November 28, 1880; John Jay, born December 1, 1888. John A. 
Van Derzee is the present owner and occupant of the old homestead farm which con- 
tains 240 acres. He is engaged in raising grain, dairying, fruit culture, and stock 
raising. This farm, which is in a good state of cultivation, is located south of the 
Haanakrois Creek, about one-half mile from the Coeymaris and Westerlo stone road, 
formerly the old turnpike. Just one hundred years after the grant to the territory 
included in the town of Coeymans was made by Governor Lovelace to Barent Peterse 
Coeymans, the two brothers, Cornelius Van Derzee and Storm Van Derzee, bought 
from John Barclay and Anna Marghritta, his wife, on the 17th of March, 1673, the 
lands south of the Haanakrois Creek for ;^1,300. (The deed for the above property 
is at present in possession of one of the descendants.) A substantial stone structure 
took the place of the log house which was at first built by Cornelius Van Derzee. 
This house, having been remodeled, is still in a good state of preservation and oc- 
cupied by Mr. John A. Van Derzee and family. 

Deitz, Alanson F., was born in the town of Schoharie, Schoharie county, in 1819. 
He was a son of William D. Deitz, a native of the same place, who was born in 
1818. He was one of four sons; Peter, John. Jacob and William, and three daughters, 
born to Philip A. Deitz. a native of Holland, who settled in Schoharie county about 
1808, and became a successful and quite wealthy farmer, owning four farms at the 
time of his death. His brother, who came with him from Holland and settled in 



267 

Schoharie county, was with his whole family murdered by Indians during the war of 
1813. William A., the father, was a farmer and lived on one of the farms left by his 
father, and was also very successful. His second wife was Alvina Fanning, by 
whom he had six children. He died in 1862. Mr. Deitz attended school during the 
summer until he was sixteen years of age, when he .started out for himself with but 
forty-eight cents. 'He went to work on a farm for his cousin, following farming for 
some time, and managed to go to school during the winter. At the age of twenty 
years he purchased a patent right of a fruit and lard press, which he sold for some 
time with success. He then carried on a beer bottling establishment for a short 
time, and in 1871 he engaged in the bottling business in East Worcester, Otsego 
county, which he sold two years later and removed to Guilderland Center, where he 
established a small bottling business. In addition to this business he has bought at 
different times different wood lots, which he has cleared, making posts, rails, lum- 
ber, etc. Mr. Deitz is of an inventive turn of mind, having invented and patented 
at different times several useful implements; among the more prominent was a wire 
hay binder which he manufactured for six year.s. In 1885 he established his present 
botthng works, and in addition to his bottling business he is also interested in the 
poultry business. He was one of the village trustees of Altamont in 1894, and in 
the spring of 1896 was elected water commissioner. He is ^ member of Voorhees- 
ville Lodge of Odd Fellows. In 1871 he was married to Mary La Grande, who was 
born in Guilderland, a daughter of Andrew La Grande. Mr. Deitz was treasurer 
and deacon of the Reformed church. Mrs. Deitz is a member of the Missionary 
Society. 

Hunter, James, son of Robert and Elizabeth, was born in County Down, Ireland, 
January 4, 1865, and was educated and reared on a farm in his native country. He 
came to America in 1883, settling in Albany, where he lived with and was employe'd 
by Robert H. Moore, a lumber merchant, remaining with him two years; he was 
then with Hugh Patterson and E. P. Bates one year each, learning the gas and 
steam fitting trade, and was subsequently with the Ferguson Boiler Company, be- 
coming their superintendent. In January, 1893, he engaged m the steam and gas 
fitting business for himself at Nos. 9 and 11 Liberty street, and in May, 1894, bought 
out the Ferguson Boiler Company. In April, 1895, he occupied their old quarters on 
Church street, where he manufactures high and low pressure steam boilers and 
steam and hot water heating apparatus, doing also a general contracting business in 
steam and hot water heating, and dealing in boilers, engines and general steam sup- 
plies. June 24, 1891, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Babcock of Albany, 
and they have two children, Henry Babcock and Charlotte. 

Shields, Francis, son of Adam, was born in Albany in 1822. Adam Shields, who 
was born in Ireland in 1798, came to America in 1819 and settled in Albany, where 
he entei-ed the employ of Levi Solomon, a well known tobacconist. In 1833 he 
formed a partnership with Samuel Townsend, as Townsend & Shields and engaged 
in the manufacture of tobacco. On Mr. Townsend's death, which occurred in 1836, 
Mr. Shields formed a partnership with Charles Chapman and William Taylor, under 
the name of Chapman, Shields & Taylor, and continued until 1840, when Mr. Shields 
withdrew. In 1850, with Daniel Adams, under the style of Shields & Adams, he 
started the present tobacco manufacturing business of Francis Shields in Church 



208 

street. Mr. Adams withdrew in 1860 and Mr. Shields's son Francis became a part- 
ner under the name of Shields & Son ; this continued until 1880, when Mr. Shields 
retired. He died in 1888 and since that year the business has been successfully con- 
ducted by Francis Shields, and is the largest tobacco manufactory in the city. 

Cull, William H., was born in Albany, August 24, 1853, and is a son of David and 
grandson of William Cull, who was born in the North of Ireland, 1800. He came to 
America in 1820, lived in Albany and Brandon, Vt., dying in the latter place in 1876. 
William married Letitia Campbell, of Scotch descent, who died in 1888, aged eighty- 
four. Uavid Cull was born in Albany, became a well known telegraph operator, and 
married Helen M., daughter of James H. Young of Schenectady, N. Y., and died in 
1860. William H. Cull attended the private and public schools of Albany and 
finished his education at the Albany Free Academy. When sixteen he entered the 
office of the Western Union Telegraph Company at Troy, N. Y. , as a messenger boy. 
There he worked faithfully in various capacities, until the American District Mes- 
senger service of Albany was established in the fall of 1874. He was soon after 
appointed superintendent of the company and continued in the same capacity until 
January 1, 1877. A vacancy occurring about that time in the office of the Fire Alarm 
Telegraph office in Albany, Mr. Cull was appointed by Mayor Banks to a position in 
the department. He remained in the office of the Fire Alarm Telegraph Company 
until the 19th of May, 1383, when he was chosen superintendent and electrician of 
the Hudson River Telephone Company, a position which he filled till the 1st of Feb- 
ruary, 1890, when he was invited to take charge of the electrical department of the 
Albany Railway, of which he was speedily made superintendent. He had almost 
everything to do about starting the electrical railway service and ran the first motor 
cars on State street. On the expiration of his contract with the Albany Railway 
Company, May 1, 1891, Mr. Cull again became connected with the Hudson River 
Telephone Company as electrician, and on the 1st of January, 1893, he was appointed 
its general superintendent, a position he has since filled. Mr. Cull is a member of 
Temple Lodge and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He has also been a 
member of the L'nconditional Republican Club since 1876 and was one of its charter 
members and first officers of the permanent organization; for the past five years he 
has been the treasurer of the club. He has always taken a very active interest in 
old Albany's welfare and has been an earnest and efficient worker on public cele- 
brations and reception committees appointed by the different mayors. February 13, 
1888, he married Miss Mary Estelle, daughterof the late James Sprinks of Albany. 

Chase, Hon. Norton, son of Nelson H. Chase, a leading and respected citizen of 
Albany, was born in the capital city, September 3, 1861, and was graduated from the 
Albany Academy in 1878, winning five gold medals. The same year he entered 
Yale College and subsequently became a student at the Albany Law School, from 
which he was graduated as LL.B. and admitted to the bar in 1882. He began 
active practice with, and continued until the death of, Judge Samuel Hand in 1886, 
when he succeeded to the latter's law business. Mr. Chase was successfully con- 
nected in litigation with the Lamson Consolidated Store Service Company, involving 
over twenty different cases, and was also counsel for Tiffany & Company, when the 
State comptroller levied a tax on that corporation of §237,000, which was reduced to 
$6,000. He has also been identified with several criminal trials. He was for two 



269 

years assistant corporation counsel of the city of Albany, and in 1885 was elected 
member of assembly from the Third assembly district. In 1887 he was nominated 
for State senator in the 17th senatorial district; the election was carried into the 
courts and his opponent was declared elected by a plurality of eight. In 1889 Mr. 
Chase was elected State senator and was the youngest man in the Senate of 1890-91. 
During his term he introduced the first bill extending registration throughout the 
county. He is a prominent Democrat of the Jeffersonian school, a ready and fluent 
speaker, a powerful debater and a forceful campaign orator and has been delegate 
to many Democratic conventions. He is a member of the Democratic and Reform 
Clubs of New York, is a trustee and counsel of the Albany Exchange Savings Bank, 
and is a member of several social and other organizations of Albany. In 1881 he 
was commissioned first lieutenant and appointed adjutant, and in 1886 elected major 
of the 10th Battalion N. G. N. Y. In 1895 he was the candidate on the Democratic 
ticket for the office of attorney-general of the State of New York. June 32, 1887, he 
married Mabel Louise, daughter of Henry L. James of Williamsburg, Mass. 

Fitzgerald Brothers, Edward J. and William R., are sons of Edward J. Fitzgerald, 
who came to Albany from Ireland about 1840 and died here in 1884, aged fifty-four; 
he was for many years a plumber, carrying on a successful business alone and later 
under the firm name of E. Fitzgerald & Sons. Edward J. Fitzgerald, jr., was born 
in Albany, December 30, 1864. and learned the trade of machinist at Green Island. 
William R. was born in 1873. In April, 1892, they formed a copartnership under the 
style of Fitzgerald Brothers and purchased of Peter Kinnear the old brass foundry 
at the corner of Beaver and Grand streets, which they have conducted with marked 
success. They manufacture an infinite variety of brass appliances, such as steam 
engine work, iron turning, brass castings and couplings, copper and composition 
castings, cocks, brass work for breweries, etc. 

Ansbro, Thomas, son of Peter and Mary (McEvily) Ansbro, was born in Albany, 
December'18. 1854. His parents were natives of Mayo, province of Connaught, Ire- 
lend. Thomas Ansbro was educated at the Christian Brothers' Academy and in 1868 
obtained a clerkship in Patrick Cuddy's grocery store, where he remained twelve 
years; he then went to New York city and was for a time in the employ of Philip 
Steiner, tea merchant. He came to Albany in 1881 and opened a restaurant on 
Broadway, which he conducted for seven years. In 1888 he was appointed, by 
Superintendent McEwan, as keeper in the Albany County Penitentiary, which he 
resigned after five years, to accept the position of superintendent of the brush fac- 
tory of the penitentiary, to which position he was appointed by Mr. Bronk, the con- 
tractor. In 1893 he was appointed inspector of markets by Mayor Manning and held 
the position until the expiration of Mayor Manning's term of office. In 1895 he was 
appointed appraiser of customs by Hon. John P. Masterson and still occupies that 
position. Mr. Ansbro represented the Fourth ward in the Common Council for si.x 
years. He is a member of the Catholic Union, and m 1891 married Delia, daughter 
of Michael Coughlin of Albany. They have one son, Anthony Brady. 

Liscomb, Orlando P., son of Darius P. and Anna Gage (Clement) Liscomb, 
farmers, was born in Hartland, Vt., January 1, 1838, and moved with his parents to 
Rutland in 1841, where he received his education. His paternal ancestors were 
early settlers of New England; on his mother's side he descends from Robert 



270 

Clement, who came in his own ship from Coventry, England, to Haverhill, Mass., 
about 1640. When twenty-two Mr. Liscorab engaged in mercantile business in 
Castleton, Vt. In 1863 he enlisted in Co. M, 11th Vt. Vol. Inf. (later the 1st Vt. H. 
A.), and served until the close of the war, participating in the battles of Spottsyl- 
vania. Cold Harbor (where he was wounded) and North Anna. Returning from the 
war he again engaged in mercantile business in Castleton, Vt., and since 1868 has 
been identified with the oil trade. In 1868 he first associated himself in this busi- 
ne.ss with E. W. Murphey, and in 1873 they became partners under the present firm 
name of Murphey & Liscomb. The firm has a branch house in Springfield, Mass , 
conducted under the name of Murphey, Liscomb & Haskell, and another in Hudson, 
N. Y., styled Murphey, Liscomb & Co. ; they are exclusively wholesale dealers in nil. 
Mr. Liscomb is a member of Fort Orange and the Albany Country Clubs and of Lee 
Lodge, F. & A. M. of Castleton, Vt. In 1873 he married Cornelia Speed of Ithaca, 
N. Y., who died in 1884, leaving four children: Percival Clement, Margaret How- 
ard, Orlando Parkhurst, jr., and Christina Morrell. 

Cady, Dr. Frank William, son of Clark S. and Atalanta (Barrett) Cady, was born 
in Warsaw, N. Y., 'December 13. 1863, and in 1871 moved with the family to Holley, 
Orleans county, where he received a public school education. His maternal uncle. 
Dr. W. C. Barrett, is the well known dean of Buffalo Dental University. Dr. Cady 
studied dentistry with his brother. Dr. Edward Everett Cady, of Moline, 111 , and 
was graduated from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery in 1888. He practiced 
in Earlville, 111., until 1890, when he became associated with his preceptor brother at 
Hoboken, N. J. In 1892 he came to Albany and organized the Cady Dental Com- 
pany, which has a branch office in Troy and a force of eight assistants and of which 
he has since been the proprietor. He is a memberof the Albany and Camera Clubs. In 
March, 1891, he married Mary Louise, daughter of Orange J. Eddy, a prominent 
lawyer and president of the Exchange Bank of Holley, N. Y. They have one son, 
Frank William, jr., born January 26, 1893. 

Murphy, Joseph A., son of James F. and grandson of Robert Murphy, a native of 
Ireland, was born in Albany, April 22, 1873. James F. Murphy, born in Philadel- 
phia, Pa., August 8, 1845, came to Albany in 1856 and for about twenty-eight years 
has been a shipping clerk for the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. In 1861 he enlisted in Co. 
D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and served four years, being honorably di.scharged as first lieu- 
tenant. He married Margaret, daughter of Daniel Murphy of Troy and Albany, 
who died October 19, 1894, leaving four children; John S., Joseph A., Helen M. and 
Henry A. Joseph A. Murphy was graduated from St. Joseph's Academy in 1891, read 
law with Edward J. Meegan and was admitted to the bar December 6, 1894. Since 
then he has been associated with Delancy Potter in the practice of his profession. 

Meegan, Thomas A., son of Thomas A., sr., a large lumber merchant and promi- 
nent citizen, and a grandson of Thomas Meegan (see sketch of Edward J. Meegan), 
was born in Albany February 3, 1862, and was graduated from the Christian Brothers' 
Academy with honors in 1879. He read law with his uncle, Edward J., was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Binghamton, N. Y., May 3, 1883, and since then has practiced 
with his preceptor. April 11, 1893, he was elected justice of the Albany City Court, 
by a majority of 3,900, for three years, but the new constitution reduced this term to 
two years and eight months. In November, 1895, he was re-elected for a full term 



271 

of six years from January 1, 1896. He is judge advocate on the staff of tlie Jackson 
Corps, a four year trustee of the order of Elks, and a member of the Royal Arcanum, 

C. B. L., Catholic Union, and A. O. H. He is an active Democrat, has frequently 
been a delegate and chairman of assembly, conventions and as a lawyer and judge 
takes high rank among the leaders of the Albany bar. 

Le Boeuf, Randall J., is a son of Peter J. Le Boeuf, who was born in France in 
1834, came to Canada with his parents when young, and was graduated from the 
Fort Edward Institute; he engaged first in the manufacture of axes in Cohoes and 
later became a member of the collar, cuff and shirt firms of Wheeler, Allendorph & 
Le Boeuf and Wheeler, Le Boeuf & Co., of Troy. His wife was Sarah A. Saunders. 
Randall J. was born in Cohoes, March 10, 1870, and when nine years old came with 
the family to Albany, where he finished his education at the grammar and High 
Schools, graduating in 1887. He read law with Eugene Burlingame until the fall of 
1889, when he entered Cornell University in the course of history and political science ; 
at the end of the first year he discontinued these studies and entered the law depart- 
ment, from which he was graduated in 1893, being one of the prize debaters and re- 
ceiving also a thesis prize. He was made a member of the Uelta Upsilon fraternity 
and was president of the junior and senior classes of the law school. He was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Saratoga Springs, September 14, 1892, and was managing clerk 
for Sackett & Bennett, elevated railroad attorneys, and assistant attorney for Carter, 
Hughes & Kellogg, both of New York, until February, 1895, when he returned to 
Albany and formedhis present partnership with Eugene Burlingame. In November, 
1895, he was appointed corporation counsel for the village of Greenbush. He has 
been several terms a member of the executive council of the Delta L^psilon fraternity, 
and is a member of the Cornell University Club and the Albany Republican Uncon- 
ditionaLs. June 3, 1896, he married Katharine, daughter of Hiram L. Washburn of 
Albany. 

Phibbs, Thomas, son of Thomas and Catharine (Donahy) Phibbs, was born in 
Ireland, October 8, 1846. He was educated in the public schools of Ireland and in 
1867 came to America and settled in Canada, where he followed the occupation of 
farmer. Four years later he moved to Albany, N. Y., where he engaged m the ice 
business with Hiram Hotaling, with whom he remained four years, at the end of 
which time he started in the ice business for himself. In 1893 Mr. Phibbs was 
elected president of the Hudson Valley Ice Company and has retained the office 
ever since. Mr. Phibbs is a member of Greenbush Lodge, F. & A. M., Greenbush 
Chapter, R. A. M., Dewitt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., and Temple Commandery, 
A. A. O. N. M. S. He has three children: William, Lulu and Frank. 

Sims, Albert F., superintendent of the Albany Weather Bureau, was born in 
New Y'ork city, August 19, 1862, was graduated from the College of the City of New 
V(H-k in 188C, and soon afterward entered the Signal Service Bureau in Washington, 

D. C. Later he took a course at the School of Application at Fort Myers, and on 
the outbreak of the Indian troubles in Arizona was ordered to the Apache Pass as 
telegraph and heliograph operator, where he was soon placed in charge of the re- 
peating station at St. Thomas. He was promoted for bravery and subsequently was 
stationed at Dodge City, Kan., Fort Smith, Ark., and in Wyoming, where he built a 
military line, 150 miles from Rawlins to Washakie. In 1888 he was ordered to Al- 



bany to take charge of the Signal Bureau at this point, succeeding John C. Barnes, 
who was the successor of Alois Donhausser. The Albany Weather Bureau was 
established December 32, 1874, the observations being confined to taking the tem- 
perature, wind directions and state of weather. Its scope was later enlarged and 
now reports are received twice daily from all the signal stations in the United States. 
The territory embraces all of the State east of Syracuse from Rhinebeck to Canada, 
Western Massachusetts and Vermont, and during the year ending June 30. 1896, 
over 300,000 forecasts were sent out. In October, 1890, Mr. Sims married Mary, 
daughter of Capt. James B. Smith of Port Washington, Long Island. 

Hubbard, George A., son of Miles and Maria C. (Cadman) Hubbard, was born in 
Lexington, Ky., September 1, 1856. His parents moved to New York State when he 
was an infant and he was educated in the Spencertown (N. Y.) Academy. He then 
removed to Troy, N. Y., where for a time he was employed as cutter in the stores of 
Morris Gross and Julius Saul, and subsequently he entered the employ of G. M. 
Hitchins, manufacturer of ladies' underwear and calico wrappers, on Green Island. 
After three years he went back to Julius Saul, but remained only a short time, for 
Mr. Hitchins liked his work so well that he gave him an interest in the business as 
an inducement to return. Later the business was moved to Hudson, N. Y., and 
then to Albany, where, after tw-o years, Mr. Hubbard succeeded to the sole owner- 
ship, and has since manufactured in his own name. In 1880 he married Florence 
M., daughter of Thomas D. Davi.4 of Waterford, N. Y. 

Woolverton, Andrew W., son of Charles B. and Harriet F". (White) Woolverton, 
was born in Albany, N. Y. , October 29, 1857. He was educated in the Albany 
Academy and in 1872 entered the employ of his grandfather, William White. In 
1876 he went into the employ of the National Commercial Bank and left there as 
bookkeeper in 1883 and formed a partnership with Thomas Austin for conducting 
a general fire insurance agency, in which business he is now engaged. Mr. Wool- 
verton is a trustee of St. Margaret's church at Menands, Albany county, and is the 
treasurer of the Albany Board of Trade./ In 1884 he was married to Annie, 
daughter of Dr. William H. Bailey, and they have two children, Edward B. and 
Harriette. 

Knickerbocker, Edmund Chase, is a lineal descendant of (1 ) John Von Berghan 
Knickerbocker, of Brabant, Holland, a captain in the Dutch navy, whose son, (2) Har- 
mon Jansen Knickerbocker, born in Friesland in 1648, came to America about 1669. 
His American lineage is (8) Lawrence, of Red Hook, N.Y, ; (4) Harmon, born 1719; (5) 
Harmon Jansen, born 1748; (6) Peter; (7) Edmund, born 1814; and (8) Irving, born 
1839. The last two settled in Albany, where the subject of this sketch was born, 
February 18, 1867. Edmund C. Knickerbocker w^as graduated from the Albany 
Academy in 1884 as valedictorian of his class, and the same year entered Williams 
College, from which he was graduated witll honor in 1888. He read law with Harris 
& Rudd, was graduated from the Albany Law School in 1890, admitted to the bar in 
May of the same year, and has remained in the oiifice of his preceptors ever since, 
becoming a member of the firm in October, 1892. He was much interested in the 
renewal of the Y. M. A. Library and is recording secretary of the executive com- 
mittee of that association. He is superintendent of the Madison Avenue Reformed 
church Sunday school, assistant superintendent of Olivet Sunday school and a mem- 



ber of the Republican Unconditional Club and the Chi Psi Society. He married, in 
1893, Josephine, daughter of Hon. Vreeland H. Youngman of Albany, and they 
have one daughter, Winifred Chase Knickerbocker. 

Guardineer, George H., son of John and Mary (Cathington) Guardineer, was born 
in Bridgeport, Conn., June 9, 1852, and came with his parents to Albany in 1855. His 
father, an iron moulder by trade, was for many years assistant superintendent of the 
old State Capitol. When thirteen Mr. Guardineer, having finished his education in 
the public schools, entered the photograph gallery of McDonald & Sterry and 
remained with them and their successor, J. N. McDonald for twenty-seven years, 
being a traveling salesman for the latter for twelve years. About 1867 Mr. McDon- 
ald established in connection with the gallery a photographic supply business, which 
Mr. Guardineer purchased November 1, 1894, and which he successfully continues, 
carrying a large stock of all kinds of photographic materials. Mr. Guardineer was 
the Republican supervisor of the Seventeenth ward in 1888; was a member of the 
Board of Public Instruction from 1891 until it ceased to exist as an elective board ; 
and is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 242, 
R. A. M., the A. O U. W., the Royal Arcanum, the Albany Burgesses Corps, the 
Acacia and Unconditional Republican Clubs, the Knights of Pythias and the 
Uniformed Rank K. of P., in which he is assistant adjutant-general with the rank 
of colonel for the State of New York. In December, 1873, he married Emma Reid 
of Voorheesville, N. Y. , and their children are Nellie and Frederick. 

Havens, Elmer Hamilton, is a descendant of David Havens, born July 13. 1777, 
and Elizabeth Goodrich, his wife, born December 3, 1785, daughter of a Revolution- 
ary soldier. Their children were David Hyland, Allgenelte, Benjamin Franklin, 
John Braddock and Walter Burling. Benjamin Franklin Havens, born May 22, 1810, 
married Elizabeth Groesbeck, born m 1817, and had five children: Eugene Hiram, 
Morton Hamilton, Timothy C, Emma and Caroline. Morton Hamilton Havens, 
born July 27, 1838, married Elizabeth M. Bunker, born March 16, 1842; their children 
were Edward Morton (deceased), Ella Elizabeth, Elmer Hamilton. Franklin, Marcia 
Vanderlip, Alice Rebecca (deceased), Jessie May, Morton and Lydia Oliver. Mr. 
Havens enlisted August 13. 1862, in Co. F, 113th N. Y. Inf. (afterward known as the 
7th N. Y. H. A.), became sergeant August 18, and was promoted second lieutenant of 
Bat. H, December 13, 1863. He was made second lieutenant of Co. D, 18th U. S. 
Vet. Reserve Corps, with rank from September 22, 1864. On April 15, 1867. he was 
appointed president of the Board of Registration of Prince Anne county, Va., mus- 
tered out of service January 1, 1868, and brevetted first lieutenant February 10, and 
captain March 30, 1866, by the Legislature of the State of New York for gallant 
and meritorious conduct. Elmer Hamilton Havens, born in Albany, January 30, 
1864, was educated in the public and high schools and when nineteen began to learn 
the carpenter's trade of his father, with whom he continued as foreman several years. 
In 1888 he engaged in business with his brother, Franklin, and since 1890 has been 
alone. Among the many buildings erected by him are the Smith & Herrick shoe 
factory, the Schell flats, and a number of residences on Pine Hills. He is a member 
(if the Unconditional Republican Club and in 1895 was elected alderman of the 
Eleventh ward for two years. September 21, 1886, he married Ida May, daughter of 



Sydney Chapman and Aleitha (Rossman) Blakeman of Greenbush, N. Y., and their 
children are Carrie, Aleitha, Elmer Hamilton, jr., and Sydney Chapman. 

Dugan, Patrick C, son of James and Jane (Lowry) Dugan, natives of Ireland, wa.s 
born in the town of Wright, Schoharie county, March 10, 1867. His father came to 
America in 1851. Mr. Dugan was reared on a farm, taught school winters and was 
graduated from the Schoharie Academy in 1884. He continued teaching until 1886, 
when he began the study of law in the office of Stephen L. Mayham, then county 
judge of Schoharie county and now a justice of the Supreme Court. He was admit- 
ted to the bar of Albany November 30, 1889, and on December 1 formed a copartner- 
ship with C. W. Hinman, which continued two years in Schoharie. February 32, 
1893, he came to Albany, where he has since been in active practice. He has had 
much experience in criminal law, and as a Democrat has been active in campaign 
work. September 1, 1896, he married Agnes H., daughter of John J. O'Neill of 
Albany. 

Jewett, Rev. Freeborn G., jr., son of Freeborn G. and Ella Kate (Taylor) Jewett, 
was born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in 1866. He is a great-grandson of Hon. Freeborn 
G. Jewett, who was the first chief justice of the Court of Appeals of New York 
State, and who also was elected to Congress; and agrandnephew of the Hon. George 
Riddell, United States Senator from Delaware, who was the first senator who died 
before completing his term of office, and who was buried from the Capitol. Homer 
A. Nelson, another great-uncle of Rev. Mr. Jewett, was secretary of state of New 
York and at one time a candidate for the nomination for the office of governor. He 
was also one of the four Democratic congressmen to vote for the abolition of slavery. 
Mr. Jewett's step-grandfather Marvin, uncle of Gen. Selden E, Marvin, is the only 
person living who received a commission from President Jackson. He is judge of 
the Northern District of Florida. Since 1872 Mr. Jewett's father has been confiden- 
tial clerk in the office of the secretary of state of New York. Rev. Freeborn G. 
Jewett, jr., moved to Albany, N. Y.. in 1872 with his parents and completed the 
course of instruction at the Albany Academy. He then entered Williams College 
and was graduated in 1888 with the degree of B. A. He received the prize for elocu- 
tion and while at college did considerable literary work, as the editor of the " Gul" 
during his senior year and as one of the editors of the Williams Literary Monthly. 
He was also a member of the Chi Psi fraternity. After completing his college 
course, he was lay reader at Grace Episcopal church in Albany, meanwhile keep- 
ing up his studies and teaching elocution in the Albany Academy during the school 
year 1888-89. The first term of the fall of 1889 he spent at the Episcopal General 
Theological Seminary in New York and then entered the Berkeley Divinity School 
at Middletown, Conn., of which Bishop Williams, the presiding bishop of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church in America, is dean. He was graduated from the in- 
stitution on June 3. 1891, and ordained deacon by Bishop Williams. June 10, 1891, 
he married Minnie Wasson, daughter of ex-Congressman John M. Bailey of Albany. 
June 31, 1891, he became assistant minister of St. Paul's church in Albany and on 
December 17, of the same year, he was ordained priest by Bishop Doane. In 
February, 1892, he was unanimously elected rector of St. Paul's church and during 
his pastorate many new branches of church work have been established, among 
which may be mentioned the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and a chapel in the west 



375 

end of the city. Mr. Jewett is a member of tlie Board of Visitors of the Albany 
Female Academy. 

Barends, Frederick J., son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Schippers) Barends, was 
born in Amsterdam, Holland, August 10, 1856. He was educated in the public schools 
of Holland and in March, 1869, came to America and settled in Albany, N. Y., where 
for a short time he attended school, and subsequently worked two years in the print- 
ing office of the late Joel Munsell. He then went into the employ of the B. W. 
Wooster furniture company, where he remained twenty-five years. January 1, 1896, 
he was appointed deputy county clerk of Albany county and he fills the office most 
acceptably. In 1890 he was nominated for the New York State Assemby by the 
Republicans of the first district of Albany county and was defeated, but had the sat- 
isfaction of reducing the Democratic majority considerably. In November, 1880, he 
married Hannah Feig of Albany. 

Higgins, Michael E., chief of the Albany Fire Department, is a son of John and 
Elizabeth (Mullin) Higgins, natives of Ireland, who, about 1844, settled in Albany 
where they died, the former in 1856 and the latter in 1885. Michael Higgins was 
born in Albany, January 17, 1845, received a public school education and when 
eleven became a newsboy ; later he was an engineer on the river, learned the ma- 
chinist's trade and from 1860 to 1869 was first engineer in Clark, GifEord & Judson's 
old flour mill. In 1869 he was relief engineer and afterward engineer of Steamer 
No. 6, which position he held eleven years, when he resigned but continued on as a 
hoseman. For three years from 1878 he was also engaged in the meat business, and 
in 1879, 1880 and 1881, served as supervisor of the Fifteenth ward. From 1880 to 1886 
he was city marshal; in 1885 he was appointed assistant exgineer, and in 1886, on 
the death of James McQuade, chief engineer of the Albany Fire Department and has 
since held the latter position. He has been continuously connected with the fire de- 
partment since 1864, holding every post and becoming a member of the present (paid) 
force in 1867. For several years he was an active Democrat, a member of various 
political conventions and first assistant marshal of the Albany Phalanx, and is a mem- 
ber of the A. O. U. W. , and the Exempt Firemen's Association. In 1870 he mar- 
ried Elizabeth L., daughter of James Gallagher of Albany, and they have had five 
children; John F., Edward J., and Jennie C, who are living, and Hattie and Martin 
Delehanty, deceased. 

Krumaghim, Eugene, was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, N. Y. , 
April 3, 1853. In 1860 he removed to Albany and was graduated from the Albany 
High School in 1873. During the years of 1880 and 1881 he was principal of the High 
School at Oilman, 111. Since that time he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits 
in Albany, and he is at present connected with Weidman & Co., wholesale grocers. 
He was president of the Young Men's Association for one term and during his in- 
cumbency of that office the §50,000 for Harmanus Bleecker Hall was raised by pop- 
ular subscription. He is past master of Wadsworth Lodge F. &- A. M. and is prom- 
inently connected with the Unconditional and Press Clubs. 

Condon, William R., born in Albany, September 28, 1870, is a son of Thomas A. 
and Helen J. (Keeney) Condon, and a grandson of James Condon, a native of Ire- 
land, who settled in Albany when seventeen years of age and died here in May, 1896, 



276 

aged eighty eight. James was one of the first dyers in the capital city and continued 
in that business for fifty years. He also served as alderman and supervisor. He 
married Margaret J. Hennessy, who died at the age of thirty-five, leaving nine chil- 
dren, all deceased. Thomas A. Condon, born in 1851, was a manufacturer of mat- 
tresses, deputy sheriff and a detective on the police force, and died March 8, 1895. 
His wife died October 13, 1894, leaving two children, William R. and Mary J. Will- 
iam R. Condon, when fifteen, became a clerk in the Albany freight office of the D. & 
H. C. Co., where he remained nine years. February 15, 1896, he formed a copart- 
nership with Joseph A. Wisely, as Condon & Wisely, and engaged in the retail busi- 
ness of hats, caps, men's furnishings, etc. December 15, 1891, he became a member 
of Co. B, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y. On June G, 1894, he married Madeline D., daugh- 
ter of William Bailie of Albany. 

Cook, Alfred, son of William J. and Margaret (Risk) Cook, was born in Albany, 
June 3, 1858, was educated at the Boys' Academy and was graduated from the Al- 
bany Normal College in 1878. Shortly afterwards he obtained a situation as assist- 
ant bookkeeper with Haskell & Gallup, wholesale dealers in coffees, teas and spices, 
where he remained until they went out of business in 1881, when he engaged with 
Tracy, Wolverton & Wilson, wholesale grocers, as shipper. Serving in this capacity 
for about six months, he was promoted to represent the concern on the road. In 
1883 Mr. Wolverton retired and the business was carried on by Tracy & Wilson. 
Mr. Cook contmued to represent them until 1888, when he became the junior mem- 
ber of the concern of Tracy, Wilson & Cook. In 1890 he purchased the entire busi- 
ness and is now located at No. 45 Hudson avenue, as a wholesale jobber in tea, coffee 
and spices. He is one of the charter members of the Albany Commercial Travelers' 
Club, a member of the Commercial Travelers' Mutual Accident Association of 
America and honorary member of the Fort Johnson Club, Johnstown, N. Y. His 
father came to Albany from Galway, N. Y. , and was engaged in the wholesale gro- 
cery business until his death, being a member of the firms of Cook & Wing, and 
Cook, Wing & Wooster. 

Walsh, Henry Haswell, is a descendant of Dudley Walsh, a native of the North of 
Ireland, who becam.e a settler and one of the early mayors of Albany, where he died. 
He married Sarah Stevenson, September 24, 1793. Their son, John Stevenson 
Walsh, a member of the hardware firm of Godfrey & Walsh of Albany, died Febru- 
ary 15, 1857, aged sixty-five. He married Laura (born April 16, 1811), daughter of 
John and Abbie (Spencer) Townsend. Dudley Walsh, their son, born in Bethlehem, 
Albany county. May 8, 1841, enlisted February 18, 1862, in Co. D. 90th N. Y. Vol. Inf., 
as second lieutenant; March 16, 1863, he was promoted captain of Co. K, 134th N. Y. 
Vols., and was discharged August 7, 1865. He was three years in the Albany post- 
office and some time a produce merchant. April 26, 1865, he married Josephine A., 
daughter of Col. H(^nry B. and Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Haswell of Albany, and they 
have had six children: John Stevenson (married April 20, 1896, Grace Shutter), 
Henry H., Laura Townsend, Dudley, jr. (died in infancy), James (died in infancy), 
and Elizabeth Trowbridge. Henry Haswell Walsh, born November 30, 1867, was 
educated in the public schools and Albany Academy and spent several years in the 
hardware stores of M. E. Viele, Woodward & Hill and J. E. Taylor & Co. In 1892 
he started his present harness manufacturing establishment. June 27, 1894, he mar- 
ried Addie, daughter of Henry Vine of Albany. 



277 

Wells, Anton, born in Germany, August 34, 1835, came to America in 1837 and 
settled in Albany, where he has since resided. He learned the trade of grate and 
fender maker, and in 1849 purchased the retail stove and heating establishment of 
James Goadby, which he has since successfully conducted, being one of the oldest 
and best known stove dealers in the city. He is an extensive dealer in grates, fire- 
places, hot air furnaces, stoves, ranges, etc. In 1850 he married Caroline Oberist, a 
native of Germany, and they have had seven children: Polly (Mrs. Prieser), Louis, 
Amelia, Edward, Theodore (deceased), Reinhart and Caroline. 

Hartt, Eugene R., son of Chauncey N. and Sophia J. (Ross) Hartt, was born in 
Niagara county, N. Y., April 30, 1845, was educated in private schools at Gasport, 
N. Y. , and at the Albany Boys' Academy, and first engaged in buying grain in the 
West for Albany houses. Later he became a clerk in the Merchants' National Bank 
of Albany, bookkeeper for Mills & McMartin, and in 1870 a member of the wholesale 
grocery firm of William J. Cook & Co., which ceased business in 1873. He then en- 
tered the employ of Albert Wing, Son & Co., wholesale grocers. In 1887 this firm 
adopted its present name of Wing Bros. & Hartt (see sketch of Albert J. Wing). Mr. 
Hartt is a member of the Fort Orange Club and was for about two years a water 
commissioner. He married Ada B., daughter of William J. Cook, and has one 
daughter. Marguerite H. 

Conway, Joseph A., is the son i)f Michael and Ann Conway, who removed from 
New York city to Albany in 1858. Michael was for many years connected with the 
Albany police force, was the first captain of the present police department, was a 
mason by trade, and was deputy county sheriff at the time of his death. May 5, 1880. 
Joseph A. Conway, born October 37, 1858, in Albany, was educated in the High 
School and in the fall of 1875 became a student in the law office of Hawley & McNa- 
mara, with whom he began active practice upon his admission to the bar in 188U. 
Later he formed a taw copartnership with his brother, Martin D. Conway, afterward 
surrogate, which continued for six years. Since then he has practiced alone. He 
was the Democratic candidate for judge of the Justice's Court in the spring of 1880, 
but was defeated, though he ran 900 ahead of his ticket. In 1887 his brother was 
elected police justice, but after serving eighteen months resigned and was elected 
county surrogate. October 38, 1890, Mr. Conway married Louisa A., daughter of 
Frank Maxsteadt of Albany. They have had three children, all deceased. 

Moore Brothers, Veterinarians. — Henry C. Moore was born in Ripley, England, 
August 13, 1838, and came to America with his parents, Henry and Emma Moore, 
in 1853, settling in Cortland, N. Y. Henry Moore was a well known veterinary sur- 
geon, being a student of Statham, the celebrated veterinarian of Derby, England. 
He practiced successfully in Cortland and later in Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , and about 
1873 came to Albany, where he continued his profession until he retired in 1886. 
Henry C. Moore was educated at the Cortland Academy and studied veterinary 
surgery with his father. Edward Moore was born in Cortland county, August 17, 
1855, was graduated from the Poughkeepsie Academy, and in 1877 was graduated 
from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of London, England. The two 
brothers were associated more or Jess with their father until his retirement in 188(i, 
when they succeeded him and established their present veterinary hospital in Hudson 
which is without doubt the largest and most complete of its kind in America. 



278 

Here all domestic animals are treated in the departments of pharmacy, surgery, 
dentistry, etc. The firm also has permanent charge of the leading stock farms and 
private herds throughout the country and is the best known in the United States, 
havmg a national reputation. Henry C. Moore is a member of Apollo Lodge No. 13, 
F. & A. M., of Troy, Temple Coramandery No. 2. K. T., Cyprus Temple, Nobles of 
the Mystic Shrine, and the Acacia Club of Albany. Edward Moore was for seven 
years a member of Co. A, 10th Battalion, and is a member of the Old Guard Zouave 
Cadets. While in England he was cattle plague inspector for the English govern- 
ment in 1877, having charge of the London district. He has done much for State 
and local boards of health, has long been the veterinarian in charge of the Albany 
Fire Department, and since about 1880 has been the veterinary editor of the Country 
Gentlemen. 

McCombe, James, was born March 20, 1834, in the town of Ayr, Scotland, where 
he began learning the trade of dyer, which he finished in Glasgow. He came to 
America in August, 1854, settling first in New York city, where he remained eleven 
years. He .spent two years in Troy and came to Albany August 1, 1867; here he 
established his present dye business at No. 163 South Pearl street, which since 1891 
has been located at No. 99 on the same street. He is the second oldest dyer in the 
city. 

McDonough, Clarence J., is a grandson of Michael and Mary McDonough, natives 
of Ireland, and the only son of Michael McDonough, jr., who was born in Chatham, 
N. Y. , and who came to Albany about 1855, w-here he died Maj' 4, 1895. Michael 
McDonough established himself in the wholesale liquor business in the spring of 
1860, at 611 and 613 Broadway, and successfully continued there until his death, when 
he was succeeded by his son Clarence J. He was a heavy importer and built up a 
large wholesale trade. He married Julia T. Blake, who, with one of their three 
children survives him. Clarence J. McDonough was born December 28, 1873, and 
was graduated from the Albany Academy in 1894. 

Piatt, William John, son of Charles E. and Helen (Wiley) Piatt, was born in Al- 
bany, January 28, 1857. The family originally came to Albany county from Rye, 
Conn., and have lived there for several generations. Charles E. Piatt, son of James 
E., was born in Albany, December 25, 1826, and died February 22, 1896. He was a 
butcher and meat dealer. His wife's death occurred March 2, 1896 and their chil- 
dren were James E., Susie A., William J., Lansing 1. and Charles D., all of Albany. 
Mr. Piatt enlisted for three years in the 113th N. Y. Inf. (which became the 7th 
N. Y. H. A.) and was stationed in the defenses of Washington. After one year's 
service he was promoted lieutenant. William J. Piatt attended the public and high 
schools of Albany. He was for two years a clerk in the bookstore of Edwin Ellis & 
Co. and for nine years "was employed in the Clinton Stove Works in Troy. In 1888 
he engaged in the meat business with his father, and on the latter's death .succeeded 
him. 

Robinson, Robert J., was born in Albany, June 19, 1869, and is the only son of 
Robert and Caroline (Garrity) Robinson. His father was born in the North of 
Ireland, and coming to Albany, engaged in the merchant tailoring business until his 
death, which occurred September 13, 1892; his mother died in 1882. Robert J. 



379 

Robinson was educatedjn the public schools and academy, and the Albany Business 
College; he then associated himself with his father and learned the trade of mer- 
chant tailoring, and on his father's death succeeded him in business. His father 
was a Mason, and he is a member of the Albany County Wheelmen. He is a mem- 
ber of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417. F. & A. M., Temple Chapter No. 5, R. A. M., 
and the Masonic Veteran Association. In 1862 he married Christina A., daughter 
of William Logan of County Armagh, Ireland, and they have five children living: 
James Samuel, Martha J., Tysie Estelle, John Hall and Elizabeth Shanks. 

Stahl, Simon, son of Jacob and Rosaline Stahl, was born in Ostrova, Germany, 
January 29. 1860, and came to America with his parents in 1867, settling in Elmira, 
N. Y. , where he was educated. In 1874 he became a clerk in the fancy goods and 
millinery store of A. F. Cohen, with whom he remained four years; he was then for 
three years in the employ of Stahl & Case, of Jersey City, N. J., and in 1881 opened 
a millinery and fancy goods store there, which he continued till 1884; later he was in 
business in Newark, N. J., and also clerked for Lichtenstein & Sons for a time. In 
February, 1888, he came to Albany and with his brother Julius, under the firm name 
of J, Stahl Sz Brother, bought out the millinery establishment of M. M. Hydemen. In 
1892 Simon Stahl purchased his brother's interest and since then has conducted the 
business alone with marked success; he is exclusively a retailer, employs about forty 
hands and is one of the leading milliners in Eastern New York. In 1880 he married 
Miss Sarah, daughter of Charles Stone of Jersey City, N. J., who takes an active 
part in the management of the business and to whom is due a ven* large measure 
of the success attained. 



Lathrop, Charles H., descends from Rev. John Lothrop, who was graduated from 
Oueens College, Cambridge, England, as B. A. in 1605 and as M. A. in 1609, and 
who for religious freedom came to America in 1634 and settled in Scituate, Mass., 
where he was pastor of the church until 1639, when he moved to Barnstable, where 
he died in 1653. The family is traced back in England to 1216, when the name ap- 
pears as Lowthrope. Henry B. Lathrop, grandfather of Charles H., married Sarah 
Preston and when a young man came to Albany, where he engaged in mercantile 
business and where he died in 1870. He was born in Lisbon, Conn., November 17, 
1794. Charles H. Lathrop, sr., his son, was born in Albany, March 15, 1880, was for 
many years the agent of the National Express Company and died here Decembers, 
1895. He married Lydia A. Presby. Charles H. Lathrop, their son, born May 27, 
1862, in Albany, was educated in the public and high schools and was a clerk for 
Benjamin Lodge, the well known merchant tailor, until 1889, when he formed a 
partnership with Charles S. Shanks, as Shanks & Lathrop, and became Mr. Lodge's 
successor. The firm has successfully carried on a large merchant tailoring business. 
Mr. Lathrop has been secretary and treasurer and is now vice-president of the Al- 
bany County Wheelmen. September 23, 1885, he married Mary E., daughter of 
Hon. Warren S. Kelley of Albany, and their children are Charles H., jr., and 
Mary E. 

Sporborg, Silas, is the son of Joseph Sporborg, a native of Bavaria, Germany, who 
came to America and settled in Albany about 1836 and who died here in April, 1889, 
aged seventy-three. Joseph was a prominent wholesale milliner, and founded the 
present business of his son in 1846. In 1876 he took his sons Henry J. and Silas into 



partnership under the firm name of J. Sporborg & Sons, and upon his retirement in 
1886 the style of J. Sporborg's Sons was adopted. Henry J. died in December, 1892, 
and since then Silas Sporborg has continued the business alone, carrying on a large 
wholesale trade. Joseph was for many years president of the congregation of Beth 
Emeth and a director of the National Savings Bank. Silas Sporborg, born in Al- 
bany, February 10, 1851, was educated at the Boys' Academy and Professor Anthony's 
School and when eighteen entered his father's store. He is a member of Washmg- 
ton Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., the Bna Brith and the Delphi Club. 

Enos, Henry D., is a grandson of Ethol Enos. a large farmer and long a justice 
of the peace of Watervliet and a colonel in the war of 1812. Henry S. Enos, father 
of Henry D., was born in 1831, engaged in the lumber business, served three and a 
half years in Co. C, 91st N. Y. Vols., in the Rebellion, and was connected with the 
Watervliet Railroad company until 1885, when he moved to Iowa. Henry D. Enos, 
born in Albany, August 6, 1862, received a high school education and for ten years 
followed the iron, moulder's trade. In 1890 he engaged in the life insurance business 
and soon afterward became general agent for Eastern New York for the State Mu- 
tual Life Assurance Company of Worcester, Mass., which position he still holds. 
He is a member of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter. 
R. A. M., and De Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., and has been ruling elder in the 
Fourth Presbyterian church since he was twenty-six years of age, being the young- 
est man ever elected to that office in that church. He is also a member of the Re- 
publican Unconditional Club and has been especially prominent in mission work, 
being the chief promoter and a founder of the Viaduct Mission, of which he was si.\ 
years superintendent. November 10, 1886, he married Mary J., daughter of William 
Thomas of Albany, and their children are Henry T., M. Margaret and Ruth. Mr. 
Enos's great-grandfather, Matthias Enos, served in the Revolutionary war. 

De Blaey, Abram, son of Mathew and Maria (Lansen) De Blaey, was born in Ter- 
nenzen, Holland, September 5, 1847. In 1854 his parents came to America and in 
April, 1855, settled in Albany. He was educated in the public schools and learned 
the trade of shoemaker, which he followed from 1863 to 1888, being a large manufac- 
turer on Broadway for five years. In 1888 he bought the news room at No. 31 State 
street, where the business is carried on in the name of his wife, H. L. De Blaey. 
Mr. De Blaey is a member of Capital City Lodge No. 440, 1. O. (). F., New York En- 
campment No. 1, I. O. O. F., and Canton Nemo P. M. No. 1. June 14, 1871, he mar- 
ried Harriet L. Mink, and they have one daughter, Nellie L. 

Houck, James A., the oldest hotel proprietor in one place in Albany, is a son of 
Christian Houck, one of the earliest hotel keepers in the town of Knox, Albany 
county, where James A. was born in 1839. About 1859 the family came to Albany. 
where Christian conducted the Avenue House on Washington avenue until his 
death. In 1871 James A. Houck succeeded a Mr. Brayton as proprietor of the Eagle 
Hotel, on State street corner of South Pearl, and immediately changed the name to 
the Globe Hotel, which it still bears, and under which it has attained a wide popu- 
larity. In May, 1894, he admitted his son Clarence A. as a partner under the firm 
name of J. A. Houck & Son. Mr Houck is one of the best known landlords in East- 
ern New York and during his quarter of a century proprietorship of the Globe has 
won a high reputation among the traveling public. He was elected sheriff of Al- 



281 

bany county in 1879, as a Republican, and served one term and was a candidate for 
county clerk, but suffered defeat along with the rest of the ticket. 

Wakefield, William H., & Son.— W. H. Wakefield's father, John Wakefield, a na- 
tive of the North of Ireland, settled in Albany about 1838 and died here in 1884. He 
was for many years a groceryman and coal dealer in the west end of the city and 
wfts long superintendent of the reservoir for the water department. William H. 
Wakefield, born October 36, 1843, in Albany, was for about twenty-five years a 
driver for the Delavan livery. In 1872 he also engaged in the livery business for 
himself and in 1890 took his only son, William J., into partnership, under the firm 
name of W. H. Wakefield & Son. They established their present livery business on 
State street and have brought it into prominence as one of the largest and best 
equipped in the city. William J. Wakefield was born March 31, 1866. 

Cameron, Frederick W., the eldest son of Truman D. Cameron, was born in Al- 
bany, June 1, 1859. His early education was acquired at the Albany Academy, 
which he entered when he was five years old. He entered Union College in the 
class of 1881 and was graduated with the highest honors. He immediately entered 
the Albany Law School and in the spring of 1882 was admitted to the bar. In col- 
lege Mr. Cameron gave especial attention to the study of the sciences and took 
extra courses in physics, mechanics, chemistry and electricity for the purpose of 
qualifying himself for the practice of patent law. His vacations were spent in a law 
office. His father, who was for many years a professor in the Albany Academy, 
early inculcated in his son a taste for literary pursuits. In the prosecution of the 
special branch of law relating to patents, Mr. Cameron has been very successful, 
acting as counsel in manj- important suits for infringements, and has had wide ex- 
perience in the United States Courts. He is the counsel for several large manufac- 
turing concerns and has been uniformly successful. Since 1882 he has been a mem- 
ber of the law firm of Ward & Cameron, his partner being Hon. Walter E. Ward. 
In 1892 he was appointed United States commissioner by Judges Wallace and Coxe 
and still holds the position. He is a member of the Albany Club, the Albany Insti- 
tute, the Albany Historical and Art Society, the Albany Camera Club, Temple 
Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., and a trustee of the First Presbyterian church. In 1891 
he married Jennie A., daughter of Judge Amos Dean, one of the founders of the 
Albany Law School. They have two daughters, Jean Elizabeth and Josephine. 

Carr, Lewis E., was born March 10, 1842, in the town of Salisbury, Herkimer 
county, is the son of Eleazer and Hannah (Rayner) Carr. and a grandson of Eleazer 
and Hannah (Hakes) Carr, natives of New England. The father of Eleazer, with 
one or two brothers, was in the Revolutionary war. Lewis E. Carr was educated at 
Falley Seminary in Fulton, N. Y., and was graduated from Fairfield Academy in 
Herkimer county in 1861. After spending two years on the farm, he came in the 
spring of 1863 to Albany and graduated from the Albany Law School in 1864 and 
was admitted to the bar. He then spent one year in the law office of Sherman S. 
Rogers in Buffalo, where he had as his roommate Grover Cleveland. In July, 1865, 
he began the practice of his profession in Port Jervis, N. Y. , and continued until 
1893, having from 1869 to 1874 O. P. Howell, now surrogate of Orange county, as 
his partner. Mr. Carr was elected district attorney of Orange county in 1871, and 



282 

held the office three years, and was a member of the Board of Education of Port 
Jervis for sixteen years. In 1893 he came to Albany as attorney for the Delaware 
and Hudson Canal Company (railroad department) and still holds that position. 
From 1872 to June 1, 1896, he was the attorney for the N. Y., L. E. & W. R. R. Co., 
having charge of their business in Orange, Sullivan and Delaware counties. He is 
a member of Port Jervis Lodge No. 338, F. & A. M. , a member and past high priest 
of Neversink Chapter No. 189, R. A. M., a member of Delaware Commandery No. 
44, K. T., and its eminent commander for seven years, a member of Blooming 
Grove Park Association of Pike county, Pa., the Lawyers' Club of New York and 
the Albany Club. In 1865 he married Ruth, daughter of Mathias Duke, an officer 
in the British army stationed at Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Her grandfather, John 
Gallagher, was an officer in the English army at the battle of Waterloo ; later was town 
major at St. John's, New Brunswick, and was the English officer who surrendered 
the possession of Eastport, Me., to the Americans at the close of the war of 1812. 
Mr. and Mrs. Carr have three children: Raymond W., Lewis E., jr., and William D. 

Whitney, W. M , & Co. — The extensive dry goods business of W. M. Whitney & 
Co. was established in a two-story building, 25 by 40 feet, on the site of the present 
store, by Ubsdull & Pearson in 1859. In 1864 James T. Lenox succeeded them. He 
died about 1866 and in that year William M. Whitney and John C. Myers, under the 
firm name of Whitney & Myers, purchased the establishment and continued it until 
1870, when Mr. Myers retired. Mr. Whitney became sole owner and has success- 
fully conducted the business under the name of W. M. Whitney & Co. to the pres- 
ent time. He replaced the old building with a new structure, which has a frontage 
of 127 feet, a depth of 370 feet and a floor area of 90,860 square feet, the whole 
comprising fifty-six distinct departments, employing from 450 to 600 people. The 
firm also has a large warehouse and stables on Hudson avenue, a buying office in 
New York city and an importing branch in Paris. A wholesale trade was also car- 
ried on until 1894, but since then the business has been exclusively retail. It is the 
largest, most complete and best equipped dry goods establishment in this .section of 
the State and its development and success are mainly due to the energy, enterprise 
and ability of Mr. Whitney, whose two sons, William M., jr., and Charles S. A., are 
now active members of the firm. 

Milbank, William Edward, M. D., was born at Coeymans, Albany county, March 
8, 1841. He received an academical and classical education at the Albany Academy ; 
pursued the study of medicine under the supervision of Dr. William Gilman of 
Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Dr. Albert Van Derveer of Albany, N. Y., and 
was graduated from the Albany Medical College in December, 1872. He began 
practice at Albany immediately after graduation, being associated one year with Dr. 
David Springsteed. He has remained a resident of Albany, and is engaged in the 
duties of active professional life. Dr. Milbank is unmarried. He became a member 
of the Albany County Homeopathic Medical Society in April, 1873. He was elected 
a delegate to the State Homeopathic Medical Society in 1874, '75, '76, '77 and '78; 
and to the secretaryship of the County Society in 1875 and again in 1876. He has 
held the position of chief of the surgical staff of the Homeopathic Hospital and City 
Dispensary four years; from 1876 to 1880 and in 1885, was reappointed to the same 
position. He became a member of the Homeopathic Medica] Society of the State of 



283 

New York in 1879; a member of the Homeopathic Medical Society of Northern New 
York in 1883; ane of the American Institute of Homeopathy in 1887. He was ap- 
pointed by Governor Hill, in 1885, to the office of commissioner of the State Board 
of Health and was reappointed three successive terms, holding the office until Janu- 
ary, 1895. While a member of the State Board of Health, Dr. Milbank indited and 
prepared a number of very valuable papers which are published in its annual report. 
The doctor presented and read at the annual meeting of the State Homeopathic 
Medical Society, held in February, 1895, a very elaborately prepared paper entitled : 
■' Albany's Water Question." 

Casey, Walter V., is a son of John H. and Mary E. (Rourke) Casey, natives of Ire- 
land and was born in Albany, April 13, 1872. John H. became a printer in the 
ofHce of the Albany Knickerbocker, was made foreman of the Press and Knicker- 
bock, and died in March, 1893, aged lifty-tive. Walter V. Casey, after attending the 
Albany High School, accepted in August, 1887, a position with E. De L. Palmer, real 
estate dealer, and remained there until 1893, when he formed with Joshua F. Tobin 
the present real estate and fire insurance firm of Casey & Tobin. He is a member of 
the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Union. 

MacFarlane, Andrew, M. D., son of Andrew and Sophia (Troy) MacFarlane, was 
born in Glasgow, Scotland, January 1, 1863. His father, a merchant came to 
America, and settled in Albany about 1847, but returned to Scotland in 1861 and re- 
mained ten years, when he again came to Albany and died here in 1882. Dr. Mac- 
Farlane was graduated from the Albany High School in 1880 and then spent 
one year in the University of Glasgow in Scotland; returning to Albany he was 
graduated from Union College in 1884, as one of the honor men of his class. 
He read medicine with Dr. George E. Gorham of Albany, was graduated as M. D. 
from the Albany Medical College in 1887 and on competitive examination was 
appointed to the staff of the New Jersey State Hospital for the Insane where he re- 
mained one year. He was then for two years physician in a private institution for 
the insane in Bo.ston ; meantime he had done much work in the hospitals of New York 
city and after leaving Boston he went abroad for about eighteen months and studied 
in Paris, Prague and Vienna, returning to Albany in 1892. Since then he has followed 
the general practice of his profession and was appointed instructor in the Albany 
Medical College, later became a lecturer and i-^ ikiw i Imu al professor of physical diag- 
nosis and miscroscopy. He isphysician to thi (1is|hiismi \ ol St. Peter's Hospital, an at- 
tending physician to the Albany Orphan Asylum ami Albany Hospital for Incurables, 
lecturer on medical jurisprudence of insanity at the Albany Law School and bacteri- 
ologist to the Albany Board of Health since 1894. He is a member and ex-secretary 
of the Albany County Medical Society and a delegate to the New York State Medical 
Society. He has often been called as expert on insanity in noted murder trials and 
is regarded as an able authority on this disease. 

Annesley, Richard Lord, son of Lawson and Laura (Jones) Aunesley, was born in 
Albany, July 16, 1838. His father was born in Bordentown, N. J., May 5, 1795, and 
in 1802 came to Albany with his father, William Annesley, who in that year engaged 
■in the picture and art business, founding what is now the Albany Art Gallery. In 
1820 William was succeeded by his son Lawson, who continued the business until 
1860, when his son Isaac became the proprietor. The latter carried on the establish- 



•284 

ment until his death, in Juue, 1865, when Richard Lord Annesley, his brother, suc- 
ceeded him, and has since remained in charge. This is the oldest, the largest and 
one of the finest art stores in the city. About twenty-five years ago a large manufac- 
tory for fine woodwork and furniture was added. Richard Lord Annesley was edu- 
cated at the Albany Academy, in Prof. C. H. Anthony's school and at the Troy 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began active life on the Erie Canal enlarge- 
ment. In 1862, with Major (then captain) John L. Newman, he recruited and organ- 
ized Co. I, which joined the 43d N. Y. Inf. at Hagerstown, Md., with four other com- 
panies from Albany. Mr. Annesley was elected first lieutenant, was promoted cap- 
tain and served until the close of the war, being brevetted major April 2. 1865, for 
gallant and meritorious .service at the assault on Petersburg. Returning from the 
army he succeeded his brother Isaac in business and has since carried on the trade 
established by his grandfather ninety-five years ago. He is a member of Post No. 
63, G. A. R., the Loyal Legion of the United States, the Society of the Army of the 
Potomac and the Fort Orange Club. In January, 1886, he married Miss Harriet, 
daughter of John Ward of Albany. 

Clough, William, established his present mercantile business in Cohoes m 1857, 
and carries a various line of groceries, tinware, drugs, dry goods and hosiery. He 
is a pioneer settler of Cohoes, coming here in 1851, where he worked six years for 
the Harmony Co., as foreman of one department. He was born in England in 1820, 
and was a spinner by trade. He came to America in 1848, and was one of the fire 
wardens before organization of the city of Cohoes in 1869. He was assessor twice 
and held many minor offices. In politics he is a Republican. 

Tessier, Wilfred G., one of the four coroners of Albany county, is a native of the 
city of Cohoes, and was born in 1863; he was also educated there. After spending 
eleven years at the baker's trade, he established in 1890 the present business located 
at No. 69 Garner street as a dealer in groceries. He is holding very acceptablv the 
position of coroner, his first political office. 



Stanton, William, for many years associated with Mr. Graham in a large grocery 
store on Willow street, Cohoes, under the firm name of Stanton & Graham, was a 
mason by trade and has always carried on a large contracting business, which he 
still continues. He has always been largely interested in the coal business. Mr. 
Stanton has always taken a lively interest in all that pertains to to the welfare of the 
city and its local government. He was constable and deputy sheriff during the war, 
and has been alderman, also president of the Board of Education, and is still a prom- 
inent factor in politics. Mr. Stanton is a native of Brunswick, Rensselaer coiuity, 
and was born in 1838. 

Tessier, Frank, has been a resident of Cohoes since he was eight years of age, 
when he came here with his father. Pierre Tessier, a carpenter. He was born near 
Montreal, Canada, in 1848. In 1871 he purchased of John Valley, by whom he had 
been employed for thirteen years, a bakery which he conducted till 1890. In 1883 he 
also engaged in the livery business at the present location No. 37 Saratoga street. 
Mr. Tessier has led an active political life. In 1877 he was elected supervisor from 
the Third ward, and since 1892 has been superintendent of the streets of the city. 

Baillargeon, J. T. , has been a merchant of Cohoes for about five years as wholesale 



i 



285 

and retail dealer in manilla, straw, tea, and tissue paper at No. 145 Bridge avenue, 
Adam's Island. He came here from New York city, where he had been for eleven 
years as superintendent of the packing department in a commission house. He was 
born in Quebec, Ontario, in 1857, the son of Joseph Baillargeon, a retired builder, 
and educated at Point Lewis. For six years he held a position as foreman for 
iVIarshfield & Co , Chicago. Mr. Baillargeon is noted locally as a fine baritone 
singer. 

Dickey, William J., superintendent of the Cascade Mills of Cohoes, is a son of John 
Dickey, a contractor who came from the north of Ireland and settled here at a very 
early period of the history of Cohoes. His death occurred in 1878 at the age of sixty- 
seven, but his memory lives in the hearts of his fellownien as one who left nothing 
undone that would advance the welfare of residents here. Mr. Dickey has spent a 
lifetime in the mills, having first began to work there at the age of thirteen years. 
He was first employed by Hon. C. H. Adams in his woolen mill, and from the foot 
of the ladder has steadily reached its most responsible position. He was for nine 
vears superintendent of the Egberts Woolen Mill, then operated by Mr. McDowell, 
and when the latter erected the Cascade Mills, he was given the superintendency. 
Mr. Dickey has been connected with the fire department for twenty-five years, and 
was fire commissioner for four years, treasurer for nine years of the Hitchcock Hose 
Co., and captain for ten years of the same. 

Calkins, H. G., though a young man has been a prominent member of the Board 
of Education of the city of Cohoes for five years, and has taken an active part in its 
councils. When he was twenty-one years of age he was elected school commis- 
sioner, making a very competent officer for that responsible position. Mr. Calkins 
is a descendant of the old Connecticut family, and a son of A. T. Calkins, a promi- 
nent furniture dealer since the war. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. A, 23d Regiment 
N. Y. Vols., as first sergeant, but returned lieutenant and quartermaster. Among 
the battles in which he participated may be mentioned those of South Mountain, 
Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Second Bull Run. He was for thirty years in the 
same store, which, since 1887, has been in charge of his son, H. G. Calkins, who was 
l5orn in Cohoes in 1869. 

Rosemond, James, came to New York from Ireland, where he was born in 1859, 
with his widowed mother who is still a resident of Cohoes. He was educated in 
New York in the grammar schools and first engaged in the dry goods business where 
he remained for four years. He then came to Cohoes and acquired the plumber's 
tr^e, working for three years in the Harmony Mills and nine years with Burbanks 
& Co. In 1893 this enterprising young man engaged in business for himself at No. 
93 Main street, and has developed an extensive industry in plumbing and tin-roofing, 
also steam and hot water heating, making a specialty of beer apparatus. The posi- 
tion he now holds in the front rank of the young men of to-day is due to his own 
personal efforts and sterling characteristics. 

Hochstrasser, Arthur E., was born in the town of Berne, February 5, 1847. The 
founder of the Hochstrasser name in America was Jacob Hochstrasser, the great- 
grandfather of Arthur E. He was a native of Holland and was one of the pioneer 
settlers in the town of Berne. He was one of a committee to petition the Legisla- 



28G 

ture to set off the town of Berne from Rensselaerville, and the chairman of the com- 
mittee to draft the town laws, and was the first supervisor and first justice of the 
peace. Paul I., the grandfather of Arthur E. Hochstrasser, was born in the town of 
Berne in 1762. He was a shoemaker by trade, and a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war. He settled in the town of Knox, where he erected a saw mill and manufactured 
lumber for some years, but returned to Berne and purchased 200 acres of land, a 
portion of which embraced the White Suiphur Springs, and there spent his re- 
maining days. His wife was Dorothy Fisher. Peter Hochstrasser, the father of 
Arthur E., was born in Berne on the homestead, April 18, 1800. He was a wheel- 
wright by trade, his principal manufactures being spinning wheels, flax and wool 
wheels; he also owned a farm of seventy-five acres which he supervised. His wife 
was Eliza Weidman, born in Berne July 20, 1808. daughter of Col. Jacob Weidnian. 
Their children were Jacob M., John, Charles (who was a soldier in the Rebellion), 
Arthur E., Catharine. Margaret and Sarah. He died April 20, 1880, his wife Feb- 
ruary 15, 1887. Arthur E. Hochstrasser learned the turner's trade and when eight- 
een purchased a factory and engaged in the manufacture of bedsteads; three years 
later he formed a partnership with his brother Jacob M. in a saw mill and manufac- 
tured lumber, bedsteads, etc. In 1882 he sold his mill interest and engaged in gen- 
eral mercantile business in the village of Berne and in 1891 he erected his present 
store building. He owns and resides on the place where he was born. He was 
town clerk from 1882 to 1885, was town committeeman, president of the town Re- 
publican organization from 1886 to the present time, and has often been chosen as 
delegate to town, district and State conventions. Mr. Hochstrasser is a member of 
the Masonic fraternity and was one of the charter members of Helderberg Lodge of 
Odd Fellows. He is one of the active promoters and contributors in and to the pro- 
posed Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie railroad, of which he is also a stock- 
holder. September 25, 1868, he married Josephine, daughter of Edward Settle of 
Berne, and they have one child. Fred P. His wife died March 1, 1882, and Febru- 
ary 4, 1885, Mr. Hochstrasser married Hattie, daughter of Henry W. Weidman, and 
they have two children, Margaret and Chester. 

Peasley, Wallace A., was born September 12, 1857, on the farm he now owns and 
occupies. Thomas Peasley, his great-grandfather, was a native of Massachusetts 
who came to Albany county and settled in the town of Berne on West Mountain, m 
the latter part of the eighteenth century. Orson Peasley, the grandfather was born 
in Berne in 1804, where he was a lifelong farmer and lived and died on the farm of 
160 acres on which he was born. He died in 1866 and his wife in 1888. Addison, 
the father of Wallace A. Peasley, was born in Berne, August, 1834. He gre\\»t() 
manhood on the homestead and later came in possession of it. His wife was Hen- 
rietta, daughter of John Tibbitts, who was a soldier in 1812, and to them were born 
two children: Wallace A. and Elmer. Wallace Peasley attended the common dis- 
trict schools and the Gloversville Academy. He has spent his life on the farm with 
his father and for years has been a careful and interested breeder of thoroughbred 
trotting horses and is the owner of the fine stallion, Varrick ; he is also a breeder of 
thoroughbred Jersey cattle, swine, chickens and turkeys. Mr. Peasley has filled 
town offices continuously since he became a voter, filling first the offices of inspector 
of election, excise commissioner, and in 1896 was elected to represent his town on the 



Board of Supervisors. In 1890 he was appointed to take the United States census in 
his election district. The farm now occupied by Mr. Peasley was originally settled 
by Mrs. Abigail Taylor, his great grandmother, who came from Rhode Island. The 
house she caused to be erected in 1777 is still standing, the only change from the 
original being a new roof. In 1877 Mr. Peasley married Florence Shultes of West 
Berne, daughter of Abram and Margaret (Turner) Shultes. Mr. and Mrs. Peasley 
have four children: Blanche, Ethel, Mary and Florence. 

Young, Elias, was born in the town of Berne, June 22, 1844. Samuel Young, his 
grandfather, was a native of Connecticut and settled in the town of Berne, near 
where is now the village of Reidsville, in 1792, where he farmed and practiced law, 
having for many years an extensive law practice. His wife was Magdalene Warner, 
a native of Berne, and they had three sons: Philip, David and Silas. ' He died m 
1860 at the age of eighty years; his wife died some years before. Philip, the father 
of Elias, was born in Berne in 1809, where he was a lifelong farmer and owned a 
farm of 160 acres. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Elias Mathias of New Scot- 
land, and their children were Samuel P. (deceased), David P., Mary E., Margaret 
A. and Elias. He died in 1891 and his wife m 1893. Elias Young spent his earlier 
days on his father's farm, where he attended the common schools and later the Fort 
Edward Institute; subsequently, by the assistance of his father, he entered as a 
student Eastman College, from which he was graduated in 1865. When twenty 
years of age he began teaching, which profession he has followed a goodly portion 
of the time. For some five years he was engaged m general mercantile business 
in the village of Reidsville, in partnership with his brother, and was for many 
years a dealer in agricultural implements. Mr. Young from early manhood mani- 
fested a keen interest in the political affairs of his town and county, associating him- 
.self with the side of Democracy. He was elected and filled the office of justice 
of the peace for twelve years, and from 1886 to 1896 has been notary public. In 
1881 he was elected school commissioner and again in 1891 and 1893. In 1868 
he married Frances, daughter of Hugh Conger of Berne, and they have two chil- 
dren : Eunice (wife of Christopher Michael), and Philip S., M. D., who was a grad- 
uate from the Albany Medical College in 1896. 

Rheinhart, Alonzo L., was born in the town of Berne, July 13, 1858. John Rhein- 
hart, his great-grandfather, was a native of Germany and immigrated to America 
in 1762, settling in or about New York. When the Revolutionary war broke out he 
enlisted and served through the whole war. Johannes Rheinhart, the grandfather, 
was born in Berne on the homestead where he was a lifelong farmer and owned a 
farm of 113 acres. His children were Catharine, Peter, David, William and Adam. 
Peter, the father of Alonzo Rheinhart, was born in Berne in 1803. In early life he 
was a farmer, but later became a shoemaker in the village of Berne. His last days 
were spent in Knox. He was twice married, his first wife being Christiana Deitz, 
and their children were Louisa (wife of David Ball of Berne), Matilda (wife of Isaac 
Ball of Schoharie), and Christiana, who died when fourteen. His second wife was 
Mary Ann, daughter of William Havens of Knox, and they had the following chil- 
dren: Harrison, Catharine, Addison (who was a soldier in the war of the Rebellion, 
1860 to 1865, enlisting in Co. E, 7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery for three years, and was 
taken prisoner at the battle of Cold Harbor and was a prisoner in the Andersonville 



288 

prison eleven months, and died in 18T0), Morgan (who served in the army the last 
year of the war of the Rebellion), Lucy, Irvin, Mary J. and Alonzo L. Alonzo L. 
remained with his father until twenty three years of age. He attended the com- 
mon schools and began life for himself as a farmer, which vocation he has since 
followed. In the spring of 1888 he moved to the town of Berne on his present 
farm of sixty acres, where he has since resided, doing general farming. In 1890 
Mr. Rheinhart was elected town clerk and several times he has been called upon to 
represent his town and district at town, county and assembly conventions. In 1887 
he married Ida, daughter of Charles G. and Margaret (Schoonmaker) Frink, and 
they have two children, Frank A. and Minnie. Mr. Frink, father of Mrs. Rhein- 
hart, was a prominent man in the town of Knox, representing his town on the 
Board of Supervisors several terms; he was also one of the most successful farmers 
and at the time of his death his wealth was $50,000. 

Snyder, Cecil, born in Rensselaerville, September 10, 1848, is a son of David H. 
and Eunice (Head) Snyder, both natives of Rensselaerville. They came to Westerlo 
in 1851 and engaged in farming, where they remained until his death. Mrs. Snyder 
still lives on the homestead with Cecil Snyder. The grandfather, Ephraim Snyder, 
was an early settler of Rensselaerville and came from Dutchess county. Cecil 
Snyder has always been a farmer on the homestead, which consists of 160 acres and 
he now intends making a specialty of dairying. In 1877 he married Anna, daugh- 
ter of William and Ann Norton of Westerlo, and they have two children, Jessie M. 
and Millard. 

Lockwood, Horace R.. born in Westerlo, February 28, 1841, is a brother of Leander 
S. Lockwood, mentioned in- this work. In 1865 he married Esther, daughter of 
Samuel and Nancy (Tovvnsend) Green of Westerlo, and they have three children : 
Estella, Samuel G. and Mary Helen. Mr. Lockwood has the old Allen farm of 164 
acres and eighty acres where he resides. In politics he is a Democrat and held the 
office of assessor for six years in succession. Mr. Lockwood is a member of J. M. 
Austin Lodge No. -567, F. & A. M-. and the Christian church of South Westerlo. 

Simpkin, Robert P.. born November 29, 1830, in Westerlo, was a son of Robert L. 
and Phoebe (Powell) Simpkin, he of Westerlo, and she of Long Island, and grandson 
of R. Simpkin on his father's side and of Samuel Powell on the maternal side ; the 
latter was a farmer in Long Island. R. Simpkin spent his life in Westerlo; Robert 
L. Simpkin was a blacksmith by trade, at which he worked in connection with farm- 
ing. Robert P. Simpkin has always followed farming and is the owner of 111 acres 
of laud, forty acres of homestead settled by his grandfather and seventy-one which 
he bought. In 1855 he married Margaret, daughter of Nathaniel and Sally Holmes 
of Westerlo, and they have three children: Alice, widow of Daniel Lockwood, who 
died 1894; Ellison, who died, aged eighteen years; and Jennie, wife of Emery 
Palmer, farmer and thrasher of Greenville, Greene county, N. Y. In politics Mr. 
Simpkin is a Democrat and he and his family attend and support a Christian church. 

Simpkin, Henry, born in Westerlo, N. Y., February 4, 1836, is a brother of Robert 
P. Simpkin, mentioned in this work. Henry Simpkin was reared on the farm, and 
with the exception of three years spent in Coeymans, has followed farming in the 
town of Westerlo. He has a farm of 120 acres where he resides and another of fortv 



289 

acres. In 1857 he niar^ied Louise H., daughter of John and Elsie (Traver) Freely, 
both natives of Greene county, and they have one son, Victor, v?ho married Ella, 
daughter of William and Mariett Applebeen of Westerlo, and they have one daugh- 
ter, Grace L. Simpkin, born January 15, 1888. Victor resides on the homestead and 
carries on the farm. In politics they are both Republicans and attend the M. E. 
church. 

Hanney, Andrew D., born in Westerlo, August 29, 1819, is a son of David and 
Hannah (Terbusli) Hanney, he a native of Westerlo and she of Fishkill. His grand- 
father. Andrew Hanney, was born in Scotland, where he married and came to Hol- 
land Purchase, N. Y. , then to Westerlo, where he settled as a farmer. He was a 
soldier m the Revolutionary war, and raised an independent company to help at 
Burgoyne's surrender. David Hanney was a farmer of Westerlo and as a Democrat, 
held the office of assessor for a great many years and refused to be supervisor. He 
died in 1ST3 and Mrs. Hanney in 1842. Andrew D. Hanney, has, with the exception 
of a few years spent at the carpenter's trade, been a farmer on the homestead. He 
has. 102 acres which is now carried on by his son. In 1851 Mr. Hanney married 
Hannah M., daughter of John Hain of Westerlo, and they had two children : George, 
a farmer of Westerlo. and Charles, on the home farm. Mrs. Hanney died in 1872 
and Mr. Hanney married again, Phoebe C. (Babcock) La Paugh, who died January 
11, 1893. Mr. Hanney is a Democrat and Baptist. 

Hinckley, Charles, born in Westerlo, March 21, 1821, was a son of Josiah and 
Clarrissa (Slausen) Hinckley. The father of Josiah, Josiah Hinckley, came from 
New York city and settled in Westerlo when the town was but a wilderness. He 
fought in the Revolutionary war and then settled on a farm in Westerlo. The great- 
grandfather was of Scotch descent and married a French lady and settled in New 
York city, and spent his last days in Westerlo. The fatherof Charles Hinckley spent 
his life on the farm in Westerlo, where he died in 1866, and Mrs. Hinckley in 1872. 
Charles Hinckley married Rachel Ann Huyck, daughter of Walter and Margaret 
Huyck. Mrs. Hinckley died in 1883. Mr. Hinckley has always been a farmer and 
carried on farming on the homestead till 1888, when he rented the farm and took up 
his residence in the vicinty of South Westerlo. He has always been a Democrat in 
politics. 

Erwin, Jacob M., was born in New Salem in 1843. John, his great. grandfathfer, 
was one of three brothers; John, William, and Jared, from the North of Ireland, who 
came to America and settled in New Scotland in about 1775. Hugh, the grand- 
father, was born on the homestead in 1786, and in time came into possession of it. 
His wife was Lavina, daughter of Rev. Harmanus Van Huysen, who was a captain 
in the Revolutionary war and a Dutch Reformed minister. He died in 1871 and his 
wife died in 1868. Isaac, the father, was born on the homestead in 1818 and his 
early life was spent at various occupations. When sixteen years of age he began to 
learn the shoemaker's trade in Clarksville and four years later, in 1838, he started a 
shoe shop on his own account in the village of New Salem, where he has ever since 
resided and plied his trade. He filled the offices of collector and overseer of the poor. 
In 1840 he married Maria, daughter of Jacob Martin, of New Scotland. Their chil- 
dren were Jacob M., James E., William H., John (deceased) and Leora. Jacob M. 



290 

attended the common schools until fourteen yearsof age, when he pntered his father's 
shop as apprentice and remained there until eighteen years old when, in September, 
1861, enlisted in Co. D, 91st N. Y. Vols., and served three years, and in January, 
1864, he re-enhsted in the same company, which was heavy artillery after that date, 
and in which he was a commissioned officer. The principal battles in which he 
participated were Port Hudson, Irish Bend, Vermilion Bayou, and Alexandria, thence 
to Fort Jackson, which his company took charge of, Dmwiddie Court House, Five 
Forks and Appamattox. He returned home m July. 1S65. and immediately after his 
return he received his commission as second lieutenant. He then went to work at 
his trade which he plied until 1867. In 1868 he engaged in general mercantile busi- 
ness in the village of New Salem, which business he has followed up to the present 
time. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster of New Salem, which office he filled 
until 1884; he was again appointed under President Harrison. He is a member of 
the G. A. R., Post No. 5 of Albany. The year 1895 he spent diligently furthering 
the cause of the proposed Albany, Helderberg and Schoharie Electric Railroad, of 
which he is one of the directors, and is also a member of the executive committee of 
directors. In 1867 he was married to Amanda, daughter of Conrad Mathias of New 
Scotland. To them were born two children: Levi M. and Charles W. 

Flansburgh, John, was born in the town of New Scotland, in 1836. Jacob, the great- 
grandfather, was a native of Holland and of good old Holland ancestry. He came 
to the United States and settled in the town of Bethlehem, where he spent his life 
as a farmer. He" reared four children: John P., Elizabeth, Sophia and Cornelia. 
John P., the grandfather, was born in the town of Bethlehem in September, 1784, 
and died in July, 1867. In 1803 he was married to Margaret Kniver of Bethlehem, 
and their children were Peter, David, Jacob, Michael, Maria, Eva, John, William, 
Elizabeth, Matthew, Kate, Cornelia and Garrett. He was married twice, the issue 
of the last marriage being one son, James. He removed to Sharon, Albany- county, 
thence to the Helderberg in the town of New Scotland in 1809. He was a lifelong 
farmer, who began poor and by his energy and ambition he accumulated a good 
property. He was married to Maria Simmons, who was born in New Scotland and 
daughter of Andrew Simmons, by whom seven children were born : John, Margaret 
J., Mary Ann, Catherine J., Caroline, Ellen and Rufus. His second wife was Cath- 
erine Simmons, a sister of his first wife, by whom two children were born, Harriet 
and Ida. His second wife died in 1892. John Flansburgh worked on his father's 
farm and attended the common schools, and when twenty-five years of age embarked 
in farming for himself. He soon accumulated enough to purchase his present farm, 
of 150 acres, upon which he has made many improvements. He served his town as 
excise commissioner and collector. He is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, 
Clarksville Grange, of which he is treasurer. In 1860 he married Catherine J., 
born in New Scotland and daughter of John and Betsey (Brate) Radley. Their 
children are Peter, who married Ida Relyea and has one child, and Lizzie, wife of 
Elsbree Jones. 

Crookes, John, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 10, 1898. He was a .son of 
William and Frances (Wardwell) Crookes, natives of the same place. They reared 
five children: John, Fannie, Sarah Ann, Elizabeth and Jane. The mother died in 
1848. The father was a blacksmith, and in 1851 left England with his family and 



291 

sailed for America, landing in New Yftrk one mouth later. He came direct to Al- 
bany, where he plied his trade for one year, when he removed to Tarrytown in New 
Scotland, and four years later to the village of Clarksville, where he spent his 
remaining days at his trade. While in England he was a member of the Odd Fel- 
lows fraternity. He died in 1867. John, when at the age of ten years, was obliged 
to enter his fathers shop as a helper. He has devoted his life successfully at his 
trade, and at the age of twenty-two entered his father's shop and has ever since done 
a general blacksraithmg business on his own account. September 5, 1864, he 
enlisted in the '33d New York Independent Battery and was transferred to the 8th 
New York Heavy Artillery, and served until the close of the war. He participated 
in a good many battles and skirmishes. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
Kerne Lodge No. 864. In 1860 he married Sarah Ingraham, daughter of Lyman In- 
graham of New Scotland. Their children are Charles, who is employed in the State 
Capitol at Albany ; Clara, wife of Benjamin Winston of New Scotland ; John and 
Frank, twins; and Lizzie. All of his .sons are blacksmiths. John is in Altamont, 
N. Y , and Frank is a blacksmith in the State Capitol. 

Oliver, Abram E., was born in the town of New Scotland, N. Y., in January, 1833. 
He has spent his life successfully at farming and fruit growing, being one of the 
most e.Ktensive apple growers in his town, in which pursuit he has manifested 
a thorough knowledge. He purchased his first farm from his father, but now owns 
four farms containing 383 acres, which was originally owned by his great-grand- 
faher, grandfather and father, and which he purchased at different times. In early 
life he dealt to some extent in cattle and sheep. He has made many essential im- 
provements on his farm, erected an imposing dwelling, etc. He has provided each 
of his children with liberal educational advantages, and has since placed two of his 
sons on two of his farms. Mr. Oliver is a Republican m politics, has served his town 
nine years as assessor, and is now president in the third district of the Republican town 
organization. Mr. Oliver has been twice married; May 17, 1856, he married Lucre- 
tia, daughter of Anthony Legrange, by whom he had seven children: Anna, Abram, 
Nelson, Ida, Lovina, Frank and Elwood, the latter a physician m Colorado. In 1872 
Mr. Oliver married Elizabeth Borst, a native of Schoharie county, by whom he had 
three children; Chester. Lillian and Sadie. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver are members of the 
New Scotland Presbyterian church, of which Mr. Oliver has been trustee for many 
years and is now superintendent of the Sunday school. Everett Oliver, the great- 
grandfather of our subject, was born in the town of New Scotland, on one of the 
farms now owned by Mr. Oliver, about 1759. He spent his life as a farmer and lived 
to be about eighty years of age. He reared four sons and three daughters. John 
E., the grandfather, was the oldest of his father's children, and was born on the 
same farm about 1780. He came into possession of twenty-five acres of his father's 
homestead and became an active, energetic and successful farmer. He was a Re- 
publican in politics, and was much interested in the welfare of his party. He reared 
eight sons and one daughter, and to each of these he gave a farm. He lived to be 
ninety-four years of age. The last half of his life was spent in the town of Westerlo. 
Everett Oliver, father of our subject, was born in New Scotland, in 1807, on one of 
the farms now owned by his son. He was a lifelong farmer, meeting with good suc- 
cess. He married Mary Albright, by whom he had four children: John, Abram, 



292 

Ellen J., and Eve Ann. His wife died at fifty-seven years of age. They were 
members of the M. E. church, of which he was a liberal supporter. He died in 
January, 1896. At the time of his death he owned four farms and §7,000 in cash ; he 
had eight living great-great-grandchildren, a number of great-grandchildren, several 
grandchildren, and three children. 

Van Allen, William, was born in the town of New Scotland, on the farm which he 
now owns, March 14, 1811. Garrett, his great-grandfather, was a native of Holland, 
came to America and settled in the wilderness in the town of New Scotland, where 
he cleared a home on a tract of about 350 acres, where he spent his remaining days. 
He reared two sons, William and John, and two daughters. He lived to an extreme 
old age. William, the grandfather, was born on the old homestead, September 11, 
1744, where he spent his life clearing and improving the farm. His wife was Mag- 
dalme Van Wie, born April 8, 1752. They had but one child, Garrett W. Mr. Van 
Allen died May 28, 1795, and his wife June 33, 1836. Garrett W., the father, was 
born where his father was. August 1, 1790, and there grew to manhood and spent 
his life actively engaged in agricultural pursuits. He married, October 5, 1807, 
Hannah Winnie, when lie was but seventeen years of age ; she was born October 
20, 1790. Their children were Christiana, William, Adam, Garrett, Francis, Philip 
and Conrad, seven of whom grew to maturity. He died May 13, 1851, and his wife 
March 8, 1874. William, the subject, has spent his life on the homestead of his 
great-grandfather. He represented his town in the Board of Supervisors, and in 
other minor offices; In 1887 he tore down the old stone fort house, which was 
erected by his great grandfather. October 26, 1887, he married Mrs. Elizabeth 
(Moak) Moak, daughter of William Moak of New Scotland. 

Becker, Frederick C, was born in the town of Bethlehem in October, 1829. Fred- 
erick, his grandfather, was born in about 1758. He was of German descent and 
a farmer by occupation, which he followed in the town of Bethlehem. His wife was 
Catherine Bender, by whom three sons and two daughters were born. He owned 
188 acres of land, which he divided between two of his sons. Christopher, the 
father, was born in Bethlehem in 1801, and was a lifelong farmer, at which he was 
fairly prosperous. He held some of the most important offices of the town and 
served his town as assessor, collector, and commissioner of highways. His wife 
was Hannah Arnold, born in Bethlehem. Their children are Elizabeth, Frederick 
C, Catherine, Louisa, Christian, Christopher, Jacob, John and Andrew, who died 
when twenty years of age. Jacob and Christian were soldiers in the war of the Re- 
bellion. Mr. Becker died in 1881 and his wife died several years previous. Fred- 
erick lived on his father's farm until he was twenty-six years old; when he embarked 
m business for himself in March, 1887. He moved to the town of New Scotland and 
purchased his present farm of seventy acres, on which he has since been doing gen- 
eral farming. While in Bethlehem he served as tax collector and commissioner of 
highways. In 1861 he married Margaret Hotaling, and their children are Almn-a, 
Charles, Catherine, William F. and Addle. 

Smith, Henry A., a prominent landmark of New Scotland, was born in the town 
of Guilderland, November 4, 1830. Nicholas Smith, his great-grandfather, was a 
native of Dutchess county and came to New Scotland with his wife and family in 
1760. His children were Andrew, Michael, John, Zachariah, Nicholas, Catharine 



293 

and Jonas, all of whom lived to reach the century mark, and he also lived to a great 
age. He was formerly interested in the tract known as the Nine Partners, but was 
driven off by the Indians and finally settled in the forest, where he made him a 
home. He was an enthusiastic hunter and trapper and would strike a deer trail in 
the morning and with gun, tomahawk and belt of ground corn he would follow it 
until he caught his game; he was also a slave owner. Nicholas Smith, the grand- 
father, was born in Dutchess county in 1752 and came to New Scotland- with his 
parents, where he became a farmer and spent his life. He lived to be 103 years of 
age and was bright and active up to his death. His wife was Mary Beebe, and their 
children were Nicholas, Thomas, Andrew, Joseph, Henry, Stephen, Hulda, Kate, 
Lucinda and Margaret. Andrew M., the father of Henry Smith, was born on the 
homestead in 1799, where he was a lifeloui; and fairly successful farmer; with the 
e.Kception of two years spent in Guilderland, his life was spent in his native town. 
In politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. His wife was Lucy, daugh- 
ter of Everett Sigsbee, and their children were Henry A., Mary, Lucinda, Hulda, 
Elizabeth, Kate, Ellen, Margaret and Andrew. He died September 3, 1877, and his 
wife in 1887. She was a good Christian woman and a member of the M. E. church. 
Henry A. Smith was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until he was 
twenty five, when he married and began farming for himself on a farm which he 
had purchased and to which he has added, now owning 150 acres. He devoted con- 
siderable attention to the breeding of thoroughbred Gurnsey and Jersey cattle, and 
also raised some high grade horses. He has been a hard working man and his 
labors have been crowned with success. He is an ardent Republican. In 1885 Mr. 
Smith married Hester, daughter of Martin and Susan (Freyer) Siver of Guilderland, 
and their children were Andrew, William J., Henry, Margaret (wife of Nelson 
Cromise of Rensselaer county, N. Y.), Mary (wife of Miner White <if New .Scotland) 
and Ira. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were both members of the M. E. cluiieh, in wliicli he 
officiated as trustee and steward. His wife died in May, 189."). William J., the 
son, attended the Troy Conference Academy and has since devoted his attention to 
teaching and assisting on the farm. 

Frost, J. Sheldon, was born in the town of Rensselaerville, Albany county, De- 
cember 1, 1864. His parents were John D. and Phebe (Sheldon) Frost. Early in the 
seventeenth century, three Frost brothers came from England and settled on Long 
Island. Afterwards the branch of the family from which James Sheldon Frost is 
descended removed to Dutchess county, N. Y. . and in 1805 they removed to the town 
of Rensselaerville. The property they took in 1805 is still in the possession of the 
family. Mr. J. Sheldon Frost's great-great-grandfather, Isaac Frost, had fourteen 
children, eight of whom lived to be over eighty years of age. Mr. Frost's great- 
great-grandfather on his mother's side was a sea captain and spent a part of his life 
exploring Africa. All his ancestors were members of the Society of Friends. Mr. 
Frost was educated at public and private schools and at Friends College at Locust 
Valley, Long Island. Later he attended the Albany Business College, and in 1888 
was graduated from the Albany Law School and in May of the same year was ad- 
mitted to practice. He began his study of law in the office of Draper & Chester and 
after Mr. Draper's withdrawal he remained with Judge Chester until 1890, since which 
time he has successfully practiced his profession in Albany. Mr. Frost is a member 



294 

of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Court Schuyler No. 17.'54, I. O. F., and 
of Jay Chapter, Phi Delta Phi fraternity; also a member of Albany Senate No. 
611, K. A. E. O. In 1893 Mr. Frost was one of a committee of three to investigate 
the affairs of the Western Farm Mortgage Trust Company of Denver, on behalf 
of eastern holders, and represents large holdings in litigation now pending in the 
Federal Courts. 

Flansburgh, Rufus, was born in the town of New Scotland, Decemlier 31, 1848. 
The second great-grandfather of Rufus Flanbsurgh, the parent tree of the family 
in America, was a native of Holland and settled in Albany county, where he was a 
farmer, and was murdered for his money. Jacob, the great-grandfather of Rufus, 
was a native of Holland and spent his active life in the town of Bethlehem as a 
farmer, and his children were John P., Eliza, Sophia and Cornelia. John P. Flans- 
burgh, the grandfather, was born in Bethlehem, September 33, 1784, and was a life- 
long and successful farmer, spending his last days in the town of New Scotland. 
The last forty-two days of his life were spent in fasting, partaking of nothing but 
water, believing that his maker had demanded him to cease partaking of the fruit 
of the vine. He died in July, 1867. In April, 1803, he married Margaret Kniver, 
and their children were Peter, David, Jacob, Michael, Maria, Eva, John, William, 
Elizabeth, Martha, Catharine and Garrett. Michael Flan.sburgh, the father, was 
born in New Scotland, where he too was a lifelong and successful farmer. His first 
wife was Maria Simmons, a daughter of Andrew Simmons, and their children were 
John, Margaret ]., Mary Ann, Catharine J., Caroline, Ellen and Rufus. His wife 
died in May, 1851 ; his second wife was Catharine, a sister of his first wife, and they 
had two children, Harriett and Ida. He died in 1888 and his wife in 1892. Rufus 
Flansburgh was educated in the common schools. When twenty-one he began life 
for himself on a farm belonging to his father-in-law, where he resided until 1888. 
In connection with farming he dealt to a considerable extent in horses and cattle. 
He erected him a residence in Voorheesville and in 1890 erected a store in the vil- 
lage, in which he conducted a general mercantile business until 1893, when, to settle 
the estate of his father-in-law, he purchased the farm of 180 acres, where he had 
lived .so long. He leased his store property and devoted his time to looking after 
his farming interests, and in the spring of 1896 took personal management of his 
farm, yet resides in the village. Mr. Flansburgh is a Republican, and while always 
interested in the political welfare of his town, is not an aspirant to public office, 
always declining proffered nominations. December 25, 1873, he married Catharine, 
daughter of Peter and Hannah (Brate) Weidman, of New Scotland. Mr. and Mrs. 
Flansburgh are liberal supporters of all the churches in the village, but are members 
of none. 

Kenyon, Lewis, was born in Rensselacrville, on the farm he now owns, June 15, 
1843, and is a son of Simeon P. The father of Mr. Kenyon was a native of Rhode 
Island and came to the farm now owned by Mr. Kenyon in 1831, where he died in 
1861. His wife was Susan Cross, born in Dutchess county and came to Rensselacr- 
ville after marriage, where she died in 1871. Mr. Kenyon was reared on a farm 
and educated in the common schools and Schodack Academy. He is a farmer and 
owns about 330 acres of land, the original homestead. He is at present justice of 
the peace and was supervisor for five successive years. In 1)?71 he married Frances 



295 

M. Coggshall, and had one son, Clayton, educated at the Middleburg and (ireeu- 
ville Academies. Mrs. Kenyon died in 1882, and he niarried his second wife, by- 
whora two daughters have been born, Etta and NelHe. 

Lounsbury, Omar W., born in Rens.selaerville, N. Y., August 11, 1843, was a son 
of William and Mary M. (Reeve) Lounsbury. both natives of Rensselaerville. Will- 
iam Lounsbury was a son of Sylvan us, a native of Connecticut, who came to Rensse- 
laerville previous to 1800 and spent most of his life. He was a farmer and tanner 
by trade, and in politics a Democrat. He died in 1893 and his wife in 1868. Omar 
W. Lounsbury was educated in Rensselaerville and followed teaching a while, but 
is now a farmer and owner of 108 acres. In politics he is a Democrat, and was col- 
lector for two years. March 14, 1878, he married Jennette Snyder, and they have 
one daughter, M. Marilla. 

Chadwick, Enoch H., was born in 1814 on the farm where the family now reside. 
He was a son of Aaron and Martha (Hoag) Chaduiek. wli.. went from Dutchess 
county to Otsego county, and finally to Rensselaerville, X. V. and bought the farm 
where the family lives, and also had another farm near. He died in Rensselaerville, 
N. Y., in 1839. Enoch H. Chadwick was a farmer by occupation and a Republican 
in politics. In 1839 he married Hannah Knowles, daughter of Daniel Knowles, of 
Rensselaerville, and an early settler from Rhode Island. They had three children ; 
Frances, wife of Addison Bishop of Westerlo; Lydia H,, wife of Israel Frost of 
Rensselaerville ; and Margaret, at home. Mr. Chadwick was a member of the 
Friends, and Mrs. Chadwick a Methodist :\lr. ChadviMck died March 17, 1876. 

Niles, Luther H, born in Reusscl;iLr\ille, N. Y., October 8, 1830, was a son of 
Samuel Niles, born in Coeymans in isixl, and he a son of one of the earliest settlers 
of Coeymans (where he lived and died), coming from Connecticut at an early date. 
The father of I^uther Niles came to Rensselaerville in 1828 and bought the farm 
Luther now owns, and died there in 1891. His wife was Ruth Tompkins of Coey- 
mans, a daughter of Daniel Tompkins, one of the early settlers of Coeymans. Mrs. 
Niles died in 1893. Luther H. Niles was reared on a farm and educated in the com- 
mon schools. He is a farmer and owns a farm of 200 acres. In 1857 he married 
Minerva Tanner of Rensselaerville and th^y have three children: Henry T.. Libbie 
and Mary. Mrs. Niles died and he married Mary Wininsof Durham, Greene county, 
N. Y.. and they had three children: Henry, Samuel and Luther, deceased. Mr. 
Niles is a Democrat in politics and has been assessor nine years. He is a member of 
Cascade Lodge, No. 42, F. & A. M. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Niles were born ten 
children, of whom eight are now living, Luther being the youngest of the family. 

Kiffin, Thomas S., one of the prominent and respected residents of New Scotland, 
and who for more than twenty years occupied the responsible position as store keeper 
for the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., at Watervliet, was born in the south of Ire- 
land in 1844, and came to America with his parents when seven years old. The 
family made their home in Clifton Park, N. Y., where he received a good academic 
education. In 1864 he became identified with the manufacture of cement pipe at 
West Troy, and was for eight years foreman for the Warner Lime and Cement Com- 
pany. In 1868 he became an employee of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Co., and 
has by faithful and capable service made himself valuable to them. 



Caulkins, George L., whose ancestors on both sides were among the early settlers 
here, was born in Watervliet in 1859. His father, John L. Caulkins, a prominent 
contractor (now deceased), came here in 1825 from Watertown, Conn. But his ma- 
ternal ancestry is of riper local antiquity. His maternal grandfather, Edward 
Learned, was the first president of the village in 1823. George Caulkins spent some 
of his earlier years as an inspector of lumber, and has always resided here, except a 
few years when he was shipping clerk for the Pond's Extract Company at their New- 
port office. In 1888 Mr. Caulkins took up his present business, that of undertaking 
and practical embalmer, on Broadway. 

Coleman, J. Russell, son of J. Russell and Jennie E. (Bailey) Coleman, was born 
in West Troy, Albany county. October 31, 1869. He finished the course of instruc- 
tion in the Troy (N. Y.) Academy in 1886, and entered his father's office as a clerk, 
where he remained two years, when he accepted a clerkship in the National Bank of 
Troy, where he rapidly rose to the position of head bookkeeper. Mr. Coleman is a 
member of the Troy Citizens Corps. July 18, 1894, he married Marion Grace, daugh- 
ter of W. S. Booth of Troy, and they have one son, J. Russell, jr. 

Tayer, Albert has been a resident of West Troy since 1861, and in fact has lived 
his whole life in the vicinity. He was born in Stephentown in 1833. His paternal 
ancestors were from Normandy; his great-grandfather was an English officer, and 
his maternal grandfather a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Mr. Taye was brought 
up to the blacksmith's trade at which he became an expert workman. During the 
Civil war he worked in Watervliet, and soon after the war established himself at the 
same business at Troy, N. Y. 

Van Bergen, George A., the well knowij insurance agent of New Scotland, was 
born at Troy in 1845. He is a son of the late John C. Van Bergen, who was a resi- 
dent of Green Island from 1848 to his death in 1862. George Van Bergen was com- 
pelled by the exigencies of life to leave school when twelve years old, but has by per- 
si-stent and well-directed personal research made himself thoroughly informed. He 
learned the moulders trade, which was his father's, and followed it nearly thirty 
years. Mr. Van Bergen spent a year in the service of his country as a soldier of Co. 
F, 89th N. Y. Vols., during which time he spent four. months in rebel prisons. In 
1884 he took up the insurance business, representing some of the most stable com- 
panies, among them the -Etna, Hartford, and the " Insurance Company of North 
America." He is a citizen of more than ordinary note, has run the gauntlet of local 
official life, including the presidency of the village. 

Nesbitt, John H., an old and respected citizen of West Troy, was born in the 
county of Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1826. When eighteen years old he came to America 
and henceforward carved his own way in the world. This statement may be accepted 
also in a literal sense, for Mr. Nesbitt was by trade a carpenter and learned his trade 
in Troy. He has been a resident of West Troy for about half a century. His son, 
George R. Nesbitt, follows the same vocation, and has been,4ike his father, an em- 
ployee of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company at the carpenter's shop on 
Green Island. Mr. Nesbitt is a genial and well-preserved gentlemen, who has ac- 
quired a competence by his own unaided exertions. 

Stover, Charles M., superintendent of West Troy and Green Island Water Works 



297 

System, is a Trojan by birth and education. He learned the printer's trade and was 
identified with that art for some years ; then spent three years as clerk for a lumber 
firm, and then traveled through the West for six years. He became superintendent 
of the water system in 1884, and has proven a most efficient manager. Mr. Stover 
was liberally educated at the best institutions of Troy. His father was Samuel 
Stover, a prominent lawyer here, and once city attorney of Troy; he also held the 
same office at West Troy, where the family removed. 

Perkins, George H., this gentleman, now superintendent of the weight depart- 
ment of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company at Green Island, to which posi- 
tion he was appointed in 1871, was born at Troy in 1845. His father was a prom- 
inent builder and steamboat engineer and is still a resident of Troy. Mr. Perkins, 
himself, began life on the river and his intimate association with the freight traffic 
caused him to gravitate naturally into his present position. 

Hurlbert, Henry, was born at Hartford, Conn., in 1840. He is the son of Edwin 
Hurlbert, who recently died here at an advanced age, after residing here for forty 
years. Henry Hurlbert spent his boyhood days in Springfield, Mass., and when he 
was about nineteen years of age his family moved to Troy. He enlisted in Co. K, 
104th N. Y. Vols. At Gettysburg he was severely wounded by a minnie ball. After 
his recovery he re-enlisted and was captured at the Weldon Railroad and imprisoned 
at Libby and at Belle Isle for si.x months. After the war he engaged in the produce 
forwarding business until 1872, and then entered the employ of the old Troy & Bos- 
ton R. R. as agent and was so engaged for twenty-one years. 

Dunn, James, a resident of West Troy since 1873, was born at Kingston, N. Y., in 
1843. His earlier years were spent at boating on the canals, largely in coal traffic 
between Homesdale, Pa., to New York ports up the Hudson; he was thus engaged 
for about four years, and then started a boarding stable at No. 80 Broadway, which 
he conducted for five years. In 1878 he sold out the stable and opened a grocery at 
No. 3518 Second avenue, dealing chiefly in furnishings lor boatmen' and kindred 
lines. 

Sheehan, Daniel, was born in County Limerick. Ireland, in 1828. When about 
twenty years of age he crossed the ocean, and soon made his way to West Troy; 
nearly half a century has elapsed since he made his home here. Mr. Sheehan has 
been a hard-working and industrious citizen and has acquired a competence by his 
own toil and economy. 

Britley, Captain Edward W., was born in Saratoga county, in 1837. He was the 
son of the late James Britley, also a river man for most of his life. Captain Britley 
has been principally engaged in the transportation of lumber and timber. He now 
owns and operates the steam ferry plying between the Arsenal and the Fuller & 
Warren Works on the Troy side. This is the propeller " Lee Griffith," and a son of 
Mr. Britley is its pilot. Mr. Britley has been assessor and overseer of the poor of 
West Troy. 

Maloney, J. D., was born at Jackson, Mich., May 23, 1848. His father, James 
Maloney, by trade a stone mason, was a musician of some note. He was killed in a 
battle during the Civil war. Mr. Maloney was himself a drummer boy, having en- 



298 

listed when not fifteen years of age, in Co. K, 8tli Michigan Infantry, and saw two 
years of service. He was present when his father was killed on the "Clara Belle" 
near Vicksburg, a dramatic scene which impressed its horrors indelibly upon his 
youthful imagination. After the war he learned the trade of harness-making at 
Jackson, Mich., where he was employed for about six years. In 1872 he came to 
West Troy, and for a time worked in the Arsenal at saddle-making. In 1873 he 
opened a harness and repairing shop at 413 River street, Troy, and after operating 
for a few years he returned to the Arsenal. In 1880 he opened a saloon, his present 
occupation, on Broadway. Mr. Maloney has been for not less than twenty-four 
years a member of the " Gleason Hooks " of West Troy,, and in fact was a charter 
member of that gallant and popular company. He was their captain for twelve 
years and is now president. He is one of the central figures of the Grand Army 
Post, and was for years commander of Post Kane. 

Gray, Vivian, has been a resident of the vicinity of Watervliet since 1862. He 
was born in N§w Jersey in 1857, a son of George Gray, a retired resident of Lans- 
ingburgh. He learned the trade of tinsmith and in 1885 establi-shed business for 
himself, carrying a full line of house furnishing goods. Mr. Gray recently added 
to his business a line of fire insurance. He is also a prominent man in the Masonic 
fraternity. 

Hughan, James C, proprietor of the Granite and Marble Works at West Troy. 
was born in Cohoes in 1854. James B. Hughan, his father, late of Cohoes, settled 
there in 1850 and died in 1892, aged seventy years. He was born at Dalbettie, Scot- 
land. James C. Hughan spent his early days at Cohoes, and when about nineteen 
went to Maine and spent two years learning the details of the stone cutting art. He 
then came to Troy and engaged in the business on his own account. In 1892 he 
removed the working plant to a more eligible location at West Troy, near the Dela- 
ware and Hudson depot. Mr. Hughan enjoys a large and well merited patronage. 
He employs five men at the yards, which he personally superintends. Mr. Hughan's 
mother was Miss Anne Lennon, of Scottish birth. In 1885 he was united in marriage 
with Miss Helen Jones of Cohoes. 

McKinney, Rockwell, the well known Twenty-fourth street (West Troy) grocer, is 
a native of Columbia county, where he was born in 1859. He was the son of a 
farmer, the well known John McKinney. During the year of his birth the family 
removed to Valatie, N. Y., where he was reared and educated. At Valatie the 
elder McKinney was engaged in manufacturing cotton goods, and he died there in 
1880. When about thirteen years of age Rockwell began clerking in a grocery at 
Valatie, and when his employer, in 1868, removed to Syracuse he accompanied him. 
In 1874 he abandoned mercantile life for a time and became a brakeman, running 
between Syracuse and Albany on the New York Central. In 1880 he was made a 
freight conductor, and in 1885 further promoted to the position of passenger con- 
ductor between New York and Buffalo. Unfortunately becoming implicated in the 
great strike of 1890 caused his retirement from railroad life. He then opened a 
grocery and has already a large trade, carrying a select stock of family supplies. 

Kelley, Patrick, one of the landmark citizens of West Troy, has been a resident 
for over half a century, in fact since 1S44. He was born in Ireland in 1826, and 



299 

came to America when fifteen years of age. In 1848 he went into the livery business 
in Hamilton, Ont., and since 1856 has been located at 1557 First avenue, in a venera- 
ble building erected by him in 1836. Mr. Kelle'y is without doubt the pioneer among 
the livery men of Albany county now living and hale and hearty. 

Tygert, Thomas, was born in the town of Berne in 1825. John Tygert, his father, 
was born in 1790 ; he was one of six sons and six daughters born to William Tygert, 
of Kinderhook, who was a farmer and came to Albany county about 1797, and died 
in the town of Guilderland. His father was a native of Ireland. John was a farmer 
all his lifetime; he first settled in the town of Berne and later in New Scotland, 
where he spent his life as a successful farmer. His wife was Jane Warner, born in 
Albany county and daughter of Frederick Warner; their children were Frederick, 
Mary and Thomas. His first wife died many years ago. He was twice married 
after her death. Thomas Tygert received a common school education and remained 
with his father and had charge of the farm for many years. In 1867 he removed to 
Guilderland, where he purchased his present farm of 130 acres, where he has since 
resided. In 1885 he embarked in the coal business, and for some years after was a 
dealer in hay and straw. He was commissioner for three terms, and is now town 
auditor. In 1846 he married Catherine, daughter of John Fuller. Their children 
are John, Aaron. Jane, May Anna, Sarah, Hattie, Augusta and Ella. His second 
wife was Levinna Coan, born in Guilderland and daughter of Peter Coan. The 
children by this marriage are Beatrice and William M. Mrs. Tygert is a member of 
the Ladies' Missionary Society. 

Blessing Brothers. — John M. and Belmont E. Blessing, proprietors of the" Three 
Hill Dairy Farm," were born in the town of Guilderland, in December, 1840 and 
1851 respectively. The Blessing family dates back to the early settling of Albany 
county. Martin Blessing, their great-grandfather, was a native of the town of Guil- 
derland, born in 1767, and one of four sons. He reared three sons and one daughter. 
John M., their grandfather, was born in the same town in 1799; he was a prosper- 
ous farmer in early life, and later removed to Albany, where he was for a time canal 
collector; he died in Albany in 1860. He reared six sons and four daughters by his 
first wife, and two daughters by his second wife. Martin J., the'- father, w-as also a 
native of Guilderland, born in 1830. He was reared on a farm and followed that 
occupation throughout his active life. He purchased and moved on the "Three 
Hills Farm " of 184 acres in 1849, where he made a success as a farmer and dairy- 
man. In 1885 he was elected assemblyman; he was also identified with the State 
militia in which he took much pride. He ranked along the line to colonel. His 
wife was Elizabeth McKown ; their children are John M., Belmont E., Dr. Abraham 
H. of Albany, and Adam J. of Albany. John M. has remained on the farm from 
childhood, assisting his father, and later asspmed full control of the farm until his 
brother, Belmont, was associated with it. Belmont E. started out when a young 
man to see the world, and spent many years roaming throughout the western terri- 
■ tories, and spent five years in the gold mines of Idaho. He was a sailor for a time 
and visited England and some of the other European countries; some years since 
he returned to the homestead and associated himself with his brother John M. in 
the farming and dairying business. They now have a dairy of over thirty cows. 
They are also interested in the pure ice business, having built a pftid which is sup- 



300 

plied from a spring of fine water; the object of this is to supply those in the city, 
who are interested in the pure ice water for drinking purposes, with pure spring 
water ice. 

Relyea, Peter J., was born in Guilderland on the farm he owns in 1832. He was 
a son of Jacob Relyea, born in Guilderland in 1790. Jacob D., the father, purchased 
the farm of 100 acres, where Mr. Relyea now resides and devoted his life to farming. 
His wife was Mary Spoore, daughter of Abram Spoore; their children were William, 
Daniel, Abram, Jacob, who died when young; Hannah, Maria, Rachel and Peter J. 
He died in 1873, and his wife died in 1869 at the age of seventy-nine years. Peter 
J. has .spent his whole life on the homestead, a part of which he came in possession 
of and to which he has added, and now owns a farm of 101 acres. He remained 
with and cared for his parents until their death. He has been assessor, collector, 
school trustee, roadmaster, and is now serving his fourth term as assessor. He has 
often been chosen juryman and delegate to the county conventions. In 1851 he mar- 
ried Elizabeth Smith, born in Guilderland in 183.5, daughter of Peter and Marion 
(Wands) Smith, and granddaughter of Ebenezer Wands and Zachariah Smith. Mr. 
and Mrs. Relyea are members of the Reformed church, in which he has been deacon 
and elder. They have reared and cared for one of Mr. Relyea's brother's sons since 
he was four years of age. Mr. Relyea was president of the Prospect Hill Cemetery 
for a number of years, and is also one of the trustees. 

Magill. Robert, was born in the town of New Scotland, October 29, 1829. John 
Magill, his grandfather, was of Scotch parentage. He was a farmer for a time and 
lived near Sackelt's Harbor. He came to the town of New Scotland, where by con- 
tract he blasted out and made the famous road known as the " Indian Ladder 
Road '■ ; he was a soldier in the war of 1812. He reared two sons, Robert and James, 
and died in the town of Bethlehem. Robert, the father of the subject, was born 
near Sacketfs Harbor in 1790; his early life was devoted to farming; after leaving 
Western New York he came with his father to New Scotland and became an assist- 
ant in the making of the " Indian Ladder Road." From that time on he followed 
farming and blasting. His wife was Hannah M. Williams, and their children were 
William, Mary, James, Margaret, Eve, Ann, Rebecca, Julia, and Robert. He died 
in 1876, and his wife in 1840. Robert Magill spent his early life on his father's farm 
and was educated in the common schools. When twenty-six years old he engaged 
in carpentry, which trade he followed for about thirteen years. He then went to 
the town of Guilderland, where he was in the employ of Joel B. Mott for a few years, 
and rented a saw-mill which he operated with other work until 1872, when he 
purchased his present farm of 100 acres. He devoted his attention to farming and 
fruit growing, having fifty-four varieties of apples and nineteen varieties of pears, 
and many other varieties of fruit. All of his fine large orchards he has grown from 
the seed, doing all his own grafting. His residence is a brick house, which was 
erected in 1766, a portion of the brick being imported from Holland; there had been 
no change in the original work on this house for a period of 107 years, until Mr. 
Magill came in possession of it, when 'he re-roofed it, plastered, etc. The original 
material in it is in a perfect state of preservation. He served his town for one year 
as collector, but firmly declined the proffered nomination for supervisor, which was 
offered him at different times. In 1862 he married Catharine, daughter of William 



301 

J. Relyea of Guilderland. Their children are Chester, died when sixteen j-ears of 
age; Oscar, Robert, jr., Emma, William, Fenton, Charles, Alice, Carrie, Walter, 
Edna, and Cordelia. 

Fredendall, Henry, was born in the town of Guilderland in October, 1832. His 
father, Henry, was born in the town of Knox about 1812. He spent his whole life 
as a farmer. He was quite successful, beginning with nothing, but by hard work 
accumulated a good property and owned 180 acres. He spent most of his life in Guilder- 
land. His wife was Elizabeth Pitcher, daughter of Peter Pitcher, who was a farmer 
in the town of Knox; their children were Henry, Caroline, Eliza and Mathias. Mr. 
Fredendall and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. He died in 1890 and 
she died in 1889, at the age of seventy years. Mathias. the grandfather, was a suc- 
cessful farmer of the town of Knox ; he died in Guilderland. He reared eleven chil- 
dren, five sons and six daughters. Henry Fredendall attended the common schools 
and lived with his father on the farm, with the exception of three years, up to 1873, 
when he began for himself on a portion of the farm, where he has since resided, 
doing general farming, and his efforts have been crowned with success. In 1869 he 
married Miss Anna E., daughter of Peter Frederick, by whom one child has been 
born, Carrie, wife of Henry Weraple. Mr. and Mrs. Fredendall are both members of 
the Lutheran church, in which he has been deacon and elder for twenty years. Mrs. 
Fredendall is a member of the Ladies' Missionary Society. 

Ogsbury, John H., was born in the town of Guilderland, January, 1831. John 
iJavid Ogsbury, or Augsburger, was the founder of the family in America. He was 
born in Altweyer, Switzerland, and landed in America, May, 1759, . settling 
in the town of Guilderland, where he died July 2, 1800. His wife, Anna Rachel, 
was a native of Altweyer, and there was born to them three sons and five daughters. 
David, the next direct ancestor, was born in Guilderland in 1761 and died November 
22, l836. He was a farmer and served as a soldier during the Revolutionary war 
and was for a time stationed at Fort Schoharie. He conveyed provisions for the army, 
often fording the Mohawk River with his loads. His wife was Nancy Apple, who 
was born in August, 1768, and died March 3, 1849. They reared six sons and four 
daughters: Eve, John D., Henry A., David, Peter, Elizabeth, Alexander, Jacob, 
Nancy and Margaret. Henry, the father, was born in 1793 and when six years of 
age went to live with his grandparents, Apple, with whom he lived until he was four- 
teen when he engaged as clerk in Albany, where he remained for several years, 
thence to Middleburg, where he renewed the same vocation and five 5-ears later 
moved back to Guilderland, where he settled down, doing a pettifogging business, 
drawing wills and settling estates. He was active in Democratic politics, but 
always declined public office. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of 
the Lutheran church. He ijied in July, 1853. His wife was Elizabeth, daughter of 
John McMillen, born in the town of New Scotland in 1795, and died in July, 1876. 
Their children were Jeanette, Margaret M., Catherine, David, James, John, Jack 
and Magdalene. John H. Ogsbury was educated in the common schools and 
served an apprenticeship as cabinetmaker, but abandoned that on account of ill- 
health and in 1850 began farming. He now owns and resides on a portion of the 
original homestead of 155 acres, on which he does a general farming. In politics he 
is a Democrat. In 185-1 he married Eva Ward, daughter of Henry A. Ward of 



302 

Guiklerland, and they had three children: Henry W. (deceased), Frank L. and David 
E. Mr. Ogsbury's wife died in 1893. They were both members of the Reformed 
church. 

Young. William A., was born in the town of New Scotland in December, 1836. He 
was the son of George Young, born in the same place, and one of the five sons, 
Matthew, John, George, Henry and Joel, and five daughters born to Samuel Young, 
also a native of New Scotland; he was one of the three sons, Samuel William 
Helms and Joel, born to Matthew Young of Dutchess county, a Revolutionary 
soldier; he was a farmer and settled in New Scotland where he .spent his last days. 
Samuel was also a farmer and lived and died in that town. His wife was Margaret 
Dingman. He lived to be eighty-one years of age. George, the father of William 
A., was a farmer and a good mechanic. He devoted much of his time to masonry, 
which trade he had acquired. He spent his early life in New Scotland but removed 
to Watervliet where he purchased a farm. His death was caused by falling from a 
load of hay. His wife was Mary Martin, daughter of Peter Martin, by whom he has 
had fifteen children: Christiana, died in infancy, Ellen A., Margaret. Isabelle, Will- 
iam A., John, Samuel J., Melissa, Martha, Eliza, Catherine, Martin, George A., An- 
drew and Melvina;the latter fourteen all grew to maturity and were married. 
William A. attended the common schools until he was ten years of age, when he be- 
gan to work out on farms; this he continued until he was sixteen, when he learned 
the shoemaker's trade and has continued in that business until the present time. In 
1860 he removed from the town of Knox to Guilderland Center where he now resides. 
In 1872 he added to his business a shoe store and has a good patronage. He is a 
member of the Masonic fraternity, Moak Lodge of Altamont. In 1866 he was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine (Simmons) Pangburn. 

Albright, Lawrence, a well-known and prominent man, was born in New Scotland, 
October a, 1891. Frederick, the grandfather, was born in his father's stone house in 
New Scotland, where he spent his whole life, and having inherited the property, he 
continued farming. He reared four sons and two daughters and lived to be over 
eighty years of age. Henry F., the father, was also born on the same place in 1786, 
where he spent his life as a farmer, with the exception of four years spent in Syra- 
cuse, whence he returned to the farm again on account of ill-health. His first wife 
was a Miss Pangburn, by whom he had seven children. His second wife was 
Thursey A. Waggoner, by whom he had eight children. He died in 1849; his wife 
survived him and lived to be over eighty years of age. She was a daughter of Henry 
Waggoner of New Scotland ; she died in Albany. Lawrence spent his life in New 
Scotland and attended the common schools. When he was nineteen years of age he 
began for himself, having rented a farm, and by faithful attention to business and 
economy he amassed enough to purchase a farm of 112 acres in 1867, in the town 
of Guilderland, where he has since done a general farming, making a specialty of 
hay. In 1851 he married Miss Catharine Woodworth, and their children were Will- 
ard, Ada J., wife of George (iardener of Charlton, Saratoga county ; Charles, Emma 
E., wife of Carni Fort of Charlton, Saratoga county; and Nellie V., who died at tlie 
age of sixteen years. 

Mors. Joshua, of E. Mors's Sons, wholesale dealers in timber, piling, etc , have 
their office at No. 106 Sixteenth street, West Trov. The late Elisha Mors, founder 



303 

of the firm and father of the present members, was a large operator in timber and 
real estate, and was one of the most wealthy and prominent residents. Early in life 
he operated largely in the Black River region and later in Michigan and other pro- 
ducing points, having mills at Greenbush and elsewhere. He came to Troy in 18(i5, 
and died there thirty years later. Joshua Mors was educated in the Jamesville 
Academy, and associated with his father in the timber business, and upon the death 
of his father in 1895, succeeded with a younger brother to the business. 

Parker, William F., was born in 1860, a son of William Parker, a laborer. He was 
educated in Watervliet. and took a course of lectures on embalming, and engaged 
in the undertaking business in 1881 with a younger brother, Joseph Parker. He per- 
sonally directs funerals and manages all the branches of his profession, in a quiet 
and orderly way, characteristic of him. Mr. Parker has held no political office and 
seeks no political preferment. 

Witbeck, Charles G., is a lineal descendant of Jan Thomase Van Witbeck, a 
native of Witbeck, Holstein, Holland, who married Andriese Dochter, who was 
born in New Amsterdam (now New York). From 1050. when Beverwyck was fir.st 
laid out, Jan Thomase Van Witbeck' was the most considerable dealer in house lots 
in the village. In 16(U. iu company with Volkert Janse Douw, he purchased from 
the Indians the whole of Apje Island, or Schotack, and the mainland opposite on the 
east side of the Hudson River. Of his six children Thomase Janse Witbeck mar- 
ried, September 5, 1702, Jannetje Van Deusen, and was buried at Papsknee. 
Thomase Janse Witbeck also had six children, of whom Lucas, the youngest, was 
born February 26, 172'!, and married Geertruy, daughter of Johannes Lansing and 
his wife Geertruy, daughter of Pieter S. Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany. They 
too had six children, of whom Thomas and Gerrit (twins) were born March 18, 17.50. 
Gerrit Witbeck married. May 29, 1774, Immetje Perry, and had four children, of 
whom Thomas Gerrit Witbeck, born January 2.5, 1785, married, December 11, 1803, 
Leah, youngest daughter of Francis and Gertrude (Van Dusen) Marshall, who was 
born March 17, 1782. Of their six children, Gerrit Thomas Witbeck, the eldest, was 
born January 25, 1805, and died in September, 1882. He was a civil engineer and 
surveyor for the Van Rensselaer estate, for seven years deputy collector of canal 
tolls at West Troy and Albany and for about four years teller of the old Watervliet 
Bank at West Troy. When young he taught school, and in 1851-53 served as super- 
intendent of schools of Watervliet. He married Cornelia Ann, daughter of Eph- 
raim and Fanny (Sage) Baldwin, and they had six children, all of whom are de- 
ceased except Charles G. Gerrit Witbeck, son of Lucas and grandfather of Gerrit 
T., purchased 500 acres of land just west of the city of Watervliet, and here Talley- 
rand and Prince La Toure sought refuge from political troubles during the French 
Revolution, Soon after the American Revolution he bought a farm on the banks of 
the Mohawk River, near Watervliet Center, on which the Indians had their last 
council fire and which is still owned by the Witbeck family. Charles G. Witbeck 
was born October 20, 1851, received a common school education, studied civil en- 
gineering and surveying with his father, and for .several years followed his pro- 
fession for the town of Watervliet and the Van Rensselaer estate. In 1879 he was 
appointed assistant engineer of the New York State Canals under Horatio Seymour, 
jr.. and continued under State Engineers Sweet, Bogart and Schenck, until August, 



304 

1894. Jauuaiy 1, IS'Ji), he formed liis preseut partnership under the firm name of 
Thomas & Witbeck and opened an office in Troy. He was village engineer of West 
Troy from 1880 to 1886 and 1895 to 1896, and became city engmeer of Watervliet on 
the organization of that city, August 1, 1896. He is a member of Evening Star 
Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., of West Troy. January 16, 1873, he married Ella Louisa 
Hastings of Cohoes, and their children are Gerrit, Ephraim and Nellie. 

Christiansen, Alfred, in 1867 was transferred to Watervliet Arsenal, one of the 
ablest master mechanics whose services the post has ever been able to secure. He not 
only possessed the sterling qualities characteristic of his countrymen of the "Land 
of the Midnight Sun," for he iS a native of Christiania, Norway, but also the widest 
exi)erience in his line of work which a man could have. He was born in 1856 
and educated in the Royal Polytechnic Institute, graduating with the degree of 
Mechanical Engineer. Before locating at Philadelphia, Pa, he taught mathematics 
and mathematical drawing at his native place. He was with the Baldwin Loco- 
motive Work? for one year, then with William Sellers & Co., a large establishment 
of Philadelphia, for two years. In Boston he was chief draughtsman and master 
mechanic; thence he came to Watervliet. Among the many clubs and societies with 
which he is associated may be mentioned the American Society of Mechanical En- 
gineers, the Railroad Club of that city, and the Masonic order, in which he is of 
high rank, being presiding officer of the Hudson River Chapter of Royal Arch 
Masons. 

Moffat, George B., is a native of West Troy and the son of an old resident of the 
town of Colonie, William Moffat, who has always followed agricultural pursuits. 
Mr. Moffat was educated here and was first employed by the Thompson Manufactur- 
ing Company, manufacturers of steam heating apparatus. He traveled three years 
for them through the mining districts and elsewhere. In 1889 the Fairview Home 
for Friendless Children was founded in West Troy, and Mr. Moffat has been super- 
intendent since the opening of the institution. He was born in 1865, and has always 
resided here. 

Murphy Peter, recently elected overseer of the poor of the town of Watervliet, has 
spent his whole life in West Troy, his birthplace. He served three terms as village 
collector, proving a very popular and efficient official. Hewasborn in 1841. His father, 
Michael Murphy, was employed in the Watervliet Arsenal during the Me.\ican war. 
Mr. Murphy was first employed as a boatman on the Hudson, and lost a limb wliile 
on a schooner. In 1801 he went into the Arsenal, where he has since been employed 
as a brass finisher, and is an expert workman. 

Hulsapple, John H., son of William and Annie (Snook) Hulsapiile, was born in the 
town of East Greenbush, N. Y., October 5, 1839. He is of German descent, his 
■ grandfather, Cornelius Hulsapple, having come to America early in the nineteenth 
century. He was educated chiefly at Professor Smith's private seminary in Troy, 
and after leaving it was for eight years a clerk in the office of Robert Robinson, coal 
dealer, in West Troy. He then went to New York city and was employed by George 
II. Stone, lumber dealer, for three years. He returned to West Troy in 1863 and 
was connected with Betts & Robinson, lumber forwarders, until he became a mem- 
ber of the firm of I). Scrafford & Co., lumber dealers, of West Troy. When that 



305 

firm discontinued business he formed a partnership with Benjamin Shaffer, under 
the firm name of Shaffer & Hulsapple, which lasted about two years, when Mr. Hul- 
sapple succeeded to the sole control of the business, which he conducted for about 
three years. He now has a fire insurance agency in West Troy and is also a book- 
keeper for C. H. Green, lumber dealer of Troy. Mr. Hulsapple is a member of the 
Evening Star Lodge No. T5, F. & A. M. of West Troy, and a warden of Trinity Epis- 
copal church. He was president of the village of West Troy for one year, trustee 
for six years and a school trustee for several years. April 18, 1864, he married Lydia, 
daughter of Jesse Montgomery of Albany and they have six sons and one daughter, 
Harry M., Herbert S , William H., John T., Clarence, Eustis and Florence. 

Jaquins, John D., son of Joel and EHzabeth (Parke) Jaquins, was born in Troy, 
N. Y., April 32, 1864, He was educated in the public schools and took a special 
course under Principal Veeder. For six years he was a clerk in Pierson Lobdell's 
hat and furnishing goods store in West Troy, which he bought in 1884, and later 
moved to his present location on the corner of Broadway and Sixteenth street. Mr. 
Jaquins is a member of the board of directors of the V. M. C. A., a member of Even- 
ing Star Lodge No. 75, F. & A. M., and a member and financial secretary of the 
Watervliet Club. November 4, 1889, he married Jessie F.. daughter of Charles H. 
Mors of West Troy, and they have one daughter, Eleanor M. 

Passonna, Alfred, late of West Troy, whose death caused by an accident while 
driving a spirited horse at Brooklyn in 1893, was deeply deplored by a wide circle of 
friends. Captain Passonna was born at St. Valentine. Ont., in 1850, and came here 
in 1881. He was largely interested in fine horses, with headquarters in New York 
and a sale stable here. Formerly he owned several boats, and was engaged in the 
transportation of ice, malt, and other merchandise. During this period of his life he 
acquired the title of captain, and was noted for his personal bravery and physical 
power, and as an intrepid pilot. He figured quite prominently in West Troy busi- 
ness circles, and especially in the affairs of the Sacred Heart church. He was sur- 
vived by a widow, since deceased, and by four daughters and one son. 

Baker, George, the well known purveyor of staple meats, has been in business 
here since 1869. He was of German birth and learned the details of his busine.ss in 
the fatherland, and it is needless to say it was a thorough training. Mr. Baker was 
twenty-three years old when he started for America, possessed of no capital save 
ability and integrity. He first located on Nineteenth street, Troy, in 1871. He 
makes a specialty of trade in boneless boiled haras, distributing them over a wide 
area with his own teams and men. 

Conway, John J., has always resided in his native place. West Troy, and also ob- 
tained his education there. He spent three years in acquiring the stone cutter's 
trade, at which business he has been engaged since 1883. He was county committee- 
man in 1889, 1890, and 1891, and justice of the peace, to which office he was elected 
in 1890 and was re-elected in 1896. Mr. Conway was born in 1858 in the house in 
which he still resides. The house is one of the oldest of the town, being built by his 
father, Thomas Conway, an early settler. The latter, now deceased, was a mason 
by trade and a veteran of Company I, 93d New York State Volunteers. 



Gatchell, James K., son of William and Louise (Tyndall) Gatchell, was boru in 
Huron, Wayne county, N. Y., March 7, 1865. He was educated at the Sodus (N.Y.) 
Academy and the Auburn High School, after which he taught school for four years 
at Alton, Hydes, and North Huron, N. Y. In 1890 he entered the State Normal 
College at Albany, N Y., and was graduated in 1893. He was then appointed 
principal of the First Ward school, which position he held until August 14, 1895, when 
he was appointed superintendent of schools of West Troy, which oflfice he now fills. 
June 23, 1886, Mr. Gatchell married Eva L., daughter of James Barnes of Huron, 
N. Y. 

Shiland, John C, M. L)., is the son of Dr. Alexander Shiland, a prominent physician 
of West Troy until his death in 1886. The latter was well known for his professional 
standing throughout the county, and was health officer for many j-ears. Dr. J. C. 
Shiland was born at Waterford in 1855, and was one year old when his father began 
practice here. He was educated at Troy High School and entered Albany Medical 
College in 1875, graduating in 1878. He had occupied many clerical po.sitions before 
beginning his profession. Dr. Shiland made a special research into the diseases of 
the eye and ear, but his practice now is that of a general nature. He is very devoted 
to his labor and has been successful ; he is also very popular outside of his profes- 
sion. 

Cole, Frederick S., M. D., has but recently located at West Troy, but is a native 
of the county. He was born in the town of Westerlo, February 22, 1864, where his 
boyhood was passed. Prior to entering college he studied medicine in the office of 
Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, the celebrated specialist of Philadelphia. This experience was 
of great benefit, Dr. Mitchell being a recognized authority on nervous disease. In 
1888 Dr. Cole graduated from Columbia College and then entered the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons for a three years' course, becoming a full-fledged Escu- 
lapian in 1891, and beginning practice in Long Island, during which period he ac- 
quired some valuable hospital experience, and attended McLean's Maternity Hos- 
pital and the Vanderbilt Clinic. His training has been thorough and no doubt his 
success will become commensurate. He recently opened a drug store at No. 416 
Fourteenth street, West Troy. 

Le Roy, Isaac, son of Henry S. and Bridget (Purcell) Le Rov, was born March 15, 
1850, in West Troy, N. Y. He was educated at St. Bridget's School in West Troy, 
at the Christian Brothers' Academy in Troy, and at the Troy Business College, grad- 
uating from the latter in 1866. He obtained a clerkship in his father's grocery store 
in West Troy, and upon his father's death, in 1878, succeeded to the business which 
he has since conducted. Since April 1, 1896, he has conducted a laundry in connec- 
tion with the grocery. In 1873 he was elected clerk of the town of Watervliet for a 
terra of two years and in 1892 was re-elected for another term. Mr. Le Roy is a 
charter member of the Gleason Hook and Ladder Company and has been an active 
fireman for the last twenty-five years. He is a member of Trinity Council. 
C. B. L., and was one of the prime movers in having the streets of West Troy 
named and numbered. • 

Varney, F. E., is of French ancestry and a native of Canada, Ijorn in 1818. Since 
1851 he has been a prominent and honored citizen of West Troy, where he is en- 



307 

gaged in the millwright and tanner's business. Mr. Yarney has been a faithful ad- 
herent of the Republican party since its organization. He is a member of the Dutch 
Reformed church and a promoter of all movements tending towards the advance- 
ment of the interests of his city. Of his three children, only one survives, Mrs. 
James Andrews of Watervliet. 

Foley, James H., one of the trustees of what was then the village of West Troy, 
was elected i'n 1886 and has served in that capacity the longest of any of the present 
officers. He was also elected town clerk in 1894, serving two years. Mr. Foley is a 
native of Watervliet, born in 1859, and is a son of Denis Foley, a farmer and a milk- 
man, now retired. Mr. Foley always lived on his father's farm until he engaged in 
the liquor store at No. 16 Broadway, his present location. He is a member of the 
Gleason Hook and Ladder Company and was a member of the Volunteer Hose 
Company until their disbandment. 

Nangle, Martin E., born in East Waterford, Perry county. Pa., December 31, 1848, 
is a son of Martin and Isabella Bensha (Sturgess) Nangle. Martin, a native of Lon- 
don, England, settled in Philadelphia about 1830 as a silversmith, and died in East 
Waterford in 1855, aged si.Kty-five, leaving these children: Edward J., of Nebraska, 
who served one year in the Civil war; Joseph R., Julia S. (Mrs Van Schaack) of 
Albany; Mary Emma (Mrs. Cunningham) of Nebraska; Martin E. of Albany, and 
one deceased. Joseph R. enlisted in September, 1861, in Co. A, 49th Pa. Vols., and 
served until October, 1864. He settled in Albany in 1867 as foreman of the car de- 
partment of what is now the D. & H. C. R. R., and since 1880 has been engaged in 
the coal business. In 1867 he married Elizabeth B., daughter of J. D. Howell, a 
major in the war of the Rebellion, of Juniata county. Pa. Mrs. Isabella B. (Sturgess) 
Nangle, a member of two eld Albany families, Sturgess and Bensha, was born in 
the Captain Schuyler mansion at the head of Schuyler street. Martin E. Nangle en- 
listed in September, 1864, in Co. 5, 202d Pa. Vol.s., and after the war engaged in 
railroading, settling in Albany in 1866. In 1876 he became associated with William 
E. Griffin, an undertaker of Greenbush, and in 1878 engaged in the same business 
for himself in Albany as a member of the firm of Tedford & Nangle. Since 1883 he 
has conducted an undertaking establishment alone. He is a member of Ancient 
City Lodge, Capital City Chapter, De Witt Clinton Council and Temple Command- 
ery of Masons; Chancellors Lodge No. 58, K. P. ; L. O. Morris Post No. 121, G. A. 
R. ; Clinton Lodge No. 7, and New York Encampment No. 1, I. O. O. F., and the 
Albany County Undertakers' Association. In 1870 he married Elizabeth 'Van 
Schaack, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Van Shaack) Reamer, and a grand- 
daughter of Derick and Elizabeth (Tygart) Van Schaack of Albany. 

Wygant, Elmer E., son of Thomas H. and Mary J. (Hoes) Wygant, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., August 3. 1861. His ancestors were Holland Dutch, and the first one 
who came to this country settled in what is now Ulster county in the sixteenth cen- 
tury. Mr. Wygant's father organized the Wygant Express Company in 1858 and 
conducted the affairs of said company until 1889, when he sold out to the Consolidated 
Transfer Company. Elmer E. Wygant was educated in the public schools of Albany 
and afterwards worked for his father. In 1884 he was made superintendent of the 
Wygant Express Company and retained the position until 1889, when he bought out 
the Albany Cork Works. After two years the business was burned out and Mr. 



Wygant was, in 1892, appointed recording clerk in the office of the county clerk, 
James D. Walsh ; he still retains the position. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge 
\o. 417, F. & A. M., the Royal Arcanum, several Republican clubs and is the leader 
of the Eighteenth ward of Albany. In the fall of 1891 he was a deputy United States 
marshal. In 1892 he was married to Ethel, daughter of Norman Burdick of Albany. 

MacHarg, Martin, M. D., son of Horatio and Agnes (Veeder) MacHarg, was born 
in New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y., August 15, 1862. He is of Scotch descent, 
his ancestors having come from Scotland some time previous to the Revolution. Dr. 
MacHarg attended the district schools, and after removing to Albany he attended 
the Institute of Amos Cass and later the State Norma! School. In 1883 he attended 
the Medical College and graduated in 1885, receiving the degree of M. D. He prac- 
ticed one year in Dorniansville, Albany county, and since then he has practiced in 
Albany city. Dr. MacHarg is a member of Masters Lodge No. 5, F. & A. ^f.', the 
Albany County Medical Society, the Albany Camera Club, and the Unconditional 
Republican Club. In 1889 he married Minnetta, daughter of Benjamin Crouse of 
Altamont, Albany county. They have one .son, Alan. 

Skinner. David F., son of Philip and Anne (Benjamin) Skinner, was born in Lon- 
don, England, November 3, 1827. He was educated in Dean Stanhope .School, Lon- 
don, and later worked for the British government as boiler maker for five years. 
In 18.53 he came to America and settled in Syracuse, N. Y. , and in 1855 he removed 
to Albany. N. Y., where he was employed by the New York Central Railroad. In 
1863 Mr. Skinner formed a partnership with Joseph Arnold and they have since done 
a very large business as boilermakers, under the firm name of Skinner & Arnold. 
Mr. Skinner was at one time vice-president of the South End Bank and for a few 
years president of St. George's Society. November 9, 1857, he married Elizabeth, 
daughter of George Masters of New York, and they have six children: David F. , 
Ephraim C, William N., Jane, Elizabeth and Minnie. 

Gilbert, Hon. Francis Russell, is a descendant of New England and Scotch an- 
cestors and was born September 20, 1830, in the town ofStamford, Delaware county, 
N. Y. He is a son of Benjamin Gilbert, who was a farmer residing in the town of 
Stamford. His mother was Mary Falconer, daughter of Archibald Falconer, a 
Scotchman. His grandfather, Jesse Gilbert, was a native of Connecticut, born 
about 1757. and when a young man removed to Dutchess county, N. Y.. and during 
the Revolution served his country most gallantly, engaging in those memorable 
skirmishes and bloody conflicts with the British, Tories and Indians. He survived 
the war and lived to be nearly eighty years old, dying on the old Stamford home- 
stead about 1837. Francis R. Gilbert attended the common schools and later a pub- 
lic school at Amherst, Mas.s. He next attended for two years a select school and 
academy in the village of Stamford, after which he taught for two or three terms, in 
the intervals working on the- farm until he was twenty-four years old. He then 
entered the office of Sheldon A. Givens, a prominent lawyer of Harpersfierd, who 
subsequently practiced law in Catskill, N. Y. After leaving the office of Mr. Givens, 
he attended the Albany Law School from which he was graduated in the spring of 
18.56, having been admitted to the bar in the previous fall. Soon afterward he was 
admitted to practice in the United States Courts. In the fall of 1856 he opened a 
law office in the village of Stamford, and .since that time he has enjoyed a remarkable 



309 

practice, trying many cases, both civil and criminal, and among all the criminal 
trials he has defended not one of his clients was ever convicted. Judge Gilbert has 
always taken a lively interest in political affairs. In 1863 and 1863 he was elected as 
a Democratic member of assembly from Delaware county. He was a delegate to the 
National Convention which met in Chicago in 1884, and nominated Grover Cleveland 
for the presidency. In Ma^^ 1887, he was appointed by Governor Hill one of the 
judges of the Si.\th Judicial District, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of 
Judge Murray. He was appointed in 1891 a member of the State Constitutional Con- 
vention to revise the judiciary article of the State constitutron. In April, 1892, he 
was appointed deputy attorney-general of the State by Attorney-General Rosendale. 
Since the expiration of his term of office as deputy attorney-general he has practiced 
law at No 51 State street. Albany. In June, 1857, Judge Gilbert married Adelaide, 
daughter of Ralph and Minna Newell of Stamford. His wife died in August, 1860, 
leaving a son, Frank N. Gilbert, now practicing law at Binghamton, N. Y. In 1868 
he married his second wife, Josephine Crocker, of Augusta, Ga. They have two 
children, Jesse B. and Minnie E. Judge and Mrs. Gilbert are active members of 
the Presbyterian church. 

Herman, Sidney N., manager of the New York Tailoring Company, is a son of 
Morris and Nancy (Rice) Herman, and was born in Albany, January 25, 1858. Mor- 
ris Herman, a native of Germany, came to America in 1833, settled in Albany and 
died there in 1891. He was a jeweler for several years and was one of the oldest 
Masons in the city at the time of his death and held many offices in the order. 
Sidney M. Herman, was educated m the public schools of Albany, became a clerk in 
a shoe store and later learned the trade of custom clothing cutting in New York city, 
which he followed about twelve years. In 1888 he established himself in the mer- 
chant tailoring business in New York, as a member of the firm of Felleman & Her- 
man, and continued until February 1, 1895. He then returned to Albany and in 
March of that year organized the New York Tailoring Company, consisting of him- 
self and Louis Stark, locating at the corner of South Pearl and Howard streets. Mr. 
Herman is a member of the Royal Arcanum. In 1884 he married Miss Rose House- 
man of Albany. 

Gray, John Clinton, associate judge of the Court of Appeals of the State of New 
York, was born in New York city. He received his education in Berlin, at the New 
York University, and at the Howard Law School. -He was admitted to the bar in 
Boston, Mass., and practiced law in the city of New York from 1866 until his ap- 
pointment in 1888 to the bench of the Court of Appeals of New York, to fill the 
vacancy caused by the death of Judge Rapallo, and was elected for a full term in the 
same year. Judge Gray is a cultivated scholar and one of the best writers in the 
Court. 

Kernan, William J., M. D., son of James and Mary (Reardon) Kernan, was born 
in Albany, N. Y., December 22. 1864. He was educated in the public schools, after 
leaving which he was for seven years a clerk in the State Department of Public In- 
struction. He resigned his position there to attend the Albany Medical College and 
at the time of his graduation in 1891 he stood at the head of his class. He served as 
physician at the Williard Insane Asylum for a few months and then removed to 
Albany, N. Y., where he has since practiced. Dr. Kernan was for a time district 



310 

physician and police surgeon, but was compelled to resign these offices owing to 
pressure of professional duties. He makes a specialty of diseases of children. He 
is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, examiner for the Catliolic 
Benevolent League and physician to the House of the Good Shepherd. 

Capron, Arthur S., M. D., son of John D. and Elizabeth (Letcher) Capron, was 
born at Schoharie Court House, January 10, 1850, His maternal great-grandfather 
was one of the first settlers near Schoharie and cleared up five hundred acres of 
woodland. His first paternal ancestor to come to America was Banfield Capron, 
who came in 1640. Dr. Capron's parents removed to Albany, N. Y., when he was 
live years of age. He attended the public schools and Mr. Lawson's private school. 
In 1881 he entered the Albany Medical College and in 1886 received the degree of 
M. D. Since then he has practiced in Albany. He is a member of the Albany 
County Medical Society and Clinton Lodge No. 7, L O. O. F. In June, 1883, Dr. 
Capron married Isidor Irene, daughter of Dr. Daniel Peabody of Sheffield, Mass. 
She died in 1884, and in October, 1895, he married Mary Hager of Schodack Land- 
ing, N. Y. 

Illch, Julius, is a son of Simon and Celia (Fleischman) lUch, native of Bavaria, 
Germany. Simon came to Albany in 1849, was for forty years a merchant tailor and 
was prominent in Temple Beth Emeth, especially during its construction. Julius 
Illch was born in Albany, January 21, 1869, was graduated from the High School in 
June, 1886, as one of the commencement speakers, and in November, 1886, entered 
the office of Parker & Countryman as a law student. He was admitted to the bar 
at Albany, in February, 1890, was managing clerk for Robert G. Scherer for two 
years and for Horwitz & Hirschfield of New York one year and since then has been 
in active practice for himself in his native city. He is past grand of Capital City 
Lodge No. 440, I. O. O. F., which he represents on the board of tru.stees of the Odd 
Fellows Temple. He is also a member of Nawadaha Tribe No. 297, I. O. R. M., 
and secretary of Gideon Lodge No. 140, I. O. B. B. 

Van Loon, William H., son of Henry F. and Mary (McLaughlin) Van Loon, was 
born in Lansingburgh, N. Y., August 7, 1835. His paternal grandfather came from 
Amsterdam, Holland, about 1700; and on his mother's side he is descended from 
Colonel Cochran of the war of 1812. Mr. Van Loon attended the public schools of 
Troy, N. Y., and Schenectady county and learned the trade of foundryman at the 
foundries in Troy and West Troy. Subsequently he entered the employ of Rath- 
bone, Sard & Co. at Albany, N. Y., and remained there thirty-three years, as assist- 
ant foreman for eighteen years, and for the balance of the time as the contractor fen- 
the stove mountings. In 1892 he bought the business of John Armstrong, plumber 
and roofer, and he has since then been engaged in that business at No. 787 Broad- 
way, Albany. Mr. Van Loon is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., 
and is a trustee in Grace M. E. church. May 31, ISW), he married Caroline M. Stark, 
of Glenville, Schenectady county. 

Bartlett, Ezra Albert, M. D., traces his lineage (1) to Richard Bartlett, who came 
from Sussex, England, in 1635, to Newbury, Mass., where he died May 25, 1647. The 
Hue is (2) Richard, 1621-1698, of Old Town Hill, Mass., member of the council; (3) 
Ki, l,;,,,l ,,r \,.\vl„,ry, married Hannah Emery; (4) Stephen, of Canterbury, Mass., 



311 

married Hannah Webster; (5) Josiah, 1738-1795, a physician of Kingston, N. H., 
provincial governor, colonial governor, member of the Provincial Legislature 1705, 
lieutenant-colonel of the 7th Regt. militia 1770, colonel 1775, delegate to Congress 
1773-70, second signer of the Declaration of Independence, congressman 1778, chief 
justice of the Common Pleas 1779, judge of the Supreme Court 1783, chief justice 
1788, member of the convention to adopt the Federal Constitution 1788, president of 
the State 1793, married Mary Bartlett; (0) Ezra, 1770-1848, a physician of Haverhill, 
N. H., graduate of Dartmouth College, judge of the Common Pleas, 1807, chief 
justice of sessions 1820, State senator 1838-28, married Hannah Gale; and (7) Amos 
Oilman, 1814-1880, a minister, married Georgianna M. Pike, whose ancestors also 
came to Newbury, Mass., in 1035, where their old stone farm house is still standing. 
A statue of Hon. Josiah stands in Amesbury, Mass. Dr. Ezra Albert Bartlett, son 
of Amos G., was born in Newburyport, Mass , July 18, 1845, was graduated from the 
Atkinson, N. H., Academy, entered the sophomore class of Amherst College and in 
in September, 1803, enlisted in Bat. M., 4th U. S. Art., serving until 1866. He passed 
through the non-commissioned rank and in 1805 was promoted first lieutenant 7th 
Mass. H. A., unattached, but never mustered. He was graduated from Rochester 
University in 1870, read medicine with his uncle. Dr. Levi Bartlett of Skaneateles, 
N. Y., and with Dr. Samuel B. Ward of Albany, received the degree of M.D. from 
the Albany Medical College in 1879, and since then has practiced his profession in 
Albany. He is ex-president of the Albany County Medical Society, member of the 
American Electro-Therapeutic Association, member of the faculty of the National 
College of Electro-Therapeutics at Indianapolis, Ind., member of the staff of the Al- 
bany City Hospital and a member of George S. Dawson Post No. 03, G. A. R., and 
the Sons of the Revolution. He has been a lecturer in the Albany Medical College 
since about 1881, was for six years a member of the U. S. Board of Examining Sur- 
geons for Pensions and was a charter member and president of the old Albany 
Academy of Medicine. In 1871 he married Jennie, daughter of John Sargent of 
Rochester, N. Y., and they have one son, Frank Sargeant Bartlett, born March 10, 
1886. 

Lempe, George G., M.D., was born in Lansingburgh, N. Y., December 28, 1864. 
When six j'ears of age he moved to Germany, and attended the gymnasium and the 
University at Goettingen, provmce of Hanover. In 1883 he removed to America 
and took a one-year's post-graduate course at Harvard University. Subsequently 
he attended the Albany (N. Y.) Medical College and received the degree of M.D. 
from that institution in 1888, since which time he has practiced medicine in Albany. 
Dr. Lempe was assistant demonstrator at the Albany Medical College for two years 
and instructor in physiology at the same institution for one year. He was also sur- 
geon at the Albany Homoeopathic Hospital from 1889 to 1896; and is one of the ex- 
aminers of health officers for the New York State Civil Service Commission. Dr. 
Lempe is a member of the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternitj', Co. A, 10th Bat. N. G. N.Y., 
Albany Press Club, Albany County Medical Society and the Deutscher Club. He 
is also a charter member and surgeon of the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order. 

Warner, Charles B., of Altamont, was born in Summit, Schoharie county, Sep- 
tember 34, 1851, son of John Warner, jr., and Josephine, daughter of Milo Bradley. 
The grandfather of Charles B. was John Warner, son of Capt. George, whose father 



312 

was George. Charles B. was raised on a farm in Richmondville until be was eight- 
een years of age, when he began an apprenticeship as carriagemaker in Cobleskill, 
where he remained until 1875, when he removed to Altamont and worked for Jacob 
Van Benscotten until 1883; at that date he purchased an interest in his employer's 
business, forming the firm of Van Benscotten & Warner. Mr. Van Benscotten died 
in 1882 and two years later Mr. Warner bought the widow's share and continued the 
business to ISO."), when he admitted the son of his former partner, forming the firm 
of Warner & Van Benscotten. Mr. Warner is a bimetalist in politics, a member of 
Noah Lodge F. & A. M., of Altamont, and of Noah Chapter U. D., of which he was 
a charter member and principal sojourner; also of St. George Commandery No. 37, 
Schenectady, Cyprus Lodge Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and Voorheesville Lodge 
L O. O. F. In 1872 he married Frances A. Cornell of Richmondville, Schoharie 
county, daughter of Dr. Valentine Cornell. They have had five children: Blanch, 
Harry C, Charles, jr., and Francis (twins) (the latter deceased) and Stanley. Mr. 
and Mrs. Warner are members of the Lutheran church. 

De Graff, Dr. Abram, a prominent physician and surgeon, was born in Rotterdam, 
N. Y., in 1836 He is the son of Jacob De Graff, who was one of the four sons and 
five daughters born to Abram De Graff of Schoharie county, who was a farmer. He 
was a volunteer in the Revolutionary war, and once came into the town of Guilder- 
land to capture a lot of Tories. Jacob, the father, was born in Schoharie county 
in 1805. He was by occupation a farmer, which he followed during his active life. 
He came to Guilderland first in 1838, returned home, and in 1837 removed with his 
family and settled in Guilderland village, where he died in 1877. In 1833 he married 
Anna M. Clute, who was born in Schenectady county. She was the daughter of 
Nicholas Clute. To them were born three children, Helen M , Abram and Hamilton. 
She died in 1880. Mr. De Graff received fair educational advantages, and when six- 
teen years of age began teaching, which he followed for some years. He then be- 
gan to study medicine. Dr. Wilson being his preceptor, and in 1858 he was graduated 
from the Albany Medichl College. He then entered the office of Dr. Wilson of 
Guilderland, with whom he practiced for two years; he then began practice alone in 
Bethlehem, where he was in active practice until 1875, when he returned to Guilder- 
land, and has since enjoyed a lucrative practice, being called to Bethlehem, New- 
Scotland and Guilderland. He is a member of the Albany Medical Society, and was 
a delegate of that society to the American Medical Association held in Chicago. He 
has served as health officer to the town of Guilderland for three years; was county 
commissioner for three years, and was postmaster from 1885 to 1893, and from 1893 
_to the present time. In 1867 he married Mary F.. daughter of John P. Veeder, and 
'their children are Mary F., Frederick, Mrs. Sarah Batterman and Mrs. Anna Bailey. 
Mrs. De Graff's ancestors trace back to Simon Volkertse (de Baker), who was born 
1622, in Holland. He belonged to the ship Prince Morrice, which plied between 
Amsterdam. Holland, and New York. In 1652 he purchased lots in New York, and 
in 1654 he sold and removed to Albany, thence to Schenectady in 1662.' The second 
generation was Simon Veeder, and his wife, Neeltie Van Der Volgen. The third 
generation was Peter and his wife Maritie Van Der Bogart. The fourth generation 
was Claas (Nicholas), who was born in February, 1734, and his wife, Catharine Van 
Eps. The fifth generation was Pieter C, born in March, 1773, and his wife, Maria 



Mynderse. The sixth generation was John Pieter, who was born in September, 
1809, and his wife, Sarah Ann Batterman. 

Cook, Eugene, born in Berne, N. Y., July 10, 1846, is a son of Abram and Jane 
(Crocker) Cook, both born in Albany county, he a son of David Cook who came to 
Albany county in an early day and settled in Berne, N. Y. The maternal grand- 
father of Eugene Cook was Rev. Mr. Crocker, an early settler of Berne, where he 
reared a large family. The father of Eugene Cook was a farmer, and died in 
Berne in 1866. Eugene Cook was reared on a farm and educated in the common 
schools and Rensselaer Academ)'. He was for several years engaged in the sale of 
stove shelves and Horton's washing machines; and also in the livery business in 
Illinois, but his principal occupation is farming, and in 1866 he removed to the farm 
of 156 acres, he owns. He is a Democrat in politics, but does not aspire to public 
office. In 1869 he married Augusta Lounsbury, a daughter of William Lounsbury. 
To Mr. Cook and wife were born three children: Alice, wife of Charles Mackey, 
Arcia and Reba B. The family attend the Methodist church. 

Williams, Elam, was born in the town of Knox, March 12, 1844. Prentice Williams, 
his grandfather, was a native of Connecticut, settled in Knox when a young man 
cleared himself a farm in the forest, where he became prosperous. His children 
were Lucy, Mary, Eliza, Eunice, Prentice, jr., and Dennison. He and his wife were 
niLinbcrs of the Methodist church, in which he was an active worker. He died in 
1S,-,(|, and his wife died some years before. Hon. Prentice Williams, jr., the father 
of Elara, was born in the town of Knox on the homestead in 1794. In early life he 
followed farming, but later learned the cabinetmaker's trade, which he followed in 
connection with undertaking for a number of years in the village of Knox. He sub- 
sequently engaged in mercantile business in Albany, remained there but a short time 
and returned to Knox and resumed his old business of furniture and undertaking. 
He was prominently identified with the Democratic party and his influence was ex- 
tensive; he had the honor of serving his district in the State Legi-slature one term, 
and was postmaster many years. He was twice married ; his first wife, Harriet Jane 
Clark, died a year aftei their marriage ; his second wife was Mrs. Jane (Knight) Arm- 
strong, widow of Patten Armstrong, and they had one child, Elam. Mr. and Mrs. 
Williams were members of the Methodist church, in which he took a leading part 
He died in 1864 and his wife September, 1882. Elam Williams received his education 
in the Knox Academy and when twenty years old began teaching which he followed 
for a number of years. Early in life he manifested a keen and active interest in the 
political affairs of his town and county, and while yet a young man was elected to the 
office of justice of the peace on the Democratic ticket. He filled the office with such 
credit that he was elected and re-elected for nineteen successive years ; the years 
of 1882-83 he was justice of sessions and in 1870 was appointed State census 
enumerator for his district. He has filled the office of postmaster of Knox during 
both of President Cleveland's administrations. In 1886 he engaged in the general 
mercantile business in the village of Knox and with careful and strict attention 
to business, he has met with merited success. In the spring of 1896 he purchased a 
farm of 11'2 acres near the village, of which he has taken personal management, 
being assisted in the store by his son, Stanley. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, Berne Lodge, No. 684. In 1871 he married Catherine, daughter of Syl- 



314 

vester and Sarah (Bunzy) Allen of Knox, and they have five children, Effie, Stanley, 
Jennie. Marx and Emma. 

Bassler, Elias, a well known landmark, was born in the town of Knox, on the old 
Bassler homestead, Februarys, 1819. Frederick Bassler, his great-grandfather, was 
a native of Switzerland, who immigrated to America before 1750 and settled in 
Philadelphia. He was married on board of ship while on his way to America. Be- 
tween 1750 and 1760 he settled in what is now the town of Knox, took up 238 acres 
of land and made himself a home in the forest, and was one of the first eight to settle 
in the town of Berne. Frederick Bassler, the grandfather of Elias, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1753, and grew to manhood on his father's farm in Knox, of 
which he sub.sequently came in possession. When the Revolutionary war broke out 
he took sides with the British and enlisted in their service. His wife was Martha 
Ball, a native of Berne, born in 1768, and their children were Peter, Frederick, Henry, 
John, Beniamin, Eve, Elizabeth, Maria and Ann Eliza. He died November 5, 1851, 
at the age of ninety-eight years; his wife died February 27, 1833. Frederick, the 
father of Elias Bassler, was born on the homestead in 1793; coming into possession 
of one-half of the homestead, he added more to his landed possessions, .where he 
remained a lifelong and successful farmer. He was prominent and influential in the 
political affairs of his town and county, being chosen six times by his townsmen to 
represent them in the Board of Supervisors, and was once elected to represent his 
district in the State Legislature on the Republican ticket. He was actively identified 
with the church and was one of the building committee to erect the first Dutch Re- 
formed church of Berne, in which he afterwards officiated. His wife was Maria 
Salsburg, and their children were Anna, Maria. Elias, Jacob. Peter, Levinus, Sophia, 
Eliza and Emma. He died in 1874 and his wife in 1862. Elias Bassler, when a boy, 
attended the common district schools. He remained on the farm until thirty-nine 
years af age, when he came into possession of his present farm of 130 acres, through 
the assistance of his father, and on this farm he has ever since resided, doing general 
farming. In politics Mr. Bassler is a Republican, and while feeling a keen interest 
in the welfare of his party, he has never sought political honors. In 1842 he married 
Eva, daughter of Jacob Sand of Knox, and they have three children: Dorthy L. 
(wife of Nicholas Sheldon of Knox), Olivia M. (wife of James E. Onderdonk of Central 
Bridge, N. Y.), and Catharine E. (who died when nineteen). Mrs. Bassler died in 
February, 1894. They were both members of the Reformed church, in which he has 
officiated as deacon and elder. He has now retired from the active life and care of 
the farm, which he now leases to his son-in-law, Mr. Sheldon. 

Sturgess, Charles E.. a well known landmark and patriot in the Northern army in 
the war of the Rebellion, was born in the town of Knox, June 17, 1846, on the farm 
he now owns and occupies. George Sturgess, the grandfather of Charles E., was 
torn in Delaware county, N. Y., a descendant from one of four brothers who 
migrated from England to America in an early day. George spent his life as a 
farmer in Delaware county and lived to be a very aged man; he was the father of 
ten .sons and daughters. David, the father of Charles E. Sturgess, was born in Del- 
aware county, June 13, 1815. He was a farmer and carpenter, spending most of his 
hfe at his trade. In 1844 he moved to the town of Knox, where he spent his remain- 
Ingdays. He was prominently identified with the Republican party in his town, but 



315 

never an aspirant for office. He owned the farm now owned by Charles E. Sturgess, 
and formerly owned by his father-in-law, Nathaniel Swan. His wife was Melinda, 
daughter of Nathaniel Swan, and their children were Charles E., Nathaniel, Adelia, 
Sarah, Isadore and Eugene. He died in March, 1807, and his wife survives him and 
resides on the home farm with her son. Her father, Nathaniel Swan, was a promi- 
nent man in the town of Knox, and did much toward building it up. His place of 
business and residence has ever been known as Swan's Corners, where he owned 
600 acres of land, a hotel, store, blacksmith shop, and also a large potash factory. 
In stature he was of medium height and weighed about 165 pounds, but herculean 
in strength; he would pick up a 400 pound weight from the ground and place it in a 
wagon, or pick up a barrel of cider from the ground on to his knees and drink from 
the bunghole. He lived to be ninety-five years old and was perfectly healthy to the 
morning of the day of his death, which occurred in December, 18T2. Charles E. 
Sturgess attended the common schools and was graduated from the Knoxville Acad- 
emy. He remained on the farm with his parents until July 38, 1862, when yet a lad 
of but sixteen years he answered his country's call for troops and enlisted in Co. K, 
7th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and served three years, participating in all the battles of 
his regiment; the principal engagements being the battle of the Wilderness, Spott- 
sylvania. North Ajina River, Tolopotomy, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg, being in the 
famous bayonet charges of the two latter battles. At the battle of Deep Bottom he 
was captured and confined in Libby prison one month, when he was transferred to 
Belle Island prison, where he endured terrible sufferings for two months, from the 
effects of which he has never fully recovered. After his return home he engaged in 
farming and teaching during the winter months; this he followed for a number of 
years, always making his present residence his home. In politics he is a Republican, 
having served two years as town clerk and elected and re-elected ten successive years 
to the office of justice of the peace, the last year resigning the office. He has also 
filled the office of school commissioner for the Third district of Albany county for 
three years. He is a member of Michael H. Barckley G. A. R. Post of Altamont, 
N. Y. December 31, 1868, he married Nancy E., daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Kane) Quay, and their children are Louie, Edith, Bertha, Ada, Rosco and Lottie. 

Mackey, Charles H., was born in Rensselaerville, N. Y.. October 3, 1863, and is 
a son of Willett B., who was a son of Alexander Mackey, a native of Rensselaerville, 
and he a son of one Alexander Mackey who came to Rensselaerville previous to 
Revolutionary times. He was in the war as drummer at age of twelve. Willett B., 
the father of Charles Mackey, was a farmer by occupation and a Democract in poli- 
tics, and held the office of highway commissioner. His wife was Hannah E. Rein- 
hart of Schoharie county, N. Y., a daughter of John J. Reinhart, an early settler of 
Rensselaerville. To Mr. Mackey and wife were born two sons and one daughter 
who grew to man and womanhood. Charles H. Mackey was reared on a farm and 
educated in the common .schools. He is a farmer and owns 190 acres, 100 acres where 
he resides. November 14, 1888, he married Alice M. Cook, daughter of Eugene 
Cook. In politics Mr. Mackey is a Democrat and has been collector two years. The 
family attend the Baptist church, of which the father was a lifelong member. 

Fanning, James O., was born of American parentage in Gorham. Ontario county, 
N. Y. , March 8, 1835 He received a common school and an academical education, 



316 

the latter being obtaiued principally at the Franklin Academy at Prattsburg. Steu- 
ben county, N. Y. Mr. Fanning was a student in the office of Hon. Daniel Morris 
at Penn Yan, N. Y., and in the law department of the University of Albany, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1860. After practicing some years, Mr. Fanning served 
three years as accountant in the Treasury Department at Washington and the same 
period as financial and engrossing clerk of the State Assembly. He has been 
connected with the State Board of Charities as assistant secretary for about twenty 
years. 

Brown, Johh C, M. D., son of P. J. and Margaret (Bough) Brown, was born in 
Oswego, N. Y. July 32, 1870. In 1881 he moved to Albany, N. Y., with his parents 
and attended the Christian Brothers' Academy, from which he was graduated in 
1886. While there he organized and was the first president of the Justin Literary 
Society. In 1887 he entered the Niagara University, where he remained three years, 
and while there he was one of the founders of the Shakespeare Dramatic Associa- 
tion. He returned to Albany and received the degree of M. D. from the Albany 
Medical College in 1893. He subsequently spent one term m the Charity Hospital 
on Blackwell's Island, N. Y., and returned to Albany, where he has since practiced 
medicine. In 1895 Dr. Brown was elected coroner's physician, and in 1896 he was 
re elected. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, the Alumni 
Association of the Albany Medical College and the Dongan Club, of which he was 
secretary in 1895. 

Wiltse, James Wesley, M. D., son of James and Elizabeth (Magiunis) Wilt.se, was 
born in Delaware county, N. Y., November 10, 1864. The Wiltse family has been 
in America for several generations. The first, three brothers, came from Holland 
and settled in Columbia county; later one moved to New York and another to Dela- 
ware county. Dr. Wiltse's paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. 
Dr. Wiltse received his preliminary education in the public schools of Greene and 
Delaware counties. In 1891 he was graduated from the Albany Medical College, 
receiving the degree of M. D., and immediately began practice at No. 1203 Broad- 
way. In May, 1896, he moved to No. 135 North Pearl street, formerly occupied by 
Dr. Samuel B. Ward. He was fourth district physician from 1891 to 1896. Dr. 
Wilt.se is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and Temple Lodge, F. & 
A. M. In 1893 he was married to Lizzie Bailie of Albany, and they have one son, 
Stanley Bailie. 

Harris, William B.. son of Henry H. and Mary A. (Parker) Harris, was born in 
Albany, N. Y.. in 1860. He was educated in the public schools and Albany High 
School and afterwards conducted the cigar stand at the N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. depot 
for eleven years. In 1884 he moved to No. 9 South Pearl street, where he is now the 
owner and proprietor of a cigar store. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 
417, F. & A. M., Garriaka Tribe of Red Men No. 343, and the Unconditional Repub- 
lican Club. In 1883 he was married to Carrie Kiugsley of Albany. 

Duggan, Edward J., son of Matthew and Fannie (Welsh) Duggan, was born in 
Albany, March 11, 1857. He received his education in the public schoolsr Thomas 
Newman's Private School, Christian Brothers' Academy and Masson College, Can- 
ada. He started in life in a New York grocery house, where he remained only a 



317 

few months. He removed to Albany and after seventeen years successfully sjjent in 
both the wholesale and retail grocery business, he is now the owner and proprietor 
of a large store on Hudson avenue. He is a member of the Catholic Union and 
Knights of Columbus. In 1861 he married Mary F. Kearns. 

Sheppey, John V., M. D., son of Alonzo N. and Charlotte (Benedict) Sheppey, 
was born in Ogdensburgh, N. Y., in 1859. On the maternal side, Dr. Sheppey is 
descended from the Van Derwaters, who were among the first settlers of Schenec- 
tady, N. Y. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Rugby 
Academy at Philadelphia. Pa., in 1880. He entered the Jefferson Medical College in 
1882 and in 1885 received the degree of M. D. from that institution. Dr. Sheppey 
did hospital work for one and a half years and after two years spent in Ohio, 
he opened an office in Albany, N. Y., where he has since practiced. He is a member 
of the Albany County Medical Society and assistant at electrocutions to the physi- 
cian at Dannemora. He married Lina Craig of Ulster county, and they have four 
children, Elsie C, Margaret, Esther and Dorothj'. 

Green, Col. G. James, son of John R. and Ann C. (Vosburgh) Green, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., June 4, 1860. His great-grandfather, John, an Englishman, came 
from Dublin to America and settled in Niskayuna, N. Y., where he married Rebecca 
Groot. They had a son, Cornelius, who married Gertrude Tymerson. G. James 
Green received his education in the Albany public and high schools. In 1875 he 
went into the employ of the D. & H. C. Co. as clerk, and for three years following 
was paymaster for Curtin & Whalen, railroad contractors. In 1884 he was tendered 
the position of bookkeeper with McKinley & Co., and remained with that company 
until 1893, when he resigned to accept a similar position with Weidman & Co. 
January 1, 1894, he was appointed chief clerk in the oflfice of the inspector-general of 
the State of New York and on January 3, 1895, he was appointed assistant inspector- 
general of the State, which position he now holds. Colonel Green enlisted in Co. B, 
10th Regt., November 13, 1879; was promoted corporal January 4, 1881 ; dropped on 
account of removal from the city, November 30, 1881 ; taken up as private in Co. B, 
10th Battalion, June 6, 1884; promoted corporal September 7, 1885; sergeant, Janu- 
ary 18, 1886; first sergeant. May 3, 1886; second lieutenant, October 15, 1887; lieuten- 
ant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general, Third Brigade, December 11, 1889. Upon 
the resignation of Brigadier-General Parker he was placed upon the supernumerary 
list, at his own request; January 2, 1891, and on August 9, of the same year, he was 
elected captain of his old company, vice Stacpole promoted major of the battalion. 
Colonel Green resigned the captaincy of Co. B, January 1, 1895. He is a member of 
the United Service Club of New York city, the Military Service Institution of the 
United States and the Unconditional Republican Chib of Albany. 

Fitts, Hon. George H., was born in Cohoes, Albany county, September 29, 1851. 
He is of English descent and his parents, Lucien and Lemira M. (Slocumi Fitts, 
were natives of New England. Mr. Fitts was graduated from l)artniouth College 
in 1873 and from the Albany Law School in 1874. He then commenced the practice 
of law in Cohoes, where he continued until January 1, 1896, when he assumed the 
office of surrogate of Albany county, which be now holds. He was in partnership 
with Charles F. Doyle from January, 1878, to October, 1891, and was a member of 
the firm of Fitts & Wertime from January 1, 1894, to January 1, 1896. Judge Fitts 



318 

was city attorney of Cohoes from May, 1888, to January 1, 1896, when he resigned. 
June 4, 1896, he married Clara B.. daughter of the late Henry S. Bogue of Cohoes. 

Ui.\on, George, was thirteen years of age when his father, Robert Dixon, died 
leaving him to gain his own livelihood. Thus entering upon a life of toil and priva- 
tion which developed in him those excellent habits and those which distinguish him 
as a man. He went into a mill near his birthplace, Poughkeepsie. N. Y., where 
he was born in 1827. There he began in a humble way his life work. Being cour- 
ageous and energetic, he soon left the hardships of youth behind him, and advanced 
rapidly. In 1858 he came to Cohoes and for ten years took charge of the weaving 
department in Harmony Mill, Nos. 1 and 2. Since that time he has been superin- 
tendent of No. 3, the largest mill in the United States, having 140,000 spindles and 
1,500 employees. Yet Mr. Dixon in his busy life that followed found time for social 
and political duties, serving as school commissioner for six years; he is also director 
of the Savings Bank. Mr. Dixon in 1849 married Mary C. H. Thompson of Pleasant 
Valley, by whom he had four children. George E., the elder, is superintendent of 
schools in Cohoes. 

Archibold, John, M. D.. of Aichibold Bros.' elegant drug store, and successful 
general practitioner of Cohoes, is a native of Bonfield, Scotland, born in 1861. He 
was brought by his parents to America when three years of age, and began his edu- 
cation at Cohoes, graduating from the Albany Medical College in 1888. He began 
practice at Troy and afterward removed to Green Island, where he served as health 
officer for one year. He has practiced here since 1892, and for the last three years 
has been city health officer. William Archibold established the drug business upon 
his arrival in Cohoes in 1864. He stood in the front rank of his profession until his 
death in 1889, and the business has taken no step backward under the able manage- 
ment of his two sons. Dr. Archibold enjoys a wide popularity, outside of his pro- 
fessional radius, and as a man inherits the sterhng qualities of his race. He is lieu- 
tenant of the crack local company National Guards S. N. Y. 

White, David, is as well known for his zealous labors in the temperance cause as 
for the extensive roofing busme.ss, with which his name has been associated since his 
settlement in Cohoes in 1866. He was at that time twenty-two years of age and had 
acquired his superior knowledge of the trade in Scotland, his native country. Mr. 
White is the oldest and most experienced roofer in the county, equally skillful in 
every branch of the work. His father is Robert White, a linen cloth manufacturer, 
still living at the advanced age of eighty-four. The maternal grandmother lived to 
be 103 years of age. Mr. White inherits the sterling qualities characteristic of liis 
ancestors. In him the Temple of Honor has a useful and influential member, ami 
the Reform church an able supporter. 

Rosenthal!, Mitchell, editor and pubhsher of the Sunday Regulator, is one of the 
leading newspaper men of the city of Cohoes. Mr. Rosenthal! has always been in- 
terested in journalism and has had wide experience in newspaper work, doing special 
work for many out of town papers For several years he was correspondent for the 
Troy Telegram, then became its city editor in 1885. He was also connected with the 
Troy Budget, at the time serving as deputy postmaster, to which office he was ap- 
pointed in 18T7, holding it for eight years in all. He is a Republican and has been 



319 

school commissioner. His father was Abram Rosenthall, an honored and highly 
esteemed citizen of Cohoes, since 1869. He was a native of Warsaw, Poland, and 
an extensive traveler, paying his expenses in foreign countries by making passamen- 
teries, then coming to America before reching man's estate. He joined the gold 
seekers in California, but soon located m New York, where he married, then returned 
to California, where Mitchell was born, in 1856. After stopping in St. Louis, New 
York, and Troy, he finally located in Cohoes and engaged as a retail clothier, until 
his death, February 6, 1896. He is survived by his widow and two sons. 

Walsh, John S., is the son of a longtime resident of Cohoes, John Walsh, an en- 
gineer. Starting with no capital he has made his own way in the world, first engag- 
ing in the tea business, later taking up the business for himself. He came to his 
{present location, corner Mohawk and Ontario streets, three years ago, carrying a 
large stock which is unsurpassed in its line. Teas, coffees, spices and flour are 
specialties, besides a choice stock of general groceries. Mr. Walsh while taking a 
deep interest in politics and everything that contributes to the welfare of his native 
city, where he was born in 1856, never seeks or accepts political preferment. He is 
a member of the Business Men's Association. In 1893 he married Catherine Platz, 
daughter of N. B. Platz of Cohoes. 

Wallace, James, was born in Cohoes, Albany county, N, Y., July 9. 1856. He at- 
tended the public schools and later acted as correspondent in his native town and 
vicinity for several newspapers. He began the study of law with counselor Earl L. 
Stimson in 1880 and was admitted to the bar January 24, 1884. In July, 1883, the 
Cohoes Cataract, a weekly newspaper, the original publication of which was begun 
early in the history of Cohoes, was again started and Mr. Wallace became the editor. 
A year later the paper was superseded by the Cohoes Dispatch of which he was 
selected the editor, and William E. Seaport, the publisher of the Cataract, became 
the proprietor. About a year later Mr. Wallace purchased the paper and early in 
the year 1886 he formed a copartnership with his brother Michael, and the firm of 
J. & M. Wallace has since continued the publication of the paper. March, 1886, Mr. 
Wallace was elected justice of the peace of Cohoes. He assumed the duties of the 
office the first of the following year and served four years and refused a renomination. 
He has taken an active p^rt in local political, social and business affairs and through 
the columns of his paper has aided in improving the local city government and has 
also aided in the material progress of the city. 

Bogue, Henry L. , late of Cohoes, was one of the most successful bridge buiders of 
his day. He was born at Canton, N. Y., in 1825, and came to Cohoesin 1854. Here 
he became a member of the firm of Smith & Bogue and was awarded the contract for 
building the Waterford bridge. He built the first bridge across the Mohawk, and 
portions of the Hudson River Railroad from Cold Spring to New Hamburg, and that 
part of the Erie Railroad from Dunkirk to Hinsdale. With his many business en- 
terprises he also operated a lumber business with his brother, C. M. Bogue. In 1865 
he engaged in the manufacture of knit goods with (Jeorge H. Wager as a partner. 
That same year he also built the Riverside Knitting Mill. Mr. Bogue was a Demo- 
crat and held many local offices, serving two years as mayor, and proving a very 
capable chief magistrate. His death, in 1886. was mourned throughout the city, as 
a man of sterling character and of true nobility. His wife was Clara Chase of New- 



burgh, whom he married in 1852 at Fishkill-on-the-Hudson ; four children alsu sur- 
vive him. 

Nodine, Francis, was born at Coeymans in 1820. He is a son of WilHam and 
Rodat (Joslyn) Nodine, and a grandson of one of the four brothers who were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary war, and died with the small-pox. He left one son, William, 
who came to Coeymans when a boy, where he married in'1797 and had six sons,: 
Benjamin, Harvey, Joslyn, William, Hiram and Francis; and three daughters: 
Elizabeth, Harriet and Rachel. He was a farmer and died in 1861. Francis Nodine 
married Agnes, daughter of Jonathan Miller, by whom he has had three children: 
two sons, Hiram J. and J. M., and one daughter. Mr. Nodine is a farmer and still 
resides on the farm where his father settled in 1849. 

Lameraux, Phila, is the daughter of Solomon Carmon, of Greene county, and the 
widow of Judson Lameraux, who was for many years a prominent and successful 
farmer of Indian Fields, where he died in 1887. He was the son of George, and the 
grandson of James Lameraux, who with three brothers came from Paris, France, to 
Dutchess county, and James came to Coeymans and built a mill at Coeymans Hol- 
low, and later bought a large tract of land at what is now Indian Fields village, 
where they have always been prominent farmers. 

Lumereaux, George C, is the son of Jarvis, grandson of George and great-grand- 
son of James, who came from Paris, France, and settled in Coeymans, where the 
Lumereaux family have since occupied a prominent place, being among the leading 
farmers of the town. James Lumereaux settled a large farm on Copeland Hill, 
where his son, W. J. Lumereaux, now lives, and died there in 1870. George C. 
Lumereaux came to his present home in 1862 and has always been a farmer, though 
now retired on account of his health. His wife was Emily, a daughter of Harvey 
Shear, and they have four daughters : Phoebe L., Lottie W., Anna and Ida. Mr. 
Lumereaux is president of the Coeymans and Watervliet Telephone Company and 
has always taken a keen interest in all affairs relating to the welfare of the town. 
He built in 1895 a fine residence in the village of Coeymans, where he contemplates 
moving to spend his old age. 

Spencer, Charles M., was born in Albany and is the .son of Daniel and grandson of 
John Spencer, who came to Albany when a young man and had three sons: John, 
William and Daniel. Daniel Spencer, after being in business in Albany for some 
years, moved to what is now Glenmont, where he died in 1878, leaving one son, C. 
M. Spencer, as above. Charles M. Spencer has remained on the home at Glenmont, 
where he is a gardener and fruit grower. 

Parr, Henry, was born in Germany in 1848 and came to America in 1807, working 
in different hotels until 1879, when he became proprietor of the old National Hotel 
in Albany. In 1881 he came to Bethlehem and has since run the Abbie Hotel, 
which under his management has become a very popular resort for social parties. 

Scharbauer, Philip, was born in Bethlehem in 1855 and is a son of Ferdinand, who 
came from Germany. Mr. Scharbauer began life as a poor boy and for some years 
clerked in a store in Albany and South Bethlehem. He began business for himself 
in 1879 by opening a store at South Bethlehem, which he continued until 1893. He 



331 

was also engaged in buying and shipping hay and other farm products. In 1804 he 
opened a hardware store at Newburgh and later started two branch stores, one at 
Matteawan and one at Poughkeepsie. In 1895 he was made secretary and treasurer 
of the Calbanen Road Improvement Company, and now devotes his time to that 
office, having a manager for his store business. 

Stofiels, William, is the son of Peter Stoffels, who came from Germany and settled 
on a farm in Bethlehem, where he was a farmer until he retired and moved to 
Albany, where he died. William Stoflfels bought the homestead and is a farmer 
and gardener and also runs a large dairy. He has four sons- William, jr., Peter, 
John E. and George. 

Van Allen, P. C, was born in Bethlehem and is the son of David, and grandson 
of Garrett Van Allen, whose father, with two brothers, came from Holland and set- 
tled in Bethlehem. Mr. Van Allen remained on the homestead until 1878, when he 
moved to New Scotland for two years, after which he settled' on his present farm, 
where he is a farmer. He married a daughter of Josiah Bender of New Scotland, 
and they have two daughters, Grace and Jesse. 

Kemp, John H., the capable and efficient town clerk of the new town of Colonic, 
and postmaster of NewtonviUe, was born in the town in 1849, where his father, 
Michael Kemp, still resides. Prior to engaging in the mercantile business in New- 
tonviUe in 1876. he had been for a few years engaged in gardening in the town of 
New Scotland. Besides his store at NewtonviUe Mr. Kemp still operates a farm in 
the vicinity which is devoted to small fruit and vegetables. His election to the office 
of town clerk was by a very large majority. 

Schuyler, Stephen, is a lineal descendant of Peter Schuyler, the first mayor of 
Albany. Stephen Schuyler was born at Port Schuyler April 2, 1851. His father, 
John Cayler Schuyler, was born at the old home in 1801, and died in 1882. He was 
one of the most prominent men of these parts. We cannot do better than to quote 
from a memorial engrossed by the society of the South Park Reformed church, which 
was founded here in 1844, and to which he was always officially related : " His knowl- 
edge of affairs in his own town was almo.st encjxlopedic. He possessed a culture, 
courtesy, spirit, and a presence, that marked him a gentleman of the old school." 
He was elder in his church for about thirty years, and was also clerk and treasurer. 
In 1828 he married his cousin, Anna Maria Schuyler, who bore him ten children, of 
whom four are now living: Philip, Stephen, Anna and Gertrude. Mr. Schuyler died 
in 1886, surviving her husband only four years. In the public life of the old town of 
Watervliet, John Cayler Schuyler was a prominent figure, representing the town in 
the board of supervisors from 1833 to 1837 and in 1853. In 1836 he was elected to the 
Assembly. Stephen Schuyler now lives at the old home where he was born. In the 
front hall hangs a portrait of Peter Schuyler, executed in 1710 by Sir Godfrey 
Kneeler, the court painter of Queen Anne. 

Garret, Walter, born of humble parents in Somersetshire, England in 1851, came 
to Watervliet when eighteen years of age, and has since made it his home. He is a 
gardener and his specialty is vegetables. At first he rented of the Shaker family, 
but by his prudence and economy was able in 1894 to purchase a farm of thirty-six 



322 

acres, eligibly located at Loudonville, aud will no doubt succeed iu his chosen voca- 
tion, since he possesses the qualities which command success. 

Brewster, James C. and Warren H., comprising the firm of J. Brewster's Sons, 
carriage and sleigh manufacturers, and repairers of farm, road, and delivery wagons 
of every description. Both members of the firm are young and enterprising men. 
Their father, the late James G. Brewster established the business in Colonic in 
1852. The family have been prominent throughout the history of the town of Water- 
vliet, and it is noteworthy and peculiar that two branches of the Brew.ster family 
were united by the marriage of the parents of the gentlemen comprising the firm of 
J. Brewster's Sons, although they were not nearly related. From the Brewsters 
that sailed in the Mayflower, the ancestral line is without a break. Upon the death 
of James G. Brewster, in 1885, the two sons .succeeded to the business at Newton- 
ville, with the detail of which they have become thoroughly familiar. J. C. Brewster 
superintends the wood-working department, and Warren the blacksmithing depart- 
ment. They make a specialty of the buckboard known as the Joubert & White. 

Abrams, Hiram, M.D. , is a well known and popular physician, and has practiced 
the healing art in the vicinity of Colonic for the last sixteen years. He was born at 
Rensselaerville, N. Y., and is a son of the late Elijah Abrams, a farmer and once 
resident of Colonic. He began the study of his profession in 1878 by entering the 
Albany Medical College, where he graduated with honors after the usual course. 
Dr. John M. Bigelow of Albany was his preceptor. It is needless to say that his 
training was thorough. Dr. Abrams is a member of the New York State Medical 
Society, the Albany County Medical Society and the American Medical Association. 

Macdonald, Willis Goss, M.D., son of Sylvester and Louise (Goss) Macdonald, was 
born at Cobleskill, N. Y. , April 11, 1863, and descends from Benjamin Macdonald, 
who came from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1759. He first located near Coeymans, where 
he was the first Scotchman in the town, and where he built the first boat landing; 
he soon moved to Schoharie county and died there. He was in the Revolutionary 
war. was captured by the Indians and English under Brant and was taken to 
Canada. His son Robert, born in Schoharie county, in 1792, was a large land owner 
and married a Mi.ss Shaffer, whose father was killed in the war of the Revolution. 
Sylvester, son of Robert, was born in 1824 and lives with his wife in his native 
county. Dr. Macdonald was graduated from the Cobleskill Free Academy in 1878, 
attended the Albany State Normal School and Cornell University, and taught school 
at Berne aud Central Bridge, N. Y., for two years. He read medicine in Albany 
with Dr. Albert Van Derveer. After graduating from the Albany Medical College 
in 1887, he was for eighteen months house surgeon to the Albany City Hospital and 
then went abroad, matriculating in 1890 at the University of Berlin, where he took 
special courses in surgery, surgical pathology and bacteriology. During that year 
he served as volunteer assistant to August Martin and Ernest Von Bergmann ; he 
also spent .some time in the hospitals of London. On his return to Albany he made 
surgery a specialty and is noted as one of the foremost .surgeons in Eastern New 
York; he has been surgeon to the Albany City Hospital since 1893 and adjunct pro- 
fessor of surgery in the Albany Medical College since 1894. He is a member of the 
Albany Medical Society, the New York State Medical Society, the American Medical 



323 

Association, the American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Fort 
Orange Club, and a member of the board of governors of the Albany Club. 

Bailey, Theodore P., M.D., is of English and Holland Dutch descent and was born 
in Cusseta, Ala., November 13, 1857. Dr. Solomon Bailey, his grandfather, was 
for many years a prominent physician in Bethlehem, Albany county, and was the 
father of Dr. William H., Henry, and Dr. James S. Bailey, all of Albany. The latter 
was graduated f;-om the Albany Medical College in 1853, practiced his profession in 
Alabama until 1866, and from that time in Albany until his death, which occurred 
July 1, 1883. He was president of the Albany County MedicatSociety, received the 
degree of A.M. from Hamilton College, also from Soule University of Galveston, 
Texas, and was a prominent writer for medical journals. He was an enthusiastic 
entomologist, having a large collection and was a member of several foreign and 
American societies. Dr. Theodore P. Bailey, his son, was educated in the Albany 
public and high schools and at the West Point Military Academy. He read medi- 
cine with his father, attended the Albany Medical College and graduated from the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1880; since then he has been in active prac- 
tice iu Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society and its 
treasurer, was one of the founders of the New York State Medical Association, is 
instructor in dermatology in the Albany Medical College and is dispensary physician 
in dermatology in the Albany Hospital. He is a Democrat and in the fall of 1895 
was elected alderman of the Fifth ward, and is a member of the Finance Board of 
the city ; he is also a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., Central City 
Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. '>, K. T., and medical examiner 
for the Royal Arcanum in Albany. 

Hunting, Nelson, M. D., son of John and Christina (Dominick) Hunting, was 
born on a farm near Gallupville, Schoharie county, November 21, 1837. He was 
graduated from the Gallupville Academy and from the>Albany State Normal School, 
taught school for a time and read medicine with Dr. John Ruland of Blenheim and 
Dr. John Maxwell of Gallupville. He was graduated from the New York Homeo- 
pathic Medical College in 1869, began active practice in Gallupville, and in 1873 
came to Albany. He is ex-president and a member of the Albany County Home- 
opathic Medical Society, a member of the New York State Homeopathic Medical 
Society and the American Institute of Homeopathy, and was treasurer in 1872-75 
of the State society; he is also a member of Wadsworth Lodge F. & A. M., and was 
for several years connected with the Albany City Homeopathic Hospital. In 1864 
he married Elizabeth F., daughter of John P. Tolle of West Troy, and they have 
three children living: Orlena A., Edna J. and Elizabeth C. Dr. Hunting has taken 
a prominent part in the water question of Albany and iu 1888 wrote an article for 
the Evening Journal on driven wells and the healthfulness of water obtained there- 
from. This was at a time when Iiil50,000 had been appropriated by the city to drive 
wells on Pleasure Island ; as a result of this article the scheme was abandoned ; later, 
when the Kinderhook water scheme was agitated, he wrote another article, which 
killed that plant; these articles saved the city over $2,000,000. These studies led 
him to invent a scientific water distiller, which works automatically on natural prin- 
ciples. It was exhibited at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893 and carried ofT the 
first award in the greatest sanitary competition ever known. 



334 

Hailes, William, JM. D., son of William Hailes, sr., a native of the Isle of Wight, 
was born in Albany, October 14, 1849. He attended the public schools and later the 
Albany Classical Institute under Prof. C. H. Anthony. He began the study of med- 
icine with the late Dr. Alden March, 1868, and was the last student ever regis- 
tered with that famous surgeon. He was graduated from the Albany Medical Col- 
lege m 1870, receiving a competitive prize and delivering the valedictory address at 
commencement. In 1869, '70 and '71 Dr. Hailes was city physician and surgeon in 
the Albany Hospital. He began practice in Albany in 1872, but three years later, 
and again in 1878, he went abroad, visiting Germany, Austria, Italy. France and 
England, remaining two years for study and travel. In 1872 he was demonstrator 
of anatomy and in 1873 lecturer on surgical dressings and appliances, and since 1874 
he has filled with ability the chair of professor of histology and pathological anat- 
omy in the Albany Medical College. He became a noted microscopist and at one 
time owned a valuable set of microscopic instruments, which he presented the Al- 
bany Medical College, where he is a permanent director of the microscopical de- 
partment, which he was mainly instrumental in founding and developing. Dr. 
Hailes has been attending surgeon to the Albany Hospital and St. Peter's Hospital 
for many years, and was the first surgeon in Albany to perform intubation for mem- 
braneous croup, and has a record of upwards of 1,000 cases. He owns at Van 
Wies's Point, on the west bank of the Hudson, a beautiful villa residence, which he 
calls Bonnie-Castle-on-the-Hudson. In 1889 Dr. Hailes married Miss Bertha, daugh- 
ter of Judge J. W. Deuel of Rochester, N. Y., and they have two children, William 
Deuel and Dorothy. 

Dvi-yer, Martin J., M. D., son of William and Katharine (Dalton) Dwyer, was born 
in Liberty, Sullivan county, September 1, 1859. His father was a railroad contrac- 
tor and farmer. He graduated from the old Liberty Normal Institute in 1876, taught 
school three terms, read medicine with Dr. William S. Webster of Liberty, and the 
late Dr. Jacob S. Mo.sher of Albany, and in September, 1880, entered the Albany 
Medical College, from which he graduated in March, 1883. On competitive examina- 
tion he received an appointment as house physician and surgeon in the Albany City 
Hospital and served eighteen months. In November, 1884, he began active practice 
in Albany. He is a member of the Sullivan and Albany County Medical Societies 
and a physician and surgeon to the St. Vincent's Male and Female Orphan Asylums, 
and was one of the organizers. He is a member and examiner of the Knights of 
Columbus, a member and examiner of the C. M. B. A., and life member and the 
organizer of the Albany Catholic Union and its first vice-president. On January 
23, 1895, he married Elizabeth Magdalene Johnson of Boston, Mass. 

Fookes, Henry H., son of Henry H. and Cynthia (Woodyard) Fookes, farmers, 
was born in Falmouth, Ky., April 29, 1857, was graduated from the high school at 
Xenia, Ohio, in 1874 and engaged in the wholesale shoe business in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
where he remained until 1893. September 1, 1893, he came to Albany as general 
sales agent for the National Cash Register Company, which position he still holds. 
This company was the first in the world to manufacture cash registers and now owns 
nearly 350 patents and does business in every civilized country on the globe. The 
manufactory is located at Dayton. Ohio, where about 1,500 hands are employed; all 
kinds of autographic, manifolding and cash registers are made. The first inventions 



325 

date from about 1882 ; the compau y was the original patentee and owns the founda- 
tion patents. The Albany agency was established in 1886 and controls the eastern 
half of New York State outside New York and Brooklyn, and is the eighth in 
importance in this country. 

Easton, Charles P., founder of the wholesale lumber firm of Charles P. Easton S: 
Co., was born in Albany, October 34, 1824, and died here March 3, 1885. He settled 
himself in the lumber business in 1847 and actively continued in it until his death. 
In 1869 his eldest son, William, became his partner under the firm name of C. P. 
Easton & Co., which has ever since remained the same. In 1876 his son Edward 
was admitted and in 1886 another son, Frederick (now superintendent of public 
buildings at the State Capitol), became a partner, and since Mr. Easton's death these 
sons have conducted the business with marked ability and success. Mr. Ea.ston 
was not only a leading business man in Albany's great lumber district, but also a 
public spirited citizen who devoted himself untiringly to the educational interests of 
the city, giving liberally of his time and means towards improving public .school 
methods. He was foremost in founding and building the present High School and 
in religious and charitable matters was equally zealous. 

Hicks, John J., son of William and Harriet (Carter) Hicks, was born in Oxford, 
England, June 26, 1841. He came to America with his parents m 1849 and settled 
in Troy, N. Y., where his father, a manufacturer of gilt picture frames, died in 1884 
and his mother in 1874. He was educated in the Troy public schools and learned the 
trade of picture frame making with his father. In August, 1861, he enlisted in 
Co. E, 62d N. Y. Vols., Anderson's Zouaves, and was attached to the provost guard 
department of the Fifth Army Corps. He was discharged in October, 1863 and, re- 
turning home went to Amsterdam, N. Y., as manager of the furniture store of Horace 
Inman. Two years later he went to Clinton, Iowa, and engaged in contracting and 
building for about four years, and in 1871 he^came to Albany and engaged in busi- 
ness as a manufacturer and dealer of furniture, moving into his present quarters, 
Nos. 85-87 Beaver street, in 1881. He is a Republican and a member of Master 
Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M. . Clinton Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F. , and the New York En- 
campment and Grand Cantqn No. 1, N. E. M. O. He is past noble grand and past 
patriarch in the Odd Fellows Order. In 1861 he married Cythis M., daughter of 
Fraser Hodgman of Troy, and they have six children, Anna Kate, Bertha, Eva, 
Grace, Libbie and Amy. • 

Dugan, Daniel J., son of George and Mary Dugan, was born in Greenbush, N. Y., 
July 25, 1872, and from the age of two years was reared in the family of his uncle, 
William Steele of Albany. After finishing his education in the Albany High School 
he began the study of law in the office of Judge Peter A. Stephens and was admitted 
to the bar September 14, 1895. Since then he has been engaged in the active prac- 
tice of his profession. 

Addington, George, son of Joseph, a native of England, was born in Albany, 
April 24, 1860, and was graduated from the high school in 1878. His father served 
in the Rebellion in the 7th N. Y. H. A., was shot in the hip at the battle of Cold 
Harbor and died from the wound in 1871. Mr. Addington read law with Mead & 
Hatt and Hale & Bulkeley, and after his admission to the bar in 1881, remained in 



the latter's office as managing clerk until 1885, when he began active practice. In 
the spring of 1894 he was elected justice of the city court for three years, running 
ahead of his ticket and receiving about 3,600 majority. He is a member of the K. of 
P., Elks, and Unconditional Republican Club, past colonel of the New York Division 
S. of V. November 9, 1890, he married Susie M. StofTels of Albany. 

Casey, Daniel, was born in Ireland, January 15, 1839, came to America and settled 
in Columbia county, N. Y., with his parents in 1850, and received a common school 
education. He held various positions until April 39, 1861, when on the first call for 
troops he enlisted in Co. I, 18th N. Y. V., and served for two years. In September, 
1864, he re-enlisted in Co. A, 192d N. Y. V., was made quartermaster-sergeant, and 
later second lieutenant, and served until his discharge in October, 1865. He was in 
the first and second Bull Run battles, the Seven Days campaign before Richmond, 
South Mountain and Fredericksburg, and was three times wonnded. ^ Returning 
from the army he entered the Albany county clerk's office and remained there in all 
twenty years, being search clerk for seventeen years and deputy clerk for three years. 
In 1887 he formed a partnership with William Kinney, as Kinney & Casey, and en- 
gaged in the real estate business. In 1894 Mr. Kinney withdrew and Mr. Casey's 
son, Frank A., became a partner, under the firm name of Daniel Casey & Son. Mr. 
Casey Avas a member of the Board of Education one term, and is a member of the 
Dongan Club and William A. Jackson Post No. 644, G. A. R. In 1864 he married 
Mary McDonough of Columbia county, and their children are Mrs. Edward Futterer, 
Agnes E.. William T. (deceased), Frank A., Joseph E., Daniel T., and Mary. 

Brilleman, Isaac, son of Alexander, was born January 19, 1845, in Amsterdam, 
Holland, where he was educated and where he learned the art of diamond polishing. 
He descends from several generations of jewelers. In 1860 he came to America and 
settled in Albany, where he immediately found employment in the jewelry business. 
In 1866 he opened a jewelry store on the corner of South Pearl street and Hudson 
avenue and in 1884 moved to his present location, Nos. 31-33 North Pearl street, the 
latter number being added in 1893, when he magnificently remodeled and refitted 
the entire establishment. In 1895 he added what is termed a " crystal maze," one 
of the most elaborate show rooms in the world and probably the only one of its 
kind in this country outside of New York. He deals extensively in the finest grades 
of watches, clocks, diamonds and other precious stones, sterling silver, optical goods, 
hollow and Hat ware, cut glass, bric-a-brac; china, etc., a large part of which is im- 
ported by him. He is one of the foremost jewelers of the State. He is a Democrat 
and was alderman of the Fifth ward in 1878-79. He is a member of Washington 
Lodge No. 85, F. & A. M., a trustee of Beth Emeth congregation, treasurer of the 
Rural and Bethlehem cemeteries and a trustee of the Hebrew Benevolent Society 
since about 1870. 

Campbell, Stewart, born August 20, 1831, in the town of Columbus, Chenango 
county, N. Y., is the son of Alonzo S. Campbell and a grandson of Samuel Campbell, 
who at one time represented Chenango county in the Legislature at Albany, and also 
as a member of Congress at Washington, D. C. Samuel Campbell was a personal 
friend of Henry Clay, from whom he drank in the principles of protective tariff', which 
still run strong in the veins of the family. Stewart Campbell's mother was a daughter 
of Gideon De Forest, one of four brothers who received pensions for services in the 



327 

war of the Revolution. In early March, 1841." Mr. Campbell came to Albany and 
entered the store of Charles A. De Forest, in which after a few years he received an 
interest. Later Mr. De Forest retired, and a new partnership was formed with his ^ 
son, Dewitt C. De Forest, under the firm name of Campbell & De Forest, which con- 
tinued for about six )'ears, through the war of the Rebejlion. In May, 1S6T, Mr. 
Campbell located himself at the well known store, corner of South Pearl and Plain 
streets, where he successfully prosecuted the business until June, 1896, when he 
turned it over to his son, Edward W. Campbell. He married Catherine Mitchell, 
of Albany, who died July 25, 1896, and they had three children: Jessie Maud, who 
died at the early age of eleven months and eleven days; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of 
Alfred S. Woodworth, of Boston, where she resides, having one son, Stewart Camp- 
bell Woodworth: and Edward Willers Campbell of Albany. During all these years 
Mr. Campbell has been positive in his political convictions, being first a Whig, after 
the Thurlow Weed kind, and now an unflinching Republican. For over fifty years 
he has been an active member of the Baptist church. 

Delahant, Michael F., son of Michael, was born October'15, 1852, in Troy, N. Y., 
and received a public school and commercial education. In 1873 he entered the em- 
ploy of J. N. Brady, at Cohoes, wholesale and retail dealer in teas and coffee at 
Albany and Cohoes, and remained there thirteen years, having charge of that 
branch. In 1887 he took charge of Mr. Brady's Albany store. Mr. Brady died in 
1888 and Mr. Delahant continued as manager until May 1, 1893, when he formed 
partnership with Charles W. Edwards, as Delahant & Edwards and purchased the 
entire business. May 1, 1896, Mr. Delahant bought out Mr. Edwards's interest and 
became sole owner of the two stores. He carries on a large wholesale and retail 
trade in tea, coffee, spices, confectionery, and bakers' and butchers' supplies. 

Wilson, Oren E., born in Boston, Mass., October 10, 1844, is the descendant of a 
sturdy line of New England ancestry, both his father and grandfather being natives 
of Kittery, Maine. James Wilson, of Pennsylvania, a signer of the Declaration of 
Independence, was one of the original members of this branch of the Wilson family 
in America. Mr. Wilson was educated at the district school at Portsmouth, and 
later on his removal to New York with his father, in 1852, became a pupil in, and 
was graduated from one of the public schools at the age of fourteen. He attended 
for one year the Clinton Liberal Institute, at Fort Plain, N. Y., after which he en- 
• tered Mount Washington Collegiate Institute, where he pursued a course of Latin 
and Greek and where he was graduated in 1861. In 1862 he entered Columbia Col- 
lege, where he spent one year, and in the fall of 1863 entered Columbia Law School, 
and would have graduated in 1865 had not an incident occurred which changed the 
whole tenor of his plans. While a student there he became acquainted with W. H. 
Whitney, senior member of the firm of Whitney & Myers, who prevailed upon him 
to become his confidential clerk. When the partnership of Whitney & Myers was 
dissolved in the spring of 1870, Mr. Wilson removed with Mr. Whitney to Albany, 
where a new firm was established under the name of W. H. Whitney & Co., with 
which Mr. Wilson has since been connected, holding the position of financial and 
confidential manager. In 1884, on the day of his retirement from the presidency of 
the Young Men's Association after a most successful administration, he was nomi- 
nated and elected by the Republicans a member of the Board of Public Instruction. 



328 

In the spring of 1894 he was nominated for mayor of the city of Albany by the Re- 
pubhcans and Honest Election parties and was elected. He served efficiently until 
the expiration of his term, January 1, 1896. In 1890 Mr. Wilson was elected life 
trustee of the Young Men's Association, to succeed the late Henry R. Pierson. He 
was superintendent of the Sunday school of the State Street Universalist church 
from 1870 to 1879, and is now a trustee of All Souls Universalist parish, and was in- 
strumental in erecting, in 1888, a new edifice for the latter church. In 1867 he mar- 
ried M. Emma, daughter of the Rev. Dr. E. G. Brooks, a prominent member of the 
Universalist denomination. Mrs. Wilson died in December, 1893. Mr. Wilson has 
one daughter living. 

Perry, Edward Rodman, son of Nathan B., was born in Genesee, 111., March 27, 
1861, and came to Albany with his parents in 1864. His father has long been a lead- 
ing business man, being president of the Perry Stove Company, vice president of 
the National Savings Bank and a director of the Commerce Insurance Company. 
Mr. Perry attended the Albany Academy, was graduated from the Rivervievv Military 
Academy at Poughkeepsie in 1880, and was then engaged in the manufacture of 
stoves until 1893. being assistant superintendent and trustee of the Perry Stove 
Company. In 1893 he became secretary and treasurer of the Hilton Bridge Con- 
struction Company, which position he still holds. He is a member of the Fort 
drange and Mohican Canoe Clubs, the Ridgefield Athletic Association and a life 
member of the Y. M. C. A. of Albany. In 1885 he enlisted in Co. A., 10th Bat., N. 
Y. N. G., and served seven years, being promoted to quartermaster-sergeant. 

Hochstrasser, Jacob- the proprietor and manager of the White Sulphur Springs 
Hotel, was born in 1^2. Jacob, his father, was born at White Sulphur Springs in 
1795. His wife was Margaret, daughter of Cornelius West, of Cooksburg, N. Y., 
and their children were Paul, Abel, Amos, Peter and Jacob. He died in 1875 and 
she in 1870. Jacob Hochstrasser attended the common schools and after leaving 
home settled in the village of Berne, where he erected a fine residence. For many 
years he was extensively and successfully interested in bee culture, earning the name 
of " Honey Jake;" during this time he was also a dealer in fine horses. In 1868 he 
was pursuaded by his father to return to the farm, which he took charge of and 
cared for his parents in their declining years. On account of the excellent healing 
character of the sulphur water which flowed so freely from the springs on his place, 
many people would come to drink and to bathe in the water and would beg to be 
"boarded, and in 1881 Mr. Hoch.strasser concluded to erect a hotel. He selected a 
beautiful location, erected his hotel, which has a capacity to accommodate 110 people, 
and gave it the name of the White Sulphur Springs Hotel. Mr. Hochstrasser's ex- 
cellent judgment in laying out the grounds and keeping them in repair, as well as 
providing beautiful picnic grounds, has made his place by far the most beautiful and 
desirable summer resort on the Helderberg Mountains. In 1854 he married Maria, 
daughter of James N. and Elizabeth (Bassler) Hilton of Berne, aud they have one 
child, Frank of Philmont, Columbia county, N. Y., where he is established in the 
undertaking business. 

Maxwell, James A., was born in Coeymans and began his business life on the river 
as a cabin boy. He worked his way up until in 1881 he was made captain of the 



329 

steamer Lottie, which position he now holds. He married Julia Bratt of Delmar, and 
they have one son, Harry, and two daughters, Mary and Ada. 

De Freest, Alburtus B., was born in Bethlehem, and is a son of W. V. D. De 
Freest, and grandson of David and great-grandson of John De Freest, who came 
from Germany to Rensselaer county with the early settlers. David De Freest came 
from Bethlehem in 1834 and was a farmer by occupation. He has four sons: A. B., 
John, Garrett, and W. V. D., who remained on the homestead until 1878, when he 
came to Ravena, where he has since been engaged in farming, A. B. De Freest 
opened a store in 1893, which he conducted until 1895, when he sold out and started 
a lumber yard which he now runs, and also handles brick and ce^ient. He is a 
member of the K. of P. Lodge of Coeymans, and has also been town clerk for two 
years. 

Waldron, Henry, was born in 1820 and is a son of Tobias and Cordelia (Van Derzee) 
Waldron, and grandson of James W. and Edith (Ten Eyck) Walron. James Waldron 
came from Greene county to where his father settled when he came from Holland in 
about 1637. Mr. Henry Waldron remained on the homestead until 1850, when he 
bought the adjoining farm, where he has since lived. Tobias Waldron was one of 
the prominent men of his day and was identified with the public affairs of his town, 
and was a member of the Legislature. He died on the Waldron homestead in 
1876. 

Van Derzee, Alton, was born in 1843 in Coeymans, and is a son of Barent and 
Laura (Niles) Van Derzee, and grandson of Cornelius Van Derzee, who settled in 
Coeymans in 1774 and was a farmer, Mr. Van Derzee moved to the neighborhood 
where he now lives in 1852 and where his father died in 1850. Mr. Van Derzee has 
always taken an active interest in the affairs of his town and in 1886 was elected 
highway commissioner, and in 1887 was on the Board of Supervisors and was elected 
again in 1891 and 1892. He is a member of the F. & A. M. No. 804. 

Gedney, Samuel, was born in Coeymans in 1820, a grandson of Joshua, who with 
two brothers came from England and were in the Revolutionary war, and after its 
close one settled in Dutchess county, one in Orange county, and Joshua in Albany 
county, at w-hat is now called Stanton Hill. He had four sons, Joshua, Peter, Bar- 
tholomew and Absalom, who was a brickmaker, and died m North Carolina in 1838, 
where he had gone to carry out a contract for opening a yard for the manufacture of 
bricks. Mr. Gedney began life on the boats of the Hudson River, where he was 
engineer and captain, and later went to Washington, D. C, where he remained for 
thirty- two years, first as captain and then as general superintendent of the Potomac 
River Steamboat Company until 1882, when he retired and returned to Coeymans 
where he has since resided. In 1846 he married Susan, daughter of Anthony Wolfe, 
and has one son, Edward C, a farmer, and two daughters, Susie (Mrs. T. J. Corrie) 
and Mary C. (Mrs. W. B. Holmes) of Coeymans. 

Bedell, Jerry, is the son of Thomas and grandson of Jeremiah, who came to Coey- 
mans at an early day. His sons were David, Nathan and Thomas. Thomas Bedell 
married Rachel Powell, and had five sons: Edgar P., John G., Alfred, Samuel and 
Jerry. He was a large and successful fruit grower, and died in 1893. Jerry Bedell 
married Helen I., daughter of David Vanheusen, and has one son, Enos D. 



330 

Whitbeck, Joseph M., is the son of John T., and the grandson of Thomas Whit- 
beck, who was a farmer and died in 1873. Joseph M. is also a farmer. He married 
Harriet, daughter of Spencer Stearns of Greene county, by whom he has had one 
son, John S., who is a farmer with his father, and also has one son, William J. 

Watson, Frank, was born in Starkville, Herkimer county, N Y., December i:3. 
1829. a son of William H. and Margaret (Schmidt) Watson. His grandfather, Jude 
Watson, and the near relatives of his grandmother, the Jenkses, took active part in 
the Revolution in Herkimer county. When four years old Mr. Watson moved with his 
parents to Cobleskill, N.Y., where his father preached in the First Lutheran church 
for about ten years. March 7, 1846, Mr. Watson removed to Albany, and subse- 
quently worked as clerk in the stores of William Reese and Hiram W. Allen. For 
three years thereafter he conducted a clothing business in Niagara Falls, and in 
1857. while at Niagara Frontier, he was made a Free Mason and was intimate and 
often sat in lodge with Colonel Whitney, who was incarcerated in the Canandaigua 
jail suspected of being an accessory to the disappearance of Morgan In IS.'iO Mr. 
Watson returned to Albany and for twenty-three years was a salesman and partner 
in the store of A. B. Van Gaasbeck & Co.'s carpet house. Since then he has been 
engaged m the carpet cleaning and storage business at Nos. 254-260 Washington 
avenue. At the age of twenty one he became an Odd Fellow and is now a demitted 
Mason to Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 5 of Albany. He has been twice married first in 
1852, and again in 1873 to Fannie H., daughter of Capt. Richard T. Hoag of Al- 
bany. Mr. and Mrs. Watson have three children ; Mrs. M. E. Northrup, Grace A. 
and Mabel E. 

Parlati, Lorenzo, son of Raffaele andjiaffaela (Di Bissaccia) Parlati, was burn in 
Naples, Italy, March 24, 1841. His parents wished him to join the priesthood and 
sent him to the Jesuit Seminary of St. Charles Borromeo, in Naples, where he re- 
mained but two years, owing to illness. At the age of thirteen he entered the 
Naples College of Music, where he remained until 1858. displaying great genius and 
leading his classes in all studies. In August, 1858, he left the college, at the time of 
the Italian Revolution, in 1859 joined the volunteers under Garibaldi, and in Octo- 
ber, 1860, was taken prisoner by the Royal Troops. He remained at Gaeta Fortress 
from November, 1860, to February 16, 1861, when he returned home, there to be 
taken sick with typhus fever, the result of the hardships of such a life. He was an 
invalid until 1864, after which time he resumed active study. In 1867 he came to 
America, settling in Albany. In the winter of 1869 Jason Collier and Prof. Thomas 
Lloyd brought him forward at a concert in old Tweddle Hall for the Y. M. C. A., 
Mrs. Charles Hoyt, at that time the leading soprana in Albany being his accom- 
panist. Immediately he was besieged with pupils, among them being David Mann 
of Albany, and William Oliver, being the first. For a year or two thereafter Signor 
Parlati went on a concert tour through New York and the East, meeting with great 
success. In the winter of 1870 he organized the orchestra still bearing his name 
and reaching such efficiency under his able leadership that it is recognized as being 
second to none m this State outside of New York city. He has furnished music at 
all the social functions from the time of Governor Hoffman. His orchestra num- 
bers twenty-eight musicians. Subsequently he became the leader of the orchestra 
at the Trimble Opera House (now the Leland), holding through succeeding seasons. 



331 

In 18T4 he was prevailed upon to accept the leadership of the Tenth Regiment Band, 
Col. (uow Gen.) Robert Shaw Oliver commanding. Gen. Amasa J.. Parker succeeded 
to the commanA and rendered great service in quelling the riots at West Albany. 
His orchestra of forty pieces played at the opening of the New Capitol, and later at 
the Bi -Centennial. He furnished the music at the Fort William Henry Hotel, Lake 
George, and at the Clarendon, Saratoga, for many seasons. In 1884 he resigned 
the leadership of the band, devoting himself to teaching and his orchestra, the de- 
mand for which was very great at colleges, etc. He furnished the music for ten 
successive seasons for the famous Coterie at Lenox, Mass. He is recognized as a 
musician among musicians, and his ability as a conductor and teacher stands un- 
questioned. Among his many pupils who have attained prominence are Charles 
Ehricke, now teaching in the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music; Isaac Strasser, 
George Van Tuly, Hugo Engel, Ed. Treadwell and many others. Professor Parlati 
is a charter member of the B. P. O. E. He married Mary E. Greig of Albany, who, 
with his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, adds largely to the musical atmosphere of their 
ld\'ely home. 

Blackburn, John, son of Robert and Sarah (Barnett) Blackburn, was born in 
County Tyrone, Ireland, October 13, 1837. He attended the National School in 
Ireland, and when nineteen years of age came to America and settled in Troy, 
N. v., where he obtained a position as oflBceman and salesman for John Kerr & Co., 
manufacturers and dealers in wool. He remained in their employ six years and ten 
months, after which he moved to Albia, where he bought the factory store of the 
Troy Woolen Company; he was there four years manufacturing army goods and 
doing a large business, and during that time made trips through the Western States, 
buying wool for J. Kerr & Co. After the war, manufacturing having practically 
ceased, Mr. Blackburn moved to Albany and entered the grocery business in the 
west end, where he was engaged fourteen years, after which he formed a partner- 
ship with John J. Jones and went into the coal business. Twelve years later Mr. 
Jones died and the firm of Blackburn, Wallace & Co. was formed: this firm consi.sts 
of John Blackburn, John T. D. Blackburn, and Robert A. Wallace. They are 
located at Nos. 105 Water street, 705 Broadway, 841 Broadway, 30 Ontario street and 
at Menands. Mr. Blackburn is a member of Masters Lodge F. & A. M., a member 
of the West End Presbyterian church and has been chairman of the board of 
trustees since the organization of the church in 1876. He has also been a trustee 
of the Albany E.xchange Savings Bank for twelve years. In 1863 he married Nancy 
Downing of Troy, N. Y., and they have three children; Robert M., minister in the 
Presbyterian church at New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y. ; John T. D., in busi- 
ness with his father ; and Zelda Rebecca. 

Uell, Nicholas J., son of George V. and Julia Dell, was born in Baden, Germany, 
April 26, 1840. He ^tended the public schools until he was thirteen years of age 
and in 1856 came to America, settling in New York city. Here he worked as a tailor, 
following the trade of his father for three years, when his parents came to America 
and they moved to Albany, N. Y., where Mr. Dell engaged in the tailor business 
until 1892. In 1870 he went into business for himself at No. 43 Beaver street, where 
he continued until 1889; from there he moved to the corner of S. Pearl street and 
Hudson avenue in the building later occupied by the South End Bank. In 1892 he 



bought the Belvidere Hotel from Mrs. Zeller and has since conducted one of the best 
resorts in Albany. Mr. Dell is a member of the Einthracht, and Harmonia Singing 
societies. In 1864 he joined Co. B, 10th Bat. N. G. N. Y., and he is now a member 
of the Old Guard; he is also a member of the Burgesses Corps and the B. P. O. K. 
In 1887 he was elected coroner on the Democratic ticket and reelected in 1890. In 
1809 he married Anna K. Von Lehman of Albany by whom he had three children. 
In 1888 he married Mary K. Hermas of Watertown, N. Y., and they have one child. 
Denison. Frederick P., son of Henry E. and Hannah M. (Godfrey) Denison, was 
born in Berlin, N. Y., October 12, 1857. He is a lineal descendant of William Deni- 
son, who was born in England, about 1586, came to America in 1631, and settled in 
Roxbury, Mass., having with him his wife, Margaret, his three sons, Daniel, Ed- 
ward and George, and John Eliot, who seems to have been a tutor in the family. 
Mr. Denison was a deacon of the Roxbury church and died in Roxbury, January 25, 
1853. Geerge (son of William), born in 1618. was married first in 1640 to Bridget 
Thompson, daughter of John Thompson of Preston, Northamptonshire, England, 
whose widow, Alice, had come to America and was living in Roxbury. The wife 
Bridget died in 1643. George then went to England, served under Cromwell in the 
army of the Parliament, won distmction, was wounded at Naseby, was nursed at the 
house of John Borodell by his daughter. Ann, whom he married and returned to 
Roxbury, Knally settling at Stonington, Conn. He had seven chlidren by his second 
wife. John (son of George), born July 14, 1646. married in 1667 Phebe Lay of Say- 
brook. Conn. He was known as Capt. John Denison, held a prominent position in 
Stonington. and in many ways was a man of mark ; he died in 1698. George (son 
of John), born March 28, 1671, was graduated at Harvard College, studied law and 
settled m New London. Conn., where he was town clerk, county clerk and clerk of 
probate; he died in 1720. Daniel (son of George) was born June 27, 1703 and died 
previous to 1760. Daniel (son of Daniel) was born December 16, 1730, and settled in 
Stephentown. N. Y., about 1773; he died in 1793. Griswold (son of Daniel) was born 
August 21, 1765. George T. (son of (iriswold) was born March 17, 1795, and lived at 
Berlin, N. Y. ; he died in 1874. Henry E. (son of George T.)and father of Frederick 
P., was born May 30, 1828. Frederick P. Denison, the subject of this sketch, when 
a mere boy went into the music store of Cluett & Sons, Albany, where he remained 
until 1886, when he became organist of the Emmanuel Baptist church. Although one 
of the youngest of Albany's musicians, he is deservedly counted among the ablest 
and takes high rank not merely because of his fine natural gifts, but because of his 
rounded and complete musical culture. When he assumed charge of the Emmanuel 
choir in 1886, it numbered twelve singers; now there are fifty. To no small degree 
is he indebted for his present position in the musical world to his association as 
accompanist with such artists as Albani, Lillie Lehmann, Emma Thursby, Clemen- 
tine De Vere-Sapio, Camilla Urso. Marie Rose, Mr.s. Osgood, Campanini, Adolph 
Hartigan and many others of equal renown. Amateur opera owes him a debt and 
his connection with local concerts has added to the esteem in which he is held by the 
musical community. In the summer of 1886 he took a trip to Europe, where he 
studied musicians as well as music, and where he acquired that fine touch and 
artistic equipment of which his friends are so proud. In addition to his being or- 
ganist of the Emmanuel church, he is conductor of the Schenectady Choral Society, 



conductor of the Albania Orchestra and pianist of the Albany Musical Association. 
He is a member of Masters Lodge F. & A. M. 

Woodward, Walter M., son of John and Caroline A. (Mills) Woodward, was born 
in Albany, N. Y., June 25 1860. The first member of this family who settled in 
Albany, was John Woodward, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, who 
came from Montreal about 1838, and engaged in the carpentry business. His son, 
John, became prominent m the business circles of Albany because of his connection 
with the saddlery and harness business of Woodward & Hill. This business was 
founded by Nathaniel Wright in 1819 and consequently is the third oldest estab- 
lished business in the city. In 1860 John Woodward together with Mr. W. W. Hill 
bought the business from Mr. Wright and carried it on under the firm name of Wood- 
ward & Hill. Walter M. Woodward, the subject of this sketch, received his educa- 
tion at the Albany Boys' Academy, from which he was graduated in 1879 and imme- 
diately went into business with his father. In 1888 Mr. Hill died and John and 
Walter M. Woodward succeeded to the ownership of the business. In 1895, after his 
father's death. Walter M. Woodward succeeded to the business and now conducts it 
under the original name of Woodward & Hill. Mr. Woodward is a member of Mas- 
ters Lodge F. & A. M. and a trustee of the National Savings Bank. In 1891 he mar- 
ried May, daughter of Alonzo Blossom of Chicago, 111. They have two sons, John 
B. and Walter M., jr. 

Goold, Charles B., son of John S. and Abbie (Bridgraan) Goold, was born in the 
town of Macedon, Wayne connty, N. Y., in 1857. When he was about seven years 
of age his parents moved to Albany, N. Y., and ever since that time Mr. Goold has 
been an active Albanian. His early education was received at Miss Crane's school 
on Hamilton street and at Levi Cass's Classical Institute; subsequently he attended 
the Albany Academy and was graduated from that in 1874. During the school year 
of 1874 and 1875 he taught at the academj' and in the fall of 1875 he entered Amherst 
College, where he took the Porter Prize for the best entrance examination ; the 
Hutchins Greek Prize for the highest attainment in Greek, and he was one of the 
contestants for the Hardy Prize for extemporaneous debate. Mr. Goold graduated 
from Amherst in 1879, and at the commencement exercises represented the Greek de- 
partment, having been selected for this honor by the head of the Greek department. 
While at college he was elected a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and sub- 
sequently a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. After graduation he returned 
to the Albany Academy and taught Greek and Latin until 1881, when he went 
toGerman)' and studied at Heidelberg and Berlin; after the winter term at Berlin he 
went south into Italy and Greece, studying the language, habits and customs of the 
people. He returned to Albany in 1882 and resumed his position as professor of 
Greek and German in the Albany Academy. The summer of 1887 Mr. Goold spent 
in Paris, and upon his return in the fall, he assumed charge of the French depart- 
ment at the Albany Academy. He has edited for Ginn & Co. of Boston, a collection 
of German stories for use in teaching the language. He is now professor of Greek 
and modern languages at the Albany Academy. In 1883 he received the degree of 
A. M. from Amherst. He is a charter member of the Albany Chess Club. In 1883 
he married Louisa W. Hunt of St. Paul, Minn., and thej' have three children, Edgar 
Hunt, John Chester and Katharine Hunt. 



334 

Silliman, Rev. George Dent, D. U., rector of Grace church, corner of CHnton 
avenue and Robin street, was born at Hobart, Delaware county, N. Y., March 21!, 
1841. His father was Ebenezer Silliman, who married Ann Sturgess, 1837. The 
family is of Connecticut origin, from one Daniel Silliman, who settled at Holland 
Hill, two miles from Fairfield, in 1658; he was from Lucca. Italy, having lived at 
Geneva, Switzerland. In ancient deeds his ancestor is called Lord Claude Silli- 
mandi. Among the ancestors in Connecticut is the Hon. Ebenezer Silliman, 1707, a 
member of the Colonial government, and grandfather of the elder Professor Silliman 
of Yale College. On both sides of the family were those who were identified with 
the Revolutionary war. The rector was educated at the Delaware Academy, Delhi. 
N. Y., St. Stephen's College, Annandale, and the General Theological Seminary, 
New York. He was made deacon by Bishop Doane in St. Peter's, Albany, Trinity 
Sunday, 1870, and ordered priest in St. Paul's, Newburgh, by Bishop Horatio Potter, 
November of the same year. He was rector of St. John's church, Monticello, N. Y., 
for three years, and the beautiful stone church there was built mostly by money then 
raised, as was also St. Mary's. Thompsonville. From 1873 to 187.5 he was in charge 
of Trinity church, San Francisco. In 1875 he married Mary C. Warren, daughter of 
William E. Warren, of Newburgh; she died December 11, 1893, leaving three chil- 
dren: Mary Warren, William Warren and George Stephen Silliman. After one year 
at Napa, Cal., he took charge of St. George's chapel, Newburgh, and in the fall of 
1877 was called to Grace church, Middletown. The church was sadly out of repair 
and during his rectorship it was put in order and adorned; froin 1881 to 1893 he was 
rector of St. Mark's church, Hoosic Falls, and here, too, the church was enlarged 
and embellished under his rectorship. On Trinity Sunday, 1893, he became rector 
of Grace church of Albany, N. Y., where twenty-two years before on that day he 
preached his first sermon after ordination. Grace church on the Sunday after 
Ascension, 1897, celebrated its fiftieth anniversary and the Rev. Dr. Maunsell Van 
Rensselaer preached at the morning service, he being the first rector fifty years since ; 
the Rev. David L. Schwartz, D. D., preached at the evening service, he being a most 
devoted rector for sixteen years and gave the parish its present life and standing. 
These two men have left their impression on Albany for all that is^ood. The first 
service was held in an upper room on the corner of State and Lark streets ; afterward 
a church was built on the corner of Lark and Washington streets, and in 1873 it was 
removed to Clinton avenue and Robin street. In 1884 it was enlarged under Rev. Dr. 
Schwartz, and in 1894 a guild hall was added. From the day of its foundation to the 
present it has been a free church and a working parish for working people who have 
every reason to be proud of the results that have come, when no large sum of money 
could ever be given. 

Dumary, T. Henry, was born in Troy, N. Y-, November 5. 185.5. He is a son of 
Charles Dumary and Margaret Parr, whose father, Richard, came to America from 
England in 1820 and was a descendant of Thomas Parr who lived to the ripe old age 
of 152. Mr. Dupiary was educated in the Troy public schools, after leaving which 
he went into the employ of the Albany City Iron Works and the Jagger Iron Works 
of Albany, where he had charge of the outside department and where he remained 
six years. He then associated himself with Anthony N. Brady in the general con- 
tracting business and remamed with him for twelve years. For the past two years 



335 

Mr. Dumary has been a contractor of sewer and street work and has handled some 
very large contracts, particularly the Beaver street sewer, the largest in Albany. 
For si.\ months in 1896 Mr. Dumary did work amounting to .'ii250,000. He is a mem- 
ber of Temple Lodge F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., Dewitt Clinton 
Council R. & S. M. and is past commander of Temple Commandery. He is also a 
member of all the A. & A. Rite and is presiding officer in two bodies, and has been 
elected to receive the thirty-third degree at Boston, Mass., in September, ]8i)T. Mr. 
Dumary is also a member of Albany Lodge B. P. O. E. He began his service as a 
public servant when very young, having been from ten to thirteen years of age 
unanimously elected messenger to the Troy Common Council and Board of Educa- 
tion. April 37, 1880, he married Carry B. McCann, daughter of Henry McCann, a 
well known civil engineer and explorer, of Hudson, N. Y., who met his death 
exploring in South America. They had three children: Janette, Robert A. and 
Henry. 

Garfield, Henry Whiting, was born in Albany, N.Y., November 16, 1848. He is a 
son of Charles Lyman Garfield. His mother was Eleanor Cole, daughter of the late 
Judge John O. Cole. Mr. Garfield is a descendant of the Puritans. Three brothers, 
Garfields, came to America with the earliest settlers and their offsjjring fought in the 
Colonial and Revolutionary wars. The late President Garfield was a member of the ' 
same family. Mayor Whiting, the first mayor of Boston, was an ancestor of Mr. Gar- 
field. Mr. Garfield graduated from the Albany Classical Institute and immediately ob- 
tained a clerkship in the Albany City Bank. He subsequently went to the Albany 
Savings Bank, where he is at present accountant. Mr. Garfield is one of the best 
known amateur oarsmen and for twelve years was president of the National Asso- 
ciation of Amateur Oarsmen, and for twenty-two years he has been a member of its 
executive committee. He is treasurer of St. Margaret's House and the Albany 
Historical and Art Society; he is also a member and chairman of the house commit- 
tee of the Albany Club. 

Smith, Frank J., Ph. G., son of David A. and Elizabeth (McGaghey) Smith, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., September 23, 1859. Both of Mr. Smith's parents were born 
in Ireland ; his father came to America from County Moneghan, in May, 1834, and 
settled in Albany. In 1847 he engaged in the grocery business on the corner of 
Green street and Hudson avenue, on property .owned by the Ten Eyck estate. He 
remained in business there for twenty-five years and subsequently moved to the 
corner of Knox and Second streets. David A. Smith is now retired after a success- 
ful business career. He was well known. Frank J. Smith attended Levi Cass's 
Grand Street Institute and Amos Cass's Division Street Institute; subsequently he 
atteoded School No. 15 and was a member of the first class graduated from that 
school. In the fall of 1872 he went to the Albany High School, but owing to ill 
health remained there only three months. March 17, 1873, he went to work in the 
drugstore of John De P. Townsend as boy, where he remained thirteen years, in the 
mean time attending the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated 
February 27, 1883, being a member of the first class graduated from that college. In 
1886 Mr. Smith started in the drug business for himself at his present location. No. 
277 Clinton avenue, and in addition to the drug business he has an extensive bot- 
tHng establishment. He was the first to put up carbonated root beer in champagne 



336 

bottles; he also puts up siphons of seltzer and vichy and manufactures many patent 
medicines. In 1892 he was a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of 
coroner and received a large number of votes, but was counted out. He is a mem- 
ber of Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., and Mt. Hermon Lodge No. S8, 
I. O. O. F. He is also treasurer and for ten years has been vestryman of Grace 
Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Unconditional Republican Club. June 1. 
1881, he married Mary E., daughter of Thomas Fazaherly, the well-known baker, 
and they have two children, Edna Flavell and F. J., jr. 

Campion, George A., is a native of Albany, and a son of John Campion (one of 
the oldest families of the Old Colonic, as it was called), who was a member of the 
first police force of Albany. His mother's maiden name was Catharine Cummer- 
ford. Mr. Campion had eight brothers and three sisters; two of the brothers being 
connected in a public way with the affairs of the city: Patrick H., at one time assist- 
ant engineer of the fire department and later practical engineer; and Martin A., 
who at the time of his death was a detective and sergeant of the police force. Mr. 
Campion received his education in St. Joseph's School and in select schools under 
direction of the Catholic clergy. After finishing his schoolmg he learned the sash, 
blind and cabinet business and followed that trade for four or five years, when he 
went into the employ of L. & P. K. Dederick, manufacturers of agricultural imple- 
ments, remaming with that firm nine years. In 1870 he started the undertaking 
business at No. 772 Broadway, and in 1873, in order to obtain larger quarters for a 
rapidly increasing business, he moved to his present location, No. 63 Livingston 
avenue. He is a member of the Catholic Union and of St. Joseph's church, of 
which his father was one of the first membens. In 1875 Mr. Campion married 
Hannah Holmes of Troy, N. Y., and they have two sons, John Ebel and George A., 
jr. John E. graduated from the United States College of Embalming in 1893 and is 
now associated with his father in business. 

Griswold, Stephen B., son of Martin and Hannah (Smith) Griswold, was b"rn in 
the town of 'Vernon, Oneida county. N.Y., July 14, 1835. He is descended from old 
New England families on both the paternal and maternal sides. His grandfather, 
Matthew Griswold, was one of the first settlers in Vernon, and his great-grandfather, 
Phiueas Griswold of Winchester township, Litchfield county. Conn., was descended 
from one of the early settlers of Connecticut who came from Warwickshire, Eng- 
land, in 1725, and founded the Griswold family in America. Stephen B. Griswold, 
the subject of this sketch, worked on his father's farm until 1856, and in the mean 
time attended the common school and the Vernon Academy. At the age of twenty- 
two he wept West and spent the year 1857 in the State of Minnesota, where he was 
one of the first white settlers in Meeker county. The following winter and sprmg 
he spent teaching school in Winnebago county. 111. In 1858 he returned East and 
spent nearly a year at his home in Vernon, when he decided upon the legal profes- 
sion, and in the fall of 1859 entered the Albany Law School, graduating in tlie 
spring of the following year and was admitted to the bar. The two following years 
he was a student in the law office of Lyman Tremain and Rufus W. Peckham. 
After leaving the office of Tremain & Peckham, Mr. Griswold practiced law in Al- 
bany and Oneida counties until 1868, when he was induced by the late Chancellor 
John V. L. Pruyn to accept the position of law librarian of the State Library, which 



337 

position he has held continuously for the past twenty-nine years. In 1868 the num- 
ber of law books in the library was 20,000; now it is 58,000. In 1863 he prepared a 
subject index of the law library and a supplement thereto in 1893. which has been 
pronounced by Sir Frederick Pollock of London and other eminent jurists to be the 
most satisfactory law catalogue yet published. Many changes have taken place 
among the officials of the library since Mr. Griswold's connection with it. Not one 
of the nineteen trustees who were in office when Mr. Griswold was appointed in 1868 
is now living. Mr. Griswold is a member of the First Reformed church of Albany, 
and has served several terms as deacon and elder. He is a member and has held 
office in the Albany County Sunday School Association, the Y. M. C. A. the Albany 
City Tract and Missionary Society, and the Albany County Bible Society. In No- 
vember, 1860, Mr. Griswold married Angeline E. Cornwell of Albany. They have 
one son, Henry E., who has been for seventeen years sub-librarian of the State Law 
Library. 

McLaren, James, son of John and Margaret(Bell) McLaren, was born in Edinburgh, 
Scotland, February 6, 1833. He received his education in the private schools of 
Edinburgh and in 1854 came to America, settling in Albany. He worked on the 
Northern Railroad as machinist for about three years and in 18^ started in the busi- 
ness of manufacturing machinist, having joined in the partnership of Pynchon & 
McLaren, which was succeeded in 1864 by Anthony &- McLaren. In 1876 Mr. Mc- 
Laren came into the sole possession of the business and has conducted it very suc- 
cessfully at No. 4T Liberty street since then. In 1874 Mr. McLaren made an e.xten- 
sive trip across the o^ean. He is very active in the St. Andrew's Society and is a 
member of its board of managers. 

Ryan, Thomas A., M. D., son of Andrew and Margaret (O'Shea) Ryan, was born 
in Hudson, N. Y., in 1864. He attended the public schools of Hudson andWn 1881 
removed to Albany, N. Y., and took a course at the Albany Commercial College. 
While attending that college he began the study of medicine with the late Dr. Snow. 
He ne.Kt studied with Dr. Vander Veer until 1890. and continued with Dr. Mac- 
Donald until 1893, when he was graduated from the Albany Medical College, re- 
ceiving the degree of M.D. Dr. Ryan was president of the class of '93 and received 
the Bigelow prize of 830 in gold for the best work on the nose and throat. In Sep- 
tember, 1893. Dr. Ryan commenced practice at No. 47 Eagle street, where he is now 
located. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Albany Press Club, 
and is instructor in surgery at the Albany Medical College and attending surgeon to 
the out-door department of the Albany Hospital; is an e.\-meniber of New York 
State National Guard, having served six years in Co. I), 10th Battalion, of Albany 
count}\ 

Ruso, Conrad, son of Nicholas F. and Catharme J. (Mosher) Ruso, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., November 7, 1848. Mr. Ruso is of French origin, his great-great 
grandfather having come to America from France, in the early part of the seventeenth 
century and settled in Albany county. Conrad Ruso was educated in the Albany 
public schools and the Albany Business College, from which he was graduated in 
1866. After leaving college, he was emploj-ed for a short time as clerk in the whole- 
sale grain house of Glazier & Thacher. Subsequently he went as bookkeeper into 



338 

the employ of his father, N. F. Ruso, wholesale commission merchant. In 1870 he 
became a partner in the business and in 1875, after the death of his father, he suc- 
ceeded to the sole ownership. Mr. Ruso is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & 

A. M., Capital Chy Chapter No. 242, R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., 
and Cyprus Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., and is also a thirty-second degree Scottish 
Rite Mason. He is president of the Acacia Club. In 1870 he married Eleanor \'., 
daughter of Rev. Charles Gorse, of Newburgh, N. Y., and they have one son, 
Frank G. 

Slingerland, 1 >e Witt Chester, .s<in of Henry H. and Hannah (Winne) Slingerlaud, 
was born in the town of Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y., in 1850. He comes of 
good old Dutch ancestry, as follows: Father, born 1808, son of Henry of New Scot- 
land, died 1808 (m. Jemima Slingerland), son of Albert of Onisquatha, born 1733, 
died 1814 (m. Elizabeth Moak in 1760), son of Johannes of Onisquatha, born 1696, 
died 1731 (m. in 1724 to Anne Slingerland), son of Albert of Onisquatha. born 1()66 
(ra. Hester Becker), son of Teunis Cornelise Slingerland, who came from Amsterdam, 
Holland, about 1650 and settled in Beverwyck (now Albany) and purchased 10 llOO 
acres of land from the Indians and settled on the land now owned by his direct de- 
scendants. De Witt C. Slingerland, the subject of this .sketch, was educated in the 
Albany public schools, after which he became clerk and bookkeeper for his father 
and brother, H. H. Slingerland & Son. In 1889 Henry H. sold out to his sons, John 

B. and U. C, who now own a large wholesale and retail grocery situated at 86 and 
88 Washington avenue and 73 South Swan street. Mr. Slingerland is a member of 
Ancient City Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., the Unconditional Republican Club, and is 
a director of the New York Mutual Savings and Loan Association. In March, 1875, 
he married Lillie Cuyler Geary of Albany, and they have two sons. Henry Cuyler 
and Fr^nk Nelson. 

Moore, James C, son of William and Jane (Campbell) Moore, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., October 1, 1830. Mr. Moore's father was born in County Down, Ireland, and 
in 1822 came to America and settled in Albany. In 1844 he started in the manufac- 
ture of bricks on Morton street, where he was very successful. In 1860 he retired 
and was succeeded by his son, James C, the subject of this sketch, who was also very 
successful and in 1865 established another yard on Third avenue. Mr. Moore is a 
brother of Robert H. Moore, of the well known lumber firm of Moore & Zimmerman. 
In 1859 Mr. Moore married Sarah K. Smith, who died the same year, and in 1875 he 
married Anna Babcock, by whom he had one daughter, Jean C. and one son, Will- 
iam, who is dead. He is a member of the Third Reformed church, Wadsworth 
Lodge F. & A. M., Temple Chapter R. A. M., a:id De Witt Clinton Council R. &• 
S. M. He is also a director of the Albany County Building and Loan Association. 

Amsdell, Theodore M., was born in Troy, N. Y., November 20, 1828. His ances- 
tors were Holland-Dutch and went from Holland to England at the time of Charles 
II. Early in 1821 William Amsdell, the father of the subject of this sketch, came to 
America and in 1845 established the Amsdell Brewery in Albany, N. Y. Theodore 
M., received his education in the Albany public schools and in 1844 engaged in his 
father's business and soon after became the master thereof. In 1851 he puichased 
his father's plant and five years later removed to Jay street. He formed a partner- 
ship with his brother, (Jeorge I., and the firm of Amsdell Brothers was widely and 



339 

favorably known. This firm continued until October, 1893, when Theodore sold his 
interest to his brother and purchased with his son-in law, George C. Hawley, the 
Dobler Brewery, situated on Swan and Elm streets and Myrtle avenue. The name. 
The Dobler Brewing Co., adopted in 1805, is still retained. In 1855 Mr, Amsdell 
married Helen E. Zeh, and they have one daughter, the wife of George C. Hawley. 
In 1878 Mr. Amsdell was elected a member of the Brewers' Association of New York 
State. 

Brierley, William P., M. D., son of John and Anna Amelia (Coles) Brierley, was 
born in Stockport, Columbia county, N. Y. , in 1863. He received his prelimmary 
education under the instruction of the Rev. George Fisher, pastor of the church of 
St. John the Evangelist, Episcopal, at Stockport. He studied in this way for eight 
years, tlien spent two years studying in a drug store in Hudson, N. Y., and Lenox, 
Mass. He then determined upon the medical profession and studied one year with 
Dr. C. E. Fritts of Hudson ; he then moved to Albany and registered with the late 
Dr. John Swinburne. In 1886 he graduated from the Albany Medical College and 
received the degree of M. D. Dr. Brierley remained with Dr. Swinburne two years 
after graduation and had charge of the dispensary when Dr. Swinburne was in 
Washington as a member of congress. Since then Dr. Brierley has practiced in 
Albany. He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Capital City Lodge 
I. O. O. F., and of the Ojibway Tribe of Red Men. June 14, 1890, he married 
Katharine, daughter of Jacob Holler. They have three sons, John Herbert, Harold 
Potter and Walter. 

Fish, Julius, son of Simon and Jeanette (Schuster) Fish, was born in Albany, 
N. Y., m April, 1853. He received his education in the public schools and after 
leaving, was "bound over" for three years to learn the trade of stripping tobacco 
in the factory of Fred Classen on Green street. He worked at the bench in different 
factories after learning his trade and by hard work and judicious saving was enabled 
to go into business for hi-mself in 1872. His store was then located on lower South 
Pearl street ; in 1876 he opened a tobacco store and cigar manufactory at No. 14 
South Pearl street. In 1896 he sold the store and now confines his attention solely 
to the manufacture of cigars at the same location. Mr. Fish is very popular in 
social and fraternal circles, being a member of the Adelphi Club and Gideon Lodge. 
He has been prominently identified with the Democratic party and is now a member 
of the general committee. In January, 1897. Mayor Thacher appointed him a mem- 
ber of the Board of Fire Commissioners to succeed Rufus Townsend, deceased. 

Cox, John, son of George W. and Jane (Morgan) Cox, was born in Walsall, Staf- 
fordshire, England, in 1850. He attended the common school and learned the trade 
of brass finisher in the town and vicinity of Walsall, which is eight miles from Bir- 
mingham. In 1870 he came to America and settled in Albany, N. Y. , where he fol- 
lowed his trade as a journeyman for Orr & Blair. This firm afterwards changed 
hands and became well know as Blair & Kmnear. Mr. Cox remained with this firm 
three years and in 1873 bought the bnsiness of Henry McElroy who owned a brass 
manufactory, where Mr. Cox is now located. In February, 1891, together with 
Philip Wendell Parks, A. C. Graves, A. B. Brown, P. F. Gaynor and H. E. Bailey, 
he organized the Cox Brass Manufacturing Company of which he is now vice-presi- 
dent and general manager. The company does a large business in its Albany fac- 



340 

tory and has a salesroom at No. 193 Center street. New York. In 1873 Mr. Cox 
married the daughter of Wm. \V. Chandler of Albany. They have four children : 
John W., William G., Margaret Jane and Theodore M. 

Hunting, Edwin Francis, sop of Ambrose R. and Amanda (Severson) Hunting, 
was born in Gallupville, Schoharie county, N. Y. , April 1,1864. The family is de- 
scended from John Hunting, who resided in the east of England. John Hunting 
came to America in 1638 and was ordained elder of the church in Dedham, Mass. 
The family coat of arms contains, among other emblems, three hunting dogs, as 
many stags' heads; the dogs holding between the paws a stag's head. His son, 
John Hunting, was born in 1640; whose son Nathaniel was born in 1675; who also 
had a son Nathaniel, who was born in 1703; whose son Captain Joseph was born in 
1731 ; whose son Joseph was born in 1766, and settled in Schoharie county (on the 
farm now occupied by the father of Edwin F.) He also had a son Joseph (grand- 
father) born in 1805, and resided on the farm occupied by his father. Ambrose R. 
(father) was born in 1833. He attended the district school, Schoharie Academy and 
Charlotteville Seminary. He has served his town several terms as supervisor; his 
district for two terms as school commissioner; and his county (Schoharie) in the 
r^egislature in the year 1891, as assemblyman, being elected by the Democratic 
party, of which he has been a lifelong member. Edwin F. attended the district 
school and Gallupville Academy, and in December, 1883, removed to Albany, N. Y., 
where he .served an apprenticeship at the drug business. In the fall of 1885 he 
entered the Albany College of Pharmacy. He took the regular course and grad- 
uated in 1887, received the degree of Ph. G. He stood at the head of his class, 
and received the prize for the best general examination. In March, 1887, Mr. 
Hunting purchased the drug bu.siness at No. 67 Central avenue. In December, 1888, 
he married Margaret F. Hocomb of Albany, and they have three children, Mil- 
dred E., Joseph W., and Ruth. In February, 1795, he purchased the building and 
removed his business to the present location. No. 131 Central avenue, corner of 
Le.xington avenue. He is a member of Mt. Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., and 
is the president of the Alumni Association of the College of Pharmacy, of which 
he was also the treasurer for five years. He is a Democrat, a bimetallist, and was 
an ardent supporter of Mr. Bryan for the presidency. He is much opposed to the 
English system of government rule by a moneyed aristocracy, and holds in con- 
tempt the pseudo aristocrats, ^vho are striving to foist the English system upon 
this Republic. He sympathizes much with the many, who suffer so grievously on 
account of our present monetary system — those who are compelled to yield to avarice 
and greed a portion of their pittance, that the holdings of the avaricious might be 
correspondingly increased. 

Selkirk, Alexander, oldest son of Charles and Jane (Elmendorf) Selkirk and 
brother of Lewis M. and Frank, was born at Selkirk, Albany county, N. Y., July 18, 
1830. On the paternal side he descended from James Selkirk, who emigrated from 
Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and landed at the city of New York June 16, 1775, then 
went to Galway, Saratoga county, where he resided until the early spring of 1776; 
when at Albany, he joined the Continental army in which he served until the close 
of the Revolutionary war, w^hen he received his certificate of service and discharge 
duly signed by George Washington (now in the Hall of Military Records, Albany). 



341 

He served under Arnold in the northern campaign and was in the battle of Saratoga, 
at which Burgoyne surrendered; under Green, he was in the retreat through New 
Jersey, and endured the hardships of the winter quarters of the army at Valley 
Forge; subsequently under Gates, he was in the southern, campaign until after 
Gates's defeat at Camden, and later with his regiment in the allied army he was at 
Yorktown, Va., when Cornwalhs surrendered. After the close of the war he took 
up his residence at Gahvay until he finally settled in 1786 at Selkirk, Albany county, 
N. Y., on land purchased by him and now owned by his descendants. He died in 
1830. In 1787 he married Elizabeth, sister of Christinia Herrin, wife of William 
Henry, and mother of Prof. Joseph Henry, late secretary of the Smithsonian Insti- 
tution, Washington, D. C. On the maternal side Mr. Selkirk is descended from the 
Elmendorfs, who came from Guilderland, Holland, and settled in Dutchess county 
in 1690. Their descendants were numerous and in active service in both the rank 
and file of the Continental army. Alexander's father, Charles, was born at Selkirk, 
1799, and was in his early life a silversmith at Albany, but on account of poor health 
and his inheritance of a farm from his father, James, he in 1820 returned to the life 
of a farmer at Selkirk, where he died in 1868. Alexander, with his brothers, 
received his education in public school No. 3, at Selkirk ; his teachers bemg gener- 
ally men from the Eastern States who made school teaching a means to aid them in 
acquiring collegiate education, and under this class of teachers he was instructed in 
the highest Enghsh branches of education of that day. He removed to Albany in 
1847 and at J. Goold & Co.'s coach factory learned the art of coach ornamentation 
and heraldry, and was made foreman in that department in 1850. In 1849 he with 
George Boughton, then also a coach ornamenter, James Hart and James Williamson 
formed a class for the study of free hand drawing from models with Mr. John E. 
Gavit, bank note engraver, as instructor. In the spring of 1853 he went into the 
business of carriage manufacture and continued in the same until in 1864, when he 
sold out to Shaw & Rose, and entered the profession of solicitor and attorney in pat- 
ent cases and mechanical expert, and has since continued in this profession, having 
established a large practice. Mr. Selkirk joined Union Lodge of I. O. O. F., in 1853, 
and Wadsworth Lodge 417, of F. and A. M., in 1857, and the Ancient Essenic Order 
in 1897. In 1848 he united with the Wesleyan M. church and was identified with it 
until 1863, when he united with the Fourth Presbyterian church of Albany, of which 
he is now a member. He has always been a Republican, voting first for Fremont. 
He married Elizabeth Jane Fee in 1853, and they have five sons: Charles, William 
F., John A., Alexander, jr., Frank E., and a daughter, Elizabeth R. With other 
citizens he opposed the 1894 scheme ftjr supplying Albany with water from the Berk- 
shire Hills, and so amended the Water Commissioners' Bill before the Legislature 
that that board dropped their bill, while bills drawn by him and introduced through 
Senator Parker passed both Houses, when the Berkshire Hill supply scheme was 
dropped and his plans for water supply, except filtering, also advocated by him, 
were adopted substantially as w-as provided in his bills. In 1896, he through Senator 
Nussbaum, introduced a bill for making a State Excise department with provision 
for State control of the traflSc in liquors, which bill was before its introduction in the 
two houses, some ten days in the hands of Senator Raines, who then amended his 
own bill previously introduced and incorporated in it many of the provisions of Mr. 
Selkirk's bill. Mr. Selkirk is the inventor of the "System of dual circulation of 



342 

chemical cooking liquors for making chemical fibre; " he also is the original inventor 
of closed electric conduits, of the class made water-tight and completed in sections, 
in a factory, and ready for laying in the ground, or at its surface, with its enclosed 
conductors at all times in condition for allowing electric currents to be taken, at will, 
therefrom with safety at any time, thereby dispensing with exposed or overhead 
conductors. 

Hayden, John R., son of Timothy and Mary (Ryan) Hayden, was born at Muitz- 
eskill in the town of Schodack, Rensselaer county, N. Y., May 31, 1859, and removed 
to Albany. N. Y., five years afterward. He attend the Albany public and high 
schools, after which he worked at the trade of blacksmith with his father for three 
years. This, however was not to his liking and he took a course of instruction at 
the Albany Business College. After finishing this he studied law with N. P. Hin- 
rnan, Warren S. Kelly, and Wood & Russell. He studied law for five years but 
never applied for admission to the bar. In 1886 Mr. Hayden was appointed stamper 
in the mailing department of the Albany post-office and two weeks thereafter was 
transferred to the general delivery division. In February, 1894, he was appointed 
to his present position as superintendent of the free delivery division. Mr. Hayden 
is president of Capital City Council No. 54, C. B. L., and is a member of the Y. M. 
C. A. October 19, 1887, he married Elizabeth A. Driscoll of Albany, who died De- 
cember 6, 1895, leaving two children, John and Edward. 

Sweeny, William P., was born in New York city in 1855. He is a son of Patrick 
Sweeny, who w^as a well known boss mason and contractor in New York city, having 
erected some of the largest buildings and principal church fronts. Mr. Sweeny's 
mother's maiden name was Margaret Butler. He attended private schools in New 
York and in 1862 moved with his parents to Poughkeepsie, N. Y. , where his father had 
the superintendency of the mason work on Yassar College. In 1863 his father died, and 
after his death, Mr. Sweeny, with his mother and sister moved, to Montreal, Can., 
so as to be with relatives in fulfillment of his father's dying request. Here young 
Sweeny attended the St. Lawrence and St. Ann Schools of the Christian Brothers 
and also the Jesuit College, from which he graduated in 18T0. In the fall of 1870 he 
removed to Albany, N. Y., and learned the trade of cabinetmaker with the late 
Charles Ferguson. After three years' apprenticeship at this trade, he went into 
the carpenter business and served part of his apprenticeship with Walsh Brothers, 
and worked at this trade until 1885, when he started in the business of undertaker at 
No. 171 Central avenue, where he is now located and where he does a good business. 
At the age of eighteen, Mr. Sweeny being a great lover of military, joined the Al- 
bany Jackson Corps; he was recording secretary of this organization for five years, 
and for three years carried the Walsh medal for proficiency in drill. He also suc- 
ceeded Major Walsh of the Jacksonians, the leading Democratic political club of the 
city, and was in command on the occasion of their memorable trip to the Democratic 
State Convention held at Saratoga, N. Y., 1885, when Hon. David B. Hill received 
the nomination for governor the first time. In 1886 he ran for supervisor of the 
Tenth ward on the Democratic ticket and was defeated by Charles Strempel. In 
1887 he again ran and was elected over Charles Strempel; in 1888 he defeated John 
Kurtz for the same office. Mr. Sweeny is a life member of the Catholic Union and 
a member of Branch 136 C. M. B. A., Our Lady of Angels Council No. 145, C. B. L., 



343 

Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum, and the Mohawk and Columbus As- 
sociations. Mr. Sweeny is also president of the Holy Name Society of St. Patrick's 
church. 

Downs, J. Murray, is a son of James H. Downs, who settled in Albany about 185.5, 
and Mary B. Murray, his wife, whose father was a prominent contractor in the capi- 
tal city. He was born in Albany, July 9, 1873, was graduated from the High School 
in 1889, and from that time until 1892 held a clerkship in the State Law Library. 
Meanwhile he read law with Reilly & Hamilton, was graduated from the Albany 
Law School in 1893 and was admitted to the bar in February, 1894. He remained 
in the office of his preceptors as managing clerk until April 1, 1895, when he formed 
a copartnership with Hon. Robert G. Scherer. as Scherer & Downs, which still con- 
tinues. 

Winne, Lansing B., M. D.. was born in Albany, N. Y., October 2, 1856, a sou of 
Charles Henry and Mary D. (Passenger) Winne. The following are the names of 
his ancestors in this country; Benjamin, born in Holland, December 19, 1705, mar- 
ried Rachel Van Arnam December 14, 1728, and died in Albany, N. Y., January 8, 
1797; Levinus, born June 8, 1745, married Maria Lansing May 10, 1768, and died De- 
cember 6, 1825; Jacob L., born January 12, 1788, married Julia Ann Fry, August 11, 
1813, and died May 7, 1860; and Charles Henry, his father, born April 26, 1833. Dr. 
Winne was graduated from the Albany Free Academy in 1874, and from the medical 
department of Columbia College, New York, in 1878, receiving the degree of M. D. 
After graduation he was an interne at the Demilt Dispensary in New- York; he re- 
turned to Albany in 1880 and associated himself with Dr. H. R. Haskins, with whom 
he remained two years, after which he began his practice in Albany. In 1885 he was 
appointed coroner's physician and held the office of city physician from jMay 20, 1894, 
to January 20, 1897. Dr. Winne is clinical instructor in the Albany Medical College, 
a member of the dispensary staff of the Albany City Hospital and physician at the 
Albany City Mission Dispensary. He is vice-president of the Albany County Medical 
Society and was its secretary in 1895; he is also a member of Temple Lodge F. & A. 
M., Temple Chapter R. A. M., Temple Commandery, A A. O. N. M. S., and the Un- 
conditional Republican Club; he has also been vestryman in Holy Innocents church 
for several years, civil service examiner New York State for health officers, medical 
examiner Northwestern Life Insurance Company. 

Bailey, William Howard, was born December 28, 1825, at Bethlehem, Albany 
county, N. Y. He was the seventh in a family of nine children. His father. Dr. 
Solomon Bailey, a man greatly respected by the community in which he resided, 
was a physician with a large practice. He was frequently called in consultation by 
other physicians, his opinion being valued highly. The arduous duties of his pro- 
fession, however, proved too severe even for his strong and vigorous constitution, and 
in 1830 he discontinued his active practice and retired to a farm. It was at this farm 
that William H. Bailey, the subject of this sketch, received his early training. The 
outdoor exercise and pure air incident to farm life were valuable influences in the 
formation of his character. He early attended a district school, but the instruction 
there received was largely supplemented by the intellectual assistance of his father. 
After the death of his father in 1839 he continued his studies at the Albany Acad- 
emy, but afterward went to the Utica Academy, and subsequently to the State Nor- 



mal School at Albany. He finally became a student at Cazenovia Seminary. For 
five years he taught school at various places. While in charge of the Union School 
at Trumansburg, Tompkins county, N. Y.. he began the study of medicine. From 
Trumansburg he went to Cusseta, Chambers county, Alabama, to take charge of the 
Male Academy located in that town. During these years of teaching he devoted 
every spare moment to the study of medicine, and in 1851 returned to Albany to 
attend lectures at the Albany Medical College, at which institution he was graduated 
in 1853. His first e.xperience in the practice of medicine was at Utica, N. Y., which 
was then the home of his mother. In 1854 he removed to Albany, N. Y., where he 
has since resided. Shortly after his removal to Albany he became a member of the 
Albany County Medical Society. For four years he was treasurer of the society, 
and in 1870 was elected president. In 1855 he was married to Miss Sarah Jane 
Peck, who died in 1860, leaving him two daughters, Anne Peck and Mary Ella, 
both of whom still survive. In 1862 he was married to Miss Anne Eliza Peck, who 
still lives. He was appointed a delegate to the State Medical Society in 1860, and 
in 1864 made a permanent member. From 1865 to 1875 he was secretary of this 
society, and in 1880 was elected president. In 1871 he received the honorary degree 
of M. D. from Soule University, Texas, and in 1877 that of LL. D. from the Wash- 
ington and Jefferson College, Pennsylvania. In 1882 he was appointed one of the 
State consulting board of the Hudson River Hospital for the Insane at Pough- 
. keepsie, which office he held for several years. For many years he was one of the 
United States board of pension examining surgeons. He also served as ob- 
stetrician and as consultant obstetrician for the Albany Hospital, which latter posi- 
tion he still holds. He was repeatedly elected delegate to the American Medical 
Association and to different State societies by the New York State Medical Society 
and by the Albany County Medical Society. His connection with these societies 
gives ample evidence of his industry and of the appreciation in which he was held 
by the medical profession. He was a man of acknowledged ability in various lines. 
As a citizen he took an active part in municipal affairs, serving two terms as alder- 
man. As a teacheV he was eminently successful and beloved by his pupils. It is as 
a physician, however, that he will longest be remembered, for he was recognized as 
a leader in his profession. His genial, courteous manner and kind, considerate 
spirit won him many friends. His long years of successful practice have given him 
a record surpassed by few. He was honored and respected far beyond the average 
man, and his life of willing self-sacrifice for the benefit of his fellowmen will leave 
an influence not soon to be forgotten. 

^'an Derzee, Andrew S., was born in Coeymans in 1828. He is the son of Char- 
lotte and Andrew Van Derzee. Mr. Van Derzee's grandfather came to Coeymans 
among the earliest settlers and bought a farm in the southeastern part of the town, 
in a valley known by the Indians as Haquetock (said by old people of long ago to 
mean "long valley"), while the Indians were yet located upon it, which is still owned 
by the family, where he and his son were farmers all their lives. Andrew S. Van 
Derzee began his business life when thirteen years old by going as cabin boy on one 
of the Hudson River boats and continued river life until 1849, when he engaged in 
itile business in Coeymans, under the firm name of W. B. Hull & Co., which 
i continued until the death of Mr. Hull, since which time he has carried on the 



345 

busiuess alone. lu ISiil he married Caroline E. Robb of Dutchess county, who died 
in 1884 and left one daughter, Mrs. S. F. Powell of Amsterdam, N. Y., and one son, 
William H., who succeeds to his father's business. In 1890 he married Mrs. Jane C. 
Brainerd of Saugerties, N. Y. Mr. Van Derzee has always taken a keen interest in 
the welfare of his town, and has done much for its improvement. The following is 
from a local paper of date of December 32, 1896 : 

One of our oldest, most Itighly respected and longest established merchants has retired from 
business. On Thursday last the new firm of William H." Van Derzee and P. H. Smith look pos- 
session of the old stand and successful mercantile business of Andrew S. Van Derzee. Mr. Van- 
Derzee had been in business at this stand for nearly half a century, starting as a partner with 
the late \Vm. B. Hull in 1849. The house hasalways enjoyed a reputation for reliability. We con- 
gratulate our worthy townsman in having secured a competency and most of all on his irreproach- 
able business career, and trust he may be spared to enjoy many years the reward due an indus- 
trious career. All will concur in wishing the new firm a prosperous future. 

Soop, J. J.— Conrad Soop, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., October 10, 1745. His 
parents were of the German Palatinates who emigrated from Wurtemburg, Ger- 
many (the birthplace of Martin Luther) to America, under the patronage of Queen 
Anne, early in the eighteenth century, owing to the religious intolerance at that time 
manifested towards the followers of the great reformer, Luther. The larger portion 
of these emigrants settled in the tows of Livingston and Germantown, Columbia 
county, N. Y. A few years after, owing to the feudal tenure of their lands under 
Livingston, many found their way to the fertile valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk, 
and there and in Columbia county their descendants are yet found, and to-day many 
prominent citizens can trace their lineage to these worthy pioneers. In May, 1774, 
Conrad Soop married Elizabeth, daughter of Jacob Becker of Schoharie (also of 
Wurtemburg descent), an aunt of the renowned Schoharie lawyer and banker, Abra- 
ham Becker. The larger portion of Schoharie county was then an unbroken wilder- 
ness, and he purchased a valuable and fertile farm in the town of Bethlehem, Albany 
county, near what is now South Bethlehem. He with his young wife had scarcely 
become settled there when he vi'as called to shoulder his musket to fight in that war 
which "tried men's souls." He was made a subaltern officer in Capt. Jurian 
Hogan'sCo. , 4th Regiment, and about a year after was transferred to Capt. Con- 
radt Ten Eyck's Co. of the 5th Regiment, of which Peter Whitbeck was first and 
Albert H. Van Derzee second lieutenants, under General Schuyler, and was with 
him in all his engagements on the northern frontier and at the surrender of Bur- 
goyne at Stillwater, October 7, 1777, At the close of the war he returned to his 
farm, where with his wife, .surrounded by children and grandchildren, he lived far 
beyond the allotted years of man, enjoying the blessings of peace, and that social 
and religious liberty he assisted to achieve. His wife died August 14, 1843, in the 
eighty eighth year of her age, and he on September 26, 1H47, having reached the re- 
markable age of nearly one hundred and two years. They lived eventful and Christ- 
ian lives, and died honored and respected by their neighbors. The writer of this 
hketch, now in his seventy-eighth year, a grandson, heard repeated many of their 
reminiscences, one of which is related as follows: When he was in the army his wife, 
wishing to visit her parents in Schoharie, saddled her horse with a sheep-skin, and 
made the journey through an almost unbroken wilderness, where Brant and Butler, 
with their band of tnries and Indians, were on the warpath, pillaging, burning, and 



346 

often murdering. She quite frequently made this journey of over eighty miles, un- 
protected, and was never harmed. Who is the dame of the present day who would 
undertake a similar journey? Their Children: Mary was born near South Bethle- 
hem, November 30, 1782, married by Rev. Christian Bork (formerly a chaplain in 
the I-fessian array in the Revolution), Septemper 27, 1800, and died March 23, 1861. 
Michael Niver, her husband, was born in Livingston, Columbia county, June 2, 1778; 
his ancestors were also of the Palatinate colonists. In 1790 he with his father's 
family moved to Bethlehem on a large farm he had previously purchased. His 
father, David, had served in the Revolution as first sergeant in Capt. Teutiis Van 
Dalsten's Co., .5th Regiment, under General Schuyler, and was present at the sur- 
render of Burgoyne. Michael was drafted in the war of 1812 and served at Brook- 
lyn Heights. He was a .successful farmer, and died April 13, 1858. His farm is still 
owned by his descendants. Their children were: Elizabeth S.. born July 12, 1802. 
died unmarried Septembers, 1879. Margaret, born November 2, 1805, married Peter 
A. Ten Eyck, September 25, 1838; now (1897) living; has one child living. Katha- 
rine, born March 4. 1812, married John Crum, May 16, 1832; died August 24, 1851 ; 
three children. Mary E., Hugh J., and James J. Conrad, born November 16, 1815; 
studied medicine with William Bay of Albany, graduated from Fairfield Medical 
College in 1837, and located in Ancram, Columbia county, where, and in Dutchess 
county, he gained eminence as a physician reached by few; married Jane Mclntyre, 
and after her death, married her sister Roxana; died January 31, 1867, leaving 
three children by his first wife — Caroline, John Soop and Albert C. , and three b)- 
his second wife — Walter, Loda and Herman' Bay. David, born February 16, 1820, 
married Phebe C Hotaling of New Baltimore, October 26, 1843; living and author 
of this sketch and owner of the old Niver homestead; has four children living — 

Mary Soop Haswell, Conrad, Eugene A., and Charles A. Jacob Soop, son of 

Com ad Soop, born May 3, 1786, married Maria Potter, September 6, 1837, died June 
11, 1868; his wife died August 12, 1884; one child, Henry C. Jacob entered the 
United States army July 15, 1812 and served under Captain Penfield. Henry C. 
Soop, a well-known leading attorney at law of Rondout, Kingston, was born at 
Albany, N. Y , April 17, 1842. He .studied law in the office of Judge M. B. Mattice 
at Durham, N. Y., graduated from the Albany Law School in 1863 and practiced 
law at Roxbury, Delaware county, N. Y. In 1890 he moved to Kingston and in 
January of the same year he was elected president of the First National Bank of 
Rondout; was also appointed attorney for the estate of Thomas Cornell, and secre- 
tary and counsel of the Ulster & Delaware Railroad Company; he is also the coun- 
sel and attorney for several other corporations, and is vice-pre.sident, attorney, and 
one of the founders of the Peckhani Truck & Wheel Company, of Kingston. In 
October, 1867, Mr. Soop was united in marriage with Helen M., daughter of Eras- 
tus T. Peck, of Windham, N. Y.. and one child, Katharine, has been born to them. 

Frederick, son of Conrad, born March 18, 1790, married Margaret Van Zant, 

September 20, 1817, who died November 3, 1851; Frederick died May 13, 1870, leav- 
ing two daughters, Maria and Rebecca, living. John, sou of Conrad, born June 

16, 1793, died March 11, 1874; when a young man he engaged In the grocery busi- 
ness at what is now known as Becker's Corners, but in later years purchased two 
farms, one for each of his sons, and became a successful farmer and sheep breeder. 
He also held important town offices, having been a justice of the peace for thirty- 



347 

two consecutive years. On February 31, 1838, he married Mary Ann Russell, 
daughter of William Russell and Judith McHarg, who was born April 31, 1800, and 
died November 29, 1843; and susequently married Huldah, sister of his first wife, 
who was born June 15, 1815, and died childless April 34, 1883. He had three child- 
ren by his first wife; Jacob J., who was born December 9, 1838, married Ann Kim- 
mey, daughter of David Kimmey and Marie Niver, March 3, 1852, who died Feb- 
ruary 1, 1859, leaving three children, John, Jennie and Leonard. On December 6, 
1863, he married Margaret Jane Coon, who died childless August 6, 1886, aged fifty 
years. Mr. Soop is a successful farmer and breeder of fine horses; is still living on 
his farm at Selkirk. His only daughter Jennie K., was born June 15, 1855, and her 
husband, Capt. David C. Bull, and granddaughter, Ethel J. Bull, are living with 
him. Mr. Bull is e.xtensively engaged in poultry, fruit and berry farming ; he was 
born September 15, 1847. m the town of Coeymans; he followed the river from 1807 
to 1894, then .sold his boat and began farming. Ethel J. was born December 7, 1887. 
Sc7>is of J. J. Soop: John Soop was drowned in the Hudson River, June 35, 1864, 
aged eleven years. Leonard was born November 3, 1857, married Georgia Livings- 
ton, January 6, 1887, and died February 19, 1891; he was a great horseman and a 

favorite with all who knew him. Leonard W. Soop was born September 13, 1883, 

married Elvira Jane Conger of Canada, and died July 3, 1894, leaving three child- 
ren, Jessie, Nellie and John B. He was a fanner and was elected justice of sessions 
one term and justice of the peace in Bethlehem for twelve years. His widow and 
children are still living at Selkirk. Mary E. Soop was born in Bethlehem, Octo- 
ber 19. 1834, and is living ^t Selkirk.— Com. 

Lathrop, Cyrus Clark, is descended on his father's side from literarj- workers, and 
on his mother's from business men. A son of John W. and Margaret O. (Clark) 
Lathrop, he was born in Bridgeport, Conn., February 21, 1862, and when fifteen en- 
tered his father's book store, where he remained two years. For five years he was 
connected with the linen thread establishment of Barbour Brothers. Returning to 
Bridgeport he traveled for one year for an iron concern and then went to St. Paul, 
Minn., in the employ of William F. Davidson. In 1888 he came to Albany and es- 
tablished himself in the laundry business, in which he still continues. He has always 
had strong religious convictions and from the age of fifteen has been deeply inter- 
ested in Sunday school work as a teacher. In 1889-90 he became identified with the 
boy's department of the City Mission and in 1890 took charge of it, devoting every 
night in the week to the work. After visiting other cities, he organized, on April 
30, 1892, the Albany Boys' Club, one of the most successful institutions of the kind 
in the country, of which he has since been the secretary and superintendent. Among 
the first to become interested in this organization were Charles R. Knowles, president, 
Charles (iibson, vice-president, Herbert W. Stickney, treasurer, Cyrus C. Lathrop, 
secretary and superintendent, Oscar D. Robinson, Robert W. Shannon, Charles H. 
Turner, Edward J. Wheeler, Albert Hessberg, Dr. A. B. Huested, George H. 
Thacher, William H. McClure and Percival N. Bouton, The club now has about 450 
members, maintains a free reading room and library, an evening school of industrial 
practical training, a gymnasium and a savings bank, and reaches poor boys of the 
city. It was incorporated November, 1896. Its success is practically due to Mr. 
Lathrop's personal efliorts and direction. Its present officers are: Robert Shaw 



348 

Oliver, president; William F.Winship, Charles L. Blakeslee, George C, Baker, James C. 
Farrell, James Holroyd, W. G. MacUonakl, M. D., Edward N. McKinney. Charles T. 
Buchanan, J. Montgomery Mosher, M. D., directors; Edward J. Wheeler, treasurer, 
Cyrus C. Lathrop. secretary' and superintendent. He was married in 1885, in St. 
Paul, Minn., to Ida F., daughter of Abram Pulis, of Ti-oy, N. Y., and they have tw<i 
daughters: Dorothy Pulis Lathrop and Gertrude Kathryn Lathrop. 

Bradford, William, was born in Albany, N. Y., August 4, 1860, and is of Scotch 
parentage. He attended the public schools and was graduated from the Albany 
High School in 1879. After leaving school Mr. Bradford learned the photograph 
business with J. L. Abbott, Haines and Horton ; he took naturally to this business, 
liaving spent much time in this work when a school boy. After serving an appren- 
ticeship with the above named photographers he took up the study of process work, 
which was then in its infancy. Mr. Bradford was the first practical man to do that 
class of work in the city and he was employed by Weed, Parsons & Co. until 1892, 
when the Albany Engraving Company was organized as a cgpartnership, Mr. Brad- 
ford being an equal partner. In 1893 the company was incorporated ; the officers are 
William Bradford, president; F. G. Jewett, vice-president; A. H. Calderwood, 
treasurer; E. T. Jewett, secretary, and James Bradford, manager. This company 
started with almost nothing and is now one of the largest of its kind in the country, 
all due to Mr. Bradford's close application to the art. He is a member of the Albany 
Camera Club, the Albany County Wheelmen and the Empire Curling Club. July 
80, 1884, he married Helen L. Smith of Tully, Onondaga county. N. Y., and they 
have two children, William, jr., and Helen I.. 

Bradt, Samuel Cary, was born February 17, 1834. He is a son of David, who was 
born March 27, 1789, and who died August 26, 1854, and who married Marie- 
Reamer. Storm Albert Bradt, the father of David, was born May 21, 1750, and 
died March 27, 1848. He married Catharine Winne, born June 2, 1787, died October 
18, 1847. He was a son of Storm Albert Bradt, who married Magdalene Lang and 
who died December 13, 1799. Albert Storm was a son of Andriese Albert, who was 
a son of Albert Andriese (De Noorman), who came from Holland to America in l(i3() 
and settled at what is now Kenwood, below Albany, and built the first mill in this 
section and named the Normanskill ; he died June 7, 1686 It was mentioned at the 
time that he was one of the oldest residents and earliest of the settlers of Rensse- 
laervvyck. Samuel Cary Bradt, the subject of this sketch, moved to Albany in 185:! 
and became a clerk for A. M. Brumaghim, wholesale grocer at No. 68 Washington 
avenue. He went into business in 1856 at No. 30 Washington avenue, corner of 
Hawk street, and has been in busine.ss at different locations on the avenue for forty 
years, and is now the only merchant on the avenue who has been in business for .so 
long a time. Mr. Bradt married Martha Wood and his family consists of one 
daughter, Mary Ellington, the wife of Rev. W. H. A. Hall of Glovcrsville, N. Y., 
and one son. Warren Lansing, who married Anna E. Shill and who is now in busi- 
ness with his father at No. 55 Washington avenue. -Mr. Bradt is one of very few 
Albanians who can speak the original Holland-Dutch. He is a member of the Hol- 
land Society of New York and of the Unconditional Republican Club of Albany. 

Newton, John Milton, was born in Albany, N. Y., in November, 1838. He is of 
Puritan and Scotch ancestry, being a descendant of the Newtons and Whitings of 



349 

Colchester, Conn. Thomas Newton, the first ancestor of John M. in America, came 
from England previous to 1G39 and settled in Fairfield, Conn. . and in 1644 was elected 
deputy for Fairfield. John Newton, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, 
served in the Revolution ; he enlisted July 30, 177G in Wadsworth Brigade of Con- 
necticut and was discharged January 14, 1777. John Milton Newton is a son of 
John Milton and Eliza (Carman Mcintosh) Newton. When he was four years of age 
his parents moved to what is now Newtonville (so named after his father) and here 
young Newton's education was commenced at the public .school, then continued at 
the Monticello (N. Y.) Academy and finally at the school conducted by the Rev. 
WilHam Arthur, so well known for ripe scholarship and Scotch integrity and as the 
father of our model president, Chester Allan Arthur. Subsequently Mr. Newton be- 
came a clerk in the employ of Palmer, Newton & Co., and in 1860 he became a 
member of the firm. The business now owned by Newton & Co., a corporation 
(often known as the Albany Salamander Works), vvas founded in 1806 by Paul Cush- 
man, father of the late Paul Cushman, on the ground now known as Nos. 18 and 19 
Central avenue, where stoneware was manufactured by him. About 1833 Dillon, 
Henry & Co. succeeded to the business and afterwards the firm was changed to 
Dillon, Henry & Porter; later Jacob Henry bought out the interests of his partners 
and conducted the business individually until 1841, when he formed a copartnership 
with Adam Van Allen, under the firm name of Henry & Van Allen, which con- 
tinued until 1848. In August, 1843, the factory was moved to Phoenix Place and 
soon thereafter was burned; and in 1843 a new factory was built on the corner of 
Hudson avenue and Hawk street. Fire brick and stove linings were first made by 
Henry & Van Allen in 1843. In 1848 John Gott and Amos P.. Palmer bought the 
business from Henry & Van Allen and a partnership was formed under the name of 
Gott & Palmer, which continued until 1850, when Jacob Henry and Adam Van Allen 
bought out Mr. Gott's interest and the firm name was changed to Henry, Van Allen 
& Palmer. About 1851 Horace B. Newton was admitted as a partner, when the firm 
name was changed to Henry, Van Allen, Palmer & Co. ; that firm continued until 
1854. when Adam Van Allen withdrew his interest and the business was continued 
under the name of Henry, Palmer & Co. Soon after the last named date Jacob 
Henry retired from the firm and the business was then continued under the name of 
Palmer & Newton until about 1855, when Jacob Henry again entered the firm as a 
silent partner. The factory was then moved to its present location on Rathbone 
street. About 1853 Charles V. Henry, a son of Jacob Henry, bought his father's in- 
terest, became an active partner and the firm name was changed to PaliiK r, Xewton 
&• Co. In January, 1860, John M. Newton bought the interest of Cliarles V. Henry 
and the firm was continued under the name of Palmer, Newton & Co. until 1873, 
when it was dissolved; at the same time Horace B. Newton and John M. Newton 
formed a copartnership under the firm name of Newton & Co., which contmued until 
1891, when it was dissolved and the present corporation was then formed under the 
name of Newton & Co. The officers of the company are Horace B. Newton, chair- 
man ; John M. Newton, president and treasurer; William M. Newton, vice-president; 
and William S. Moseley, secretary. The company is doing a very e.xtensive busi- 
ness and its products are sold in nearly all sections of the United States and Canada. 
Their wares are also used in foreign countries and the goods manufactured have a 
reputation for being of superior quality. In 1864, Mr. Newton fliarried Mary Austin 



350 

Clark of Albany, and they have had four children ;nwo of them, William Mcintosh 
and Mary Clark, are living. 

Cook, Daniel H., M.D,, of Albany, N. Y., son of Philo and Sarah M. Van Natten 
Cook, was born Julv 6, 1849, in the town of New Scotland, Albany county, N. Y. On 
his father's side he is a descendant of Elias Cook who came from England about the 
year 1600, and with tvvelve"others purchased from the Agum and Montauk tribes of 
Indians the towns of South and East Hampton on the east end of Long Island. His 
mother is of Holland extraction. When he was fourteen years of age, his parents 
moved to Albany that he might have the school advantages afforded by the capital 
city. In 1874 he received the degree of M.D. from the Albany Medical College, 
taking first prize in obstetrics, that being the only competitive examination given 
that year. He opened an office in Albany, and in May, 1879, married Miss Kath- 
erine F., daughter of William and Eliza Wentworth Crew of Albany. The Went- 
worth family trace their lineage back to Reginald, the lord of Wentworth, England, 
1066. He has two children, Katherine F., born in 1883, and Daniel H. born in 1884. 
He has held numerous positions, namely, that of lecturer in the Albany Medical 
College, dispensary physician at the Albany Hospital, physician of the Lathrop Me- 
morial, president of the Albany Academy of Medicine, president of the Albany 
County Medical Society, delegate to different State Medical societies from the New 
York State Medical Society, etc. In 1894 he was appointed a member of the Board 
of Health of the city, a position which he now holds, and is active in promoting the 
cause of sanitation. In medicine he is still fond of obstetrics and diseases of women. 
His practice is large and lucrative, and for diversion he owns a stock farm at Alta- 
niont, N. Y., where 'he makes a specialty of raising Brown Swiss cattle and standard 
breeds of horses. 

Graves, Anthony tiardner, was born in Albany, N. V., October 26, 1840, and has 
been a resident of the capital city ever since. He received a liberal education in the 
Albany Academy and the Carlisle Seminary ; at the early age of four years he began 
his career in terpsichorean art, from his father, who for nearly half a century was 
the leading teacher of dancing in this part of the country, and at the age of si.xteer. 
was a valuable assistant to his experienced and talented parent, and so continued 
until the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, in 1861, when he enlisted in Com- 
pany B, 10th Regt. N. Y. S. M. and was detailed for guard duty at the old barracks 
on the New Scotland road. This experience gave him a taste for active duty in the 
field and he accordingly enlisted in the famous 44th Regiment, N. Y. Vols., known 
as the People's Ellsworth Regiment, and was warranted as third sergeant in Com- 
pany F, August 3; and October 21, 1861, departed with his regiment for the seat of 
war. He was seriously wounded at the battle of Hanover Court House, Va., by a 
gun shot wound entering the left side of his neck and passing through and lodging 
in the right shoulder. He was sent home and subsequently recovering, rejoined his 
regiment at Harrison's Landing, where he was promoted to orderly sergeant. He 
was taken prisoner in the second battle of Bull Run and paroled on the field. Janu- 
ary 14, 1863, he was promoted to a second hentenancy and for meritorious service 
at the battle of Gettysburg was raised to the commission of first lieutenant. He was 
again wounded while in command of his company at the battle of North Anna 
River, May '-'4, 1864, by a gun shot in right elliow; he found himself again disabled 



351 

and was obliged to take an honorable discharge, June 30, 1864. After recovering 
from his wounds and finding his patriotism and military ardor still warm, he hast- 
ened again to respond to the governmental call for union troops and November 14, 
1864, re-enlisted, as a private, in the 11th Independent Light Battery, known as the 
Havelock Battery of Light Artillery, and went to Hart's Island, N. Y.. where he 
was detailed to act as orderly sergeant of a company to do infantry guard duty over 
enlisted and conscripted men. After being relieved of this duty he joined his bat- 
tery in front of Petersburg, Va. After doing duty with the battery at Forts Mc- 
Kilvery and Welsh, he was promoted to be second lieutenant and placed on detached 
duty as commanding 2d Corps Artillery Brigade Ambulance Corps with the rank of 
acting assistant quartermaster, in which capacity he served until the surrender of 
Lee at Appomatto.\ Court House and the close of the war. He was mustered out of 
the service at Albany, June 13, 1865. Lieutenant Graves participated in the follow- 
ing battles: Yorktown, Hanover Court House, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Frede- 
ricksburg, Chancellorsville, Aldie, Gettysburg, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsyl- 
vania. North Anna, Weldon Railroad, Five Forks, Petersburg and Appomattox 
Court House. His highly creditable service as a soldier having ended with the end 
of the war, he returned to Albany to agam a.ssist his father in the teaching of danc- 
ing and so continued until June, 1867, when he departed for Europe to be iusitructed 
in the art there and so to better qualify himself in the best essentials of his profes- 
sion. In Paris he received valuable instruction from those celebrated teachers, Mon- 
sieurs Cellarious and Boizott. On his return from abroad with his improved equip- 
ment, he entered into partner.ship with his father and so continued until the partner- 
ship ended with the retirement of the,elder Graves in 1876; since that time Mr. 
(iraves has continued as a master of his art. He has devised and originated many 
new dances and is recognized by the public and the American Society of Professors 
of Dancing of which he is an honored and respected member, as being in the fore- 
most rank of American instructors in dancing. 

Hotaling, Hon. Lansing, son of David I. and Ellen (Hillebrant) Hotaling, was 
born, April 17, 1838, in Albany, where his father a contractor and builder, settled 
about 1828 and died in 1869. His ancestors came here at an early day. Mr. Hotal- 
ing was educated in Albany, was graduated from the Albany State Normal School 
in 18.^6, read law with Oliver M. Hungerford, and was admitted m 18.59. He has 
since practiced his profession in Albany. In 1861 he formed a copartnership with 
his preceptor, which continued until Mr. Hungerford's death in 1888. He was 
elected district attorney of Albany county in 1877 for three years, was a member of 
the Assembly for the Second Albany district in 1885, and is a trustee of the Albany 
County Savings Bank and a director in the Albany County Bank. He has never 
married. 

Howell, Fred S., son of George Oliver and Lucy G. (Rowland) Howell, was born 
in the town of Hector, Schuyler county, N. Y., May 15, 1865. He received his edu- 
cation at the Watkins (N. Y) Academy, and subsequently studied telegraphy. He 
made great progress in this profession and at the early age of fifteen became man- 
ager of the Western Union telegraph office at Watkins, where he remained three 
and a half years. Mr Howell moved to Syracuse, N. Y., being in the employ of the 
Western Union Telegraph Company, and later to Waverly. In 1885 he moved to 



352 

Schenectady, N. V., and represented the Associated Press as operator on the Daily 
Union. In 1886 Mr. Howell moved to Albany to accept the position of Associated 
Press telegrapher on the Albany Argus; in 1888 he went with the Press and Knicker- 
b()cker, doing United Press work, and from 1888 to 1893 held a position of telegrapher 
in a broker's office in connection with his newspaper work. In 1893, upon the con- 
solidation of the United and Associated Presses, Mr. Howell gave up press work and 
succeeded to the commission business of J. H. Knight, having offices in the Benson 
building. In 1895 Mr. HOwell assumed the management of the Albany office of 
Price, McCorraick & Co. and held this responsible position until February, 1897, 
when he bought the extensive house furnishing business of Isaac Hough, comprising 
two stores in Albany, one in Cohoes, one in Schennectady and one in Troy. Mr. 
Howell is a member of the Albany Press Club. April 11, 1894. he married Jane E.. 
daughter of the late Hon. Michael Richard. They have one daughter. 

Borthwick, Acton S., son of James M. and Charity (Sisson) Borthwick, was born 
in Huntersland. Schoharie county, N. Y., August 34, 1871, where he attended the 
public schools and in 1884 moved to Albany, N. Y., and spent two years at the High 
School. Subsequently he went to Coeymans, N. Y., where he worked three years in 
his father's store and in 1890 returned to Albany and was employed by George W. 
Yerkes& Co. until January 1, 1896, when his father. County Clerk James M. Borth- 
wick, appointed him court clerk, which position he now fills. Mr. Borthwick is :i 
member of the Unconditional Republican Club, the Improved Order of Red Men. 
Ancient City Lodge F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter R. A. M., De Witt Clinton 
Council R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, and Cyprus Temple A. A. O. N. 
M. S. In 1895 he married Charlotte M. Coftde of Albany. 

Herrick, Ue Laus W. — The Herricks are a very old family, tracing their descent 
in a direct line from the thirteenth century. Those members of the family living m 
Albany are descended from Henry Herrick, who came from England and settled in 
Salem, Mas.s., in the year 1629. Beyond the record of Henry's marriage, the first 
public record in this country is that of the conviction of Henry Herrick and Edith, 
his wife, in Essex county, Mass., and their being fined "for aiding and comforting 
an excommunicated person contrary to order." Some of the descendants of Henry 
finally settled in Dutchess county, N. Y., and m the time of the Revolutionary war 
furnished a number of .soldiers to the patriot army, among others Stephen and 
several of his sons, and among them Jonathan. After the close of the war Jonathan 
emigrated to Duanesburgh, Schenectady county; he was the grandfather of Jon- 
athan R. and De Laus W. Herrick, who subsequently settled in the city of Albany, 
becoming prosperous merchants; they were the first of their family that had fol- 
lowed any other calling in this country excepting that of farming. "Jonathan R. 
died in the city of Albany in 1890; he was the father of D. Cady Herrick, the pres- 
ent justice of the Supreme Court. De Laus \V. Herrick is still living, and is one of 
the prominent coal merchants of the city. 

Bailey, J. De 'Witt, son of John and Katharine ^Kilmer) Bailey, was born in the 
town of Bethlehem. Albany county, N. Y., March 25, 1831. He received his educa- 
tion at the public schools and learned the trade of wagonmaker from his father, who 
was engaged in that business. In 1835 the Bailey family moved to the village of 
Coeymans and here J. De Witt worked for his father after learning the trade, and 



353 

after a time branched out into the business of carriage painter. For many years 
Mr. Bailey worked at this trade and follows it now to a very limited extent. In the 
spring of 1870 he was appointed keeper of the United States light house at Coey- 
mans, and since then he has been placed in charge of five beacon lights on the Hud- 
son River near Coeymans Landing. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Methodist 
church of Coeymans. In December, 1854, he married Anne Rebecca Miller, and 
they have three children: Edgar, Emma L., and Mrs. Edward Long. 

Winne, John E., sou of Matthew and Gertrude (Witbeck) Winne, was born in the 
town of Niskayuna, Schenectady county, N. Y., July 30, 1850. John E. Winne is a 
lineal descendant of Jan Thomase Van Witbeck, a native of Witbeck, Holstein, 
Holland, who married Andriese Dochter, who was born in New Amsterdam (now 
New York). From 1653, when Beverwyck was first laid out, Jan Thomase Van Wit- 
beck was the most considerable dealer in house lots in the village. In 1664, in com- 
pany with Volkert Janse Douw, he purchased from the Indians the whole of Apje 
Islands, or Schotack, and the mainland opposite on the east side of the Hudson 
River. Of his six children, Thomase Janse Witbeck married, September 5, 1702, 
Jannetje Van Deusen, and was buried at Papsknee. Thomas Janse Witbeck also 
liad six children, of whom Lucas, the youngest, was born February 26, 1724, and 
married Geertruy, daughter of Johannes Lansing and his wife Geertruy, daughter 
of Pieter S. Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany. They too had six children, of 
whom Thomas and Gerrit (twins) were born March 18, 1750. Gerrit Witbeck mar- 
ried. May 29, 1774, Immeteje Perry, and had four children, of whom Thomas Gerrit 
Witbeck, born January 25, 1785, married December 11, 1803, Leah, youngest daugh- 
ter of Francis and Gertrude (Van Dusen) Marshall, who was born March 17, 1782. 
Of their six children, Gertrude was born April 17, 1811 ; she was married to Mathew 
Winne on May 1, 1841. They had four children: Charles W., Thomas W., John 
Eldert and Mary J. John E. Winne attended the classical department of the Union 
School at Schenectady and graduated from the Albany Business College in 1860. 
He thereupon entered the hardware store of B. L Conde at Schenectady, where he 
held a clerkship for one year, leaving to accept a more responsible position in the 
iron establishment of Hannibal Green & Son, at Troy, N. Y., where he remained six 
years. In 1874, in connection with A. T. Burdick and Phineas Jones & Co., Mr. 
Winne formed the firm of Winne, Burdick & Co., for carrying on the saddlery hard- 
ware business at Troy, N. Y. In 1883 this firm became that of Winne & Drake, and 
in 1889 Mr. Winne sold his interest to Charles F. Drake and moved to Albany, where 
he conducted the business of the Albany Saddlery Company, manufacturers of har- 
ness. In 1895 Mr. Winne was appointed to a position in the Department of the 
Superintendent of Public Works at Albany, where he is now employed. He is an 
active member of the Madison Avenue Reformed church of Albany, and has served 
as an officer and superintendent of the Sabbath School. In 1874 he married Henri- 
etta L. Filkins of Albany, and they have one daughter, Gertrude. 

Woodward, Major James Otis, was born in the city of Albany, N. Y., October 1, 
1863. He is a son of Royal Woodward, of the well-known medical family of Mans- 
field, Conn., and is a descendant of some of the foremost Americans whose names 
adorn the pages of the hi.story of this country. Cotton Mather, Miles Standish, 
Colonel Knowlton, a member of George Washington's stafl^, and James Otis, a 



354 

signer of the Declaration of Independence, are among those alhided to. He attend- 
ed the academics at Albany, N. Y., and East Hampton, Mass., and was in the class 
of 1882 at Hamilton College, from which institution he received the degree of M. A. 
Although educated for journalism, his chosen profession, he studied law in the 
office of the late Judge Samuel Hand, but later went upon the staff of the Troy 
(N.Y.) Daily Times. Subsequently he became business manager of the Troy News. 
Major Woodward also acted as correspondent for the New York Mail and Express 
and other Metropolitan papers and became widely associated in newspaper work. 
Leaving the work of the press. Major Woodward turned his attention to the cotton 
business in the South, in which he is now somewhat engaged. Recently he became 
interested in theatrical matters and is associated with a number of metropolitan 
attractions. He is also interested in a number of theaters. He has always taken 
an active part in politics. In 1885 he was elected alderman from the old Fifth ward 
by the narrow majority of five, overcoming an adverse Democratic majority of 
several hundred, and being the first Republican to carry that Democratic stronghold. 
Twice he was tendered the nomination for mayor of Albany, but declined both 
times. He was secretary of the Special State Prison Commission appointed by 
Governor Hill. In fraternal organizations he is very auspicious; he was at the 
head of the Odd Fellows of the State and was grand commandant of Patri- 
archs Militant, I. O. O. F., division of the Atlantic, for four years. He is 
not only prominent in Odd Fellowship, but holds distinguished honors among the 
Masons and Knights of Pythias. He was president of the Chi Psi Alumni Associa- 
tion of New York State two years; is a life member of the American Numismatic 
and Archaeological Society; a member of Mecca Shrine of New York; the Elks; 
Thirteen Club of New York, and the Fort Orange Club of Albany. In military 
circles Major Woodward is very prominent; he was for five years commander of the 
Albany Burgesses Corps, the oldest military organization in the State, and was in 
command of the corps upon the occasion of its celebrated trip to New Orleans and 
the Mardi Gras in 1895. He is also an active member of the Old Guard of New 
York. He attained the rank of major in the N.G.S.N.Y. He served on the stafts of 
Colonel Brooks, General Oliver and General Carr. Major Woodward also attained the 
rank of general in the militant branch of Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Bi- 
centennial Committee of the city of Albany and was grand marshal of the great 
Bi-Centennial parade, one of the largest ever held in the city, and of the great Odd 
Fellows' parade upon the occasion of the laying of the corner stone of the New Tem- 
ple at Albany. He represented New York State upon the staff of General Schofield 
upon the occasion of the great centennial parade at New York. Canton Woodward 
of Newburgh was named in his honor. 

Austin, Arthur C, born in San Francisco, Cal., in November, 1859, received his 
early education in the California Military Academy at Oakland, Cal,, and in ]8i9, 
just before his majority, came East, contra to Greeley's famous advice, to seek his 
fortune, simply because he could not go farther west. His first effort in this direc- 
tion on his own behalf was in the photograph business in Nashua, N, H., where he 
remained with moderate success for five or six j-ears. About this time photo process 
engraving began to meet with public approbation, and Mr. Austin determined to 
dispose of his portrait gallery and devote himself to the process of engraving, be- 



355 

lieving that the field was larger and more fruitful. He obtained employment in 
Philadelphia, and by close attention soon fitted himself to accept a more responsible 
situation in Boston. Here he remained for some time, until he took charge of the 
Hyde Park Company, Hyde Park, Mass. In 1893 Mr. Austin removed to Albany 
and organized an engraving company. This was successful from the start, but be- 
cause of uncongenial surroundings and lack of opportunity for development, Mr. 
Austin withdrew in 1895, and together with Jarnes Ten Eyck, Howard Martin, C. S. 
Pease and others, organized the A. C. Austin Engraving Company, a successful cor- 
poration from its inception, with a bright future, employing a goodly force of skilled 
labor, and altogether a credit to Albany. Mr. Austin is a member of Temple Lodge 
No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Chapter No. 342, R. A. M., De Witt Clmton Coun- 
cil No. 33, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery No 3, K. T.. Cyprus Temple, A. A. O. 
N. M. S., Capital City Lodge, L O. O. F., and the Albany Camera Club. 

Green, Col. G. James, son of John R. and Ann (Vosburgh) Green, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., June 4, 1860. His great-grandfather, John, an Englishman, came 
from Dublin to America and settled in Niskayuna, N. Y., where he married Rebecca 
Groot. They had a son, Cornelius, who married Gertrude Tymerson. G. James 
Green received his education in the Albany public and high schools. In 1875 he 
went into the employ of the D. & H. C. Co. as clerk, and for three years following 
was paymaster for Curtis &■ Whalen, railroad contractors. In 1884 he was tendered 
the position of bookkeeper with McKinley & Co., and remained with that company 
until 1893, when he resigned to accept a similar position with Weidman & Co. Jan- 
uary 1, 1894, he was appointed chief clerk in the office of the inspector general of 
the State of New York and on January 3, 1895, he was appointed assistant inspector 
general of the State, whicli position he now holds. Colonel Green enlisted in Co. B, 
10th Regt., November 13, 1879; was promoted corporal, January 4, 1881; dropped 
on account of removal from the city, November 30, 1881 ; taken up as private in Co. 
B, 10th Battalion, June 6, 1884; promoted corporal, September 7, 1885; sergeant, 
January 18, 1886; first sergeant. May 3, 1886; second lieutenant, October 15, 1887; 
lieutenant-colonel and assistant adjutant-general, 3d Brigade, December 11, 1889. 
Upon the resignation of Brigadier- General Parker, he was placed upon the super- 
numerary list, at his own request, January 2, 1891, and on August 19, of the same 
year, he was elected captain of his old company, vice Stacpole, promoted major of 
the battalion. Colonel Green resigned the captaincy of Co. B, January 1, 1895. He 
is a member of the United Service Club of New York City, the Military Service In- 
stitution of the United States and the Unconditional Republican Club of Albany, 
and the Military Club of New York city. 

Bleecker, W. Rutger, son of Thomas S. and Catharine (McCullock) Bleecker, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., in 1869. He received his education in the Albany public and 
high schools, which latter institution he left in 1886 to accept the position of messen- 
ger in the New York State National Bank. Since his connection with this institution 
he has won the trust and confidence of his employers and has been deservedly pro- 
moted up to his present position, that of individual bookkeeper, to which he was ap- 
pointed in April, 1896. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., 
Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order, and is an honorary member of the Philidoxia 
Society of the Albany High School. March 14, 1894, he married Elizabeth Pendell 
of Monticello, Sullivan county, N. Y. 



35fl 

Babcock, Robert, M. D., son of John and Hester (Van Derzee) Babcock, was born 
in Bethlehem, Albany county, N. Y., December 2, 1857. He attended the Albany 
Academy in 1873 and was graduated in 1877. He graduated from the University of 
Rochester in 1881, with the degree of A. B.. and from the Albany Medical College in 
1884, with the degree of M.D. For a year and a half Dr. Babcock was assistant 
house physician and surgeon at the Albany Hospital. He then moved to Holyoke, 
Mass., where he practiced for a short time, and in 1886 returned to Albany, where 
he has since practiced. He has been instructor in materia medica and therapeutics 
at the Albany Medical College and has been on the surgical staff of the dispensary 
connected with the Albany Hospital. He is a member of the Albany County Medi- 
cal Society. February 18, 1886, Dr. Babcock married Maria Witbeck and they have 
one son, Robert Witbeck. 

Belding, Samuel B., son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Brown) Belding, was born in 
Charlton, Saratoga county, N. Y., April 26, 1847. He is descended from one of three 
brothers who came from England to America with the Puritans and settled near 
Lenox, Mass. Their descendants fought bravely in the French and Indian and 
Revolutionary wars Prof. Belding's immediate ancestors settled in Saratoga county 
in 1793, and his maternal great-great-grandfather, Robert Barckley, was a provin- 
cial governor of New Jersey. Prof. Belding graduated from the Charlton Academy 
m 1865, and then pursued a study of organ music under J. Augustus Read of Albany, 
N. Y. In 1866 he secured the position of organist in the Tabernacle Baptist church 
and remained there one year, when he went to the Fourth Presbyterian church, 
where he was organist for five and one-half years. Prof. Belding then removed to 
Boston, Mass., and studied under Dudley Buck. In 1874 he returned to Albany and 
became the organist of the First Reformed church, where he is at present; in 1876 
he secured the position of organist at the Temple Beth Emeth which he ably fills at 
the present time. In May, 1886, Prof. Belding assumed control of the music at the 
Albany State Normal College and is the instructor there at the present time ; he 
also has many private pupils and is recognized to be one of the finest musicians in 
this State. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and is a member of Mt. Vernon 
Lodge No. 3, Temple Chapter No. 5, De Witt Clinton Council No. 22, Temple Com- 
mandery No. 2, A. S. R., and Cyprus Temple A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also the organ- 
ist for Mt. Vernon, Masters, Wadsworth and Washington Masonic lodges and the 
Shrine. In March, 1874, he married Elfiida St. J. Weeks of Albany, and they have 
one child, Elizabeth Brown. 

Dearstyne. Chester F., was born in Reidsville, Albany county, N. Y.. July 22, 
1851. He is a son of John Dearstyne and belongs to the old Dearstyne family which 
was among the first to settle in Albany county. His ancestry is from the same 
branch as that of the Dearstyne family of Bath-on-the-Hudson, numbering among 
its members the first settlers of that place who gave their name to the Dearstyne 
Hose Company. Mr. Dearstyne was educated at Reidsville, and at the age of six- 
teen he became a clerk in East Berne in the grocery store of Z. A. Dyer, whose 
daughter he afterwards married. He is therefore a brother-in-law of William S. 
Dyer, the well known lawyer of Albany. Mr. Dearstyne was employed as clerk by 
Albert Gallup in the Kimball House, In 1874 he started in the cigar and tobacco 
business on Washington avenue, taking into partnership five years later, Mr. Isaac 



357 

B. Cross, recently sheriff of Albany county. In 1883 he engaged in the tobacco busi- 
ness for himself at No. 385 Broadway, where he has done a prosperous business. 
In 1894 Dr. Uearstyne was appointed superintendent of the Albany county Peniten- 
tiary and during his incumbency of that office he has given very general satisfaction 
and has conducted the institution on an economical basis. 

Droogan, Cornelius J., son of Cornelius and Mary (Brown) Droogan, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., December 24, 1867. He attended the Christian Brothers' Academy, 
from which he was graduated in 1865, and the Manhattan College in New York city, 
from which he was graduated in 1888 with the degree of A. B. , and from which he 
received the degree of A. M. in 1890. Mr. Droogan also completed the course at the 
Albany Law School in 1889, and has enjoyed an extensive practice in Albany since 
then. He is a member of the Dongan Club, the Catholic Union and the Catholic 
Club of New York. 

Downs, J. Murray, is a son of James H. Downs, who settled in Albany about 1855, 
and Mary B. Murra)^ his wife, whose father was a prominent contractor in the 
capital city. He was born in Albany, July 9, 1872, was graduated from the High 
School in 1889, and from that time until 1892 held a clerkship in the State Law 
Library. Meanwhile he read law with Reilly & Hamilton, was graduated from the 
Albany Law School in 1893 and was admitted to the bar in February, 1894. He re- 
mained in the office of his preceptors as managing clerk until April 1, 1895, when he 
formed a copartnership with Hon. Robert C. Scherer, as Scherer & Downs, which 
still continues. Mr. Downs's maternal ancestors were soldiers in the English army 
at the time of the Robert Emmet uprising in Ireland. Two of his mother's brothers 
served in our Civil war and one of them, John Murray, died in Andersonville 
prison. 

Flanigan. Eugene D., was born in Albany, N. Y., September 25, 1863. He re- 
ceived his education in the Christian Brothers' Academy, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1888; he then studied law with Nathan P. Hinman and was admitted to the 
bar in September, 188G. He is a member of the Catholic Union and the Old Guard 
Albany Zouave Cadets. Mr. Flanigan married Maud N. Edwards in October, 1884, 
and they have one daughter, Marjorie. 

Fursman, Jesse 'William, son of 'William H. and Elizabeth (Rastall) Fursman, was 
born in Schenectady, N. Y.. December 4. 1865, and is descended from a long line of 
English ancestors who settled in Westchester county in the early part of the seven- 
teenth century. On the maternal .side, Mr. Fursman is descended from Johannes 
Halsaerdt of Holland, who came to America in 1690; many of the descendants of 
this Hollander are now living in 'Washington county. Jesse W. Fursman was edu- 
cated in the Rome Free Academy, from which he was graduated in 1883; after leav- 
ing the academy he was emplojed in Rome four years as traveling salesman for the 
Aland Patent Blower Co. He left this position to accept a similar one with a trunk 
and bag house of Herkimer, N. Y., and after two years he moved to Oswego, N. Y. . 
where he learned shorthand in the business college, subsequently being employed by 
T. Kingsford & Son as stenographer for three years. From Oswego Mr. Fursman 
moved to Syracuse, N. Y. , where he was employed for a time by the Sherwood Har- 
ness Co.. and for the past five years he has been engaged with the Albany branch 



358 

of the Smith-Premier Typewriter Co. Mr. Fursman i.s very popular with the young 
men of Albany and is a member of Temple Lodge, F. & A. M., the Knights of 
Pythias and Co. B, 16th Batt., N. G. N. Y. October 20, 1891. he married Kate 
Dwyer of Herkimer, N. Y., and they have two children. Edgar Seward and Marian. 
Goodwin Albert C. is descended from Ozias Goodwin, who came with his brother. 
Elder William, in the ship Lion, from Braintree, England, arriving at Boston, Sep- 
tember. 1632, with his wife, Mary Woodward. He settled in Cambridge, Mass., and 
later in Hartford, Conn. The line is (1) Ozias; (2) William; (3) Deacon Nathaniel; 
(4) Isaac; (5) Uriah,' of Ashfield, Mass., member of the committee of safety 1778, of 
the committee to raise troops, 1780, and array supplie.'^, 1781, and selectmen and as- 
sessor, 1781; (6) Eldad Francis, 1761-1827, born in Hartford. Conn., and was the 
millwright in the town of his birth for many years, moved to Watervliet, Albany 
county, and kept hotel, and after the death of his first wife, Lucy Scott, came to 
Albany; (7) Albert, born in Ashfield, Mass., September 3, 1803, died February 10, 
1869, in Albany, where he was alderman, city assessor and mason and builder; (8) 
Thomas Laing: and (9) Albert C. Albert (7) married, October 13, 1828, Jane Laing, 
who died May 31, 1835. Of their seven children, Thomas Laing Goodwin, born in 
Albany, January 24, 1835, married May 23, 1860, Pamelia Batchelder Clark, born 
August 7, 1841, daughter of Daniel Parsons and Catharine (Russ) Clark. He died 
in November. 1888; he had three children; Albert C, born February 14, 1861, and 
two who died young. Educated in the Boys' Academy and learning the lithographic 
trade with Harry Pease, he formed in 1860 a copartnership with George W. Lewis, 
which was succeeded by Murray & Goodwin; about 1872 he became sole owner and 
in 1882 admitted his son, Albert C. under the firm name of Thomas L. Goodwin &• 
Son. Thomas L. was an active, prominent Democrat, foreman of the Volunteer 
Tivoli Hose Company, member of the Old Guard of the Burgesses Corps and the 
Fourth Presbyterian church, and a trustee of the Home Savings Bank In 1886 Mr. 
Goodwin retired and since then Albert C. has conducted the genera] lithographic and 
engraving establishment alone, largely increasing the business, which is the only 
one of the kind between New York and Buffalo. Albert C. was educated in the Boys' 

' Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Secretary. RevoUitionary War Service. Uriali 

Uriah Goodwin appears with rank of Sergeanl on Muster Roll of Capt. Benjamin Phillips' Co., 
I-t.-Col. Timothy Robinson's Regt. Enlisted Dec. 23, ITTIi, discharged April 1, 17T7; len.ifth of 
service 3 mos: 10 days. Reported— Hampshire Co. Regt. Dated, In garrison at Ticonderoga, Feb. 
■iA, 17T7. Reported— Lame in barracks.- Vol. 4", 180, and Vol. 32, "9. 

Appears in a Descriptive List of men raised to reinforce the Continental Army, for the term 
of six months, agreeable to resolve of June 5, 17S0; age 42 years; stature, 5 feet 4 in.; complexion 
light; residence, Ashfield; time of arrival at Springfield, July 21, I?«). 23d Division. Marched to 
Camp July 2), 1780, under command of Capt. Isaac Pope.— Vol. *>, p. 205. 

Uriah Goodwin appear.s on a Pay KoU for six months men raised to the town of Ashfield for 
-•iervice in the Continental Army during 1780. When marched, July 21, 1780; when discharged, 
Dec. .■), 1780; length of service, 4 mos. 23 days.— Vol. 4, p. 21. 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Secretary, Boston, May 1, 18fl5. 

IcertifytheforegoingtobetrueabstractsfromtlieReord Index to the Revolutionary Arch- 
ives deposited in this office. 

Witness the Seal of the Commonwealth, 

Wm. M. Olin, 

(L. S.) Secretary. 



359 

Academy, has passed through the chairs and is the present master of Ancient City 
Lodge No. 452, F. & A. M., a member of Temple Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.,and 
Temple Coramandery, No. 2, K. T. He was secretary and superintendent of the old 
Menand Mission from 1880 to 1885, and with Rev. Charles Wood organized the 
Viaduct Mis.sion in 1886, of which he was superintendent several years. He was a 
trustee of the Fourth Presbyterian church for eight years, until his removal to 
Menand's in 1895. and has been secretary, treasurer, trustee and president of the 
Albany County Sunday School Teachers' Association, and director of the South End 
Bank. In 1839 he married Sarah Alice Higgs, of Brooklyn, daughter of (Jeorge 
Henry, and the late Frances (Fisher) Higgs, and their children are Alice Lloyd and 
Albert C, jr. 

Harris, Frank S., son of George O. and Mary (Salisbury) Harris, was born in Al 
bany, N. Y., in 1868. He received his education in the public schools and Albany 
Academy and subsequently spent three years at Lake George and New York city. 
In 1885 he assumed management, for his mother, of the large livery business which 
was started about 1835 by his grandfather, George, and which has been in the familv 
ever since. In military circles there is none more popular and it would be hard to 
find a better drilled member of the National Guard. For ten years Mr. Harris was 
a member of Co. A, 10th Bat., N. G. N. Y., and during part of that time was a ser- 
geant of the company. He is now first lieutenant and commissary on Colonel 
Fitch's staff of the lOth Bat. N. G. N. Y. He is also a member of the Albany Club. 

Haswell, William H., son of Justus and Nancy L. (Ransom) Haswell, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., September 29, 1853. He attended the public schools and High 
School, graduating from the latter in 1872. He spent one year in the employ of his 
father, dealer in hay and grain, and for three years was special deputy county clerk 
under his uncle, William E. Haswell, who was county clerk. While in this position 
Mr. Haswell performed the duties of court clerk. After the expiration of his teim 
of office he returned to business with his father, with whom he remained until 1888, 
for seven years managing the Brooklyn office of his father's business. In 1888 he 
became connected with the Ronan Towing and Transportation Line as bookkeeper, 
and during Mr. Ronan's absences, which are frequent, he has full charge of the 
business. He is a member of the Albany Club, Old Guard. Albany Zouave 
Cadets and the Friendly Few, an organization composed of graduates of the High 
School. 

Hollenbeck, Frank, is the son of Jacob, grandson of Jacob; his great-grandfather 
came from Holland. Mr. Hollenbeck remained on the homestead, where his grand- 
father settled, until 1880, when he came to his present farm. He married Lucy M., 
daughter of Cornelius Mosher. 

Hitt, Hon. Galen R., is the son of New England ancestors and was born in Paw- 
let, Vt., August 16, 1843. He received his preliminary education in the public 
schools and in 1859 he entered the Troy Conference Academy at Poultney, Vt., 
where he remained four years. He then began the study of law at Rutland, Vt., 
and finished his studies in Albany, N. Y., where he was admitted to the bar by the 
General Term in the spring of 1865. In the fall of the same year he married Sarah 
J. Crowley, daughter of the late Hon. John Crowley of Mount Holly, Vt., and took 



up his residence in Albany. He has built up a very large practice, especially in 
criminal cases. In 1874 he helped to organize the Albany Boatmen's Relief Asso- 
ciation, of which for six years he was a director and for four years attorney. In 
1877 he joined the Albany Burgesses Corps and has held the offices of president and 
vice-president. In politics Mr. Hitt has always been a hard worker for the Demo- 
cratic party. In the spring of 1884 he was elected alderman from the Sixth ward 
and in 1888 was alderman-at-large. He served four years in the Common Council 
and was a very instrumental member of that body. He was chairman of the Com- 
mon Council committee on celebration of the Albany bi-centennial. In the winter of 
1888 he was the first to start the carnival and he was also interested in the move- 
ment to furnish the city of Albany with pure water. In the fall of 1888 Mr. Hitt 
was chosen to represent the Third district of Albany county in the State Legisla- 
ture and served during that session on the Committee on Cities and State Prisons. 
He also introduced the bill for the repaying of State street. Again in 1889 he was 
elected a member of the Legislature and was one of the most eloquent debaters on 
the floor of the Assembly. He was ever on the lookout for Albany's best interests 
and so well did he serve the first two terms of his election that in 1890 and 1891 he 
was re-elected. Mr. Hitt is now practicing law at No. 93 State street. He is a 
member of the Democratic Phalanx and chairman of the commission on the Northern 
Boulevard. 

Kirkland. George W., born in Albany, February 22. 1858, is a son of Abrani S. , 
who was born in Albany county near Slingerlands, and was a farmer and cooper in 
Albany and in 1861 enlisted and served through the war of the Rebellion. George 
W. Kirkland went to Michigan with his parents in 1866 and in 1870 returned to Al- 
bany, where he finished his education in the public schools. He became a clerk in 
the drug store of Collins & Kirk and later a clerk for White & Co., lumber dealers. 
He subsequently learned the trade of wood carver and followed it till 1894, when he 
was appointed city marshal, which position he still holds. He is a member and past 
noble grand of Fireman's Lodge No. 19, I. O. O. F. In 1883 he married Margaret 
Fowler, daughter of Charles Fowler, of Albany. 

Lynch, John H., was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1851; he was educated in the 
public schools. Christian Brothers' Academy, and Albany Academy, from which he 
graduated in 1870. While a pupil of the academy he was elected president of "The 
Beck Literary Society" and served in that capacity for one year. After leaving 
school he was for five years superintendent of the Albany and Greenbush Ferry Co. 
He resigned this position to accept a responsible desk in the office of the adjutant- 
general under the administration of General Franklin Townsend; he occupied this 
position about a year and resigned to engage in the coal business. On his retire- 
ment he was highly complimented for his services by the adjutant general in an 
autograph letter. He engaged in the coal business on Rensselaer street in 1876 and 
continued at this location until January, 1896, when he removed to a large and con 
venient yard corner of Madison avenue and Church street, which he at present occu- 
pies. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum and the 
successor of the late William D. Morange to the presidency; he is also a member of 
the Dongan Club and for three years was its president. Mr. Lynch has always 
taken a lively interest in educational matters, was elected a member of the Board of 



361 

Public Instruction in 1878, and re-elected in 1880. He resigned as a member of the 
board July, 1883, on account of business engagements. He was again appointed to 
the board by Mayor Manning in 1893 for a term of six years. In politics Mr. Lynch 
is a Democrat and although he has never taken a very active part, yet he has twice 
represented his district as a delegate to State conventions. Mr. Lynch is a director 
of the German Foot Powder Company. 

Lewi, William G., Ph. G., M.D., son of Dr. Joseph and Berta(Schwarz) Lewi, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., March 23, 1870. He was educated in the Albany public and 
high schools, after which he accepted a clerkship in the drug store of his bi'other, 
Theodore J. Lewi. He remained in the drug store four years, in the mean time 
attending the Albany College of Pharmacy, where he finished the course in 1890 and 
from which he received his diploma in 1891. While a senior at the College of Phar- 
macy, Dr. Lewi entered the Albany Medical College, from which he received the 
degree of M. D. in 1892 ; since then Dr. Lewi has practiced in Albany. The year 
following his graduation he was appointed instructor in physiology in the Albany 
Medical College; later he took the chair of instructor in nervous diseases as assistant 
to Dr. Hun, and he is at present instructor in materia medica, therapeutics and med- 
ical technique. He is also first lecturer in pharmacy, a chair instituted in 1890. Dr. 
Lewi is physician to the dispensary of the Albany Hospital and is a member of the 
Albany County Medical Society. 

Lewi, Theodore J., was born in Albany, N. Y., February 4, 1862. He is a son of 
Dr. Joseph Lewi, who for the past forty-two years has practiced medicine in Albany, 
and Bertha Schwarz. He received his preparatory education in the public schools 
and later attended the Albany High School for three years, after which he held a 
clerkship in the drug store of L. Sautter, sr., for ten years, attending in the mean 
time the Albany College of Pharmacy, from which institution he was graduated in 
1883, receiving the prize for the best graduating thesis. In April, 1887, he acquired 
po.ssession of the property on the corner of Hudson avenue and Eagle street and 
opened a drug store there where he is now located. He is a member of the Albany 
Press Club, Adelphi Club, New York State Parmaceutical Association, Capital City 
Club, Albany Turn Verein and Gideon Lodge, I. O. O. B. He is also the president 
of the German Foot Powder Co. 

Mayer, John N., son of Nicholas and Gertrude (Erts) Mayer, natives of Germany, 
and the parents of five sons and one daughter, was born in Albany, October 18, 1860, 
received his edecation in the public schools and Albany Business College and read 
law in the offices of Colvin & Guthrie and Ward & Cameron. In 1891 he entered 
the county clerk's office under A. C. Requa and when the latter's term expired, he 
again became a clerk for the last named firm. January 16, 1895, he was appointed 
inspector of customs under John P. Masterson. He is a member of the C. B. L. and 
the German Young Men's Catholic Union. October 29, 189.5, he married Mary R., 
daughter of Pius Rheiner of Albany. 

Nellegar, Edwin, son of Wilham R. and Maria B. (Staats) Nellegar, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., March 13, 1853. He received his education in the public schools and 
subsequently served a six months' apprenticeship in the upholstery business with B. 
W. Wooster. Then after a short time in business for himself, he obtained the posi- 



tion of foreman and head salesman in the furniture department of W. M. Whitney 
& Co., with whom he remained fifteen years. After leaving Whitney & Co. Mr. 
Nellegar went into business for himself on Hudson avenue, and in 1891 moved to 
his present location at No. 29 Washington avenue, corner of Hawk street. He is a 
member of Fort Orange Council No. 697, Royal Arcanum. In 1871 he married 
Elida A. French of Albany, and they have three children: Don Albert, William 
Robinson and Edwin, jr. 

O'Brien, Hon. Smith, was born in the town of Berne, Albany county, X. Y., Feb- 
ruary 12, 1850. He attended the public school of the town and after leavmg was 
apprenticed to a mechanic; he learned the trade and worked at it until 1875, when 
he became ambitious to study law. He therefore entered the law oBice of Barret H. 
Staats of Clarksville, and remained with that lawyer for some time. Leaving that 
office he removed to Albany and read law with ex-Judge Jacob H. Clute. While 
there he attended the Albany Law School during 1877 and 1878, and was graduated 
in the latter year. In the fall of 1878 Mr. O'Brien was admitted to the bar and since 
that time has practiced law in the village of Clarksville and Albany. He was super- 
intendent of documents in the Assembly of 1878 and 1879 and document clerk in 

1884 under Charles R. Chickering. He performed his duties in an able manner and 
was brought prominently before the public. His popularity was well attested in 

1885 when he was elected to represent the Second Assembly district of Albany 
county. Mr. O'Brien is a staunch Republican and is well liked. Since 1875 he has 
resided at Clarksville. He is now the attorney for the Fish and Game Commis- 
sion. 

Payn, Louis F. , was born in Chatham, Columbia county, January 27, 1835, and for 
many years has been the leading Republican politician of Columbia county. Before 
he was of age he was a power in politics, and the Republican who had been elected 
sheriff waited from January 1 until January 27, 1856, before appointing a deputy, in 
order that Mr. Payn might become of age and take the place, which was, of course, 
his first political office. Reuben E. Fenton, as governor in 1867, appointed Mr. 
Payn a harbor master of New York. Mr. Payn therefore zealously supported Mr. 
Fenton when he was a successful candidate for United States Senator in 1869; when 
Governor Hoffman appointed a Democrat to succeed him, Mr. Payn went back to 
Chatham. In 1872 he parted from Mr. Fenton on account of the latter's support of 
Horace Greeley for president. Mr. Payn did not join the Republican faction of 
which Roscoe Conkiing was the head, but resisted all the efforts of Conkling and 
his supporters to oust him from the leadership in Columbia county. In 1876, when 
Conkling was a candidate for the nomination for president, Mr. Payn declined to 
give any pledge of support. He was elected a delegate to the convention at Cincin- 
nati and voted for Roscoe Conkling until he saw that the latter could not be nom- 
inated, when he voted for James G. Blaine. President Grant subsequently nom- 
inated Mr. Payn for the office of United States marshal for the southern district of 
New York; he was confirmed as United States marshal in February, 1877, just be- 
fore President Hayes assumed office. Mr. Payn's term as United States marshal 
expired in March, 1881, just before President Garfield assumed office, and he was 
reappointed by a United States judge, but President (iarfield did not confirm the 
appointment. Mr. Payn supported Senators Conkling and Piatt in their attiliide 



toward the Garfield administration and also labored hard to bring about their re- 
election. His intimacy with Mr. Conkling and Mr. Piatt can be appreciated when it 
is remembered that he carried their letter to Governor Cornell resigning their places 
as senators. After the long fight was ended Mr. Payn went to New York and for 
several years had an oflfice with Alonzo B. Cornell at No. 53 Broadway, and was en- 
gaged in promoting placers for tin mining at Harney's Peak in Dakota. Mr. Payn 
and Governor Black are warm friends, and it is in recognition of his earnest sup- 
port and his great business and executive ability that Governor Black appointed 
Mr. Payn, on February 1, 1897, superintendent of insurance of New York. Mr. 
Payn is a man of charitable inclinations, though his deeds of charity are bestowed 
with no ostentation. 

Papen, George Washington, M. D., was born in Albany, N. Y., April 20, 1854. 
His father, Theodore Papen, was a son of Gen. George Von Papen of Pyermont, 
Duchy of Waldeck, Germany. His mother, Julia Wachter, was a daughter of 
John Wachter, for many years proprietor of the National Hotel of Albany, and 
came from Bretten, Baden, Germany. Her mother, Catharine, was a daughter of 
John Wollensack, who came to America in 1829 from Nagold. Wurtemburg. Dr. 
Papen received his early education in M. Walter's school in 1859, after which he 
went to the German American Academy and to the Albany Boys' Academy, where 
he remained until 1S68. On March 1, 1869, he entered the Albany Medical College 
after a previous course in pharmacy, and in 1S70 he entered Columbia Medical Col- 
lege in New York city, where he graduated March 3, 1874. During his course he 
served on the ambulance corps at Bellevue Hospital, New York. After his gradua- 
tion Dr. Papen commenced his practice at No. 89 Schuyler street, Albany, where he 
remained until 1889, when he moved to No. 268 Madison avenue, corner of Hawk 
street, where his office is now. He is a member of the Albany County and Tri- 
County Medical Societies and is also a thirty-second degree Mason and an Odd 
Fellow. Dr. Papen also belongs to many German .singing societies and the Albany 
Club. 

Robertson, Matthew Henry, second deputy superintendent of insurance of the 
State of New York, was born in the Burrough of Malmesbury, County of Wiltshire, 
England, February 14, 1838, a son of James and Elizabeth (M''orcester) Robertson. 
His early educational advantages were unusually good, he having as tutor the Rev. 
J. G. Kaltofen, an eminent divine and professor of music and the languages. In 
18.54 Mr. Robertson entered the law office of Hon. William Stephens Jones, a well 
known attorney and counselor at law, of Malmesbury, remaining with him about two 
years, and there began the study of law. His father, James Robertson, had left the 
family estate known as " Maunditt's Park," a beautiful old place with rambling stone 
house and extensive lands just outside of Malmesbury, and moved into the town, 
residing there several years, and in September, 1855, decided to join his brother, 
John Robertson, who was then, and had been for many years, a resident of the United 
States, living on a large estate called ■' Maidford Park " near the city of Oswego, N. 
Y. From Oswego Matthew H. Robertson moved to Albany, N. Y., and in Septem 
ber, 1856, entered the law office of Hon. William Barnes and continued the study of 
law until January, 1860, when the insurance department being organized and Hon. 
William Barnes appointed superintendent. Mr. Robertson soon after, on May 1, 1860, 



364 

became a regular clerk in that department; in January, 1870, he became chief clerk 
in said department and continued as such until June, 1892, when the Hon. James F. 
Pierce, superintendent, appointed him second deputy superintendent of insurance, 
which position he now holds. Mr. Robertson has been a vestryman of St. Paul's 
Episcopal church, Albany, for many years. He married, June 2, 18G3, Elizabeth 
Clute, daughter of the late Cornelius P. Clute of Schenectady, and the}' have one 
daughter. 

Raymond, Charles H., is a sou of Benjamin C. and Lois P. (Mather) Raymond, 
both descendants of English ancestors who settled in New York Slate early in the 
.seventeenth century. He was born in Albany, January 24, 1834, was educated in 
the Boys' Academy and Prof. Charles H. Anthony's Classical Institute of his native 
city, and then spent several j-ears abroad, traveling in the West Indies, South 
America and Europe. In 1857 he was in the Latin quarter in Paris, where he de- 
veloped a marked taste for literature and art. Returning to Albany he was appointed 
by superintendent William Barnes to a clerkship in the newly organized State De- 
partment of Insurance, and subsequently succeeded Hon. James W. Husted as 
deputy superintendent. He also became a member of the Albany Zouave Cadets, 
and in 18C1 enlisted with many other noted members of that body in the Union army. 
He served with distinction in the Louisiana campaign under Gen. N. P. Banks, but 
was forced to resign on account of ill health and return home. Being reinstated as 
deputy in the Insurance Department, he resigned after one year to accept the sec- 
retaryship of the Widows' and Orphans' Benefit Life Insurance Company of New 
York city, which had just been organized with Hon. Lucius Robinson as president. 
On Mr. Robinson's resignation Mr. Raymond became president and so continued 
until the company's risks were reinsured in 1871. Later he formed a copartnership 
with John A. Little, general agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New 
York. Mr. Little subsequently retired, and since then Mr. Raymond has had sole 
charge of the Mutual Life's Metropolitan agency, with offices at 32 Liberty street, 
New York city. Mr. Raymond was the first president of the Life Insurance Associa- 
tion of New York city and in 1892 was president of the National Association of Life 
Underwriters. He is one of the best known life insurance men in the east. 



Russell, George W., son of David M. and Rachel (Burgett) Rus.sell, was born in 
Saugerties, Ulster county, N. Y., March 26, 1839. He attended the public schools 
and graduated from the Saugerties Institute in 1855. After his graduation he ob- 
tained a clerkship in a Saugerties store where he remained four years. Mr. RusseH 
then moved to Catskill, N. Y., where for three years he was engaged in the blue 
stone business and for four years was bookkeeper for Penfield, Day & Co., forwarders. 
In 1866 Mr. Russell removed to Albany, N. Y., where he secured the position of 
bookkeeper for Strong Bros. & Co., a wholesale dry goods house. Here he won 
favor and his strict attention to business was rewarded by his being taken into part- 
nership in 1872. In 1886 Mr. Strong retired and Mr. Russell and Charles A. Lawyer 
carried on the business until 1893, when Mr. Lawyer retired. Since then Mr. Russell 
has carried on the business as a jobber of manufacturers' supplies, including the 
dyeing, coloring and printing of cloths. In addition to this business, Mr. Russell is 
a trustee of the William N. Strong, William F. Russell and George W. Dewey 
estates. He was one of the organizers of the Albany Club. In 1870 he married 
Adelaide Dewey and they have one child, Robert D. 



Russell, Georgre L., son of Charles and Gertrude (Halleubeck) Russell, was born 
in Rensselaerville, Albany county, N. Y., in 1846. His maternal grandfather was a 
soldier in the war of 1812; his paternal grandfather, a New Englander, and a mem- 
ber of a very old family, was captain of a whaling vessel and lost his life at sea while 
following his vocation. In 1846 Mr. Russell's father moved from Hudson, N. Y., to 
Rensselaerville where he engaged in the shoe business. Mr. Russell received his 
education in the parochial school at Rensselaerville, conducted by the Rev. Robert 
Washburn of the Trinity M. E. church. He finished the course at this institution in 
1862, after which he spent two years in Fonda's foundry in Rensselaerville. In 1864 
Mr. Russell moved to Albany, N. Y., and for one year was aclerk in the old Congress 
Hall; from there he went to the Delavan House where he was connected with the 
livery of D. Rose. In 1868 he married Anna Storey of Albany, by whom he has five 
children: Maria, George R., Carrie, Anna and Effie. In 1874 Mr. Russell embarked 
in the livery business at Nos. 53 and 55 Lancaster street, where he remained until 
1886, when the building was torn down to make room for the enlargement of the gas 
meter factory. In 1880 he started another livery stable at No. 362 State street and 
for six years conducted both places; in 1886 he doubled the capacity of the State 
street stable so as to concentrate all the business at one stand, now known as the 
Fort Orange stables. March 1, 1895, Mr. Russell disposed of the livery business and 
now conducts only a boarding stable. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal church 
and Ancient City Lodge No. 452 F. & A. M. 

Schifferdecker, Fred A., son of Frederick and Anna (Rapp) Schifferdecker, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., in 1860. He received his education at Professor Myer's 
Select School on Madison avenue. After leaving .school he occupied a clerkship in 
the grocery store of Henry McBride for two years and subsequently spent five years 
in the law office of the late Hon. Galen R. Hitt. Mr. Schifferdecker then worked 
for his father until 1881', when he and his brother Charles F. formed a copartnership 
to engage in the ice business, in which they have been very successful, handling 
a'oout twenty thousand tons of ice a year. Mr. Schifferdecker has been prominent 
in politics, having been a member of the Board of Supervisors for four years. He 
is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P., Mount Vernon Lodge No. 3, F. & A. M., 
and of many German singing societies. He is also a member of the Empire Steam 
Yacht Club and is president of the Schifferdecker Association. In 1885 he married 
Louise R. Heidrick of Albany, and they have five children: Edna, Dora, Anna, 
Charles and Louise. 

Schutter, William L., M. D., son of Louis and Margaret (Shepard) Schutter, was 
born in Albany, N. Y., December 31, 1863. He received his education in the public 
schools and Albany High School and in the fall of 1879 entered the Albany Medical 
College, from which he received the degree of M. D. in March, 1883. Since gradua- 
tion Dr. Schutter has practiced in Albany, making a specialty of diseases of women 
and children. He was district physician during the mayoralty of Edward A. Maher. 
He is a member of the Albany County Medical Society, Mount Hermon Lodge I. O. 
O. F., and Flower Lodge, Knights of Pythias. June 20, 1888, he married Jessie H., 
daughter of John and Sarah Eaton of Albany. 

Sutherland, Isaac P., son of Rufus and Sally (Niver) Sutherland, was born in 



Schodack, Columbia county, N. Y., December 16, 1832. In 1836 Mr. Sutherland's 
parents moved to a farm near Kinderhook village and in 1838 to Schoharie county, 
where he finished his education at the Schoharie Academy in 1852. After leaving 
school he moved to Quaker Street, Schenectady county, in 1860, and worked on a 
farm until 1864, when he moved to Albany, N. Y., and engaged in the retail grocery 
business at No 244 Washington avenue. In connection with that business he was 
engaged in the manufacture of brooms from 1882 to 1888, and from then to the pres- 
ent tune has been engaged in the commission business at No. .50 Hudson avenue. 
In 1890 he formed a partnership with C. F. Rushmore, imder the firm name of I. P. 
Sutherland & Co. Mr. Sutherland is a member of the State Street Presbyterian 
church. He has been twice married and has three daughtei-s living, Anna, by 
Hannah Moore, his first wife, and Ida and Helen W., by Anna Wright, his second 
wife. 

Sisson, Frank N., son of Noel E- and Emiline (Griffin) Sis.son, was born in Al- 
bany, N.Y., in 1800. He received his education at the Albany High School, Albany 
Academy, and Taylor's Academy in Columbia county, from which institution he was 
graduated in 1878. After graduation Mr. Sissou returned to Albany and entered 
the gas meter works of L). McDonald & Co., where he thoroughly learned the busi- 
ness; he remained in the factory five or si.K years and subsequently went on the 
road as salesman, until 1892. During the years 188T and 1888 Mr. Sisson was locat- 
ed at Columbus, O., representing D. McDonald & Co. In 1893 he went with the 
Welsbach Light Company as salesman and Albany representative; in August, 1895, 
just after the formation of the Welsbach Commercial Company, Mr. Sisson was ten- 
dered the position of salesman and Albany repre.sentative for that company, which 
position he now holds. He is also interested as a stockholder in gas light companies 
and is the Albany representative of a standard bicycle establishment. He is a 
member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., Temple Chapter, R. A. M., De 
Witt Clinton Council, R. & S. M., Temple Commandery, K. T., and Cyprus 
Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the K. A. E. O. and the 
Albany, Acacia and Unconditional Republican Clubs. In 1887 he married Minnie 
Brayton of Albany. 

Smith, James E., M. D., son of Dr. C. H. and Lucy (Blair) Smith, was born in Al- 
bany, N. Y., October 5, 1867. He received his preliminary education in the Albany 
Academy, from which he was graduated in 1885, with high honors, being valedic- 
torian of his class. During the winter of 1885-86 he took a year's course at Union 
College, preparatory to the study of medicine, after which he studied for a time 
with Dr. A. Vander Veer. In the fall of 1886 he entered the Albany Medical Col- 
lege and was graduated iu 1889, receiving the degree of M. D. ; he was the valedic- 
torian of the class and received one of the honors for the best graduating thesis. 
After leaving the medical college Dr. Smith spent a year in New York city, taking a 
post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic and the New York Post-Graduate 
Medical School and Hospital. Since then Dr. Smith has practiced in Albany. He 
has been interested in military affairs since 1885 and is now in.spector of rifle prac- 
tice on Colonel Fitch's staflf. He is a member of the Albany County Medical 
Society and was county physician for four years, from 1890 to 1893. 



367 

Schneider, Charles N., son of Peter and Caroline (Hans) Schneider, was born in 
Albany, N. Y., March G, 1869. Mr. Schneider is one of Albany's ablest mtisicians 
and inherits all those distinguishing traits that marked the career of his father, who 
was a music teacher and organist in St. Mary's church. Mr. Schneider attended the 
Christian Brothers' Academy and graduated from that institution in 1887. He 
studied music with his father and with Professor Monchel, organist of the Cathedral 
of the Immaculate Conception. It was not long, however, before his ability was recog- 
nized ; from September, 1889, to November, 1891, he was organist of St. Mary's 
church at Sandy Hill, N. Y., and during the year 1893 held the same position in St. 
John's church, Albany. Mr. Schneider was bookkeeper for four years for the 
piano firm of Boardman & Gray, from 1892 to 1896. As a writer, Mr. Schneider 
has displaj-ed great ability and genius; very few of his productions have been 
played before the public, but of those that have, too much can not be said of the 
opera "Enid," the music of which he finished in 1894. The opera was produced 
in Albany in January, 1897, and in Troy, February 1, of the same year. Another 
production was given in Albany, February 23, as a testimonial to the composer, 
Mr. Schneider, and to the librettist, David J. Norton. The music of "Enid" is sure 
to last and remind its hearers of the author, Albany's young musical genius, Charles 
N. Schneider. February 18, 1896, Mr. Schneider married Mary Elizabeth Hopkins 
of Sandy Hill, N. Y. 

Stephens, Thomas, son of Thomas and Jane (Christin) Stephens, was born on the 
Isle of Man, December 26, 1845. He received his education at a private school, 
after which he learned the trade of joiner. April 15, 1860, he came to America and 
settled in Albany, where he remained only fifteen months, leaving to go to Chicago, 
where he engaged in business for himself. He was compelled to return east because 
of sickness, and in 1870 he established himself in the business of carpenter and 
builder on Madison avenue, Albany. Subsequently he removed to Hamilton street, 
where he remained until 1880. In the same year he built and equipped his present 
large manufactory at Nos. 275 and 277 Lark street; this building contains all the 
latest and most improved machinery for fine building and architectural work. Mr. 
Stephens gives the most attention to elaborate interiors. He built the Government 
building. Calvary Baptist church. Masonic Temple and many private residences in 
Albany, Troy, Leno.x, Hoosick Falls and elsewhere. He is a thirty-second degree 
Mason, a member of the Albany Club, and in 1885 was appointed city assessor 
by Mayor Wilson, but resigned. He has four sons, Fred J., Thomas, jr., Walter 
B., and Goldsmith C. 

Schaefer, Frederick William, Ph. G., son of Philip and Margaret (Rau) Schaefer, 
was born in Albany, N. Y., September 23, 1866. He attended public school No. 12, 
from which he was graduated at the age of thirteen and spent one year in the High 
School. He then went into the employ of his brother, a druggist and pharmacist at 
No. 245 Central avenue, as clerk and remained with him until he graduated from the 
Albany College of Pharmacy, March 8, 1887. After his graduation Mr. Schaefer 
accepted the position of head clerk in William R. Laird's pharmacy in Jersey City, 
N. J., where he remained two years. He thereupon returned to Albany and on 
October 10, 1891, succeeded his brother as proprietor of the pharmacy at No. 245 
Central avenue. January 18, 1896, Mr. Schaefer moved his present handsome store 



368 

to No. 251 Central avenue, where he carries on a successful business. He is a mem- 
ber of Guttenburg Lodge No. 737, F. & A. M., Mountaineer Lodge No. 321, I. O. 
O. F.. New York Encampment No. 1, and Grand Canton Memo No. 1, P. M. L O. 
O. F. He is also the historian of the Alumni Association of the Albany College of 
Pharmacy. January 18, 1893, he married Elizabeth Henkes, and they have one son, 
Frederick J. 

Slingerland, William Harris, jr., was born in Slingerland, Albany county, N. Y., 
December 10, 1863, and is a son of Col. W. H. and Elizabeth (Wayne) Slingerland. 
At an early age he entered the ofKce of his father, a civil engineer and surveyor in 
Albany, anr'i he has followed that profession ever since. In 1883 he assisted in lo- 
cating the Albany branch of the West Shore Railroad, remaining with that company 
until the completion of its lines. In 1889 he made the preliminary surveys for the 
Troy & New England Railroad, since constructed as far as Averill Park. During 
the years 1891, 1892 and 1893, Mr. Slingerland was engineer of street improvements 
in Ea.st Albany and Greenbush, N. Y., and during tho.se years work costing over a 
half million dollars was completed under his direction. Mr. Slingerland is a mem- 
ber of a family that was always active in political affairs, his father being member of 
assembly from the first district of Albany county in 1879, and his uncle, John 1). 
Slingerland, member of Congress in 1860 and for several terms an assemblyman from 
the same county. He is a Republican, as were both of the above named gentlemen, 
and was appointed postmaster at Slingerlands, under the Harrison administration, 
holding that office from 1887 to 1892. In 1894 and 1895 he was a member of the 
Board of Supervisors from the town of Bethlehem, receiving at his election the largest 
majority ever given a candidate for that office in this town. In 1896 he married 
Alice Bullock,, daughter of Charles C. Bullock of Saratoga, N. Y. He is an active 
member of Friendly Union Lodge No. 381 1. O. O. F., being past grand master of 
that body and also a member of the Holland Society of New York and several other 
organizations. 

Vineberg, Archibald, M. D., son of Capt. Lozier and Malcha Vineberg, was born 
in Helena, Ark., September 18, 1802. Capt. Lozier Vineberg was in the Mexican 
war under General Taylor and served with Jeff. Davis and succeeded him as captain. 
In 1863 Dr. Vineberg went with his parents to Abrotis, Portugal, on the mouth of 
the Tagus River, where he remained from six to eight years and where he was taught 
by a private instructor. From there he went to Toweron, Posen, Germany, where 
he remained until he was fourteen years of age, returning to Madrid, Spain, where 
he attended the De Zabbo Medical College, from which he was graduated and re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. in 1879. In 1880 Dr. Vineberg came Lo New York city, 
where he remained about a year with Professor Lang. He then went to New Orleans, 
La., where he practiced medicine for three years. In 1883 he again went to Europe, 
traveling for a year and a half and returned to America from Japan by the way of 
San Francisco. From thence he went to New Orleans, where he started in the op- 
tical business, making a specialty of correcting errors of refraction. In 1886, being 
in ill health, he sold out his business and traveled extensively in Colorado and Cal- 
ifornia. He settled in Norfolk, Va., where he married Bettie Guttman Frankfort. 
From Norfolk he removed to Albany, N. V., where he opened an optical store at No. 
113 North Pearl street; subsequently he moved to No. 65 North Pearl street and in 



369 

1893 to No. 3 North Pearl street, where he is now doing business as an optician. 
Dr. Vineberg is a member of Temple Lodge No. 14, F. & A. M., Capital City Lodge 
No. 440, I. O. O. F., Fort Orange Council No. G97, Royal Arcanum, Albany Council 
American Legion of Honor, of which he has been the district deputy for the past 
five years, and Gideon Lodge. He has four children: Hiram, Ray, Ruth and L. 
DeLezier. 

Van Gaasbeek, Amos C, is descended from an old Dutch family which came from 
Amsterdam, Holland, to Kingston, N. Y., about 1660. Alexander B. Van Gaasbeek, 
his father, the son of an eminent physician, Dr. James, was born in Middlelnirg, 
Schoharie county, in 1816, and came to Albany in 1833 as a clerk for John Guernsey 
and later for William Bagley. In 1836 he engaged in the dry goodsand carpet busi- 
ness, but in 1849 sold out and went to Panama, where he was engaged in commerce 
for two years. Returning to Albany he re-engaged in trade, dealing solely in car- 
pets, a business he still continues. Amos C. Van Gaa.sbeek, born in Albany, July 
39, 1853, received his education at the Boys' Academy, under private tutelage, at 
Professors Anthony's and Collins's Classical Schools (all in Albany), and at Mt. An- 
thony's Seminary in Bennington, Vt. When seventeen he became a clerk in the 
carpet house of John H. Pray, Sons & Co., of Boston, but four years later returned 
to Albany and entered his father's store, in which after one year he was made a part- 
ner under the firm name of A. B. Van Gaasbeek & Co. This continued for fifteen 
years. In 1889 he removed to New York city and with Bartlett Arkell formed the 
present firm of Van Gaasbeek & Arkell, opening a store at Broadway and 33d street 
and Fifth avenue, where they engaged in importing, wholesaling and retailing 
oriental rugs, carpets, etc.. and after seven years are recognized as the leading firm 
in their line in the United States. They control more than one-half of the looms of 
India, and are the heaviest importers of rugs in America. Mr. Van Gaasbeek was 
largely instrumental in securing the funds and causing the erection of the Y. M. C. A. 
buildin;< in All. any, serving as treasurer of the building fund and as a member and 
later as iliaii man I'f the Ijuilding committee. He was an organizer of the Standard 
Rmerv Wheel Cunipany of Albany, of which he has continuously been the president. 
He is a member of the Holland Society, the Uptown Association, the Chamber of 
Commerce, and the Albany Society, all of New York city, and the !':sse.-; County 
Country Club, of New Jersey. November 4, 1874, he married Helen W., daughter 
of Allen Comstock of Lenox, Mass. 

Williams, E. P., was born in Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson county, N. Y., June 3, 
1860. He attended the village sehoi.l and later learned telegraphy. In 1880 he 
moved to Minneapolis, Minn., ami for lliiee years was a telegraph operator in the 
employ of the Minneapolis & St. Loui:, Railroad; he then moved to Albany, N. Y., 
where he started in his present business, that of produce commission merchant. 
Mr. Williams is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of the Acacia Club and 
president of the Capital Citj' Cold Storage Warehouse Company. He is also a di- 
rector of the United States Building, Mutual Loan and A*ccumulating Fund Asso- 
ciation. In 1886 he married Ida G. Buchland of Whitehall, N. Y. 

Michel. Fred G., M. D. S., son of Dr. Frederick W. and Saloma (Bergman) Michel, 
was born in Boonville, N. Y., July 16, 1851, and was educated in the public schools 



370 

of Utica, where the family settled about 1853. He first learned the trade of raanu- 
faeturing jeweler with Jeremiah Gumph of Utica. March 8, 1871, he came to Al- 
bany and entered the employ of H. G. Gumph, manufacturer of fine tools, with 
whom he remained until 1883. He then began the study of dentistry with Dr. S. W. 
Whitney; also mechanical dentist for Dr. E. C. Baxter from 1885 until the time of 
his death; and in 1889 he associated himself with Dr. H. L. Whitbeck. In 1893 he 
received the degree of M. D. S. from the State Board of Examiners and in April, 
1893, began the practice of dentistry alone. He is a member of Wadsworth Lodge 
No. 417, F. & A. M., a charter member of William Macy Lodge No. 93, I. O. O. F., 
aud was a charter member and is past chancellor of Flower Lodge No. 336, K. P., 
and was a charter member and is now commander of Albany Tent No. 363, K. O 
T. M. ; also charter member of Albany Senate No. 641, K. A. E. O., and a member 
of the Albany City Curling Club. In 1873 he married Charity, daughter of Alanson 
Hitchman of Howe's Cave, N. Y., and they have had two children: Emma and 
George C, both deceased. Dr. Michel is treasurer and trustee of All Souls Uni- 
versalist church. 

Lochner, Dr. George Emory, was born in Albany, July 19, 1867, and is a son of 
Jacob L. Lochner, who for thirty-live years was engaged in the fruit business at 
the corner of South Pearl and State streets. On the maternal side Dr. Lochner is 
descended from Revolutionary stock, his mother being Nellie J. Best of Schoharie. 
When Dr. Lochner was eight years of age his mother died. His early education 
was received at private schools and in Public School No. 11, and was graduated from 
the High School in 1885. He then registered with Dr. Albert Vander Veer, under 
whose care he studied medicine for three years. He had previously attended clinics 
at the City Hospital. While with Dr. Vander Veer he attended the Albany Medical 
College, graduating in March, 1888, being honored by selection as historian of the 
class. At the competitive examination which followed for appointment to the Al- 
bany Hospital, Dr. Lochner outstripped all competitors and the result entitled him 
to the place. During the summer of 1888 he continued his studies in New York 
city. In September, 1888, he entered the Albany Hospital and served twenty 
months as ambulance surgeon and house physician and surgeon. His term expired 
in April, 1890. and upon retirement he received a diploma from the staff, gift of 
surgical instruments from matron and associates, and a letter of commendation from 
the Board of Governors. Leaving the hospital, he began the practice of his pro- 
fession at No. 1 South Hawk street. In 1890 he was appointed by Dr. J. M. Bigelovv 
as an instructor in the Albany Medical College in larnygology and rhinology and the 
following year by Dr. J. P. Boyd, as instructor in obstetrics and gynjccology and in 
anatomy by Dr. S. R. Morrow, which place he still holds. In October, 1891, he re- 
ceived the appointment of physician to the Albany Hospital Dispensary for di.seases 
of women and children. As a member of the Albany County Medical Society he 
was, in October, 1891, chosen as its secretary and served as censor in 1893 and 1894. 
In 1892 he was appointed physician to the Albany Fire Dejjartment. Dr. Lochner 
is a member of the alumni associations, of the Albany High School, of which he is 
now serving as president, and Medical College, and of the e.\ecutive committee of 
the High School; he also belongs to the Press Club, A.K.P. and P.E.K. fraternities; 
is also a member of Masters Lodge No. 5. F. &• A. M. On .May 1, 1897. he re- 
moved to No. 196 State street, where he is now located. 



371 

Wolfe, Andrew J., was born in Coeymans in 1841. He is the son of Anthony and 
the grandson of John T., who came from Greene county with his father, Tennis, to 
Coeymans about 1790. Mr. Wolfe has been actively engaged, most of his life, on 
Hudson River, being both owner and captain of steamers until 1885, when he re- 
tired. Mr. Wolfe's mother was Henrietta, daughter of James Selkirk, one of the 
prominent early families of Albany and Bethlehem. Mr. Wolfe has two sons: 
Calvin, who is a mechanical engineer, and Walter S., who is a graduate of River 
View Military College, and also the Albany Business College. 

Hatt, George J., was born in Morristown. N. J., and is a son of Rev. Josiah Hatt 
and Mary Ball Hatt, both of whom died when he was in infancy. He attended the 
district and select schools in New Jersey, and was graduated from the Fort Ed- 
ward (N. Y.) Collegiate Institute in 1ST6. He became a resident of Albany in 1881, 
at first securing a position as bookkeeper with C. Van Benthuysen & Sons, where he 
remained until 1886, when he formed the copartnership of Underbill & Hatt in the 
grocery business, which continued until May 1, 1897, during which time the firm 
built up and successfully maintained a business second to none in the city. On May 1 
he became a stockholder in and secretary of the F. N. Sill Company, one of the 
largest coal companies in Albany. Mr. Hatt is a Republican in politics, but has 
never aspired to office, although he has always taken an active interest in the affairs 
of the city. He is largely interested in church and benevolent work, is a member of 
the Emanuel Baptist church, and has been president of the local union of the Y. P. 
S. C. E., and was chairman of the hall committee of the State Convention when held 
in that city. He married Carrie L. Clark, daughter of Dr. George W. Clark, the 
noted commentator. 

Young, Henry W. , son of Peter and Rebecca (Austin) Young, was born in the town 
of New Scotland, (Voorheesville) April 14, 1839, and was educated there in the public 
schools. In 1855 removed to Albany, N. Y. , where he served an apprenticeship under 
John Bridgfnrd, mason and builder. He remained with Mr. Bridgford for eleven years, 
at the end of which time, he established himself in business as a contracting mason 
and builder, in which business he is still engaged. He was elected supervisor of the 
Si.xteenth ward for one term, and in 1895 was appointed city assessor by Mayor 
Wilson, and held that office till spring, 1897. He is a member of Ancient City Lodge 
No. 452, F. & A. M., De Witt Chnton Council No. 32, R. & S. M., Capital City Chap- 
ter No. 242 R. A. M., Temple Commandery No. 2, K. T., of all the Scottish Rite 
bodies and Cyprus Temple Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, being a thirty-second degree 
Mason. He is also a P. M. of the Ineffable Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection of 
Albany. In 1886, during Albany's bi-centennial, he was chosen vice president (and 
the following year became president) of the Master Builders Exchange. He is also 
Past Grand of Phoenix Lodge, I. O. O. F. Mr. Young became a member of Trin- 
ity M. E. church in 1856, since which time he has served for twenty-five years as a 
member of the board of trustees being president of that board for twelve years. He 
is also a member of the Board of Directors, of the local branch of the New York 
Mutual Savings and Loan Association, and of the Republic and Loan Association 
of New York city. In 1856 he married Johanna Gates of Schenectad)-, N. Y., and 
they have two children ; Ella and Edgar L. 



■d7-Z 

I^angan, John R., is a sou of Michael and Kate (Fitzpatrick) Langan, both natives 
of Albany, and a grandson of John Langan, who came here from Athlone, Ireland, 
in 1829, settling permanently in 1833, and died in April, 1881. John Langan was a 
wholesale potato dealer, and married Margaret Tracey, who was born in Ireland in 
1810, and who died in 188T. (Mrs. Kate Langan was a daughter of William Fitz- 
patrick, who was a native of the north of Ireland.) John R. Langan, born in Albany, 
October 13, 18G5, was graduated from the high school in 1884, read law with the late 
John B. O'Malley, and with Newcomb, Bailey & Nusbaum, took the degree of LL.B. 
from the Albany Law School in 188.5 and was admitted to the bar in 1887. Since 
the spring of 1888 he has been in the active practice of his profession at Albany, N. 
Y. November 27, 189."), he married Celia M. Lavella Hayes, daughter of John Hayes, 
of Syracuse. 

MacAllaster, William, was born in Albany, N. Y., on May 31, 1805, and is a son 
of Charles E. and Harriet (Roberts) MacAllaster. William was educated in the 
public schools at Albany, after which he served his apprenticeship in the drug busi- 
ness, in the store of Joseph Nellegar. In 1884 he passed the State Board of Phar- 
macy, and later entered, and was graduated from the Albany College of Pharmacy, 
and still later took a course in the Albany Medical College. In 1885 he established 
his present business as druggist and apothecary in which he has been successful. 
Mr. MacAUasteris a member of Wadsworth Lodge No. 417, F. & A. M., of American 
Lodge No. 32, I. O. O. F., and of the Unconditional Republican Club, all of Albany, 
N. Y. 

Wickham, Richard, jr., was born in Albany. N. Y., on (')ctober 7, 1874, and was ed- 
ucated in the public schools of his native town and St. Izeier College, near St John, 
B. C. At the age of nineteen he learned his father's trade, that of carpenter and 
builder, and has ever since continued in that business. He has made a special study 
of architecture, and at the present time draws all the plans for the buildings that he 
erects. In 1895, Mr. Wickham, sr., practically retired from the business, and since 
that time Richard has successfully carried it on alone. He is a member of Mt. Her- 
mann Lodge No. 38, I. O. O. F., of Albany, and as a business man he commands 
the respect of all with whom he comes in contact. 

Sauter, Louis, jr., was born in Albany, N. Y., on March 17, 1858, and was educated 
in the Boy's Academy, of that city. He entered upon his business career at si.xteen 
years of age, learning the drug business with his father, and has ever since remained 
in that business, buying out his father's interest in 1894, at which time Mr. Sauter, 
sr., retired. Louis is a practical businessman and has been eminently successful. 
In 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Leyboldt, a daughter of Fred 
Leyboldt, the leader of the 12th Regiment Band of New York City, and they have 
two children. Mr. Sauter is a member of the local K. P. and of Mt. Vernon Lodge 
No. 3, F. & A. M., of Albany. 

Ronan, Parker C. was born in Albany, N. Y.. on July 22, 1868, and is a son of the 
late Patrick Ronan, who was, for a great many years, the sole proprietor of the 
" Ronan Line" of Steamers, plying between Albany and New York City. Parker 
attended the "Boys Academy." at Albany, and when twenty years old, entered his 
father's oflfice, as book-keeper, and remained as .such for several year.s. He was 



373 

later made superintendent of the line, and upon the death of his brother, John D., 
(in 1893) he succeeded to the proprietorship of the entire business, which his father, 
Patrick, had bequeathed to the brothers shortly before his decease, (in 1888). Mr. 
Ronan was united in marriage, in the autumn of 1888, to Miss Isabelle M. McOuade, 
of Albany, and they have one child, a son, Samuel M. Mr. Ronan is treasurer of 
the Albany Lodge, No. 49, B. P. O. E., a member of the Albany Club, and Albany 
Yacht Club, and a life member of the Catholic Union. He is a man of sterling worth 
and successfully maintains the business left him by his father. 

Leavy, Mark S., M.D. and surgeon, was born on January 1, 1862, at Fort Edward 
N. Y., and is a son of Michael and Ann (Donohue) Leavy. Michael Leavy is a 
native of Ireland, and emigrated to America about 1840, settling at Fort Edward, 
N. Y., where he resided for a number of years, later removing his residence to Al- 
bany. Mark S. attended private school, and early developed a liking for medicine. 
He took a course in the Medical Department of the University of Wooster, at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, and ivas graduated therefrom, with honors in 1888. He then returned to 
the home of his parents, at 317 Madison Avenue, Albany, N. Y., where, in the same 
year, (1888) he began the active practice of his profession. He has been eminently 
successful, and justly deserves the high esteem in which lie is held, in both profes- 
sional and social circles. Dr. Leavy is a member of the Catholic Union, and Knights 
of Columbus, of Albany, and of the Albany County Medical Society. 

Harrigan's Sons, John, undertakers and embalmers. John Harrigan came to Al- 
bany, N. v., from county Limerick, Ireland, in 1847; (1853 business established,) in 
1863 he was elected coroner for a term of three years, and re-elected in 186.5. He 
also served in the Rebellion, enlisting in Co. G, 3.')th Regt., in 1861. John J. (died 
1893), Harvey T. V., Daniel S. and Joseph F. composed the firm. From a small be- 
ginning at No. 22 Canal street, the business in 1861, was moved to the building No. 
21 Canal street and finally to the business block, corner of Canal and Chapel streets, 
which they erected in 1890. The building comprises seven lots and has a large 
stable in the rear. This firm has the finest assortment of burial cases always on 
hand 

Dyer, William S., son of Zebediah A. and Lucy Esther (Gallup) Dyer, was born 
in the town of Berne, Albany county, March 19, 1863. James Dyer, great-grand- 
father of William S., was one of five brothers who came from England, date un 
known. He married Mary Marcy of the family of Governor Marcy, by whom he 
had nine girls and five boys. James served seven years in the Revolution died in 
1^33, and was buried in Whipple Cemetery. Bradbury, son of James, was born in 
Massachusetts and went to Jefferson, Schoharie county, with his father at the age of 
twelve and later to the town of Kno.x, Albany county, where he bought the Van 
Vranken farm, after living for a time in Shingle Bush, Schoharie county, where 
Zebediah A., the father of William S., was born. Zebediah A. was supervisor of 
the town of Berne during 18.58 and 1859, and at two different periods was school 
commissioner of the towns of Berne, Rensselaerville and Westerlo. He was active 
in ])olitics, being a prominent Democrat, and a lawyer. Lucy Esther Gallup, mother 
of William S. Dj-er, the subject of this sketch, was the daughter of Nathaniel 
Gallup, who was the eighth in descent from John trallup, who came to America from 



374 

the parish of Moslerne, County Dorset, England, in 1630. Nathaniel Gallup, great- 
grandfather of William S. Dyer, married Lucy Latham, daughter of Capt. William 
Latham, who was second in command at the massacre of Fort Griswold, where he 
was severely wounded. William S. Dyer attended the district schools until he was 
fourteen years of age and in 1879 removed to Albany. He graduated from the Al- 
bany High School in 1883 and was one of the commencement speakers. In the fall 
of the same year he commenced the study of law in the office of Stedman & Shep- 
ard. and remained four years with them and their successors, Stedman, Thompson 
& Andrews, meanwhile attending the Albany Law School, from which he was grad- 
uated in 1886. He was admitted to the bar in the same year. In the fall of 1887 
Mr. Dyer opened an office at No. 110 State street, Albany, and was attorney for Col. 
Walter S. Church, the owner of the Van Rensselaer manorial cases covering por- 
tions of Albany and Rensselaer counties. Mr. Dyer remained with Colonel Church 
until his death, just prior to which he had formed a partnership with his brother in- 
law, Jacob L. Ten Eyck, under the firm name of Dyer & Ten Eyck. This firm has 
been for several years located at Nos 80-83 .State street. Mr. Dyer is past master of 
Berne Lodge No. 684, F. & A. M., and an affiliated member of Masters Lodge of Al- 
bany, and from 1886 to 1893 was president of the Albany High School Alumni Asso- 
ciation. For many years he has been a member of the Albany Press Club. He was 
for several years a health commissioner of the city of Albany. 

Stonehouse, John Ben, M.D , was born on Jime4, 1851, at Albany, N. Y., and is a 
son of the late General John B. Stonehouse, who was born at Maidstone, England, in 
1813, and who was prominent, from the time of the breaking out of War of the Re- 
bellion, until 1885, (the year of his decease, at Washington, D. C.) in military affairs. 
both State, and National. During the latter years of his life, he was commissioner 
for the settlement of war claims, of the State of Nevif York, against the U. S. Dr. 
Stonehouse attended private school, and the Albany, (N. Y.), Boys Academy, and 
was graduated from the latter institution, in 1868. From that time, until 18G9, he was 
clerk of the State Board of Charities. He began his studies (in medicine) with Prof. 
Jacob S. Mosher, and Dr. Levi Moore, and was graduated from the Albany Medi- 
cal College, in 1871. He was then appointed temporary deputy, under the late Prof. 
John M. Carnochan, health officer, Port of N. Y., and held that office for about a year, 
when he received the appoiuttnent, as assistant resident physician, at the Sanford 
Hall, private insane asylum hospital, at Flushing, N. Y , from which position he re- 
signed in 1873. He returned to Albany, in 1874, where he was married (in that year) 
to Miss Sarah E. Rigley. From 1874 to 1876, he was in the active practice of his 
profession, at Albany, and in the latter year, was appointed resident physician, at 
Brigham Hall, Canandaigua. N. Y., (private insane hospital), where he remained for 
about one year and a half. He then, (in 1878) returned to Albany, where he has 
ever since remained, in the successful practice of medicine. Dr. Stonehouse has 
held many offices, among them being Physician, Albany Hospital Dispensary. 
(Department of Nervous Diseases) — Lecturer, Albany Medical College, (Nervous and 
Mental Diseases)— and during a term of four years, he held clinics in Mental dis- 
eases, at the Albany County Insane Asylun^ and was Physician (Department of Ner- 
vous Diseases), at the Troy, (N. Y.) Eye and Ear Infirmary. He has also been edi- 
tor of the Albany Medical Annals. In 1885, he was executive officer of the .staff of 



375 

special physicians, in charge of the Typhus fever epidemic, at the Albany Peniten- 
tiary. In April, 1880, he was appointed Physician and Surgeon, to the Albany Pen- 
itentiary, and held that office until January, 1890. Dr. Stonehouse has held office in 
the Alumni Association, of the Albany Medical College, almost from its organization 
— having been its first historian, a member of the executive committee for several 
terms, and is now its corre.sponding secretary. He is also a member of the following 
societies: Albany County Medical; American Medical ; Union Medical Association, 
(covering Washmgton, Warren, Saratoga, Albany and Rensselaer counties); and 
has been president of the Albany Academy of Medicine; American Association, for 
the cure of Inebriates; N. Y. Neurological; and N. Y. Medico Legal. Dr. Stone- 
house has done considerable Medico-Legal work, (especially in cases where the de- 
fense of insanity was set up, as he is an expert in that disease), and has been con- 
nected with many of the celebrated murder cases, in and around this city; among 
them, the following; Hughes for the murder of a prominent criminal attorney, Will- 
iam J. Hadley; the Bronty case, (in Westchester Co.); the Jones, ("Ivy Green") 
case, (in Rensselaer Co.); and the Wood case, in Warren county.) and latterly, 
the notable, Nelson, Shattuck, and Morgan cases in Albany city. Dr. Stone- 
house has gained some prominence in literary circles, through his contributions to 
inany of the leading medical iournals. To his union with Sarah E. Rigley were 
born three children; one of whom, Roger H., survives. Mrs. Stonehouse passed 
away on November 22, 1893. 

Ten Eyck, Clinton, was born on May 31, 1833, at Albany, N. Y., and is a son of 
the late Conrad A. Ten Eyck. He is descended from the old line of Dutch ances- 
tors, one of whom, Conrad Ten Eyck (3), came from Amsterdam, Holland, to America, 
with his wife, Maria Boele, and their children, about 1650, settling at New Amster- 
dam. The lineal descent is as follows: (1) Conrad, (2) Jacob, (3) Conrad, (4) Jacob C, 
(5) Anthony, (6) Conrad A., father of Clinton, (7) Clinton, the subject of this sketch. 
Clinton was educated in the Albany (N. Y.), Academy, where he took a course in 
civil engineering, and after leaving school, was engaged on the corps of Eli Parker, 
(General Grant's private secretary), in the laying out of the Northern (now the D. & 
H.), & Susquehanna Railroads, and the Erie Canal. Subsequently, he removed to 
Detroit, Mich., where he w-as employed on the Detroit and Pontiac R. R., but owing 
to ill-health, he was obliged to return East. For a time, he held a clerkship in the 
sheriffs office, and later, conducted a grocery store for two years. About 1863, Mr. 
Ten Eyck began the manufacture of soap, in which business he has been eminently 
successful, and in which he is still engaged. In 1860, he married Catherine M. Wil- 
son, and they have had six children ; three of whom survive, namely, Conrad, James 
W. , and Jane W. 



INDEX. 



Abbey, D. & S. A., 243, 248 
Abbott, E. C, Rev., 355 
Samuel, 538 
& Crosby, 245 
Abeel, John, 135, 137, 143, 321 
Achquetuck, 481 

Acts of the first fleneral Assembly, 48 
Adams, Amos, 145 
Charles, 372 

Charles H., 373, 438, 440, 447, 452 
George C, 491 
Henry, Dr., 216 
Adgate, Matthew, 74 
Adier, Daniel, 393 
Ainsworth, Danforth E., 167 

Ira W., 106 
Aird, Henry. 451 

Albany Academy, The, founding and 
history of, 264-266 
Argus, the, 334-236 
Basin, the, 95-97 
Brewing Company, 378 
Albany City, a half century of improve- 
ments in, 315-320 

amendment of charter of, 315 
Ancient Chivalric and Heraldic 
Order of Knights of Albion in, 
363 
banks formed in, 312 
banks of, 363-376 
Board of Lumber Dealers, 380 
boundaries as given by charter 

of 1686, 383 
boundaries, changes in, 284 
"boycotting" in, in 1776, 72 
brewing industry in, 378 
celebration of centennial anni- 
versary of, 300 
celebration of the two hundredth 
anniversary of the chartered 
existence of, 315 
chamberlain's reports of, from 

1860 to 1895, 312-314 
changes in ordinances of, 298, 



Albany City, charter of, 284-286 

chartered in 1686, 48 

churches of, 336-355 

civil government of, during the 
Revolutionary period, 68 

Commodore Perry's visit at, 88 

condition of military works at, 
in 1702, 56 

condition of early schools in, 336 

Daughters of the Cincinnati in, 
363 

Declaration of Independence 
published in, 74 

defunct new.spapers of, 241-247 

description of, by Mrs. Grant, in 
1764, 294 

development of the steamboat 
interest in, 310 

doings of Committee of Safety of, 
69-71 

doings of the government of, 
down to 1700, 287-289 

dunng 1778, 79-81 

Dutch schoolmasters in, in 1702, 
355 

early brewers in, 378 

early fire defences, 391 

early street ordinances of, 392, 
293 

effects of the French and Indian 
war upon, 54 

effects of the introduction of new 
elements of population in, af- 
ter the Revolution, 300 

establishment of a burial place 
in 1756, 396 

expenses of the government of, 
305, 307-309 

extract from Gov. Dongan's re- 
port concerning, 49 

ferry rights and privileges in, 
292, 394, 295 

fire department of, 380-393 

first attempt to establish an ed- 
ucational institutional in, 363 



378 



Albany City, first bank in, 303 

first meeting of the courts, 2S6 

first newspaper of, 233 

first officers of, 286 

first term of the Supreme Court 
in, 136 

first theatrical company in, 304, 
305 

Governor Sloughter's visit to, in 
1691, 53 

growth in population and busi- 
ness of, 302-304 

headquarters of the stove indus- 
try, 377 

Homoeopathic Hospital, the. 209 

hotels of, 312 

importance of, in the French 
and Indian war, 52 

in 1689, 53 

in 1700, 289 

increase of transportation in, 
310. 311 

insurance bu.siness in, 311 

introduction of horse cars into, 
314 

islands belonging to the citv, 
284 

land difficulties in, 298, 299 

last election of officers of, under 
colonial laws, 68 

legislative acts relating to, 1769- 
1788, 64 

list of lumber dealers in, 380 

lumber industry in, 378-380 

manufacture of agricultural ma- 
chinery in, 380 

manufacture of pianos in, 380 

manufactures of, 376-381 

mayor and aldermen of, denied 
seats on the Supreme Bench, 
297 

mayors of, 320-326 

Military Order of Foreign Wars 
of *he U. S. in, 363 

Military Order of the Loyal Le- 
gion in, 363 

names borne by the city, 283 

news of Washington's death at, 
306 

Order of the Cmcinnati in, 362 

Order of Old Guard, Chicago, in, 
363 

organization of military compa- 
nies in, in 1775, 70 

patriotic pledge of the citizens of, 
69 

police department of, 392 

population of, in 1800 and 1810, 



Albany City, price of bread in, fixed by 
Common Council, 306 

reception of news of expulsion 
ofJameslITand ar'if'i'sinn of 
William ai:'i M,m> ■■ x;, 2S7 

removal of ^' munt 

from, to I'lMi'/N,.. . ]■>,•■ '•'■! 

royalist sentiiuLui (ji Uil- people 
of, at breaking out of the Rev- 
olution, 67 

sale of city lands of, 296, 297 

savings banks in, 374-376 

schools of, 326-335 

school statistics of, 333 

settled upon as the State capital 
in 1797, 301 

Society of Colonial Wars in, 362 

Societv of the Colonial Dames of 
America in, 363 

Society of Colonial Dames of 
State of New York, 363 

Society War of 1812 in the State 
of New York in, 362 

Sons of the American Revolution 
in. 362 

Spafford's statement relative to, 
in 1813. 303 

streams and their ravines in. 
283 

streets and their names in. 293 

tbpography of the site of. 281 

town-whipper of, 297 

troops raised in, for the war of 
1812, 88 

U. S. Daughters of 1812 in, 302 

Washington Park in, 314 

water question first agitated in, 
290, 391 

water supply of, 381-386 

wretched condition of the sol- 
diers of, in 1700, 55 

yellow fever scare in, 306 
Albany College of Pharmacy, the, 205 
Albany County, aboriginal occupants of, 

aggregate of volunteers from, in 

war of the Rebellion, 112 
Agricultural Society. 28(1. 381 
Almshouse. 279. 280 
Bar, list of members of, 158, 159 
beginning of the history of, 1 
bounties paid to volunteers bv, 

112 
collectors of customs from, 123 
defunct newspapers of, 341-247 
delegates to constitutional con- 
ventions from, 123 
early newspapers of, 333 et seq. 
geographical location of, 3 



379 



Albany County, geology of, S 
governors from, 121 
Homoeopathic Medical Society, 

the, 211-233 
Medical Society, formation of, 

173 
staff of physicians organized 
by, in the cholera epidemic of 
1832, 174 
increase in population of, from 

1810 to 1830, 91 
influence of the tories in, 10 
islands belongmg to, 3 
judiciary and bar of, 130-146 
Ladies' Army Relief Association 

of, 112 
legislation affecting, 120 
lieutenant-governors from, 121 
list of militia officers of, at be- 
ginning of the Revolution, 65- 
67 
members of assembly of, 12i5-130 
members of congress from, 122 
N. Y. canal commissioners from, 

124 
N. Y. secretaries of state from, 

133 
state comptrollers from. 124 
N. Y. State engineers and sur- 
veyors from, 124 
N. Y. state senators from, 124 
N. Y. state treasurers from, 124 
N. Y. surveyors-general from, 

124 
population of, in 1790, 82 
rivers and streams of, 2 
soil of, 4 

territory included in. when orig- 
inally formed, 48 
topography of, 2 
treasurers of, 130 
troops furnished by, to Gen. 
Schuyler for Canada cam- 
paign, 73 
United States president from, 

121 
U. S. secretary of state from, 122 
U. S. secretary of the navy from, 

132 
U. S. secretary of the treasary 

from, 132 
U. S secretary of war from, 122 
U. S. senators from, 131 
U. S. vice-iM-esident from, 121 
Albany Daily Her.. Id. the, 241 

Evening' Journal, the, 2:^(i-238 
Female Academy, the, 366 
Gazette, the, 333' 



Albany Hospital, the, 206-307 

Institute, the, 375 

Knickerbocker, the. 238 

Law Journal, the, 247 

Law School, the, 163-168 

Medical Annals, the, 196 

Medical College, the, 200-305 
list of faculty of, 202-205 
Alumni Association of the, 205 

Medical Society, chronological list 
of, 185-195 

Penitentiary, the, 278, 279 

Saw, Steel and File Works, the, 3 

Sonntag Journal, the, 241 

State Normal School, the, 267 

Telegram, the, 240 

Times-Union, the, 239 
Alcove (Stephensville), 482 
Alexander, Joseph, 96, 308, 374 
Alden, Joseph, 267 

Sidney, 437 
Alford, S. M.,105 
Alison, Hector, Rev., 346 
Allen, Campbell, 107 

Benjamin, 265 

Wilham F.. 165 
Alumni Association of the Albany Med- 
ical College, 205 
Alstine, Henry, 409 
Alston, Willis A., Dr., 531 
Altamont (formerly Knowersville), 521 

as a popular summer residence, 524 

Driving Park and Fair Association, 
524 

officers of, 534 
Ames, Ezra, 366 

Nathaniel, 344 
Ammon, Hammond, 437 
Amorv, John. 67 
Amsdell. George 1.. 370, 375, 378 

William, 378 
Anable, Samuel L., 109 
Andrews, E., 246 

Loring C, 342 
Andros. Edmund, Major, 47 ■ 
Angus, C, 244 

' Waller H., 107 
Anneslev, 1-lichard L., Major, 363 
.\uti rent struggle, the, 114-119 
Anton, John, 270 
Apple, John. 145 
Appleton. William, .378 
Areusius. Bernard, Rev.. 338 
Arey, Oliver, 267 
Arkell, James, 238 

W. J.. 3;!s 
Arnold, Benjamin W., 410 

James, 531 



Armsby, James H., Dr., 183, 200, SOC, 
Artcher, Michael, 115, 145 
Asbury, Francis, Rev., 344 

Babcock, Daniel L., 384 

James L., 183, 334 

Robert, 144 
Babington, Samuel, 145 
Bacon, Leonard, Rev., 355 
Bailey, George I., 386 

James S., Dr., 196 

John M., Lieut., 144, 363, 373 

Joshua, 440, 453 

Judson Hooker. 303 

Timothv, 446 

William' H., Dr., 183 
Baker, Benjamin F., 105 

Ellis. 375 

George Comstock, 3.56, 363, 363 

Walter Samuel, Dr., 219 
Balch, Lewis, Dr., 356 
Baldwin, Alexander, 74 

Ebenezer, 142 
Balentine, Solomon, 241 
Ball, Hendrick, 502 

Jacob, 65 

J. M.. 109 

O. 1)., Dr., 183 
Bancroft, Royal, 373 
Banker, Evert P., 137, 321 

Flores, 67 
Bank, Albany City National, 369 

Albany City Savings Institution, 375 

Albany County, Albany, 373 

Canal, Albany, 365 

Cohoes Savings Institution, the, 453 

First National, Albany, 372 

Manufacturers', of Cohoes, 453 

Mechanics' and Farmers', Albany, 
366 

Mechanics' Savings, Cohoes, 453 

Merchants' National, Albany, 371 

National, of Cohoes, 452 

National, of West Troy, 421 

National Commercial, Albany, 308 

National Exchange, Albany, 370 

New York State, at Albany, 364 

of Albanv, 363, 364 

of the Capitol, 373 

of the Interior, the, Albany, 372 

The Albany Exchange Savings, 375 

The Albany County Savings, 376 

The Albany .Savings, 374 

the Albany, 303, 304 

The Home Savings, Albanv, 376 

The Hope, Albany. 373 

The Mechanics' and Farmers' Sav- 



Bank, The National, Albany, 372 

The National Savings. Albany, 375 

The Park, Albany, 373 

Union, Albany, 371 

Watervliet. West Trov, 42tl 
Banks, A. Bleecker, 325 

Robert Lenox, 278, 316. 350, 3S4 
Banyar, Goldsboro, 92, 263, 364 
Bar of Albany county, biographical 

sketches of members of the, 14§:rl57 
Barbadoes distemper, 172 -^'"'^ 
Barber, Hiram, Dr., 531 

John and Robert, 242 
Barclay, Henry, Rev., 340 

John, 65, 68, 70, 79, 322, 339 
Barckley, E. L., 543 

Henry, 542 

M. H., 109, 110 
Barker, James Franklin, 356 
Barnard, Daniel D., 200 

Frederick J., 370 
Barnes, David M., 239 

John O., 356 

Thurlow Weed, 278 

jr., William, 238 

& Godfrey, 239 
Barrett, Thomas, 65, 70 
Barry, David James, Dr., 229 
Bartlett, Edward T. , 362 

Ezra A., Dr., 184, 356 

Bent & Co., 311 
Barton, R. F., Dr., 523 
Bartow, Henry, 368, 369 
Bassett, John, Rev., 336 
Bassler, Frederick, 503 
Batchelder, Galen, 370 

John F.. 371, 372 
Batterman, Christopher, 145 

family of Guilderland, 520 
Battershall, Walton W., Rev., 341 
Battery, Eleventh New York, 108 
Battle of Bennington, 75 
Baudartius's de.scription of the countrv in 

1623, 10 
Bay, Andrew, Rev. , 346 

John, 68 
Bayard, George D., 105 
Beach, Denio & Richards, 244 
Beal, Moses, 83, 91 
Beam, Adam, 67 
Beardslee, Rufus G., 278 
Beardsley, William, 145 
Beasley, Frederick, Rev., 340 

John, 340 
Beck, T. Komeyn, Dr., 174, 365 
Becker. Abram, 531 

Albertus W., 160 

Dirck, 65 



Becker, I. S., Dr., 523 

M. A., 447 

Wouter, 65 
Becker's Corners, 495 
Beckett, Thomas, Dr., 181 
Bedell, Gilbert C, 425 
Beebee, Dillion, 421 
Beecker, (Bleecker or Becker), Jan 

Jeurians, 255 
Beeckman, John, 65, 70 

JohnH.. 66 

John James, 65, 68 

John M., 68, 79 
Beekman, J. P., 240 

John Jacob, 323 
Beeren Lsland, fortified trading-post 

established on, by the patroon, 26 
tolls demanded at, by the patroon, 26 
overt acts at, 27 
Beers, William P., 144 
Bell, Horace S,, 373, 375 

James A., senator from Jeflferson 
county, 269 

M., 109 

Robert H.,109, 110 

William H., 110 
Bemet, Robert O. K.. .536 
Benckes, Jacob, Com., 46 
Bendell, Herman, Dr., 117, 334, 335, 363 
Bender, George M., 491 

Christopher W., 375 

Henry, 241 

Matthew W., 201 
Benjamin, George H., Dr., 226 
Benedict, jr., Lewis E., 142; sketch of, 

156; 368 
Bensen, Albert V., 373, 376 
Bentley, Caleb, 67 

Oliver, 66 
Bergen, Stephen J., 335 
Berger, George, 67 
Berkenmeyer, William Christopher, 

Rev., 338 
Berne, town of, 499-513 

agriculture in, 507 

churches of, 510-513 

early business enterprises of, 504-507 

early mills of, 505 

hamlet of Reedsville in, 509 

hamlet of South Berne in, .509 

hamlet of West Berne in, 508 

lakes in, 499 

later pioneers of, .502 



er pi( 
list of first settlers of, 501 

ral spr 
schools of, .509, 510 



mineral springs in, 500 



Berne, the scene of a bloody deed during 
the Revolution, ,500 

the Simmons axe business in. 506 

topographv of, 499 

village of East Berne in, 508 

village, settlement and business men 
of, 507, 508 
Best, Conradt, 67 
Bethlehem, town of, 486-498 

Becker's Corners in, 495 

Castle Island in, 488 

Cedar Hill in, 495 

Cemetery Association, 491 

cemeteries of, 490, 491 

Center, 491 

churches of, 496-498 

Corning Iron Company in, 490 

Delmar in, 493 

Elmwood Cemetery in, 491 

erection of town of, 488 

first settlement of, 486 

Glenmont in, 496 

Hurstville in, 495 

Indian burial place, Tawasentha, in, 
488 

Kenwood in, 494 

list of families of first settlers of, 
487 

Mount Pleasant Cemetery in, 491 

Normansville in, 493 

post-offices of, 491 

schools of, 496 

Selkerk in, 495 

Slingerlands village in, 493 

soil and products of, 488 

South Bethlehem in, 492 

streams of. 488 

turnpike and plank road companies, 
489 
Beverwyck Brewing Company, 378 
Biegler, A. P., Dr., 213, 214 
Bigelow, JohnM., Dr., 278 
Billings, (jeorge Henry, Dr., 218 
Bingham, R. IL, 315 
Binns, William, 438 
Birch, George A., 146 
Bird, William, 531 
Birdseye, Charles C, 443 
Bishop, Gertrude AnnaGoewey, Dr., 226 

Theodore M., Rev., 342 
Bissels, Adam, 21 
Bis.sell, William H. H., Rev., 426 
Blackman, A. S., 425 

(ilover, 425 
Blaisdell, J. W., Dr., 109 

Wesley, Dr., 180 
Blanchard, Anthonj-, 142 

J. W., 105 



Bleecker, Barent, 93, 304, 363, 364 

Charles E., 325 

Harraanus, 93, 277, 374 

Henry, 08, 135 

Jacob, 68 

Jan, 286 

Jan Jans, 286, 321 

Johannes, 321 

John N., 65 

John R., 21, 68, 96, 145. 365 

Rutger, 135, 143, 322 

William E., 278, 372 
Blessing, Elmer Arkell, Dr., 228 
Block, Adrian, 13 

J., Rev.. 355 
Bloodgood, Francis, 323, 365 

John, 344 

S. D. VV., 244 

William, 116 
Bloomaert, Samuel. 21 
Boardman, John, 347 

William, 375 

WiUiam G., 311,380 
Boes, Nicholas, Capt., 47 
Bogardus, Robert, 340 
Boght (or Groesbeck's Corners), 405 
Bogart, James H., 105, 106 

Garrett, 387 

Henry I., 68, 70 
Bond, Aaron John, Dr.. 228 
Booth, John H., 491 

Lebbeiis, 206 
Borstwick, James M., 145 
Boss, Lewis, 277, 310 
Bothwell, James L.. 329 
Botsford, Egbert, 425 
Bott, Arthur, 315 
Boulware, Jeptha R., Dr., 181 
Bourgengnon, L. H., 455 
Boutelle, Frank W. and Frederick A., 

356 
Bouton, P. N., 375 
Bowditch, Edward, 363, 377 
Bowe, John, 375 
Bowen, Townsend, Dr., 223 
Bown, William H., Rev., 342 
Boyd, Edward H.,239 

James I'., Dr., 174 

J R.. 244 

Peter, 96, 266, 346, 374 
Boyington. Charles, 349 
Bradt, Albert And riessen, 486 

Anthony E., 08 

Francis I., 94 

Samuel C. , 281 
Bradford, John M., Rev., 265, 336, 337 

Governor, of Plymouth, remon- 
strance of, against Dutch trade at 
Narragansett, 17 



Bradley, John E., Prof., 330 

Joseph J., 468 

John Nelson, Dr., 225, 536 
Brady, Anthonv N., 316, 369 

John T., 377 
Brand, Michael, 463 
Brandenburg, William H., 106 
Brandow, Frank Hammond. 350 
Bratt, John A., 74 
Braun, A. T., Rev., 338 
Braunschweiger, P. C, Rev., 338 
Bravton, WilHam P., 145 
Brewer, David J.. 167 
Bries, Anthony, 392 
(Brice ?), Anthonv, 06 
Bridge, Charles Francis, 356 
Bridgford, Alanv, 442 

John, 315 
Bridges at Albany, 99 
Brigden, Thomas A., 142 
Brigham, Henry A., 109 

P. S., Dr., 431 
Briggs, John N., 480 • — 
Brinsmade, Thomas C, Dr., 201 
Broadhurst. Jonathan, 145 
Brockway, Henrv, 447 
Bronk, Robert. Rev., 424 

Stephen, 100 
Bronson, Greene C. , 140; sketch of, 150; 

164 
Brooks, Jonas H., 370, 371, 37.5, 447 

Pascal P., Dr., 217 
Broughton, William H., 108 
Brouwer, Jan, Capt., 22 
Brown, Allen, 96 

Andrew, 538 

Edward E.. Dr., 183 

Fred W., 278 

James, 440 

James Hutchings, Rev., 342 

Jenks, 440 

Samuel, 243 

Thomas, Rev., 340 
Browne, Goodwin, 356 

Irving, 165 
l'.r..wer, Henry D.. 108 
I'.nire, Mrs. Cath-rine W., 270 
I'.iiiiiia-hnn, A. \V. , 373 
I'.nuiow. Professor, 247 
Bryan, John, 366 

Michael K., 104 
Bryant, Charles Gilbert, Dr., 218 
Buchanan, Charles J., 165, 166, 263 
Buel, Jesse, 234, 239, 240, 374 
Bulkelev, Alpheus Tompkins, 356 
Bulkley; Chester, 347 
Bullock, Joseph N., 371 
Bumford, George, Col.. 274 
Burden, Howard H., 432 



Burdick & Taylor, 245 

Burgoyne's surrender, 75 

Burhans, David, 106 

Burlingame, Eugene, 144, 166, 167, 378 

Burke, Betsey, 349 

Joshua A., 349 

T. M. A., Rt. Rev., 352, 353 
Burnett, Samuel W., 373 
Burnside, James, 66 
Burnstein, Charles, Dr., 332 
Burt, Charles A., 108 
Burton, John E., 108 

William, 438, 440, 453 
Bury, Richard, Rev., 341 
Bush, Walter R., 278 
Butler, Benjamin F., 144; sketch of. 149; 
234 

Joseph C, Dr., 219 
Buttrick, Wallace, Rev., 350 
Buyshe, James, Father, 350 
Byington. Charles Sperry, 356 

William Wilberforce, 356 

Cady, Philander K.. Rev., 343 
Cagger, Peter, sketch of, 155; 207 
Calder, Humphrey L., 109 
Caldwell, James, 364 

William, 96, 265 
Callicott, Theophilus C, 336, 239 
Calisch, Alexander Charles, Dr,, 231 
Campbell, Edward Willers, Dr., 227 

George, 441, Ar<\, 4."):'. 

William H., Rev., 205 

William Melancthon. Dr., 230 
Campaign of 1777, 74-77 
Campaigns of the war cf 1812, 86, 87 
Canada, P. A., Rev., 355 
Cantine, Moses I., 234 
Callanan's Corners, 553 
Capitol City Brewing Company, 378 
Capron, John I)., 376 
Carmody, John, 353 
Carpenter, Charles S. , 345 

Edward Annon, Dr., 221 

George W., 334 

James L., 381 
Carr, Robert, Sir, 45 
Carroll, J. H., 246 

John M., 390 

Stephen H., Dr., 231 
Carson, Thomas L., 346 
Carter, Nathaniel H., 343 

William F„ 437, 440, 452, 453 
Cartwright, George, Sir, 45 
Car wheel works, 377 
Case, Russell C. , 375 
Casey, Daniel, 335 
Cass, Levi, 331 



Cassety, James M. , Dr. , 365 
Cassidy, Clinton, 378 

William, 335, 315 

William R., 336 
Caulkins, Jonathan, 438 
Caw, William G. , 452 
Cedar Hill, 495 
Center, AsaH., 366, 368 
Chadwick, William N., 436, 437, 440, 453 

Aaron, 402 

P. R., 453 
Chamberlain, Frank, 106, 278, 363, 373 

Eugene T., 363 
Champlain and the Iroquois, 11 
Chandler, O. F., 383 
Chapin, Edward P., 107 

Josiah Dexter, 356 

layman, 365 
Chapman, Isaac A., 375 

J. Wilbur, Rev., 336 
Charles, Daniel 1). T., 371 
"Charter of Privileges and E.Kemptions," 

the, 20 
Chatfield, Harvey S., 106 
Cheeseman, Calvin, 403 
Cheever, Samuel, 143 
Chessman, Calvin, 344 
Chester, John, Rev., 266, 347 

Alden, 141, 334, 335 
Child, E. B., 244, 249 
Child's Hospital, the, 308 
Chittenden, Orville H., 143 
Christian Brothers' Academy, 268 
Church, Andrew M, 448 

Walters., 117 
Churches, Baptist, 350, 351, 410, 437, 
458, 467, 485, 534, 544 

Christian, 355, 485, 512, 513, 535 

Congregational, 355, 410 

Episcopal, 339-343, 425, 433, 456, 
535 

Hebrew, 355 

Lutheran, 511, 535, 543, 543 

Methodist, 343-346, 427, 432, 



459, 468, 484, 497 
534. 



457, 
498, 513, 527. 



438, 433, 458, 



;:;;, 407-409, 424, 
496, 511, 526, 534, 



Presli 

407, !'i. 
Refonii^ .\ 

425, 45: 

555, 557 
Roman Catholic, 350-355, 426, 438, 

43:^,, 4.59. 46(1, 485 
V- Halls, Kill, 161 



Jeremiah, 365 



384 



Clark, Joshua R., 453 
Matthew C, 390 
Rufus W., Rev., 336 
Seth Henry, S.ie 
William P.. 108 
W. S., 454 
& Holsapple, 449 
Clarke, B. F., 441 

George W., 246 
Clarksville, 550 
Clinton, De Witt, 93 
Clossy, Samuel, Dr., 173 
Clowes, Timothy, Rev., 265, : 
Cluet, Jacob, and sons, 400 

Nicholas, 400 
Clute, Dirck, 409 
Gcrrit, 402, 409 
Jacob H., 143 
James S., 454 
Jeremiah, 402, 436, 453 
John, 451, 453 
Johannes, 409 
N. J., 453 

William K., 390, 393 
Coates, Charles, 371 
Cobes, Ludovicus, 144, 145 
Coburn, Edward Bernard, Dr 
Cochoran, J., Dr., 170 
Cochran, David H., 207 
Cochrane, C. B., 109 
Cocvmans, Harcnt Pietcrse 



hist^ 



379; mar- 
f, 474, 475; 



■tynians, town ,,t, -172-480 
Arh^iuftuck in, 476 
cenirlciy ;iss,,ciations in, 478 
el.urclicsof. -tS4. 485 
cunili(.t in title between Coeymans 

and the patroon in, 474 
first settlement of, 473 
gradual improvement in, from first 

settlement, 477 
Mutual Insurance Co., 478 
natural cliaracteristics of, 472, 473 
lieu spajiers of, 480 
Oni^sijuethau (Coeymans Creek) in, 

physicians of, 479 
railroads in, 478 
Ravena in, 480 
schools of, 477 
supervisors of, 476 
the first Coeymans dwelling in, 476 
the home of early prominent fam- 
ilies, 481 
villages and hamlets in, 480-483 
Hollow, 482 
Landing, 479, 480 



Coeymans Landing, business interests of, 

Cogswell, Ledyard, 365, 377 

Mason F.. Dr., 182 
Cohoes, city of, 434-460 
banks of, 452-454 
Campbell & Clute, machine shop of 

451 ^ 

churches of, 456-460 
city hall, 441 
Company, the, 441 
Daily Dispatch, 454 
Daily News, 454 
early historical mention of. 434 
Egberts High School at, 339 
Empire Tube Works of, 450 
eiihemeral newspapers of, 455 
fire department of, 437, 439 
first mills built at, 435 
Furniture Company, the, 452 
Harmony Mills Company, the in 

443-446 
incorporated as city. 438 
incorporation and election of first 

oflScers of, 437 
Iron Foundry and Machine Shoo 
451 ^ . *' 

knitting mills of, 446-449 "' 
manufacture of axes in, 449 
Manufacturing Company, the, 436 
miscellaneous manufactures of. 452 
newspapers of, 454-456 
of small importance until after 1830, 

435 
police department, 440 
rapid growth of, 436 
, Republican, 454 
rolling mill, 450 
schools of, 437. 438 
territory included in, 435 
Troy &' Cohoes Shirt Company, 452 
Water Works Company, 440 
Colden, John, 144 
Colburn, W. M., 246 
Cole, Charles W. , 330, 334 
Cole (Koole?), Jacobus, 66 
John, 393 

John O., 88, 200, 334 
Matthew, 244 
M. M., 243 
William S., 478 
Collins, David Edward, Dr., 224 
J. B., 108 
jr., L. D., 241, 418 
Colvard, Asa, 145 
Colve, Anthony, Capt., 47 
Colvin, Andrew J., 118, 144 
Colwell, Thomas, 450 



Commissioners of Indian affairs, list of 

the, 8, 9 
Committee of Safety and Correspond- 
ence, 6.H 

as to the loyalty and dis- 
loyalty of the, 70 
the second, 73 
doings of the, 70-77 
doings of, 7!i 
Common School Commission, act au- 
thorizing a, '.rLS 

superintendents, 259 
Comstoclc, Isaac N., :-!93 
Conger, Stephen, 424 
Conkling, David and Josiah, 464 
Conner, Freeman, 107 
Conroy, J. J., Very Rev., 267, 352, 353 
Consaul, Joseph, 409 
Contest between Stuvvesant and ^^an 

Slechtenhorst, 28-39' 
Controversy between the directors and 

the Amsterdam government, 39-41 
Conwav, Martin B., 393 

Martin 1)., 143 
Convent and Academy of the Sacred 

Heart, the, 267 
Cook, George H., Dr., 265 
James C., 372 
John, 108, 243, 248 

Cookingham, D. A., Dr., 222 

Cooksburg, 465 

Coons, John, 462 

Cooper, Charles D., 143, 144, 268, 311 

John Taylor, 410 

Paul F., 334 
Coorn, Nicholas, 27 
Coppee, Henry, 165 
Corbin, Ernest A., 332 

Ernest A. M., 3.57 
Cordell, Julia, 332 
Corlear, Ben C, 378 
Corliss, Stephen P., 363 
Cornell, Alonzo B., 270 

John R., 373 
Corning, Erastus, 99, 161, 323, 343, 362, 
369, 870, 375, 382 

jr., Erastus, 375 

Erastus, Mrs., 363 
Corstiaensen, Hendrick, 13, 14 
Cory, John, 402 
Cottrell, Adam, 371 
Coulson, H. C, 109 
Counties formed from Albany, 1 
Country Gentleman, the, 240 
County clerks, 144, 145 

medical societies, legalization of, 173 
Court of Appeals, 138 



Court of Appeals buildings, 159, 160 

Circuit, 140 

for the Correction of Errors and Ap- 
peals, 137 

County, 142, 143 

of Chancery, 137 

of Common Pleas, the old, 135 

of Oyer and Terminer, 136 

Supreme, 138-140 

Supreme, first term of the, held in 
Albany, 136 

Surrogates, 141, 142 
Courts, evolution of the, 130-134 

inferior, under the Dutch, 134 

the colonial, 135 

the. under English rule, 136 

under the Constitution of 1846, 140 
Courtney, Samuel G., 144 
Covert, Madison, 422 

James C. , 422 
Cox, Edward Gilbert, Dr., 231 

Frederick Joseph, Dr., 231, 362 

George Aldomer, Dr., 220 

James William, Dr., 217, 362, 375 

jr., James W. , Mrs., 363 
Coyle, James, 353 

Craig, William H., Dr., 106, 181, 273 
Cramer, Francis, 409 

George H., 420 

John, 420 
Crampton & Belden, 432 
Crandall, Edward Llewellyn, Dr.. 337 

Henry, 145 

Thomas, 67 
Crannell, John, 67 
Crantz, Frederick, 66 
Crittenden. Alonzo, 266 
Crocker, A., 491 
Crol, Sebastian Jansen, 169 
Cromwell, Philip I., Dr., 221 
Cross, Isaac B., 146 
Croswell, Edwin, 234 235, 365 

Harry, 242 

Sherman, 234, 235 
Crothers, T. D., Dr., 196 
Crounse, Adam, Rev., 025 

Andrew C, Dr., 523 

Conrad, 526 

Frederick, Dr., 523 

Henry, 108 

William, 107 

Jesse, Dr., 533 
Cullinan, William, Rev., 426 
Cultivator, the, 239 
Culver, Asa and Philip, 464 

Charles Mortimer, Dr., 357 

Stephen, 402 
Cumming, Hooper, Rev., 347 



Cunningham Bros., 529 

Curtm, James A., Rev., 420 

Curtis, Frederick C, Dr., 184, 357, 37(i 

Joel, 66 

Mary M., 451 
Cussick. C. C, Capt., 362 
Cutler, Edward D., 320 

John N.. 362 
Cuyler, Abraham, 65, 68 

Abraham C, 322 

Cornelius, 322 

George, 388 

Henry, 364 

Jacob, 68 

Johannes, 144. 322 

John, 263, 268, 387 

J. C, 238, 387, 388 

John J., 145 

& Henley, 246 

Dailey. W. P. N., Rev , 337 
Dale, William A. Tweed, 264 
Daliba, Major, 274 
Dalton, William, 375 
Danaher, Franklin M., 310 
Danks. William N., 107 
Dann, Horace L. , 428 
Davenport, James R. , Rev., 342 
Davidson, George G., 367, 375 

Gilbert C, 371 

W. R., 163 
Davis, Charles E., 100 

John, 200 

John M.,238 

J. T., 101 

Joseph, 273 

Nathaniel, 347 
Dawson, George, 109, 237, 238, 273, 315 
Dayton, Jes.se C, 418 
Dean, Amos, sketch of, 153; 164, 200, 
277, 278 

Amos Hammond, Rev., 348 
Dearstyne, Chester F., 279 
Decade of 1826-36, a period of prosper- 
ity, 97 
Decker, E. F., & Bros., 377 
de Decker, Johannes, 41, 42, 45 
Dederick, Peter K., & Co., 380 
De Forest, David, 67 

Edward, 278 
De Freest, Isaac, 65, 70 

Jacob, 67 

Philip, 67 
De Graff, Abraham, Dr., 52(1 
De Hinse, Surgeon, 170 
Deitz, Joban, .505 

Johan Jost, 506 
de Laet, Johannis, 21 



Delamater, Ira, Dr., 183 
de la Montogue, John, 40 
De Lancey, Stephen, 08, 142, 144 
Delavan, Edward C, 305 
H. W., 265 

John Savage, Dr., 177, 218, 278 
Delehanty, Francis B., 335 
Delhanty, Michael, 334 
Dellius, Godfriedus, Rev., 336 
Del mar, 493 

Demarest, John, Rev., 408 
Demers, George W. , 237 
Denio, John, 244 
Dennison, James, 66 
Denniston, Isaac, 366 
Depew, Chauncev M., 270 
De Peyster, Johannes, 322 

John, 142 
Dermott, Stephen C, 425 
Description of the old Capitol by II 

Spafford, 269 
De Voe, John, 66 
Devyr, Thomas A., 245 
De Witt, Abraham V., 371, 375 
John, 13 

John, Rev., 336, 337 • 
Richard Varick, 362, 365, 391 
Simeon, 268, 311, 374 
William H., 206, 367 
William H., Rev., 343 
De Wolf, De Los, 270 
De.xter, George, 200 
Dickey, William D., 168 
Dickson, Walter, 316, 318 
Dietz, Louis, 363 

Peter, 65 
District attorneys, 143, 144 
Dix. John A., 260,373 
Doane, William Croswell, Rt. Rev., 

268, 319, 341 
Dobler Brewing Companv, the, 378 
Dodds, James, 106 
Dodge, William T., 4.53 
Dongan, Governor, 47-49 
Donn, John. 451 
Donohue, John, 447 
Doran, Thomas, Father, 353 
Dormansville, 532 
Dorr, Elisha, 142, 366 
Douglas, Alfred, 370 
Charles, 447 
Charles H., 357 
Curtis N., 278 
Douw, De Peyster John, 305 
John, De P., 142 
Volckert A., 65, 68, lOO, 136, 143, 

Do.\, Gerrit L., 276 



387 



Dox, Peter, 65 

Peter P., 145, 273 
Draeyer, Andrew, 145 
Drake, Edwin C, 10(i 

Gerardus 463 

John, 462 
Draper, Andrew S., 335 
Drexel, J. W., 23S 
Drisius, David, 256 
Dubois, Benjamin C, 73 

Gualterus, Rev., 336 
Ducharme, H. C, 109 
Dudley, Blandina, Mrs., 276 

Charles E., 93, 311, 323, 366. 377, 441 

Observatory', 276-277 
Duer, William, 234 

William A., 140 
Duffy. James, 244, 245 
Dunlop, Robert, 378, 404, 425 
Drumsville, 524 
Durant, Clark Terry, 357 

jr., Edward A., 335 

F. B., 421 

William, 96, 374 

William C, 419 
Dutch Colonial Council, the, 133 

" comforter of the sick," 168 

governors of New Netherlands, list 
of the, 18 

interests, final surrender of, to the 
English, 47 

traders, the first, 13, 13 

trading-post, the first, 14 

West tndia Company, the, 14, 15 
Dutcher, David I., 427 

Salem, 349 
Duyster, Dirck Cornelissen, 21 
Dwight, Francis, 245 

Theodore, 242 
Dwyer, Thomas H., 334 
Dyckman, Johannes, 36, 37, 41 

Early periodicals of Albanv, pleasant 
sketches of, 247-252 

East Berne, 508 

Easton, C. P., 161, 278, 334 

Eastwood, Thomas M., Rev., 349 

Eaton, James W., 144, 166, 167 
Joseph D., 431 

Eckles, James H., 168 

Edmeston, Alexander A., Dr., 180 

Edmonds, John W., 117 

Edson, Franklin, 278 

Education in the view of the West India 
Company, 254-256 

Educational matters under Dutch domi- 
nation, 353 

Edwards, Alfred, 334 



Edwards, Isaac, 164, 335 

James, sketch of, 152; 372 

John, Major, 462 
Effects of the close of the Revolutionary 

war on schools, 251 
Egberts, Egbert, 436, 440, 446, 452, 453 
Eidlitz, Leopold, 270 
" Eight men," the, under Kicft, 132 
Eights, Abraham, 65, 70 

Jonathan, Dr., 173 
Elder, Joseph F., Rev., 350 
Elkins, Jacob Jacobson, 14 
Ellicott, Joseph, 93 
Ellison, Abraham, 344 

Thomas, Rev., 340 
Ellmaker, Augustus, 437 
Elmendorf, William Burgess, 357 
Emmons, Ebenezer, 200 
En Earl, N.W., 437 

English, activity of the, in granting pat- 
ents and establishing settlements, 13 

demonstration against the Dutch, 
the first, 13 

the, occup)^ Fort Orange, 46 
Ennis, Robert, Rev., 348 
Erie Canal, genesis of the, 93-95 
Ermand, William Day, 278 
Ernst, John Frederick, Rev., 338 
Esleeck, Welcome, 94 
Estes, D. C, 246 
Evans, Charles S., 110 

Charles Van Schaick, Dr., 232 

Thomas, 425 
Everett, William P., Rev., 350 
Evertsen, Cornelius, Com., 46 
Excise duties, quarrel over the, 41-43 
Fabritius, Jacob, Rev., 338 
Fair, John, 315 
Falckner, Justus, Rev., 338 
Farmers' Union League Advocate, the, 

241 
Farnsworth, Addison, 103 
Farrell, James C, 236 

John H.,239, 376 
Faulk, Norman W., 469 
Fee, John A., 108 
Felthousen, John O., 108 
Fernow, Bertold, 363 
Fero, David, 408 

Henry, Christian and David, 409 
Ferris, Isaac D., Rev., 337 
Feura, Bush, 552 
Fiero, J. Newton, 166, 167 
Filkins, Morgan L., 106, 273 
Financial crisis of ]S.'!6-38, 101 
Fitch, Henry, 145 

John Hiram, Dr., 222, 552 
Fitts, George H., 142 



Fitzsimmons, James J., 335 
Fivey, Robert Edward, Dr.. 229 
Flagg, Azariah C, 260, 273 
Flierel, John, Rev., 339 
Flinn, Peter J., 334, 335 
Flovd, E. G., 105 
Foiida, Abram A.. 408, 409 

Abraham D. , G5 

Douw, 374 

Douw H.,316, 335 

family, the, 399 

Hendrick, 409 

Henry A., 873 

Isaac, 408, 409 

Isaac D. , 68 

Isaac H., 409 

Isaac J., 409 

Jacob D., 409 

Jelles A., 92 

Johannes, 409 



Jol 

John J.. 67 
John P., 
La 



John 

^ansing, 402 
Foot, Ebenezer, 266 
Foote, Samuel A., 144 
Ford, Charles R., 453 

Jacob, 530 
Forsyth, Colonel, 88 
Forsythe, Russell, 96 
Fort on Castle Island, the, 14 
Fort Orange Brewing Company, the 

in 1628, 17 

name.if, changed to Albany, 40 



Fra.l. !:-;:.: \\ ■::;ani, ;!44 
Franklin, C. K.. lliT, 332 

James J., 334 
Frasier Robert, 491 
iM-aser, Robert H.,422 
Fredendall, Jacob, 104 
Frederick. Charles H., 107 

Harold, 238 
Freeman, Samuel H., Dr., 183 
Freie Blaetter, the, 240 
l-'relinghuysen, Theodurus. Rev., 336 
French, George L., 432 

Harlan P., 335, 357 

discoveries and occupation, 10 

and English, aggressions upon one 
another from 1711 to 1744, 57-59 

and English war, 1756-1760, 59-63 

and Indian war, the, 1666-1698, 50- 
55 

occupation, evidence of, before Hud- 
son's arrival, 12 note 
Frev, William A., Rev., 338 



Friedlander, David, 104 
Frisbie, John B., 102 
Frisby, Edward, 1 1 1 

Frontenac's campaign against the Iro- 
quois, 51, 53 
Frost, N. W., 453 
Frothingham, William, 107 
Fruohting, H. C, 441 
Fryer, Robert L. , 369 
Fuller, Edward W., 453 

Henry D., 436, 437, 440, 453 

Howard N., 335 

Samuel, Rev., 464 
Fuller's Station, 524 
Fulton, Justin D., Rev., 349 
Fur trade, the, 15 

grave troubles growing out of the, 
26 

growth and bad features of the 25 

regulations concernmg the, 24 

Gaflfney, Thomas M., 266 
Gale, E. Thompson,-420 

Nathaniel, 531 
Gallien, Edward J., 375 
Gallogly, John J., 371 
Gallup, Albert, 145, 146 
Galpin, Charles, 243, 244, 246 

George, 243 

& Sturtevant, 244 
Gansevoort, Harme, 144, 378 

Harmse, 387 

Leonard, 92, 141, 143, 144 

Leonard H., 145 

Lieutenant, 88 

Peter, 143,311, 365, 382 

jr., Peter, 70, 145 

Richard, 136 
Gardinier, Henry H., 67 
Gardner, Addison, 117 

Hiram, 468 
Garfield, Charles L., 369 
Garland, Jerome, 451 
Garner, William T.,445 

Thomas, 445 
Garretson, Freeborn, Rev., 344 
Garside, John, 438 
Gates, Merrell E., Dr., 265 
(iaus, Charles H,, 334, 335 
General Assembly of 1683, the, 47 
Geography of Albany County, 2 
Geology of Albany County, 3 
Gerling, James S , 110 
(ierretse, Adrian, 286 

(Wyngard), Luykes, 255 

Ryer, 143 
(Serrit.sen, Jan, 379 

Ryer, 135 



Getty, Isaac R., Capt., 417, 419 
Gibbons, Eugene Campbell, 357 

James, 94, 274, 424 

John, 530 

Ransom H., 531 
Gibbonsville, 411, 413 
Gibson, R. W., 343 
Gilbert, Archibald, Dr., 232 

Asahel W., Capt., 417 

Edward, 1U2 

Edward J., 431 

Horatio G. , 372 
Gilchrist, Robert, 368 
Gill, Matthew, 374 
Gillet, Noah, 409 
Given, John, 145 
Glass, James, 431 
Glen, Cornelius, 364 

Henry, 71 
Glenmont, 496 
Godfrey, John I., 365 
Godyu, Samuel, 21 
Goetwater, John Ernest, Rev., 337 
Goewey. Catharine Elizabeth, Dr., 223 
Golden, Owen, 384, 385 
Goodley, John L. , 335 
Goodrich, Horace, 266 

William W., 168 
Goold, James, 200, 365, 375 
Gordon, Catharine, 349 
Gorham, George Elmer, Dr.. 226 
Gorton, R. E-, 427 
Gould, Charles D., 200 

Thomas, 311 

William, 161, 370 
Gourley, William B., Mrs ,410 
Graham, Edward J. , 335 

Elisha Barker, Dr., 225 

George J., 531 

Hugh, 441 

James Henry Augustus, Dr., 220 

T. Van Wyck, 141 
Grant, Richard J., 372 

to the Duke of York, the, 44 
Gray, George P. , 447 

James A., 311, 380 

John, 104, 349 

William J., 380 
Greeley, Caroline (i. , 266 

Horace, 245 
Green Island (village and town), 429-434 
Green Island, churches of, 433, 433 

fire department of, 431 

genesis of, 429 

incorporation of, 430 

list of presidents of village of, to the 
present time, 430 

manufactures of, 432 



Green Island, newspapers of, 431 

police, 431 

public improvements at, 429 

schools of, 431 

street railwavs and railroads in, 431, 
432 

town of, 433 
Green, Powers L., 369 
Greene, Henry, Dr., 175, 200, 370 
Gregory, Clifford D., 143, 373 

David E.,868 

George Washington, Dr., 227 

O. H., Rev., 425 
Gridley, Philo, 117 
Griffin, Abner J., 453 

Cass, 105 

Joseph C. , 390 

R. M., 246 

R. M. & E. . 247 
Griffith. William H., Dr., 227 

William Herrick, 357, 362, 363 
Griggs, Hiram. 523 
Groat, Warner, 430 
Groenendyke, Johannes, 145 
Groesbeck, Edward A., 369 

John, 200 

Leonard J., 453 
Groetz, Mr. Rev., 33S 
Ciroot, John, 66 
Groves, Leslie R., Rev., 348 
Ciuardineer, George H., 335 
Guest, jr., Henry, 311 
Guilderland. town of, 514-528 

Altamunt village in, 521-523 

Center, 520 

churches of, 525-527 

Dunnsville in, 524 

early manufacture of glass at, 517 

early stage lines, post routes, and 
wayside taverns, 517, 518 

first election for senator and assem- 
blyman in, 515 

first town meeting and town officers 
of, 514 

Fuller's Station in, 524 

"Glass House" hamlet in, 519 

Hst of families in, before the Revo- 
lution, 515 

list of licenses to sell liquor in, the 
first year of the town's existence, 
518 

list of residents of, in 1803, qualified 
as jurors, 515; in 1824, 516 

McKownsville m, 525 

Meadow Dale in. 525 

natural characteristics of, 514 

newspapers of, 523 

physicians of, 523 



Guilderland, saw mills a chief industrj- 
in, in early years, 518 

schools of, 519 

settlement in, well advanced before 
the Revolution, 515 

Station, 535 

supervisors of, 537 
Gunnison, Albert C, 431 
Giitman, John, 241, 393 
Hackett, Williams., 375 
Hagan, Terrance F., 390 
Hagerman, A. Randolph B., Rev., 343 
Hair. J. O., 109 
Hale, Daniel, 268, 304 

Matthew, 104, 106. 167, 357 

William li., 200 
Hall, Daniel, 403 

James, Prof., 251 

Lewis B., 100, 335 

Talmage. 83 

Uriah, 463 

William P., 437 
Hallenbeck, Matthew J., 371 
Halley, Ebenezer, Rev., 410 
Halsev, Frederick Walsworth, Dr., 333 
Ham, 'Fred C, 335 
Hamilton, Erastus, 531 
Hammond, Aaron, 66 

Samuel H., 144 
Hand, Samuel, 165, 278, 384 
Hanes, Lodowick and Jacob, 530 
Hannah, William, 142 
Hansen, Hans, 332 

Hendric, 821 

Nicholas, 321 
Harmesen, Johannes, 392 
Harper, Robert, 144 
Harrington, A. \V. and J. H., 433 
Harris. Frederick, 378 

Hamilton, 144, 270, 369 

Ira, 116. 140; sketch of, 1.55; 164, 
200 

James R., 106 
Hart, John W., 140 

Jonathan, 435 
Haskell, William H., 281 
Haskins, Henry R., Dr., 181 
Hastings, Hugh, 358 

Hugh J., 338, 339 

John, 238 

Seth, 368 
Haswell, Henry B., 144, 334 

Joseph M., 420 

Justus. 142 

William E., 145 
Hatch family, the, 401 
Haverland, William, 531 
Hawley, Gideon, 96, 259, 266 



Hazen, Jasper, Rev., 346 

J. T., 346 
Hedrick Brewing Company, the, 378 
Heemstraat, Dirck and Charles, 409 
Heermans, Rathbone & Co., 311 
Heinmiller, Jacob, 341 
Helderbergs, the, 3 
Helms. Thomas, Dr., 178, .523 
Hempstead, Isaac, 145 
Hendrick, Jam.es, 373 
Henly, Edward, 238 
Henry, John G., Rev., 338 

John v., sketch of, 148; 203, 265, 
266 

Joseph, 265 
Herrick, D. Cady, 141, 144, 167, 168 

Frank Castle, 358, 373 
Hess, John, 354 
Hessberg. Albert, 375 
Higgins, M. E., 390 

Solomon F., 144 
Hill. David B., 318 

James, 240 

Nicholas, sketch of, 154 
Hillhouse, Thomas, 404 
Himes. J. W., 453 

Hinckle Brewing Company, the, 378 
Hinckley, Josiah, 530 
Hindman, Rebecca I., 330 
Hitt, Galen R., 316 
Hoagkirk, John, 65 
Hobbs, C. W., 109 
Hochstrasser, Jacob, 500, 503 
Hodgeman, Timothy, 403 
Hoff, Alexander H., 105 
Hoffendahl, Charles Frederick, Dr., 214 
Hoffman, Ernest, Rev., 338 

John T., 165, 270 

L. G., 344 
Hogan, George, 65 

Henry, 65, 70 

William, 893 
Holland, Almond, 332 

Edward. 332 

Henry, 145 
Holley, Myron, 93 
Holmes, Edwin, Rev., 337 

George, Dr., 531 

John Mc, Rev., 348 
Holstein, De Coudrey, 245 
Home for Aged Men, 410 
Hoogkirk, John, 70 
Hooker, Harold L , 166 
Hoositt, Gillis, 21 
Hopkin.s, Charles A., 278 

Hiram, 428 

Hiram M.,428 



391 



Home, Charles A., 330 
Horrocks & Van Beuthuyseii, 449 
Horton, Herman Brownell, Dr., 220 
Hosford & Wait, 245 
Hospital, St. Peter'.s, 207 

the Albany, 206 

the Albany City Homoeopathic, '. 

the Child's, 208 
Hotaling, Andrew F. , 111 

Jacob, 491 

John M., 491 

Lansing, 144, 373 
Houck, James A., 146 
Hourigan, William F. , 335 
House, Joseph S., 370 
Howard, Natt & Co., 311 

Mary E., 332 
Howe, Bezaleel, 243 

Elliot, Calvin, Dr., 222 

Samuel B., 330 
Hoyt, Albert Ellis, 358 

George B., 334 
Hubbard, Murray, 437, 441, 452 
Hubbell, Almerin, Dr., 505 
Huber, J. J., 105 
Hudson, Ephraini, 403 

Henry, voyage and arrival of, 12 

John, 83 

John T., 270 
Huested, A. B., Dr., 179 
Huestes, David, 67 
Hughes, John J., 390 
Hulbert, Henry S., 105, 108 
Humphrey, Friend, 200, 234 

William, 375 
Hun, Leonard G., 161 

Marcus T., 165, 16(i, 365, 374 

Thomas, 68, 174, 182 

William. 65, 70 
Hunter, Robert, 366, 370 

iV Huffman, 245 
Hunting, Nelson, Dr., 221 
Hurlbut, ElishaP.. 140 
Hurley, Father, 350 
Hurstville, 495 
Hussey, Edward J., 369 
Husted, Albert N., Prof., 358 
Hutchins, Stephen C, 236 
Hutton, Isaac, 366 

Timothy, 409 
Huyck, Andries, 403 

John S,, 464 



Immigration, three distinct sources of, 

13 
Immigrants brought by the " Endracht," 

brought by the ship " Unity," 15 



Immigrants, character of the, under the 

charter system, 20, 21 
Incorporation of Albany, and of Rensse- 
laerville, Knoxville and Coeymans 
Academies, 259 
Indian alfairs, management of, 8 

Fields, 483 
Indians, commercial relations of the 
Dutch with the, 7 
efforts to secure an alliance with, 78 
introduction of firearms to the, 23 
religious work among the, 7 
selling liquor to the, 71 
the Iroquois, 5-7 
troubles with the, over the Property 

Line, 64 
unfair treatment of the, 9, 10 
Ingalls, Jacob, 530 
Introduction of inoculation, 172 
Iroquois Indians, the, 5-7 

Jackson, Allan H , 108 

George P. , 376 

J. C, 243 

Michael, 74 

Mortimer M., 468 
Jails, 161-163 
James, Edwin, 266 

William, 93, 94, 96, 374 
Jefferson, Sylvanus K., 419 
Jenkins, Charles M., 440 

Elisha, 96, 311, 323, 364 

Ira, 368 

Samuel. 461, 464 
Jenney, Edwin S., 105 
Jermain, James B., 410, 425 

John P., 245 

Sylvanus P., 374 
Jesuits, the, 7 

Jewett, Freeborn G., Rev., 117, 342 
Jogues, Father Isaac, description of Fort 

Orange by, 43 
Johnson, Alexander S., 117 ' 

Edward P., Rev., 336 

Elisha, 344 

Guy and Sir John, disloyalty of, 
71, 72 

James I., 235, 278 

John B., Rev., 336 

Jonathan, Dr., 523 

Robert L., 278, 369 

Samuel W., 445 

William, Sir, and the Indians, 1766 
to the Revolution, 63 

William H.,336 
Johnston, David J., 438, 453 

Robert, 453 
Jolley, James W., 280 



392 



Jones, Charles Edmund, Dr., 323, 



Erasmus Darwin, 
John H.. 432 



)r., 215 



JohnM., 433 

Margaret, 349 

Samuel E., 109 

Thomas S., 390 
Jorise, Adrien, l.l, 18 
Journalism in Albany county. 233-252 
Judges, list of, of the Supreme Court, 

from Albany county. 140 
Judiciary, the, under Dutch domina- 
tion, 130-134 
Judson, Albert C, li't 

Albert Lewis. Capt., 358 

Edmund L., 278, 335, 376 

Ichabod L.. 370 

Kaestner, Julius. 241 
Kane, James, 93. 347 

P. H., 447 
Karner, George N.. Rev.. 348 
Kauterivitz, Albert. Rev., 355 
Kautz, John. 335 
Kearney, Thomas, 388 
Kearnan. Thomas, 353 
Keefer's Corners. 483 
Keeler. Isaac N., 145 

William H., 14(i 
Keese, William Lmn, Rev., 341 
Keeven, Robert F., 108 
Keleher, Timothy D., 335 
Kelly, J., Rev., 3.52 

Warren S.. 334 
Kencliick, E. E., 304, 307, 453 
Kenneally, M. H., 105 
Kennedy, Duncan, Rev., 336 

James, 109. 110 

J., 109 

James C, 372 

jr., Robert, Dr., 227 

ThomSs, 447 
Kenney, Cyrus, 438 
Kent, James, 137, 140, 266 
Kenwood, 494 

Kerchewey, George W.. 166 
Ketcham, Joel, Rev., 344 
Ketchum, Jeremiah, 409 
Kettletas, Abraham, Rev., 346 
Keyes, Addison A., 238 
Kevs. Addison A.. 334 
KicUl, Henry M., 363 

James, 273, 375 

William, 363 
Kieft, seizure of the "Arms of Rensse- 
laerwyck " bv. 26 

William, 18 



Kieley, Jeremiah, 316 
Kilduff, Thomas, 448 
Kimball, John M., 104 

Rodney G., 107 
Kimberly, Henry. 428 
King George's war, 1744-1748, 58, 59 

James M., 100 

J. Howard, 363, 365 

Rufus, 261, 278 

Rufus H., 316, 374 
Kiugsley, Hale, 105 

William C. 270 
Kinney, John, 83 

Kip, William Ingraham, Rev., 341 
Kirk, Andrevi-, 378 

Edmund N.. Rev.. 348 

William, 378 
Kirkland, Samuel, Rev., 7 
Knap, Reuben, 66 
Knapp, G. A., 108 
Knauflf, C. W., Rev., 342 

John G., Dr., 173 
Knickerbacker, James, 420 
Knoll, Michael Christian. Rev.. 338 
Knowles, Charles R. , 363, 375 
Knower, John. 375. 421 

Benjamin, 96. 366, 421 
Knox. Edward B.. 107 
Knox, town of, 537-544 

business enterprises of. 539 

churches of, 542-544 

early town elections and town offi- 
cers of, 537, 538 

erection and natural characteristics 
of, 537 

hamlets of, 543 

immigrants from New England 
538, 539 

in the Rebellion, 541 

lists of prominent families of, 540 

paucity of information concerning, 
before the Revolution. 538 

schools of, 541 

supervisors of, 544 
Krank, G., 109 
Krol, Bastiaen Jansen, 21 
Kurth, Max, 241 
Kyle, Thomas, Rev., 426 

Lacy, William B., Rev., 340 
La Grange, Aries, 68 

Jacob, 66 
Laimbeer, Francis Effingham, 358 
Lamb, Jehial, 530 

Robert Brockway, Dr., 230 
Lamb's Corners, 533 
Lamont, Wilbur Fiske. Dr., 230 
Lamoreaux, George C. , 478 



Lamoreaux, James, 143, 468 

JudsoD, 478 

William J., 478 
Landon, Henry L., 437 

Judsoii S., 166, 167 
Lansing, Abraham 142, 369 

Abraham, Mrs., 363 

Abraham G., 365 

Abraham H., 409 

Abraham V. P. , 409 

Abram, 438, 403 

Andrew D. , 440, 4.53 

Charles B., 377 

Christopher, 65, 67, 409 

Douw B., 115 

E. J., 409 

family, the, 398 

Francis, 409 

Gerrit, 402 

jr., Gerrit, 68 

Gerrit I., 408, 409 

Gerrit Y., 141, 374 

Henry L., 369 

Isaac D. F., 278, 453 

jr., Jacob, 65, 68, 399, 402, 409 

Jacob G. , 65 

Jacob I., 409 

Jacob J., 65, 74 

James, 166 

Johannes, 409 

John, 143, 265, 2S6 

jr., John, 137, 140; sketch of. 146; 
299, 323, 403 

John A., 66 

John G. , 402 

John v.. Dr., 182, 183, 334 

John V. A. , 399 

J. V. S., 453 

J. Townsend, 316, 365 

Leviuus T., 65 

Obadiah, 66 

Peter, 406 
Lansingh, Peter, 142 

Larabee L. S., 107 
Larkin, John, 145 
Latham, Obadiah B., 270 
Lathrop. Ralph P., 278 
Lautman, John, 67 
La Valenure, Rev. Father, 350 
Lawrence, George, 422 

John, 445 

J. D., 447 

J. W., 432 

Richard, 391 
Lawson, Edward S., 266 

Isaac, 344 

Joseph A. , 167, 247, 252 
Lawton, Israel, 142 



Lawyer, George, 358, 363 
Lay, Robert S., 144 

Zina W. and Josiah, Drs., 581 
Leake, I. Q., 234 
Learned, Billings P., 371 

Edward, 420, 428 

Jacob, 373 

William L., 140, 141, 164-166, 334, 
335, 371 
Lee, George C, 278, 373 

Noah, 372 

William, 108 
Lenox, Lionel U., 106 
Leonard, Edward Cottrell, 358 

Jacob, 373 
Le Roy, Alfred, 453 

W. B., 447 
Leslie, Edward, 387 
Lester, Charles C, 166 
Leversee, J. IJ. , 454 
Lewi, Joseph, Dr., 183, 334 

Maurice J., Dr., 166 
Lincoln, Joseph, 461 
L'Independent, Cohoes, 445 
Lindsay, James, 145 

J. H., 238 
Linn, William, Rev., 336 
Lipman, Henry W., 334, 335 
Lisha's Kill, 406 
Litchfield, Edwin, 144 
LittleHeld, 1). G., 378 

Henrv C,.278, 378 

Stove Company, 377 
Livingston, Edward, 144 

John A., Rev., 336 

Philip, 144, 358 

Robert, 144, 285, 286, 321 

Robert R., 263 

Thomas, 366 

Walter, 143 
Lockrow, A. V. B., 109 
Lockwood, Daniel, 431 
Lobdell, Alexander S., 427 

James, 425 

Richards., 418 
Lodewick, Johannes, 66 
Lodge, Douglass, 106 
Look (Luke?), Philip C, 66 
Lotteries in aid of public improvements, 

258 
Loudonville, 406 
Loughren, Ezra, 377 

John, 381 
Loveridge, Cicero, 393 
Lovett, John, 88, 144 

Joseph M., 375 
Low, James S., Dr., 523 
Lucas, Arthur, 238 



394 



Ludlow, John, Major, 359 

John, Rev,, 336 
Lush, Richard, 142, 144, 360, 365 

.Stephen, 311, 381, 403 

Samuel S. , 144 
Lutheran churches, 337-339 
Lydius, Johannes, Rev., 336 
Lyon, James B., 316 
Lynch, John H., 335 

McAvenue, Owen Frank, Dr., 230 
McCall, Henry S. , 165, 261 

John A., 335 
McCannon, Edward, 381 

William, 381 
McCann, Patrick, 316 
McCarthy, A. Elizabeth, 329 
McCartv, David, 143 

Peter, 448 
McClellan, C. C, 109 
McClelland, W., Dr., 172, 173 
McCloskey, John, Rt. Rev., 267, 351 
McClure, Archibald, 316, 3S4 

Archibald Jermain, 362 

Elizabeth, Mrs., 410 

Tames H., 410 

William H., 362 

William H., Mrs., 363 
McCredie, James, 391 

Thomas, 378 
McCuUoch, Charles, 109 

W. S., 244 
McDermott, J. C, 108 

Timothy, 104 
McDonald, Hugh J., 334 

John, 242 

John, Rev., 265, 349 
McDougal, William. 343 
McDuffie, Angus, 145 
McElrov, John E., 375 

Thimas, 200 

William H., 318, 320 
McEwcn, John, 145, 379 

John S., 363 

S., 109 
McFarland. James, 10(i 

Mary B., 331 
McFarlane, Andrew, 167 

James, 239, 246 . 
McGlashan, Daniel, 244 

James, 244 
McGough, Father, 354 
McGown, James, 102 
McGuire, iMancis J., Father, 354, 35.^ 

John, 109, 111 
McHarg, Ilenrv K., 365 



Mclntyre, Archibald, 93, 265 

James, 279 
McKelvey, S. C, Rev., 236, 349 
McKenna, John, 334 
McKinnev, Edward N., 365 

Edward M., 381 

James, 375 

James & Son, 377 
McKinley, jr., William, 167 
McKissick, Stewart. o:!4 
McKnight, John, 375, 378 

John T., 278 
McKown, James. 107 

James A., 142 

James Francis, Dr., 220 

William James, Dr., 232 
McKownsville, 525 
McLachlan, David M., Dr., 201 
McLeod, C. A., 432 
McNamara, John W.. 393 
McNaughton, James, Dr , 174,370, 375 
McNeirny, Francis, Rt. Rev., 352, 354 
McPherson & McKercher, 244 
McOuade, James, 390 

~P. H., 332 
McShane, Arthur, 390 
Mabey, Stephen and Solomon, 530 
MacDonald, Willis G., Dr., 196 
MacP"arlane, Andrew, Dr., 196 
Machin, Thomas, 403 
Magee, I., Rev., 338- 

James, 66 
Maher, Edward A., 161, 325 

James, 375 

William I., 335 
Mahoney, D.', Rev., 350 
Maley, John, 364 
Mallory, Edward, 427 
Mancius, G. W., Rev.. 169. 273 

Jacob, 145, 273 

W., Dr , 172, 173 
Maney& Ward, 311 
Mangan, Joseph H., Father, 353 
Manhattan Island, purchase of, by Gov- 
ernor Minuit, 17 
Mann, John, 526 

Joseph, 373 

Thomas Henry, Dr., 221 
Manning, Daniel, '235, 368, 369 

James H., 316,32.-), 369 

John, Capt., 46, 145 
Mansfield, W. K.. 454 
March, Alden, Dr., 174, 182, 1S3, 200, 206 

Henry, Dr., 183 
Marcv, William L., 88 
Marrow, Joseph P., 334 
Marselis, Guysbert G., 68 

Henrv, 73 



I 



395 



Marselis, John B. , 74 

Nicholas, 65 
Marsh, Witham, 144 
Marshall, Francis, Cfi, 105 

J. v., 381 

& Wendell Manufacturing Co., 381 
Martin, Frederick L., 278 

Henry H., 369, 374, 375 

Jamesi Rev., 349 
Robert C, 373 
William B., 390 
Marvin, Alexander, 365 
Richard, 368 

Selden E , Gen., 343, 363, 373 
Selden E., Mrs., 363 
jr., Selden E., 363 
Uriah, 347 
William, 96 
Mason, James W. , 265 

John, 425 
Masten, Edson Wyckoff, Dr., 337 
Mather, Andrew E.,363 
F. W., 109 
Thomas, 365 
Matthews, Frederick, 366 

William H., 105 
Mattiniore, Frank J., Dr., 180 
Maverick, Samuel, 45 
Mayer, F. G., Rev., 338 

James, 273 
Meadow Dale, 525 
Meads, Orlando, 164, 343, 372 
Mears, David O., Rev., 348 
Medical College, Albany, list of faculty 
of the, 303-3U5 
profession from settlement to 1800, 

168-173 
profession, monuments to the, in 

Albany, 310 
profession, services rendered by the, 

during the Rebellion, 183, 183 
Society, the Albany, 185-199 
Society, the Albany, list of officers of, 

197-199 
Society, the Albany, publication of 

the transactions of, 195 
Society, the Albany County Homeoe- 

pathic, 211-232 
societies, authorization of. by the 

Legislature, 184 
treatment and care, want of, in early 
days, 168 
Medusa, 463 
Meegan, Edward J., 316 
Megapolensis, Johannes, Rev., 169, 355, 

336 
Meneely, Andrew, 431 



Meneely, Andrew H., 422 

Charles D., 422 

Edwin A., 421 

George R., 418, 422 
Menand's, 407 
Merchant, George, 143, 144, 363, 366 

Lansing, 371 
Merrill, C. S,, 373 
Merriam, Harmon N., Ill 

John 0.,433 
Merrifield, Richard, 378 
Merriman, Harmon L., 116 
Merritt, Edwin A., 270 
Merwin, Samuel, Rev., 365 
Mey, Cornelius Jacobson, 13, 15, 18 
Mexican war, the, 101, 103 
Mia;gael. August, 340 
Milbank. William Edward, Dr., 333 
Military notes and resolutions of, 1776, 73 

events of 1776, 71 
Militia, state of the, in 1693, 54 

list of names of, from Albany county, 
88-90 
Miller, Andries, 67 

Atchison, 533 

Christian, 311 

Christopher C, 73 

George W. , 438 

Henry, Rev., 337 

Horace Curran, 323 

Isaac, 66 

Johannes, 66 

Lewis J., 391 

Richard, 145 

Rodnev. 453 

William H., 107 

William A., Rev., 365 
Mills, Charles Hood, 358 

John, Col., 88 
Miln, John, Rev., 340 
Milne, William J., 267 
Mink, George E., 390 
Minuit, Peter, 18 
Mitchell, Charles B., 106 

Isaac, 343 

James H., 438, 441 
Mix, James, 373, 376 

William, 144, 387 
Moak, Nathaniel C, 144, 166 
Moeller, Henry, Rev., 338 

Moir, James, 343 
Moffitt, Robert, 234 
Mohawks, the, 7 

Montague, Johannes de la. Dr., 169 
Moore, ApoUos, 143, 461, 536 

David, 425 

James, 373 

James W., Dr., 176 



Moore, Jonathan O., 105 

Levi, Dr., 183 

Norman H., 109 

Robert H.. 145 

Thoroughgood, Rev., 339 

William, 453 
Morange, William D., 278, 320 
Morgan, Ephraim, 404 

James H., 110 

John, 392 

Mary, 330 

William, 335 
Morrill, LinzeeT., 335 
Morris, Ale.\antler, 101 

James, 335 

John A., 109, 110 

Lewis O., 109, 110 

Richard, 136 

Robert, Dr., 108 
Morrison, Alexander, 430 

George H., 448 
Morton, Levi P., Mrs., 363 
Mosher, Alfred, 418 

Cornelius D. , 335 

George B., 418 

Jacob S.. Dr., 176. 278. 334 

J. Montgomery, Dr., 196 
Moss, E. S.,109 
Mott, Albert, Dr., 231 
Mount, J. F., 100 
Moussart, Touissaint, 21 
Mowrv, Le Roy, 371 
Mulcahy, Patrick M.. 390 
Mulholland, H., 105 
Mull, Abraham, 432 

John C, 390 
Mullens, R., 109 
Munchausen, L., 241 
Munger, B., 107 
Munro, Harvey, Rev., 340 
Munsell, Joel. 244, 245 
Munson, Samuel Lyman, 358, 376 
Murphy, Elijah Warrener, 3.58, 362 
Murphy 2d, Edward, 236 

John H., & Co.. 449 

Joseph M., 109 

P.M., Dr.. 179 

Robert W., 468 
Murray, David, Dr., 265 
Myer, Frederic G., Rev., 265 
Myers, John G., 371. 375, 385 

Nash, Willis G., 365 

Nead, Will Melangchtou, Dr.. 229 

Neef, Jacob, Rev., 337 

Neil, jr., John, 335 

Nellis, William Jacob, Dr., 3.58 

Nelson, Arnold, 200 

New Amsterdam, surrender of, 45 



Newcomb, George W., Dr., 109. 179 
New Hampshire Grants, story of the, 82 
New Netherlands Company, the. 14 

comparative population in 1647 and 
1664,45 
Newman, Charles, 3.59, 37.") 

John L., 106, 363, 453 
Newspapers, list of defunct, 241-247 

miscellaneous minor, 241 
New Salem, .549 
New Scotland, town of, .545-557 

Collanan's Corners in, 553 

churches of, 554 

Clarksville village in, .550 

early physicians of, 554 

Feura Bush hamlet in, 5.52 

immigrants between 1775 and 1800, 
548 

influence on immigration by the 
establishment of mills at Clarksville 
by the Slingerlands, .548 

legal struggle over title to, 546 

list of natives of. who have become 
prominent, 548 

list of Scotch, Irish, and English im- 
migrants, .548 

New Salem village in. 549 

Onesquetha in, 552 

pioneers of 546-548 

schools of, 549 

Slingerland's Mohawk died, 547 

supervisors of, 549 

topography and natural characteris- 
tics of, 545 

Unionville hamlet in, ,552 

Scotland village, 551 

villages and hamlets of, 549-5.53 

VoorheesviUe village in, 553 

Wolf Hill post-office in, 552 
Newton, John M., 320, 410 
Newtonville, 406 
New York State Library, 274-275 

surrender of, to the Dutch in 



46 



Am- 



tlie name of, succeeds Nev 
sterdam, 45 
Neubauer, Francis, Father. 354 
Nicholson, James D., 245 
Nicoll. Francis, 65 
Nicolls, Rensselaer, 135. 143 

Richard, Col., 45, 46 
Niel, William, Rev., 265 
Niewenhuysen. William, Rev., 336 
Niles, Addison C, 468 

Jonathan. 66 

Stephen, 60 
" Nine Men," the, under Stuyvesant, 133 
Niver, J. Fenimore, Dr., 220 
Noble, George Everett, Dr., 232 



Noble, Henry Harmon, 359, 363, 363 

Henrv Harmon. Mrs., 302 
Nodine, Joslin, 478 
Noethen," Theodore, Father, 3.i3, 3.54 
Nolan, Michael N., 161, 316, 325 
Noonan. Thomas, 375 
North, William, 93, 403 
Northern Inland Lock and Navigation 

Co. , 403 
Norton, John Treadwell, 3.59, 365, 366, 

375 
Normansville, 49;-! 



393 



NoxoD, Allied, a:-' 
Noves, Roliert L., 370 
Nucella, Johannes Petrus,Rev., 336 
Nusbaum, Mver, 393 
Nuttall, J. A.', 449 
William, 448 

Oathout, Volkert D., 434 
O'Brien, M. T., 448 

Rev. Father, 3.50 

Thomas S., 332 
Ogilvie, John, Rev., 340 
O'Gorman. Father, 350 
Ogsbnrv, John D. and Junius D., .523 
O'Kane. H., 245 
Olcott, Dudley. 315, 363, .367, 375, 410 

Egbert, 420 

John J., 367 

Theodore, 366 

Thomas, 367 

Thomas W., 100, 109, 104, 276, 381 
360, 367, 375 
O'Learv, Cornelius B., Dr., 104, 180 

D. "v., Dr., 273, 334. 335 
Oliver, George E. . 278 

John H.. 334 

Robert Shaw. Gen., 303 
Olmsted, Charles A., 436, 453 

Francis 441 

F. Law, 270 
Onderkerk, Abraham, 409 

Isaac and Andrew, 409 
O'Neil. James, 448 
Ouisquethau, 553 
Oothout, Abraham, 403, 405 

Jonas, 431 
Oothoudt, jr., Henrv, 05 

Henry, 142 

Volckert, 67 
Orelup, jr., William, 4.53 
Orr. William E.. 109, 110 
Osborne, A. Melvin, 408 
Ostrom, Henry, 05, 402 



Ostrom, John, 91 

Louisa, 200 
Ostander, jr.. John. 145 
Ottenhaus, Father, 353 

Packard, D. B., & Co.. 236 

Robert, 243 
Page, David P. , 207 

E., 450 

Isaiah, & Son. 377 

Tamar. 349 

WilluTii V, :'.:: 
Paige. l..Ir I :M, 360, 382 

Paine, il.r < Dr., 339 

Henrv i irv.r, ,,ii, :'.:> 

Horace Man-^iiekl, Dr., 216 

Howard Simmons. Dr., 227 

John Alsop. Dr.. 21(i 

Nathaniel Emmons. Dr.. 234 
Palmer, Amos P.. .309, 371, 375 

Benjamin, 405 

E. De L., 375 

John, 363 

John E., 375 

Potter 469 

Ray. Rev., 355 
Parker. Alton B., 100-108 

Aniasa J.. 140, 104-166, 277 

jr., Amasa J., 286, 245, 278, 316, 330 

James, 386, 

Jason, earlv stage proprietor, 91 

Lewis R.. 167 

Robert. 334 
Parmelee. William. 143. 334 
Parr. Harris. 146 

John J.. 339 
Parsons, jr.. James Russell. 359 

jr., John 1)., 359, 370 

J. H.. 448 

L. Sprague. 366 

Samuel. 448 

S. H., 246 

Sylvanus H. H., 393 
Patchin, Aaron D,, 365 
Patroon and New Am'sterdam authori- 
ties, serious strife between, 37 

death of the first, 38 

rental system of the, 33 

system, the. opposed to individual 
enterprise, 24 
Patroons, extravagant demands of the, 
24 

privileges and powers of the, 20 
Patten, Moses, 142, 503, .500 
Patterson, J. M., 240 
Patton, Henry, 391 
Pearse, J. Lansing, Rev., 491 
Pease, Joel, 06 



Peck. Bernard, Rev., 338 
Peckham, John Jay, Dr., 225 

Peleg, ])::, 531 

Rufus W.. 140, 141, 144; sketch of, 
loG; 382, 461, 468 

jr., Rufus W., 144, 315 
Peltz, John De Witt, 359, 375 

J. DeWitt, Mrs., 363 
Penio, Zenas, 403 
Perry, Eli, 109, 325, 370 

Eli, Mrs., 349 

Nathan B., 369 

Sanford S. , 422 

Stove Co., 377 
Perkins, George R., 267 
Petersen, A. M., Rev., 350 
Pettit, F., 109 
Phelps, I. Arthur, 421 

Philip, 395 
Philip Livingston Chapter of the Sons of 

the Revolution, 856-362 
Philips, Wilhelmus, 73 
Phillips, Edwards, 335 

John Peter, 107 

Samuel, 424 
Phinney, Elihu, 403 
Phisterer, Fred, 363 
Pierce, George William, 359 
Pierson, Charles H., 105 
Pilsburv, Amos, 278 

Louis I)., 279 
Pinkerton, Robert, 433 
Pitkin, Thomas C, Rev., 340 
Pitts. iJavid Wesley, Dr., 330 
Planck, Jacob Albertsen, 135 
Piatt, Ananias, 83 

Charles Z., 311 

E. li., 280 
Plumb, Josiah B., 365, 372 
Plympton, Lucy A., 266 
Pohlman, Henry N., Rev., 335 
Pomfret, James D., Dr., 109, 170 
Pomeroy, Mary Almeda Garrison, Dr., 

227 
Population of county and citv in 1850, 
103 

of county and citv in ISOO and 1870, 
103 
Porter, Charles U., Dr., 178, 196 

Giles W., 366 

James, 365 

Nathan, 422 
Post-office, the, 272-274 
Potter, Asahel, 427 

Elipolet N., 165 

Henry S., Rev., 3.50 

Hollow, 464 

Horatio, Rev., 340 



Powell, C. F., &Co., 245 
Pratt, James H., 365, 376 

John H., 101 

Lester Marcus, Dr., 218 

Ralph, 96 
Preisser, Stephen A.. Father, 354 
Prentice, Ezra P., 368 
Preston, Henry Green, Dr., 222 

Hollow, 463 

Samuel, Dr., 463 
Prescott, Benjamin, 381 
Pretty, Richard, 48, 145, 286 
Price; John, 65, 68, 70 

Joseph H., Rev., 341 
Priest, John E., 445 
Prince & Ott, 377 
Proctor, Redfield, 167 
Prosser, Jonathan, Dr., 530, 531 
Province, the, divided into twelve coun- 
ties, 48 
Provoost, Johannes, 145 
Pruyn, Amasa Parker, Mrs., 363 

Augustus, Col., 359 

Casparus, 65 

Francis, 109 

Hybertie L., Miss, 363 

John Van Schaick Lansing, Col.. 
100, 109, 267, 270, 377, 359, 369, 370, 
375 

Lansing. 375, 388 

Robert Clarence, 161. 316, 359, 368, 



Robert H., 200; 

368, 369. 375, 377 
Samuel, 375 
Public improvements at the 



of, 276; 278, 



of th( 



improvements during the Rebellii 
period, 113 
Pulling, Henry P., 371 
Pumpelly, Harmon, 374, 453 

John Hollenback, 359 
Pulver, Peter, 481 

Ouackenbush, Henrv, 65 

H. S.,245 

John P., 65 

J. V. P., Dr., 175 

Nicholas N., 143, 268 
Ouay. Paul, 111 

Queen Anne's War, 1702-1711, 55-57 
yuinby, John H., 316 
yuinni Arthur C, 334 

James, 378 

& Nolan, 378 



Railroads, 97-99, 103, 104, 
Ramsey, George, 72 



19 120 



Randall, S. S.,351 

Randel, William Henry, Dr., 217 

Ranken, David M., 448 

Henrys., 448 
Ransom, Albion, 373 

E. D., & Co., 377 

Samuel H., 315 
Rapalje, Sarah, the first white child born 

in New Netherlands. 16 
Rathbone, Clarence, 363 

Jared L., 334 

John F., Gen., 109, 877 

Lieutenant, 88 

Sard & Co., 377 

& SilHman, 311 
Ravena (Coeyraans Junction), 480 
Raymond, A. V. V., 166, 167 
Read, Harmon Pumpeliy, Major, 378, 
360. 363 

John B., 109, 110 

John Meredith, Gen., 359, 360 

M. H.. 373,373 
Reddy, William F., 335 
Reed, George W., 106 

Rufus, Dr., 333 
Reese, David M., Dr., 301 

Livingston, Rev., 343 
Redfield, Lewis H., 336 
Reidsville, 509 
Reilly. Hugh, 144 
Reiley, John, 418 
Regents of the University, 357 
Regiment, National Guard. Tenth, 106 

N. Y. Volunteers, Third, 105 

N. Y. Volunteers, Fortv-third, 105 

N. Y. Volunteers, 'Forty-fourth 
("People's Regiment"). 107 

N. Y. Volunteers, Ninety-first, 107 

N. Y. Volunteers, One Hundred and 
Seventy-seventh, 106 

N. Y. Vols., One Hundred and Nmty- 
secoud, 110 

N. Y. State Militia, Twenty-fifth, 104 

One Hundred and Thirteenth 

(Seventh N. Y. Vol. Artillery), 109 

Remonstrance sent by the patroon to the 

Amsterdam Chamber, 39 
Remsen, Peter, 441 
Ren.shaw, Alfred H., 433 
Rensier, John, 461 
Rensselaerville, town of, 461-473 

churches of, 467 

first settlers of, 461^69 

first town meeting and town officers 
of, 467 

Hit of occupants and actual first ten- 
ants, under the patroon, in, 469-473 

notes of, from Cockburn's map, 466 



Rensselaerville, organization of, 465 

prominent natives of, 468 

Schoharie Turnpike Co., 468 

streams of, 463 

supervisors, 468 - 

topography and early roads of. 465 

troubles with the Indians in, 467 

villages and hamlets of, 463-465 

village, 464 
Rensselaerwyck, copartners of, 21 
Rental system of the patroon, 23 
Requa, Ansel C, 145 
Revere, jr. William H., 107 
Revolution. i^clo.se of the, 81 
Reynold, Jared, 531 

'John H., 371 
Reynolds, Marcus T., sketch of, 150 
' Margaret Jackson, Dr., 238 

Porter Lafayette, Dr., 180, 321, 334 

William, 335 
Rice, Ale-xander D., Ill 

James C, 107 

Joseph T. , 374 

William A., 270,278 

William Gorham, Col., 360 

William Gorham, Mrs., 363 
Richards, Aaron, Rev., 346 

Seth, 344 
Richardson, Henry, 370 

Leonard Woods, Rev., 360 
Richmond, Adelbert G. , 360 

Charles A., Rev., 348 
Ricketts, Palmer C, 433 
Rivers and streams, 3 
Roberts. James A., 363 
Robertson, Alexander and James, pub- 
lishersof the first newspaper in Albany 
county, 333 

Charles A., Dr., 177, 278, 335 
Robinson, Albert D., 143 

Oscar I)., 330, 363 
Rockefeller, Henry Oscar, Dr., 239 
Rockwell, Lewis H., 333 
Rodgers, James, 108 

William C, 431 
Roelantsen, Adam, schoolmaster. 254 
Roflf, Frederick, 403 
Rogers, Albert Husted, Dr., 332 

Ebenezer P., Rev., 336 

H. N., 109 

James C, 105 

Peter A., 143 
Romaine, B. F., 343, 346 
Ronau, D. A., 390 
Rooker, Myron H., 339 
Rooney, James, 146 
Roorbach, John, 68 
Roosa, Cornelius, Dr., 173 



Root, Andrew J., 447 

Arthur Cniernsey, Dr., 360 

Josiah G., 447, 453 

Lyman, ;i65 
Roseboom. Jacob, 68 

Myndert, 71 
Rosendale, Simon W., 316, 369 
Rosenthal!, Mitchell, 455 
Roy, James, 420, 421 

John F., 431 

Peter, 421 
Rudd, William P., 278, 334, 335 
Rudder, William, Rev., 342 
Ruggles, Charles H., 117, 
Rundell, Darius, 536 

Isaac. 531 
Runkle, Henry, 402 
Ruso, James M., 334, 335 
Russell, Edwin B., Rev., 342 

Henry, 381 

loseph, 96, 266, 347, 366 

Thomas, 374 
Ruvckman, Albert, 286 
Ryckman, Albert, 378 

Sabin, Charles H , 373 

Sage, Dean, 360 

St. Agnes School, 268 

St. John, Adam, 530 

St. Peter's Hospital, 207 , 

Salisbiirv, Nelson H., 365 

Sands, William, 440 

Sanders, BarnetB., 334 

George, 110 

Robert, 135, 143, 322 

William N. S., 373 
Sanford, Giles, 370 

Henry T., 335 

Roscoe Conkling, 360 
Sanger, William Gary, 360 
Sard, Grange, 360, 369, 373, 377 
Saunders, Joseph S., Rev., 426 

William M. S.. 376 
Sawyer, William. 410 
Sayles, Ale.\ander, 334 
Schaets, Gideon, 336 
Schau.s, Hendrick, 66 
Scherer. Robert G., 335 
Schermerhorn, Daniel, 60 

Jacob C, 66 

Luke, 66 
Schlesiager, Max, Dr., 355 
Schnell, William, 506 
Schnellendrussler, H. F., Rev., 337 
School purposes, sale of public lands for. 

system, founding of the, 25S, 259 
Schoolcraft, John L., 368 



Schoolmaster's wages in 1644, 254 
Schools, efforts and measures on the part 
of the mayor and common council to 
promote the, 256, 257 
free, the long-drawn battle for, 

260-263 
in Albany county in 1820, number of 
common, 260 



instructions of Gov. Dongan ( 
ing, 256 

legislative action in "An Act for the 
Encouragement of Schools," 258 

the Lancasterian system of, in Al- 
bany, 264 
Schoppe, Bernard, Father, 354 
Schout-tiscal, the, 154 
Schrodt, Michael, 241 
Schurr, C, 109 
Schurtz, John, 67 
Schuyler, Abraham, 08 

David, 145, 286, 321 

Hermanns P., 145 

Jeremiah, 404 

Johannes, 321 

jr., John, 322, 424 

John C, 420, 425 

Myndert, 322 

Nicholas, Dr., 170 

Peter, 56, 57, 65, 185, 143, 285, 286, 
321, 338. 342, 397 

Peter P., 66, 137 

Peter S. , 65, 434 

Philip, 63, 71, 92, 263, 397 

Philip Pieterse, and the Indians, 
7, 8, 36 

Phihp S., 425 

Stephen. 66 

Stephen J., 67 

Thomas, 345, 372 
Schwartz, Charles William, Dr., 229 
Scott. John. 65 

Theodore L.. 371 
Scoville, Ebenezer, 419 
Scudder, Myron Tracev, 360 
Seegers, John C, Rev., 339 
Seeley, William Wesley, Dr., 224 
Sedgwick, Robert, 347 
Seitz, Eugene, 432 
Selden, Edward G., Rev., 337 

Henry R., 117 
Selkirk, 495 
Senrick, Charles, 334 
Settle, Jacob, 504, 500 
Settlement, inauguration in 1029 of plans 
for permanent, 20 

the. in 1646, '28 
Settlements, condition of the, in 1640, 
22 note 



401 



Settlers in 1640, three classes of. 22 
Sever, Jonathan, 67 
Seymour, George H., 422 

William, 200 
Shafer, Benjamin, McE., 481 

Ira, 144 
Shaffer, A. Webster, 107 
Shaler, Peter M., Ill 
Shanlcland, William J., :{87 
Shannon, William, 109 
Sharp, George. 67 

iMartinus, 67 

Peter, 67 
Sharts, John, 246 
Shaw, Joseph, Rev., 265 

Joshua, 6o 

Royal, 261 

Samuel, 67 

William, 144 
Shay, Daniel, Capt., 462 
Sheehan, William F. , 426 
Sheldon, Gaylor, 3"0 
Shepard, A. D., 372 

Charles T. , 278 

Sylvester B., 108 
Shepardson, John, 74 
Sheriffs, 145, 146 
Sherman, S. H. & E. J., 480 

Watts, 869, 875 
Sherwood, John E., 382 
Shiland, Andrew, Rev., 265 
Shine, J. H., 448 
Shoemaker, Angus McDuffie, 385, 361 

James Duncan, 862 
Shotvvell, John, 96 
Shreve, Richmond, Rev., 343 
Shrimpton, Thomas, 428 
Shultes, Matthias, 502 
Shutte, John, schoolmaster, 255 
Sickles, A , 109 

Hiram E., 165, 166. 385 
Sidney, John Jost, 74 
Sieze, Emanuel. Dr., 214 
Sill, Francis N., 873 

James M., 452 

John, 371, 452 
SiUiman, George D., Rev., 842 

H. B., 458 
Silvester, Peter, 68 
Simmons, Daniel, 449, 452, 458, 506 
Simpson, Mary A., 382 
Sisson, Noel E. , 873 
Siston, Michael, 145 
SkiflF, Charles Herbert, Dr., 215 
Skinner. C. R., Capt, 88 

E. W. , 242 
Slaughter of the Brice and 1 )eitz fam- 
ilies in Berne, during the Revolution, 
500, 501 



Sleicher, John A., 238 
Slingerland, Abraham, 65 

Albert I. , 493 

Cornelius H., 361, 493 

Tennis, 393 546 

William H., 281, 492 
Slingerlands, 492 
Smallie, G. B., 109 
Smart, William S., Rev.. 355 
Smith, Charles, Father, 851 

Charles E., 165,288, 266 

CorneHus, 378 

E. Willard, 109 

Henry. 144 

Horace E., 165, 166 

Lsrael. 96. 365 

John, Rev., 346 

M. J., 245 

P. J., Father, 354 

Sebastian, 463 

Theodore D. , 373 

William S., 453. 454 
Smithwick. John. Dr., 220 
Smyth, John F., 273 

Charles P. , 278 
Snider. Lodowick, 67 
Sniper. GustavusC, 363 
Snively, Thaddeus A., Rev., 342 

WilHam A., Rev., 341. 342 
Snow. Horatio N.. 375 

Norman L.. Dr.. 178 
Soil (if Albany county, 4 
Sons of the Revolution, Pliilip Liv 

Chapter of the, 356-862 
South Berne, 509 

Bethlehem, 492 

Westerlo, 532 
South wick, Arthur C, 278 

Solomon, 145, 242-245, 273, 3« 
Speer, William McMurtie, 236 
Spence, John, 454 
Spencer, Ambrose. 140, 325 

jr., Ambrose, 88 

Asa H., 96 

John, 96, 374 





l„hn (• 






• ■•:. 1 


"il • 206 ■. 


;6n 


Spi 


.iTonl, 11 








■?.t;!. 24S 




Sp, 
Sp. 


...n.'i, 1 




1 


',; 


. 342 
1 166 




S|.i 






1 111 


lell. 


Rev.. 34' 




S]i! 






l\ ev 


, 338 




Sp: 


.i , [■■ 


: .\. 


-,id, 
109, 


Dr. 
110 


,217 




S.p 


iires N. 


H. 


, 432 








Staats, Abraham, surgeon, 169 






Barent, 


65 












Barent 


P., 


Dr., : 


174. 


201, .324 






Charles 


P., 


181 










fierret. 


74 











402 



Staats, Henry, 65, 70 

Joachim, 386 

Nicholas, 66 

Philip, 66 
Stackhouse, George W., 108 
Stafford, Spencer, 366 
Stage lines, 91 
Staley, Bowen, 335 
Stanton, Charles H., 378 

Ceorge W., 368, 370 

Reuben, Rev., 531 

William, 453 
Stanwix, George, 390 
Starkey, T. A., Rev.. 343 
State Capitol, the, 368-371 

Hall, the, at Albany, 371 

House, at Albany, 371 
Steamboat, advent of the, 91, 92; 

310 
Stearns, Eben S. , 'Hid 

P'rederic P. , 386 

John, Dr., 173 
Stedman, Francis W., 361 
Steele, Oliver, 300, 370 

George B., 378 
Stecnburgh, John, 403 
Stephens, Peter A., 335 
Stephenson, James, 145 

John, 364 
Stetson, William N., 363 
Stevens, Albert P., 375 

George T., Dr., 179 

Samuel, Gen., 100; sketch of, 
300, 370 
Stevenson, James, 333. 382 
Stewart, Gilbert, 365 
Stone, Alfred, 339 

C. G., 347 

John Augustus, 94 

William L., 342 
Stool, Andries, 67 
Story Brothers, 378 
Strain, Ale.xander, 363 
Street, Alfred 1'... 251 
Strevell, William 1)., 145 
Stringer, Samuel, Dr. 
Strong, Alonzo P., 160 

Henry A., 438 

Richard M., 106, 107 

William N,. 371 
Strough. Francis A., Rev., 
Strvker, Stephen W., 107 
Stutz, G. Fr., Rev.. 338 
Stuyvesant, Peter, 18. 19, : 

and Van Slcchtenhorst, 
contest between, 28-39 
Sullivan, (Jen. John, expedition of, 
against the Indians, 78 



170, 



355 



-45 

prolonged 



Sullivan, .Richard Bennett, Dr., 325 

& Ehler, 377 
Sunday Regulator, Cohoes, 455 
Surrogates, 141, 143 
Sutherland, Thomas S., 433 
Suydam, Ferdinand D., 430 
Swart, Gerret, 39, 145, 355 
Sweet, Elias, 481 

Elnathan, 386 

Silas, 463 
Swift, James, 104 
Swinburne, John, Dr., 182, 183, 319, 378, 

334 
Swinton, Isaac, 286 
Swits, Cornelius, 68 
Sylvester, A., 136 

Tabor, Azor, sketch of, 153 

Gideon, .539 
Talbot, John, Rev., 339 
Talcott, S. Visscher, 410 
Tanner, John, 347 
Tappan, James, Rev., 425 
Tarbell, Jonathan, 108 
Tatlock, William, Rev., 341 
Tavler, John, 86, 93, 94, 143, 300, 368, 

334, 365, 381, 383 
Taylor Elvin, 373 

Brewery, the, 378 

George Podmore Harire, Dr., 225 

James, 369, 374 

John, 375. 403 

J. Orville. 345 

Lansing G., 370 

Raymond, 435 
Teachers' Institutes established, 261 
Teller, David A., 363 

Gaspar, 145 
Temple, Robert E., Col., 102. 382 
Templeton, Charles B., 278 

John, 378, 373. 376 

Samuel, 334 
Ten Broeck, Abraham, 65, 68, 143, 363, 
332, 364 

Cornelius, Mrs., 410 

Dirck, 65, 322 

John, 68, 145 
Ten Evck, Abraham, 65, 67, 6S, 7lt, 142,403 

Andries, 66 

A. P., Dr., 183 

Barent, 71 

Barents., 74 

Conrad, 66 

Conrad A., 144, 300 

C. H., 14!5_ 

Henry, 145 

Jacob, 143, 145 

Jacob C, 68, 323 



Ten Eyck, Jacob H., 363, 364, 3S1 

James, 365, 37G 

John H., 68, 143 

jr., J. H.,10.5 

Visscher, 369, 374 
Tennant, William, Rev., 346 
Teny, Father, 3.54 
Terwillioer, James, 270 
Tibbets," GeoVge, 404 

Mary B. S. , Miss, 863 
Tillmghast, J. W., 371, 378 
Tillman, Christopher, 67 
Tillotson, Thomas, 36.') 
Tinker, Henrv, 67 
Thacher, Geo'rge H., 100, 32.5, 370, 371, 

John Boyd, 318, 325, 377, 391 
Thayer, James S., 267 

Lewis v.. 146 

Rev. Father, 350 
Theater, the first in the county, 304 
Thomas, Frank W., Dr.. 322 

John, 370 

John J., 246 

John T., 240 

William G., 370, 375 
Thompson, David A., 376, 410 

Isaac Grant, 245 

James H., 105 

Smith, 140, 365 
Thorn, William E., 443, 445, 453 
Thornton, James, 316 
Thorpe, Aaron, 365 
Thrall. J. Brainerd, Rev., 355 
Tombley, Alexander S., Rev., 348 
Tomlinson, K. H., 106 
Tompkins, C. M.. 4S(I 

Daniel D., 121 
Toomey, William J.. 390 
Topography of Albany county, 3 
Torrance, William, 432 
Towner, Samuel B., 316 
Town House Corners, 407 
Townsend, Franklin, 109, 378, 324, 363, 
365, 376 

Frederick, Gen., 105, 361. 363, 365 

jr., Frederick, 363 

Furnace and Machine Shop Com- 
pany, 376 

Howard, Dr., 183,334 

Isaiah, 311, 376 

I. & J., 311 

John, 96, 323, 368, 374, 376, 382 

Rufus K., 377 

Theodore, 278, 374, 376 
Tracey, Charles, 369 

James F., 166, 167 

J. F., 167 

John, 109, 367, 334, 353 



Trade, English and Dutch strif;- 



the emigrants from Holla : 
Transportation, early means of, 

projects for improving west , 
Travis, Jacob, 438, 453 
Treadwell, George H., 109, 361, ; 

John G., 334 
Treanor, James, 430 
Treaty of Utrecht, imperfection- 
Tremain, Frederick L., 109, 111 

Lyman, 109, 468 
Trico, Catelyn, one of the fii ■ 

women in Albany, 15 
Trojan Car Coupler Compan 

Trov. 433 
Trotter, John, 96, 300 

Richard Rowe, Dr., 226 
Truax, Andrew, 66 

Henry, 144 
Trull, Eward Valentine, Dr., 32 t 
Trumbull, George, 345, 3.50 
Tubbs & Hall, 453 
Tucker, Gilbert M., 240 

Gideon J., 335 

Luther, 164, 340 

Luther H., 240 

jr., Luther H., 340 

William, 437 

Willis Gay lord. Dr., 340, 361 
Tuffs, Joshua, 368 
Turk, Jacobus, 145 
Turner, David, 403 

Ichabod, 66 
Turnpike companies, 91 
Tweddle, George, 418 

John, 371, 378 
"Twelve Men," the, under 

Kieft, 133 
Tyler, Oscar, 145 

Union College, struggle over t i 

lishing of, 263-264 
Unionville, 553 
United States Arsenal, 374 
Utter, Jennie A., 338 

Van Aernam, Jacob, 65 
Van Ale, Lawrence, 386 
Van Allen, Adam, 365, 372, 373 

Barent, 65, 70 

Garret, 373 

Garret A., Mrs., 363 

G. A., 376 

Theodore Frelinghuysen Co 1 
361 
Van Alstyne, Frank William, Li-. 

Jacob, 67 



viie. Icilin L., Dr., 178 


Van Heusen, John Manning, 361 


•VV. ill 


\-an Kleeck, Lawrence L., 144, 145 


iKi- I-. u:! 


\'an Leuvens Corners, 533 


,l:is W.. 145 


Van Loon, Arthur Burton, Dr., 231 


•,VL-ip, Cornelius, 14.-) 


Van Nostrand, James, 372 


,1 L., 144 


Van O'Linda. Abraham, 102 




A. B., 245 


iHenry.'ai.i, 3(il, 365, 375, ;iT(i 


Daniel, 399 


,.,iiam,410 


Jacob, 409 


W :.I., 109 


Martin, 409 


. cen, David H.. 443, 453 


Van Pattkammer, A., Rev., 350 


tlnivsen, Benjamin, 36fi 


Van Puttkanimer, A. A., 108 


lr..'llH), 243, 334 


Van Rensselaer, Howard, Dr.. 196 


ks, & Co., 043 


Henry K., 67, 73 


ik, 243 


Jean 'Baptiste. the first of the pa 


! ■ ;■.., 242 


troons to visit the colony, 35, 39 


,*• \ ood. 242 


42, 43 


:■ !■:- .ren, Marte, T4 


Jeremiah, 68, 92, 304, 363, 3C4 


'■' f' gge, Carl, 38 


; eremias, 44, 46 

^ ohannes, heir to the first patroon 


:'t :gh, Peter, 321 


• '" en, Cornelius, W> 


and his guardians, 28 


\ tin, 66, 121; sketch of, 149; 234 


Killian, the patroon of Rensselaer- 


laer, Arent. 378 


wyck, 21, 66, 135, 143 


ler. Arent. :!!t7 


Maunsell, Rev., 342 


ihersli. A. \V., 409 


Nicolaus, Rev., 339 


Iv, the, 400 


Peter. 73 


it ('... 05, 06 


Philip, 300, 381 


11 T , 07 


Philip S., 200, 264, 268, 311, 323, 



Maus, Wynant, Peter, Petras. 
)rnclius C, Cornelius 2d, and 
ch.iIasC, 409 
..lus V. v., 409 
licih, 4011 
liint, 402 
Bogart, Hermamis Myndertse, 

Heyden, Jacob, 67, 304, 363, 364 

•oof. Joseph C, 107 
n, William L., 107 
ocl. lames, 140 
bus, 66, 67 



l>r., 17 



fx V( 



Albert, Dr.. 179, 363, 384, 



.dgar Albert, Dr., 361, 363 
. ■voort, R. N., 447 
!cr Zee, Albert II., 66 
oiaelius, 66 
■ illiam Henry, Dr., 224 

tven. T. De Witt, Rev., 349 
. T essen, Petrus, Rev., 336 
1 ".:.ien, Lawrence, 115, 144 
' 'x 'k. Attorney-tieneral. 37, I 
' lelius, 74 
■ :-ick, 462 
. rv H., 235 

■shcek. William 11., lilv 
;eu, jr., John. 60 



Richard, 371, 397 

Robert, 263 

Solomon, 86, 88, 94, 273 

Stephen, 87, 88, 93. 114, 11.5, 265, 
364, 374, 381, 403, 441 

William Bayard, 316, 365 

William Bayard, Mrs., 363 
Van Sante, Gerrit, 68 
Van Santvoordt, Cornelis, 68 

John, 436 

Seymour, 166 
Van Schaick, Col., expedition of, aga 
the Indians, 78 

Garret W. , 403 

Gerrit, 145 

Goosen, Capt., 62, 71, 145 

Henry. Cnl . 27-.' 

Jacob, o;. 145 

John 9.\. :liil 

J. B., 244. 245 

Lavinus, 286 

Stephen, 70 

Sybrant Goose, 143, 322 
Van Schelluvne, Dirck, 4(! 

Cornelius, 68 
Van Schie, Cornelius, Rev., 336 
Van Schoonhoven, James, 420 
Van Schwaick, Garret W. , 364 
Van Slechtenhorst, Gerret, 28 



405 



Van Slechtenhorst, Brant Arent, director 
of the colony, 28-39 

and Stuyvesaiit, prolonged contest 
between, 28-39 
Van Slvke, I. R., 105 
Van Steenberg, Warren, Dr., 180 
Van Tienhoven, Cornelius, 38 
Van Tuyl, jr., George Casey, 301 
Van Twiller, Wouter, 18; executor of 
■ the estate of the first patroon, 28; 33 
Van Valkenburgh, Abraham, 66 

John J., 66 

John L., 316 
Van Vechten, Abraham, 96, 144; slcetch 
of, 147; 261, 265, 364 

Lucas, 400 

Teunis, 96, 266, 334, 458 
Van Veghten, Ephraim, 65 

Lucas, 71 

Teunis T., 65. 70 

Volckert, 67 
Van Vorst, Hooper C. 
Van Vranken family, the? 399 

Maas, 66 
Van Wely, Johannes, executor of the 

estate of the first patroon, 28 
Van Wie, John, 65 
Van Woert, Jacob, 65 

John, 65 
Van Wormer, Joseph, 376 
Van Wyck, Isaac, 83 
Van Zaudt, Jacob, 108 

John, 364 

Washington, Rev., 426 
Van Zyle, Abraham Ferd., Capt., 47 
Vann, Irving G., 168 
Vassar, Jlatthew. 372 
Vaughan, Ashley. Rev. 428 

Obadiah, 66 
Veeder, Abraham, 66 

Volckert, 66 78 
Verbeck, Jan, 141 
Verhulst, William, 18 " 
Vermilye, Thomas E., Rev., 336 

Le Roy, 453 
Verplanck, Isaac, 286 

John N., 478 

Philip, 145 
Vesperman, W., 241 
Vibbard, Arthur A., Dr., 536 

Chauncey, 371 

Viele, Maurice E.. 281, 361, 371. 410 

Stephen, 430, 431 
Vilas, William F., 168 
Villeneuve, Alphonse, Father, 354 
Vinton, Francis L., 105 
Visscher, James D., 106 

Matthew, 65, 68, 70. 79, 144 



Voorhuvse (\'oorhees), John, 66 
Vosburgh, Peter, 67 
Vose, Rodney, 375 

Wadhams, Edgar P., Father, 351 

Frederick Eugene, 361, 362 
Wager, George H., 437 
Wagner, John, Rev., 338 
Wagoner, George, 66 
Wakeman, Henry, 422 

Scudder, 422 
Waldo. Howard Lansing, Dr., 225 

I.viiKiii IMf^. Dr., 226 
Wal'Un .\l,:i. r, ,-,(13,505 
Wak-s. lia 1. , ■-';18 

Nathaniel. 303 
Walford, George, 143 
Walker, John, 242 

John E., 375 

Willard, 366, 368 

William J., 369 
Wallace, J. G., 245 

John Jefferson, Dr., 224 

J. &M., 454 

William, 106 

William Addison, Major, 361 
■VV'alloons, arrival of the, 15 
Walsh, Dudley, 93, 311, 364, 403 

James D.,' 145 

Michael F., 334, 335 

Michael McN., 107 
Walton, Henry, 265 
Walworth, Clarence A., Father, 350 

Reuben H., 137, 164 
Wandell, Daniel, 427 
Ward, Isaac Moreau, Dr., 213, 214 

Robert E., 278 

Samuel B,, Dr., 177, 363 

Walter E., 167 
War of 1812, 85-90 

of 1812, events leading to the, s.", 

of the Rebellion, 104-113 
Warner, James Meech, Gen., 273, 36: 

John, 65 

& Hooker, 246 
Warren, Burdette, Dr.. 225 

H. P., 266 

Joseph, 280 
Warrington, R. A., 108 
Wasson, J. D., 240, 273, 373, 382 
Waterbury, Edward P., 267 
Waterman, Jeremiah, 41ti, 

Robert H., 334 

Smith A., 144 
WatervHet Center, 407 



Watervliet, town of, 394-411 

canals in, 396 

churches of, 407-411 

early prominent families of, 398-40(1 

erection of, and territorial reduction 
of, 394, 395 

first settlements in, 396 

Home for Aged Men in, 410 

in the war of the Revolution, 402 

in the war of 1812, 402 

list of residents of, as shown by a 
map of the Van Rensselaer Manor, 
in 1767, 396 

manufactures of, 404 

old Schuyler mansion in, 397 

public improvements in, 403-405 

schools of, 411 

settlement of Shakers in, 400-402 

topography of, 395 

villages and hamlets in, 405-407 
Watson, Arnold B., 464, 469 

Elkanah, 92, 93, 326, 364, 365 

Malbone, 117, 140, 464. 468 
Weaver, Joshua, Rev., 426 

William H.. 369, 386 
Webb, Henry L., 365 

JohnH., 96 

Thomas, Capt., 343 
Webster, Charles E. , 85 

Charles R., 96, 241, 242, 264, 374, 
403 

Chauncey, 243 

George, 242 

Harrison E., 166 
Weddiu, Father, 350 
Weed, Thurlow, 88, 236, 237 

Walter, 366 
Weiger, Jacob 67, .502, 505, 506 
Welch, Bartholomew T., Rev., 349 

Clark Durant, Dr., 228 
Welles, Henry 117 
Weltou, Alonzo, Rev., 348 
Wendell, Cornelius, 65. 70, 400 

Evert, 141 

Gerret, 409 

Harmanus, 65, 68, 70 

Harmanus H,, 145 

Harvey, 381 

llendnck, 409 

Henrv, <>■">, 68 

Henry J., 145 

Johannis. 2><(; 

John H., 14'.; 

J. Irving, 371,200 

John M., 71 

John W.. 300 

Nathan U., 171, 238 

Peter, Ur.,201 



Wemple, Daniel W., 310. 305 

John, 146 
Werner. Edgar S., 247 
Wessells, Dirck, 56, 286, 321 
West Albany, 407 
Berne, .508 

Westerlo, Eilardus, Rev., 263, 336, 408 
Westerlo, town of, 528-536 

as a fruit center, 529 

cemeteries of, 535 

Center, 533 

Chesterville in, 531, 532 

churches of, 533-535 

Dormausville in, 532 

early 1.11, iiiisx . ,,1. i prises of, 529 

earlv !■' ■ i ."i.'.l 

early .... .:n ,",31 

erecti"!! -.: '.. .'a n ..: ."liS 

•'Farmers' Fire Insurance Associa- 
tion " at, 536 

Lamb's Corners in, 533 

natural characteristics of, 528 

military record of, 536 

schools of, 536 

South Westerlo in, 532 

streams of, 528 

Van Leuven's Corners in, 533 

Rensselaer, 93 
Western Inland Lock Navigation Com- 
pany, 83, 92 
Weston, Marcellus, 408 
West Troy (citvof Watervliet), 411-429 

banks of, 420 

churches of, 424-429 

Covert Manufacturing Company in, 
422 

effects of the Erie Canal upon, 415 

ferries at, 415 

tire department of, 418 

Gas Light Company, 419 

iron bridge at, 416 

large river traffic from, in early years, 
416-417 

list of presidents of, to time of erec- 
tion of Watervliet, 423 

list of trustees of Gibbonsville before 
its incorporation with West Trov, 
412 

list of village officers at date of in- 
corporation of the city of Water- 
vliet, 423 

manufacturers of, 421, 422 

Meneely Bell Foundry in, 421 

newspapers of, 420 

original site of, 412 

police department of, 419 

schools of, 417 

the J. M. Jones' Sons, 422 



West Troy, villages and territory com- 


Wi 


Ison, John, 105, 106 


prised in, 411-415 






John O., 370 


Water Works Company 


', 418 




Oren E., 37.S, 326, 334, 335 


Wetmore, Edward Willard, 


Prof. , 362 




Samuel, 'J.-iO 


Wheaton, Henry G., 144, 1. 


53 




William T,, Rev., 341 


William, ,531 




\Vi 


iiantse, Me]'<ert, 286 


Wheelock, Eleazer, 203 




Wi 


im-. loel. Dr.. 175 


Wheeler, George M., 420 




Winne,' Aaron, 462 


Seth, 373,37(i 






C. v., 276 


Whelan, Rev. Father, 350 






Giles K., 144 


Whipple, Baruum, 383 
Malachi, 503, .506, 537 






Jellis, 300 

jr., Jellis, 96. 364 






White, Amelia, 447 






John I., 419 


Andrew, 369 






■ ohn L., 347, 374 
' urian. 280 


Andrew G. , 363, 378 






Canvass, 441 






Levinus. 65 


Edward P., 166 






M. V. B.. 388 


Fred W., 239 






William P., 66 


Hugh, 440, 453 




Wi 


nstoii, Isaac, 550 


James G., 372 




Wi 


swall, George M., 418 


' amesH., 334 




Wi 


tbeck. Abrara, 478 


' ohn J., 373, 375, 378 
Joseph, 403 






Abraham, 65 






Abraham L. , 409 


Joseph N., Dr., 319 
Miles, 453 






Andrew H., 478 






family, the, 400 


Samuel, Dr., 301 






Genet, 430 


Thaddeus R., 266 






Harpent, 66 


William, 376 






Henry W.. 432 


Whitehou.se, A. I., 448 






ohn L.. 66 
. M.. 552 


Whitman, August, 316 






Whitney, William M., 316, 


363, 373 




Luvcas, 409 


Whittaker, William Force, 


Rev., 347 




Peter. 66 


Wickes, Eliphalet, 369 




Wolf Hill, 553 


Piatt, Dr. , 464 




Wood, Abel, Rev., 265 


Wilbor Samuel, 339 






Bradford R., 300, 334, 363. 383 


Wilbur, John H., Dr., 184 
Wilcox, Leonard, 66 






David, 365 






amesO.,419 


Wild, Alfred, 371, 440, 445 






■ esse. Col., 503 


Wilkinson, David, 441 






\ S. & B., 247 


Willard. Horace K., 261 






Otis. 427 


Sylvester D., Dr., 176, 


195 


Woodhall. David M loR 


Willes, Thomas S , 266, 381 




Woodman, !' : ■■ i'- v , 343 


Williams, Chauncey Pratt 


, Capt., 363, 


W( 


jodrull, 1! : i;i, 173 


370, 371, 375 






Timoilr, 1,. -1,. l.M-Lit.-Gov., 362 


Israel, 200 




Woods, Francis H.. 14:.', 373, 375 


John, 65, 70, 145 
Moses and Elias, Drs., 




Woodward, James O., 316 


171 




& Packard. 245 


Piatt, Dr.. 175. 201 




Woodworth, John, 93, 311 
Wool, John E., Gen., 88. 103 


Robert D., 316, 335, 36 


3 


Thomas, 145 




Woolworth, Samuel B., 267 


William B,, 318 




Wooster, B. W., 373 


Williamson, James, 111 




Worth. Gorham A., 367 


Wilsdon, George R.. 4.53 






William T., Gen.. 88. 103 


Wilson, Andrew, Dr., 523 




Worthen, William E., 442 


G. B., 430 




Worthington, John, 425 


Gilbert L., 278, 371 




Wright, Deodatus, 140 


Jacob, 105 
James R., 250 






Joseph Ezra, Dr., 238 






Moses B., 369 



408 



Wright. Nathaniel, 109, 110 
Wvckoif, Hem ' 



yj..44l 
Theodore F., Rev., 



Yates, Abraham, 70, 145, 272, 273 

jr., Abraham, 68, 74, 145, 263, 323 

Abraham I., 65, 68 

Christopher C, 142 

Jacob, 480 

Johu V. N., sketch of, 148; 260, 268 

John W., 365, 374 

Richard, 365 

Robert, 68, 74, 136, 140; sketch of. 

146; 263 
Peter, Capt, 62 
Peter W., 68, 136, 299, 300 



Yeardsley, Charles L., 110 

Yeates, Joseph C, 403 

Young, Abram and Jeremiah, 462 

Horace G., 316, 369 

John R., Rev., 348 

Men's Association, 277, 278 

Oscar H., Dr.. 181 

Sanuiel, 93 

Samuel S., 261 

Simon, 145 

William, 373 
Younglove, Truman G.. 440, 452, 458 
Youngman, Vreeland Houghwout, 362 
Zimmerman, John, 316 



PART II. 



Amsdell, George I., 55 

Banks, A. Bleecker, 117 

Barnes, Thurlow Weed, 159 

Barnes, William, jr., 10 

Beattie, William, 12 

Bendell, Herman, M. D., 99 

Best, George N., 158 

Bigelow, John M., M. D.. Ph. D., 

Blair, Louis E., M. D., 10 

Blunn, James, 16 

Borthwick, James M.. 83 

Brady, Anthony N., 81 

Brass, Richard W., 86 

Briggs, John N., 51 

Bronk. Barent T. E., 166 

Brooks, Jonas H., 68 

Brown, Frank, 16 

Brown, W. Howard, 43 

Buchanan, Charles J., 76 

Burch, John G., 140 

Burke, Rt. Rev. Thomas, 96 

Byington, William Wilberforce, 8 

Cantine, Edward B., 54 

Carpenter. Charles Whitney, 108 

Chester, Alden, 95 

Clute, Jacob H., 85 

Colvin, Verplanck, 120 

Covert, James C, 29 

Cox, James W., M. D., 137 

Curreen, (Jeorge H., 130 

Delehantv, John A., 83 
I )ick.son. Walter, 113 
iJoane. Rt. Rev. William Croswell, 
LL.lX, 60 



Easton. Frederick, 32 

Farnsworth, John G., (ien., 128 
Farrell, John H., 137 
Fiero, James Newton, 93 
Fisk, Frank H., M. I).. 167 
Fitzgerald, David C, 49 
Fuller, Howard N., 56 

Griftin, Rev. William, D. D., 73 
Griffith, William Herrick, 33 

Hale, Matthew, 71 

HaTUM„k Thp,„lnre E., 113 



II. t :,, .,- II, ,.•11, ::', 
U.i>^.^v\l. (,c-oige S., M. D., 159 
Hernck, U. Cady, 167 
Hevenor, Winfield S., 163 
Hornby, Ralph, 118 
House, George A., 163 
Howell, George Rogers, 42 

Jermain, James Barclav, 98 
Jones, Charles Edmund, M. D., 1 

King, Rufus H., 30 
Kinnear, Peter, 6 
Lansing, Abraham. 100 
Lansing. J. Townsend, 115 
Learned, William L., LL. D., 95 
Lewis, T. Howard, 47 
Lewi, Joseph, M. D., 36 
Lintner, Joseph Albert, 115 
Little, Charles W., 117 



Liieke, Henry, 160 

Manning-, Daniel, 134 
Marsh, Benjamin, 46 
Marvin, Selden E., (len., 1 
Marvin, Selden E., Col, jr 
Maynard, Isaac H., KM 
McAlpin, Gen Edwin A,, 
McCormic, Robert H , jr., 
McKown, James A., 141 
McCreary, Edward, 17 
McKee. James B., 54 
Meegan.'lMhvanl | , 50 
Merrill, l'rL-dfn.k\K II., Ill 
Morton. Levi P. , '.l7 
Munson, Samuel L., 45 
Myers, Herman, 12 
Myers, Max, 14 
Nead, William M., M. D., ' 
Newman, Family, The, 20 
Oliver, Robert Shaw, Gen.. 
Palmer, John, 157 
Parker, Amasa J. 
Parker, Amasa J. 
Palmer, Edward DeL., 88 
Pasquini, Attilio, 31 
Peck. Charles H., A. M., 106 
Peckham, Rufus W., 109 
Perry, Isaac G., 105 
Plyinpton, Lucy Ann, 75 
Porter, Charles H., M. D.. 11 
Pruyn, John V. L., LL. D., 63 
Rathbone, John F., 119 
Root, Josiah G., 84 
Rosendale, Simon W., 164 
Sanford, John C, 89 



143 



Sisson, Noel E., 132 
Slavin, Thomas, 91 
Slingerland, John I.. 23 
Spalding-, Nathaniel B., 87 
Stedman, George L. , 40 
Stern, Lewis, 92 
Stevens, Albert P., 120 
Story, George, 168 
Stowell, Charles F., 79 
Sweet, Elias W., 165 
Sweet, Elnathan, 53 

Thacher, George Hornell, 58 
Thacher, John Boyd, 165 
Tilhnghast, Joseph W., 158 
Townsend, Frederick, Gen., 38 
Tow'usend, Theodore. 89 
Tracey, Charles, 5 
Tucker, Luther, 123 
Tucker, Luther H., 124 

Van Allen, Garret A., 88 
Van Alstyne, William C, 92 
Van Alstyne, Thomas J., 101 
Van Antwerp, John H.. 74 
Van Loon, Arthur B., M. 1).. 25 
Van Rensselaer, Howard, M. IJ., 80 
Van Wormer, John R , 110 
Vander Veer, Albert, M. D., 153 
Vosburgh, Isaac W., 26 
Wallace, William J., 94 
Ward, Samuel Baldwin, M. 1)., 27 
Wilson, James II., 116 
Woodruff, Timothy L., 113 
Woods, Francis H., 118 
Wooster, Benjamin W., 44 
Zeh, M. J., M. D., 25 



PART III. 



Abrams, Augustus C, 
Hiram, Dr., 323 
John D., 179 
Addington, George, 33 
Ainsworth, Danforth I 
Albright. Lawrence, 3( 

Peter S., 69 
Alexander, Thomas, 2( 
Allanson, James E., 15 
Allen, I). Frank, Gen., 
Amsdell, Theodore M., 



Amyot, Bruno E , Dr., 231 
Anderson, Charles W., 258 
Andrae, M., 168 

Paul H., 183 
Andrews, Arthur L., 2.53 

jr., Horace, 133 
Angus, Charles H., 36 
Aniieslev, Richard Lord, 283 
Ansbro, 'Thomas, 269 
Antemann, Herman W. , 329 
Appleton, Joseph L.. Dr , 107 



Archibold. John, Dr., 318 
Armatage, Charles H., 135 
Armstrong, J. B., Rev., 4 
Arnold, jr., Isaac, Maj., 156 
Aspinwall, William F., 123 
Atkins, John R., 108 
Austin, Arthur C. 354 

Babcock, Robert. Dr., 3.^6 
Bacon, Allen H., 48 
Bailey, Asa, 74 

J. De Witt, 352 

Theodore P., Dr., 323 

William Howard, 343 
Baillargeon, J. T., 284 
Baker, Albert W., 73 

(Tcorge, 305 

George Comstock 08 
Balch, Lewis, Dr., 166 
Baldwin, H. W., 24 
Ball, David, 69 

Dayton, 112 

Ogilvie D., Dr., 161 
Banker, William Soules, 257 
Barber, Fletcher, 241 

Morgan F., 190 
Barckley, Edward L., 190 
Barends, Frederick J., 275 
Barker, James F., Dr., 161 
Bartlett, Ezra Albert, Dr., 310 
Bassler, Elias, 314 
Batchelder, Robert C, 192 
Battershall, Walton W.,D. D., 133 
Baumes, Mary E., Mrs., 57 
Baxter, William C, 200 
Bayard, Andrew Herbert, Dr., 9 
Becker, De Witt E., 19 

Frederick C, 292 

Howard, 190 
Bedell, Edwin A., 55 

Jerry, 329 
Belanger, Israel, 232 
Belding, Samuel B., 356 
Bell, E. M., Dr., 91 

Horaces., 197 

Thomas H., 155 
Belser, jr., Joseph, 124 
Bender, Matthew, 108 
Bennett, David W., 189 
Benson, Samuel J , 251 
Bentley, W., 123 
Berns, James H., 231 
Best, John A., 146 
Beutler, William F., 194 
Blackburn, John, 331 
Blair, Elmer, 33 
Bleecker, W. Rutger, 355 
Blessing, Adam J., Dr., 38 



Blessing Brothers, 299 
Blodgett, William, 71 
Bloomingdale, Frank, 181 

John P., 178 
Bloss, F. S., Dr., 127 
Boardman, George, 70 

& Gray. 47 
Bogue, Henry L., 319 
Bordwell, Margaret E., Mrs., 148 
Borthwick, Acton S. , 352 
Bovve, John, 208 
Bowman, Cassius M., 199 
Boyd, James P., Dr., 255 
Bradford, William, 348 
Bradley, Franklin G., 146 
Bradt, John Van Der Heyden, 73 

Samuel Gary, 348 
Brady, John J., 160 
Brasure, John W., 107 
Brennan, Edward J., 125 
Brewster, Frederick C. , 4 

James C. and Warren H., 322 
Bridge, Charles F.. 55 
Brierley, William P.. Dr., 339 
Brilleman, Isaac, 326 
Brink, Levi L., 75 
Britley, Edward W., Capt., 297 
Brown, John C, Dr., 316 
Brumaghim, Eugene. 275 
Brunk, James H., 263 
Bullock, Joseph, 232 
Burdick, G. Dudley, 27 

Norman, 193 
Burrick, Julius J., Rev., 154 
Butler, Walter Burdett, 15 

William H., 151 

Cady, Frank William, Dr., 270 

Harvey J., 137 
Calkins, H. G., 285 
Cameron, Frederick W., 281 
Campbell, George, 233 

Stewart, 326 
Campion, George A., 336 
Canton, Charles N., 6 
Capron, Arthur S., Dr , 310 

John D., 242 

William J., 305 
Carr, Lewis E., 281 
Carroll, George H., 5 

James H., 80 
Carter, William H., 232 
Gary, William M., 64 
Ca.sey, Daniel, 326 

Walter v., 283 
Cass, Lewis, 224 
Caulkins, George L., 296 
Chad wick, Enoch H.. 295 



Chadwick, P. Rerasen, 109 
Chapin, Josiah D,, 195 
Chapman, jr., Edgar T., 153 
Chase, Norton, 268 
Chesebro, Thaddeus, 216 
Christiansen, Alfred. 304 
Clapp, Augustus Henley, 181 
Clark, William B., 233 
Clarke, John Mason, 136 
Classen, Frederick Luke, Dr., 7 
Clough. William, 384 
Clyckman, Frederick L.. 264 
Cohn, Mark, 48 
Colburn, E. S., & Son. 22 
Cole, Ashley W., 79 

Frederick S., Dr., 306 

William S., 185 
Coleman, J. Russell, 296 
Collin, T. Campbell, Capt., 141 
Collms, Lorenzo D., 228 
Condon, William R., 275 
Conger, Frederick W., 75 
Conway, Cornelius, 5 

John J., 305 

Joseph A., 277 
Conyes, L, E., 57 
Cook. Alfred, 276 

Daniel H., Dr., 350 

Eugene, 313 

John B., 21 

John T., 167 
Cooper, John L., Dr., 101 
Corltss, Stephen Potter. 198 
Courchaine, William, 5 
Court, Charles, 212 
Courtney, Dickinson, 12 
Couse, David, 129 
Cox, jr., James W., 173 

John, 339 
Crandall, George H., 145 
Crannell, Monroe, 213 
Crawford, Charles H., Dr., 45 

James F.. 233 
Crookes, John. 290 
Crounse, Benjamin, 113 
Cull, William H., 268 
Culver, Charles M., Dr., 45 
Curamings Bros., 125 
Curtis, Frederic C, Dr., 46 
Cushman, Harry C, Col., 110 
Cutler, Edgar A., 199 
Cuyler, Edward Cornelius, 264 

Danaher, John E., 223 
Dating, Stephen J., 37 
Daubney, William H., 139 
Davenport, Samuel J., 46 
Davidson, Andrew, 242 



Davis, Charles Edmond, Dr., 47 

Dawson, John, 233 

Day, Michael J., 250 

Dayton, Lewis W., 4 

Dearstyne, Chester P.. 35G 

De Blaey, Abram, 280 

De Freest, Alburtus B., 329 

Charles R., 65 
De Graff, Abram, Dr., 313 
Deitz, Alanson, P., 266 

Charles E., 73 

Wallace E., Dr., 188 
Delahant, Michael F., 327 
Delehanty, Michael, 241 
Dell. Nicholas J., 331 
Denison, Edward M., 57 

Frederick P. , 333 
De Voe, David, 177 
De Witt, Abraham Van Dyck, 126 

Richard Varick, 244 
Dickey, Wilham J., 285 
Di.xon, George, 318 
Dodge, William T., 168 
Don, William G., 259 
Downs, J. Murray, 357 

Michael B., 136 
Dreis, L. Theodore A., 26 
Drislane, William E., 244 
Droogan, Cornelius J., 357 
Dugan, Daniel J., 825 

Patrick C. , 274 
Duggan, Edward J., 316 
Dumary, T. Henry, 334 
Dunn, James, 297 
I )urant, Fayette B., 156 
Dwight, Harvev Lyman, 35 
Dwver, Martin J., Dr., 324 
Dye'r, William S., 373 

Zeb A., 162 

Easton, Charles P., 325 
Eaton, Calvin W., 160 

James Webster, 167 
Ecker, Jerome W. 162 
Eckert, Henrv E., 249 
Elliott, W. J.; 233 
Ellis, Joseph Whitcomb, 35 
Elmendorf, William Burgess, 262 
Emery, John W., 61 
Enos, Henry D., 280 
Ertz Berger, Edmund J., 223 
Erwin, Jacob M., 289 
Estes, Milo D., Capt., 147 
Evory, Frank H., 139 

Fanning, James O., 315 
Fearev, Joseph & Son, 216 
Featherstonaugh, J. D., Dr., 168 



Felter, James, 71 

Fennelly. P. E.. Dr., 42 

Ferguson, William H , 175 

Filkins, Edward Vincent, 85 

Fish, Julius, 339 

Fisher, David A., 262 

Fitch, John H., Dr.. 179 

Fitts, George H., 317 

FitzEjerald, Edward J. and William R. 

269 
Fitzsimmons, James J., 15 
Flagler, Peter H., 66 
Flanders, George Lovell. 29 
Flanigan, Eugene D.. 357 
Flansburgh, Alexander, 114 

John, 290 

Rufus, 294 
Fletcher, Jones A., 19 
Foley, Edward, 233 

James H., 307 
Fonda, Douw H., 153 
Fookes, Henry H., 324 
Ford, Charles R., 99 
Foster, E. H., 92 

Henry S.. 48 
Fredendall, Henry, 301 
Frederick, Charles F.. 225 

Nathan, 143 

Stephen V. , 129 
Friend, Charles M., 30 
Frost, J. Sheldon, 293 
Fuller, Aaron, .58 
Fursman, Jesse William, 357 

Gaffers, Will R , 185 
Gallien, Edward J.. 143 

Henrv, 33 
Garfield, Henry Whiting, 335 
Garland, Jerome, 233 
Garret, Walter, 321 
Garside, John, 250 
Gartland, John L., 11 
Garvin, Martin L. R., 37 
Gatchell. James K., 306 
Gaus, Charles H., Maj., 133 
Gedney. Samuel 329 
Geer, Robert, 29 
Getman, Edward M.. 249 
Gibbons, Erastus, 259 
Gick, William H., 146 
Gilbert, Edmond J., 178 

Francis Russell, 308 

Henry S., 224 
Gise, Peter, 86 
Glass, Edwin G., 109 
Gieason, James M., 23 

John H. 65 
Godfrey, James H., 24 



Goewey, W. Irving Dr., 131 
Goldring, Samuel, 90 
Goodwin, Albert C, 358 
Goold, Charles B., 333 

James, 51 
Gove, Ralph A., 72 
Grady, Thomas G., 32 
Graham, Edward J.. 86 

Hugh, 65 
Gray, John Clinton, 309 

Vivian, 298 
Graves, Anthony Gardner, 350 
Green, Archibald S. . 117 

G. Jame-s, Col., 3.53 
Greene, Frederick R , Dr., 163 

Lindsey, 214 
Gregory, Clifford D., 95 
Grev, W. W., 86 
Griffen, Edward C, 222 
Griswold, Stephen B.,336 
Grogan, Michael, 227 
Groot, James Bleecker, 187 
Guardineer, George H., 273 
Guthrie, Alfred A., 255 
Gutmann, John, 13 

Hailes, William, Dr.. 324 
Haines, Luther H., 264 
Hall, Charles Roswell, 228 

James. Dr. 206 
Hallenbeck, Charles W.. 256 

George A., 196 

John E., 66 

William Henrv, 11 
Hanney. Andrew D., 289 
Happel, William H., Dr., 200 
Harrigan's Sons, John, 373 
Harrington, Francis A., 238 
Harriott, Marvin B., 131 
Harris, Frank S., 359 

Hubbard C, 118 

Julius F., 26 

Melville A., 7 

Morris, 61 

William B., 316 
Hart, John W., 40 
Hartman, Christian, 72 
Harlnett, Daniel J., IG 
Hartt, Eugene R., 277 
Haskell, William Hervey, 134 
Haswell, George S., Dr., 77 

John L., 40 

Leah E . Mrs.. 62 

William H., 3.59 
Hatt, Samuel S.. 202 

George J., 371 
Havens, Elmer Hamilton, 273 
Haveiiy, William J., 204 



Hawlev, Mrs, Clara M., 258 
Hay, Miller, 93 
Hayden, John R., 342 
Hayes, Edward, 92 
Heidrich, Charles A., 22 
Hendrick, James, 163 
Hendrickson, Howard, 28 
Hendrie, James H. 20 
Heney. William H., 5 
Hennessy, John Y., Dr., 226 
Herman, Sidney N., 309 
Hermans, Charles W.. 148 
Herrick, Avery, 131 

De Laus W., 352 
Hessberg, Albert, 41 

Samuel, 50 
Hickev, jr., Dennis, 50 

William F., 19 
Hicks, John J., 3g5 
Higgins, John H,, 83 

Michael E., 275 
Hill & Son, 130 
Hills. James W., 22 
Hmckley, Charles, 289 
Hitt, Galen R., Hon., 359 
Hobbs, Edward A.. 32 
Hochstrasser, Arthur E., 285 

Jacob, 328 
Hollands, William, 49 
Hollenbeck, Frank, 359 
- Jerome M., 185 
Horrocks, John, 134 
Hoskins, Charles M., 265 
Hotaling, John S , 76 

Lansing, 351 
Houck, James A., 280 
Houghton, George H., Dr.. 13 
Howell, Fred S., 351 
Hubbard, George A., 272 
Hudson, Charles D., 41 
Huested, Alfred B., Dr., 68 
Hughan, James C, 298 
Hull, Samuel T., 87 
Hulsapple, John H., 304 
Hungerford, Sidney A., 163 
Hunter, James, 267 
Hunting, Edwin Francis, 340 

Nelscm. Dr., 323 
Hurlbert, Henry, 297 
Hurlburt, Gansevoort de Want 
Hurst, David T., 214 

Illch, Julius, 310 

Ireland, Francis Asbury, 115 

Jacobson, Peter, 87 
Janes, Franklin H., 79 



Jaquius, John D., 305 
Jenison, E. Darwin, 239 
Jewett, Frederick G., 34 

jr., Freeborn G., Rev., 274 
Johnson, Edwin S., 107 

James C, 53 
Jolley, Hugh, 86 
Jones, Andrew B., .52 

James, 164 

John H., 130 
J. M. Jones's Sons, 208 

Kane, Nicholas T., 152 
Keeler, John, 26 

William Henry, 182 
Keenholts, James, 219 
Kellev, Patrick, 298 
Keller, Robert B.,118 
Kelly, George T., 251 

James J., 140 
Kemp, John H., 321 
Keneston, George, 115 
Kennedy Thomas, 23 1 
Kenyon, Lewis, 294 
Keruau, William J.. Dr., 309 
Kernochan, Edward L., 247 
Kibbee. William Backus, 85 
Kiffin, Thomas S., 295 
Kimmey, Edson, 14 

John B., 88 

William, 129 
Kirkland, George W., 360 
Knickerbocker, Edmund Chase, 
Knowles, Charles R. , 209 
Koonz, John F., 185 

Lamb, James, 93 
Lameraux, Phila 320 
Lamoreaux, Maus, 206 
Langan, John, 250 

John R., 372 
Lansing, Egbert W., 206 
La Rose, Anthime Watson, 164 
Lathrop, Charles H., 279 

Cyrus Clark, 347 
Laventall, Julius, 18 
Lawson, Joseph A., 89 

Stephen, 222 
Lawyer, George, 53 
Leavy, Mark S., M. D., 373 
Le Boeuf, Randall J,, 271 
Lempe, George G., Dr., 311 
T^enway, W. A., 21 
Leonard, Daniel, 60 
Le Roy, Isaac, 306 

William B., 109 
Leversee, Jacob D., 234 



Lewi, Theodore J., 361 

William G., Dr., :!61 
Liscomb, Orlando P.. 209 
Littlefield, jr., Edgar, 7C 
Livingston & Co., 118 
Lochner, George Emory, IDr., 370 
Lockwood, Horace R., 288 

Leander S., 67 
Lodge, Barrington, 88 
Long & Silsby, 25 
Lord, Edmund J., 38 
Lounsbury, Omar W., 295 
Lowery, J. F., Rev., 234 
Lloyd, Will Lyman, 141 
Lumereaux, George C, 320 
Lundergan, John, 32 
Lynch, John H., 360 

Joseph H., 115 

McCombe, James, 278 
McCormic, Robert Henry, 152 
McCredie, James, 245 
McDermott, John, 106 

Martin, 235 
McDonough, Clarence J., 278 

Joseph, 12 
McDowell, George H., i)3 
McElvenev, Daniel, 17 
McEwan, Walter, 140 
McGarrahan, John F.. Dr., 160 
McGrath, Michael, 19 
McHench, David B., 34 
McHinch, Robert, 128 
Mclntyre, Archibald, 196 
McKinney, James, & Son, 201 

Rockwell, 298 
McKown, William, 184 
McLaren, James, 337 
McMillen, James S., 1.50 
McNab, Duncan, Dr., 21 
McNaniara, John W., 196 
McNeil, Thomas J., 24 
Mac Allaster, William, 373 
MacDonald, Pirie, 147 

Willis Goss, Dr., 322 
MacFarlane, Andrew, Dr., 283 

William D., 31 
MacHarg, Martin, Dr., 308 
Mackey, Charles H., 315 

Samuel, 102 
Magill, Robert, 300 
Main, James R., 76 
Maloney, J. D., 297 
Mann, Benjamin A., 63 
Mansfield W. K., 235 
Marshall, P., Mrs., 90 

& Wendell Piano Forte Manufactur- 
ing Co. (Ltd.), 106 



Martin, Robert, 83 

Peter W., 60 
Masten, James H., 112 
Masterson, John Philip, Gen.. 95 
Mather, Andrew E. and A. Dan, 238 
Ma.xwell, James A., 328 
Mavell, James H., 157 
Maver, John N., 361 
Mead, Charles W.. 231 
Mears, Edward Norris Kirk, Dr.. ,89 
Meegan, Thomas A., 270 
Menand, Louis, 17 
Merrill, Cyrus Strong, Dr., 1.58 
Merriman. Willis E., 191 



Merritt, Magdalene Isadoie La Grange, 

Mrs., 205 
Michel, Fred G., Dr., 164 

Fred G., M. D. S., 368 
Mickel, Charles, 140 
Milbank, William Edward, Dr., 282 
Millar, W. L., 235 
Miller, jr., Henry, 106 

JohnH., 107' 

jr., S. Edward, 222 
Mills, Charles H., 31 
Milne, William James, 95 
Milwain, James, 132 
Moak, James Nelson, 102 

John T., 126 
Moffat, George B., 304 
Montignani, John F., 251 
Montmarquet. J. D., Dr., 110 
Moore, Albert T., It7 

Brothers, 277 

Charles H., Dr., 54 

William,"l28 

William J., 184 
Morrow, Samuel Roteburgh. Dr., 139 
Mors, Joshua, 302 
Mott, R. H., 169 
Muhlfelder, Isidor, 7 
Mulcahy, Bartholomew, 113 
Mullenneau.x, Marcus H., 49 
Munson, George S., Dr., 127 
Murphy, Joseph A., 270 

Peter, 304 
Murphey, Elijah W., 132 
Murray,' William H., Dr., 227 

Nangle, Martin E., 307 
Neil, George, 250 
Nellis. William J., Dr., 91 
Nellegar, Edwin, 361 
Nesbitt, John H., 296 
Newton, John Milton, 348 
Nicholls, H. A., 192 
Niles, Luther H., 295 
Nathaniel, 231 



Nodine, Francis, 320 
North, Charles F., 16 

Howard C, 30 
Norton, David J., 39 
Nussbaura, Myer, 109 

O'Brien, Francis J., Dr., 153 

Smith, Hon., 363 
Ogden, Charles G., 257 
Ogsbury, John H., 301 

Junius D., 63 
Oliver, Abram E., 291 

George, 90 
Oothout, Volkert J., 43 
Oppenheim, Leo, 13 
Orelup, William H., 306 

Paddock, Edward, 361 
Page, Edward N., 197 
.Palmer, Frank Rockwell, 30 
Papen, George Washington, Dr., 363 
Paris, Russel C, Dr., 97 
Parker, William F., 303 
Parlati, Lorenzo, 330 
Parr, Henry, 320 
Parsons, Francis Marion, 197 
Passonna, Alfred, 305 
Patterson, jr., John. 128 
Payn, Edgar M., 11 

Louis F., 363 

jr., Samuel Giles, 310 
Pearsall, G. L., 203 
Pearse, Harry Seymour, Dr,, 90 
Peasley. Wallace A. , 386 
Perkins, George H., 297 
Perry, Edward Rodman, 338 
Phelps, Arthur T., 248 
Phibbs, Thomas, 271 
Phisterer, Frederick, 39 
Pickett, Robert, 21 
Pinkerton, Robert 141 
Pitkin, Wolcott H., 81 
Piatt, William John, 278 
Porter, Robert, 116 
Potts, Jesse Walker. 354 
Pratt, Aaron B., 157 

Augustus W., 115 

Louis W., 8 

Otto M., 148 

Quinlan, George B., Dr., 155 

Rankin, Edward W., 218 
Raymond, Charles H., 364 
Read, Harmon Pumpelly, Maj., 171 
Reavy, Frank C, 5 
Reid, William James, 189 
Reiley, Patrick, 40 



Reinhart, H. E., 151 
Relyea, Abram, 67 

Peter J., 300 
Reynolds, Charles W., 219 

Lewis W. , 183 
Rheinhart, Alonzo L., 287 
Rice, Joseph Taft, 261 
Richardson, William J., 182 
Rickard. Michael, 173 
Ridgwav &■ Russ, 143 
Rivet, F. A. W.. Dr., 151 
Robertson, Matthew Henry, 363 
Robmson, James A., 313 

Robert J., 278 

Walter Foote, Dr., 43 
Rochford, W. P., 142 
Rockwell, Hiram ].. 138 
Rogers, Howard Jason, 138 

W. Seymour, 13 
Romeyn, Theodore F., 18 
Ronan, Parker C, 373 
Rosemond, James, 285 
Rosenthall, MitLhell, 318 
Rowe. Willicliiius, 149 
Ruuilcll, Darius, .".6 
Ruso. C.nra.l, ;;:!7 
Russell, George H., 97- 

George L., 365 

George W. , 364 
Ryall, John, 58 
Ryan, Thomas A., Dr.. 337 

Sabin, Charles H., 36 

W. B., Dr., 158 
Sanders, Eugene, 34 
Saul, Julius, 120 
Sauter, Louis, jr,, 373 
Saxton, Thomas, 77 
Sayles, William, 120 
Schaefer, Frederick William, 367 
Scharbauer, Philip, 320 
Scherer, Robert G., 98 
SchilTerdecker, Fred A., 365 
Schneider, Charles N., 367 
Schubert, Theodore, 127 
Schultes, J. B., 103 
Schutter, William L., Dr., 365 
Schuyler, Richard P., 119 

Stephen, 321 
Scott, Jacob C. E., 41 
Secor, Benjamin M., 130 
Seelmann, Andrew G. , 3 
Selkirk, Alexander, 340 

William, 56 
Sessions, Charles E., 6 
Settle, Theodore, 104 
Severence, jr., Matthias J., 240 
Shaffer, Edwin C, 173 



147 



213 



Shanks, Charles S., 117 
Shaw, Andrew, 8 
Sheehan, Daniel, 297 
Sheppey, John V., Dr., 317 
Shields, Francis, 267 
Shiland, John C, Dr., ;iO(> 
Shine, James H., 236 
Shnltes, Abram, 360 
Sill, John De Friest, 170 
Silliman, George Dent, Rev., 334 
Simmons, George E.,237 
Simpkin, Henry, 288 

Robert P., 288 
Simpson, An.son A., 153 

John F., 237 
Sims, Albert F., 271 
Sisson, Frank N.. 366 
Skillicom, John H., Dr., 
Skmner, David F., 308 
Slade, E. F., 236 
Slau-sen, Edwin, 103 
Slavin, Thomas, 237 
Slingerland, Corneliu 
De Witt Chester, 338 
Henry, 59 
William H., 63 
William Harris, jr., 368 
Smalling, L. K., 94 
Smelzer. Baxter T., Dr., 144 
Smith, Charles H., Dr., 165 
Charles W., 103 
Frank J., 335 
Henry A., 293 
James E., Dr., 366 
M. B., 94 
Oscar, Capt., 6 
Snyder, Cecil, 288 
Henry F., 340 
Soderstrora, Charles E,, 21 
Soop, J. J., ;!45 

Southworth, Julius B. Dr., 130 
Spaulding, Alonzo, 184 
Spillane, P. H., 236 
Speir, Stuart G., 169 
Spencer, Charles M., 320 
Sporborg, Silas, 279 
Springer, J. Austin, 194 
Spnngsted, William C, 77 
Staats, John M., 120 
Stahl, Simon, 279 
Stanton, William, 284 
Star Knitting Co., 18 
Stark, Moses, 3 
Stedman, Francis W., 91 
Steenberg, Byron U., Dr., 265 
Stephens, Peter A. , 203 

Thomas, 367 
Stern, Henrv E., 14 



Stevens, George H., 159 
Joseph, 236 

Stewart, L. D. , 84 

Stillman, William O., Dr., 43 

Stitt, James O., 104 

Stock, Bernard, 101 

Stoffels, William, 331 

Stonehouse, John Ben. M. D., 373 

Stover, Charles M., 296 

Strevell, A, M., 59 

Sturgess, Charles E , 314 

Sturtevant Stephen V., 247 

Sutherland, Charles R., 119 
Isaac P., 365 
WiUard J., 119 

Swarthout. William, 178 

Swatling, James H.. 19 

Sweeny, William P., 342 

Swett, jr., Joseph B., Dr., 38 

Swift, sr., William, 116 

Targett, Alfred E., 25 

Tayer, Albert, 290 

Taylor. Robert B., 212 

Tebbutt, Marshall, 158 

Templeton, Charles B., 208 
Ten Eyck, Clinton, 375 
Jacob H., 121 
Jacob L., 158 
James, 96 
Tennant, Albert C, 307 
Terry, Washington C, 216 
Tessier, Frank, 284 
Wilfred G., 284 
Thacher, Ralph W., 221 
Thayer, Lewis V., 64 
Thompson, David A., 352 
Thornton, George and Theron T., ; 
Tibbitts, Lorenzo B., 8 
Toedt, Emanuel B., 165 
Tompkins, Charles M., 64 

Stephen, 151 
Toner, J. Seymour, 4 
Toohey, Edward J., 146 
Townsend, Rufus King. 137 
Tracey, James F., 43 
Trager, Christopher, 78 
Travis, Wilham C, 113 
Treadwell, George Curtis, 112 
Trego, Thomas Markley, Dr., 78 
True, George M., 14 
Tucker, jr., Luther Henry, 198 

Willis G., Dr., 99 
Tupper, Horace D., 30 
Turner, John H., 174 
Tygert. Thomas, 299 
Van Aken, De Baun, 257 
Van Allen, P. C, 331 



Van Allen, Richard B., 217 

William, 293 
Van Antwerp, Daniel Lewis, 35 
Van Bergen, George A., 296 
Van Derzee, Alton. 339 

Andrews., 344 

John A., 365 
Vander Veer, Albert, Dr. 144 
Van Gaasbeek, Amos C, 369 
Van Heusen-CharlesCo., The, 105 
Van Leuven, Peter, 183 
Van Loon, William H., 310 
Van Meter, Archibald, 20 
Van Olinda, John L., 117 
Van Rensselaer, William Bayard, 210 
Van Schaack, John S., 150 
Van Slyke, G. W., & Horton, 192 
Van Valkenburgh, John W., 236 
Van Vranken, Adam T., Dr., 247 
Varney, F. E., 306 
Veeder, Peter J., 175 

William Davis, 122 
Victorin, Anthony, 10 
Viele, Maurice Edward, 50 
Vineberg, Archibald, Dr., 368 
Visscher, Edward W., 23 
Vloebergh, Louis, 138 

Wackerhagen, William B., 54 
Wadsworth, Paul, 38 
Waggoner, William S., 84 
Wagner, John, 16 
Wait, A. D., 94 

Wakefield, William H., & Son, 381 
Waldron, Henry, 339 
Walker, Charles Ashbel, 176 

Edward, 160 

JohnM., 166 

Peter, 174 

William J., 44 
Wallace, James, 319 

William A., Maj., 173 
Wallen, William, 318 
Walsh, Henry Haswell, 376 

John S., 319 
Walters, Charles, 40 
Wands, James M., 100 

John B., 37 
Ward, JohnG., 203 

Walter E., 253 
Warner, Charles B.,311 

I acob A. , 83 
WarVen, Henry P., 363 
\Vashburn, Hiram L., 317 
Waters, M. B., 23 
Jitson, Frank, 330 
.eaver, George B., 73 

William J., 105 



Weeber, Christian, 79 
Weidman, Malachi, 94 

Reuben L., 16 
Wells, Anton, 277 
Wertime, Walter H., 238 
Wetmore, Edward Willard, 186 
Wheeler, Frederick F. , 25 
Whipple, Walter, 56 
Whitbeck. Ansel McK., Dr., 99 

Henry T., 140 

Joseph M., 330 

Theodore H., Dr., 165 

William J., 129 
White, David, 318 

Isaac, 179 

John J., 187 
Whitehead, Samuel, 183 
Whitney, W. M., & Co., 283 
Wickham, Richard, jr., 372 
Wight, Edward, 40 
Wilcox, George W., 155 

Rodney, 237 
Willerton, Edmund Ronslow, 246 
Williams, C. Frank, 227 

Chauncey P., 99 

David, 250 

E. P., 369 

Elam, 313 

George A., Dr., 7 
Willis. Alexander, Mrs., 59 
Wilson, Oren E., 337 
Wiltse, James Wesley, Dr., 316 
Wing, Albert J., 51 
Winne, Barent S., 133 

Charles Visscher, 339 

John E. 

Dr., 343 
Jacob, 122 
Wiswall, Charles E., 156 

Eben S., 156 ' 

Family, the, 30 
Witbeck. Andrew H., 68 

C. E., Dr., 110 

Charles G., 303 
Wolfe, Andrew J., 371 
Wolff, John, 256 
Wood, Levi, 195 
Woodward, James Otis, Major, 

Walter M., 333 
Woolverton, Andrew W., 272 
Wormer, Eliakim F., 261 
Wright, Charles W., 101 

Fred, 180 
Wrightson, George W. , 359 
Wygant, Elmer E., 307 

Verks, George W., 151 
Young, Elias, 387 



Lansing B., 
'irth, jr., Jaco! 



Young, Henry \V., 371 
Wilhara ii., 302 
William P., 230 



Zeilman, Charles II., 200 
-teller. A., 57 



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